World’s first, groundbreaking clinical trial targets Parkinson’s warning signs

SYDNEY: Macquarie University is conducting a groundbreaking clinical trial aimed at addressing Parkinson's disease in its earliest stages. This trial focuses on a little-known early warning sign: acting out dreams, a condition known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder. While seemingly harmless, this disorder can precede the onset of Parkinson's and related conditions like dementia with Lewy bodies by up to 12 years.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder causing tremors, poor balance, speech problems, and other debilitating symptoms. Over 150,000 Australians currently live with the disease, and it affects men twice as often as women. Most cases are linked to aging and environmental factors, though 15% are hereditary.
The trial, led by Professor Simon Lewis of Macquarie University, uses a drug developed by Sydney-based biotech company Syntara. Originally designed for other conditions, this drug has shown promise in reducing brain inflammation in preclinical studies. Early intervention during the prodromal phase—before significant motor symptoms and dopamine cell loss occur—may offer the best chance to halt disease progression.
How the trial works
Participants aged 50–80 with REM sleep behavior disorder are invited to join the study. This condition often involves violent or combative dreams that result in physical thrashing, punching, or yelling during sleep. Participants will undergo assessments, including specialized PET scans, to confirm eligibility. Travel costs for the scans, available only in Melbourne, are fully covered.
The randomized control trial will test the drug’s effectiveness over six months. Most participants will receive the active drug, while a smaller group will receive a placebo. All participants will be monitored with follow-up tests to evaluate outcomes.
Hope for the future
Former teacher John Clowes, whose family history includes Parkinson’s, volunteered for the trial after noticing a shift in his dream patterns. Diagnosed with REM sleep behavior disorder, Clowes shared his optimism: “If this could help others and slow down the disease, it would be incredible.”
This world-first trial, supported by Parkinson’s UK and conducted in collaboration with Oxford University, represents a significant step toward preemptive treatment of Parkinson’s and similar neurodegenerative disorders.