EAN 2023 | The challenges in disease-modifying therapy development in Parkinson’s disease

K. Ray Chaudhuri, MD, DSc, FRCP, FEAN, from King’s College London, London, UK, explains how the development of disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson’s disease has proven to be challenging despite extensive research on various molecules. These studies do not necessarily follow the conventional focus on the dopamine system but instead, they delve into non-dopaminergic pathways. There is now a growing emphasis on non-pharmacological measures to explore how exercise could offer neuromodulating or even neuroprotective effects. Ongoing research is revealing promising molecules that target the glutamate pathway, which may offer neuroprotective properties. Although the impact of these molecules on non-motor symptoms remains unclear, there are noticeable effects on conditions such as hyposmia, daytime somnolence, and depression. Prof. Chaudhuri hopes that by investigating these pathways, improvements in non-motor symptoms will be achieved, but this remains to be seen. This interview took place at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) 2023 Congress in Budapest, Hungary.

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