Dual inhibitor targets neurodegenerative disease

The drug may target LRRK2 and JNK enzymes in order to reduce Parkinson's symptoms and slow disease progression.

Scientists have discovered a new drug that could launch a two-pronged attack on Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological condition which affects over seven million people worldwide.

Research published in ACS Chemical Biology shows that the molecule contains two compounds which each combat an enzyme implicated in the disease.

One, leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), codes for a protein called dardarin which may be involved in inter-neuron communication and phosphorylation.

DNA sequencing investigations have shown that mutations in the gene can increase a person's risk of developing Parkinson's.

The other, c-jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), has an impact on neuron survival in a range of neurodegenerative diseases, meaning its inhibition could slow progress of the condition.

Administering a single molecule that incorporates these two actions is beneficial to prescribing two separate drugs which may interfere at a detriment to efficacy or patient wellbeing.

Scientists will now work in the laboratory to determine appropriate doses and ways to develop more efficient targeting before testing it in-vivo.