Study Reveals How Parkinson's Drug Impacts the Brain

Simon Fraser University researchers are using a new approach to brain imaging to improve drug prescriptions for Parkinson’s disease. The study, published in Movement Disorders, investigates why levodopa, the main drug for dopamine replacement therapy, is sometimes less effective. While effective for most patients, some do not benefit equally. Researchers used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to study how the drug affects brain signals. MEG measures brain electrical signals' magnetic fields and helps study brain disorders. The study involved 17 Parkinson’s patients, mapping brain signals before and after taking the drug to understand its impact. The analysis revealed 'off-target' drug effects, where the drug activates unwanted brain regions, hindering its benefits. Understanding how levodopa affects brain signals could enhance Parkinson’s treatment and personalized medicine.

Parkinson’s disease damages brain parts over time, affecting dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra. Patients may experience tremors, slow movement, stiffness, and balance issues. The research aims to improve drug prescriptions by tracking individual responses and adjusting medications accordingly. The new brain imaging analysis can be applied to study medications affecting brain signaling. SFU’s ImageTech Lab houses the only MEG in western Canada, offering unprecedented insights into brain activities. The next steps involve applying the approach to a larger patient group and making the technology more accessible to Parkinson’s patients.

According to the source: Simon Fraser University.