The first participant has been recruited to a pioneering clinical trial for people with a sleep behaviour disorder who have a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s.
The double-blind trial, funded by the charity Parkinson’s UK, is investigating a drug called PXS-4728 in people with isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (iRBD).
Joe, the first of 40 participants, has successfully entered the study and received his first dose of either the active medication or a placebo.
Previous research has identified that the development of iRBD, where people act out their dreams, increases people’s risk of developing the disease.
A recent study found that over 70 per cent of iRBD patients went on to develop Parkinson’s or a similar neurological condition over 12 years.
Joe described what it’s like to live with iRBD, saying:
“I depend on my wife telling me of my restlessness and sometimes violent outbursts that have resulted in injury to her, myself and a few broken windows.
“I now have to make sure I have a ‘safe sleeping environment’ to help reduce the risks of any damage done to myself, my wife and my surroundings.”
This study aims to preserve brain cells by targeting inflammation in the brain of people with this specific sleep disorder that is associated with the risk of developing Parkinson’s in the future.
The trial will look at levels of inflammation before and after treatment by using a special brain scan technique and the hope is the drug could help slow or even prevent the progression of Parkinson’s.
Joe said: “Having the opportunity of being part of a research study that could help increase the medical and general knowledge of one of the possible causes/connections to Parkinson’s is my motivation to take part.
“There could be many people whose sleep is ‘disturbed’ but are unaware they may have iRBD and if so the possible link to Parkinson’s.
“I hope that this study and those participating in it will help to increase the public awareness of this.”
The study is being led by a company called Syntara, formerly known as Pharmaxis.
The company is working with researchers and iRBD patients from the University of Sydney and the University of Oxford. Joe is taking part in Australia and it’s hoped that the UK part of the study will start early 2024.
Results of the trial are expected by mid-2025.
