Summary
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recently released an updated guideline on the diagnosis and management of Parkinson’s Disease in patients aged over 18 years. This guidance updates and replaces their earlier “NG35 – Parkinson’s disease in over 20s” guidelines. The aim is to:
“ …improve care, including monitoring and managing symptoms, providing information and support, and palliative care”.
Reference
Parkinson’s disease in adults – guidance (NG71). London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, July 2017.
There is an associated online NICE Pathways version.
Breaking News: Cautious Future Treatment Hope?
Early results from a clinical trial suggest it may, one day, be possible to halt or slow the progression of Parkinson’s Disease using a drug similar to Exenatide (which is normally used to treat Type 2 Diabetes). It is too soon to draw certain conclusions.
Reference
Gallagher, J. (2017). First hints Parkinson’s can be stopped. London: BBC Health News, August 4th 2017.
Further comment / analysis of this potential breakthrough:
Reference
Diabetes drug may be helpful for Parkinson’s disease. London: NHS Choices; Behind the Headlines, August 4th 2016.
This relates to:
Full Text Link (Note: This article requires a suitable Athens password, a journal subscription or payment for access).
Reference
Athauda, D. Maclagan, K. [and] Skene, SS. [et al] (2017). Exenatide once weekly versus placebo in Parkinson’s disease: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. August 3rd 2017. [Epub ahead of print].