New Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease 2025: India’s Cutting-Edge Therapies

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that alters movement and coordination and is characterized by tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. It damages dopamine-producing cells, a hormone that regulates coordination and movement.

This blog intends to bring the spotlight on the latest treatment for Parkinson’s Disease in India and highlight the current cutting-edge therapies in treating Parkinson disorders.

Causes of Parkinson’s disease

1. The presence of a family history of Parkinson’s increases the risk of the disorder. Genetic mutations and modifications also contribute to the risk of development of Parkinson’s. 
2. The leading cause of Parkinson’s disease is the loss of dopamine-producing neurons. The loss of neurons decreases dopamine levels, resulting in altered brain activity. 
3. Exposure of individuals to environmental factors, pesticides or toxins such as MPTP increases the risk of Parkinson’s.
4. Certain brain infections or conditions, such as encephalitis, cause inflammation, which affects brain activity.
5. Frequent episodes of trauma or concurrent head injuries are causes that also increase the risk of disease since they damage the brain.
6. The other characteristic feature of Parkinson’s is the formation of Lewy bodies. When proteins clump together and aggregate, it results in the formation of Lewy bodies.
7. Changes in mitochondria damages cells in the brain, and mitochondrial changes are evident in Parkinson’s disease. 

New treatment for Parkinson’s Disease 2025

WALK (Wearable mobility aid)

WALK is a neuromodulatory wearable device developed by Lifespark Technologies that plays an essential role in preventing gait symptoms in patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. It is a non-invasive device worn over the mid-portion of the thighs on both legs. 

Parkinson’s alters communication from the basal ganglia to the spinal cord and the muscles. WALK works by sending impulses from the muscles by using patterned stimuli. So, WALK’s stimulation of muscles enhances coordination and communication during walking. The best thing is that the device also consists of sensors, which provide real-time feedback and help record data and track symptoms.

This way, WALK helps reduce symptoms such as gait freezing and falls and improves walking ability.

Smart sensor system

The IASST (Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology) developed a cutting-edge technology smart sensor system that helps determine the concentration of L-dopa in the body.

The sensors are made from Bombyx mori silk cocoons, using their silk-fibroin protein layer and incorporating it with graphene oxide nanoparticles. They work on the principle of fluorescence. The system can detect L-dopa concentrations within a 5 to 35µm range in fluids such as sweat, urine, and blood.

The system operates on a smartphone-based electronic circuit interconnected to LED. The entire system is placed in a chamber, and external light is completely excluded. Any visual color changes are captured with a camera. Thereafter, the RGB values obtained help determine the L-dopa concentration by employing the mobile app.

New Nano-Formulation

The development of new Nano-formulation by the INST (Institute of Nano Science and Technology) Mohali scientists, aims to sustain the release of the 17 β estradiol. In this formulation, the incorporation of Dopamine Receptor D3 (DRD3) to 17β-Estradiol-loaded chitosan nanoparticles results in slow release of estradiol, leading to prolonged time of action.

The targeted Nano-formulation inhibits mitochondrial damage and protects against neuronal loss. It also improves behavioral symptoms making a remarkable contribution to the advancement of technology in Parkinson’s.

Deep Brain Stimulation

It is a neurostimulator device, where clinicians implant the device consisting of electrodes in specific areas of the body. When stimulated, the device delivers mild electric stimulations or currents depending on the requirement to treat abnormal brain activity.

Such stimulation therapy improves symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and involuntary movements.

Magnetic Resonance Guided Focussed UltraSound (MRgFUS) Therapy

Magnetic Resonance Guided Focussed UltraSound (MRgFUS) Therapy is a non-invasive therapy that combines Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ultrasound waves. In this therapy, strong ultrasonic energy is used to target specific areas of the brain.

This therapy is useful in Parkinson’s patients, particularly in treating tremors.

Wearable devices

Wearable devices incorporated with AI also offer a lot of hope as they not only help track symptoms but also help in recording real-time data, which help in personalizing treatment regimen.

Stem cell therapy in Parkinson’s Disease

The idea behind using stem cell-based therapies is to foster regenerative capacity, decrease progression of the disease, and enhance the quality of life. Stem cells work by various mechanisms to reduce progression of Parkinson’s disease.

1. Proliferation of stem cells: Stem cells proliferate and differentiate into specialized types of dopamine-producing cells.
2. Replace lost neurons: After the differentiation process, stem cells restore lost neurons and repair the damaged neurons, thereby enhancing dopamine levels.
3. Release of neurotropic growth factors: Stem cells release various neurotrophic growth factors such as Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which decreases neuronal apoptosis and enhances neuronal survival.
4. Immunomodulation: Stem cells modulate the immune system by regulating inflammatory response, decreasing the 1L-10 and TNF-α inflammatory cytokine levels, and reducing oxidative stress. Immunomodulation leads to reduction of inflammation and improvement of symptoms, resulting in delayed disease progression.
5. Improvement of symptoms: Stem cells decrease symptoms of tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability and enhance motor and cognitive functions.

What outcomes can one expect following stem cell therapy

1. Enhanced coordination, posture, and gait
2. Decreased muscle stiffness
3. Improved cognitive and motor functions
4. Reduced mood swings and episodes of depression
5. And enhanced survival functions.

What do the clinical trials suggest?

1. A phase I clinical trial study in patients with Parkinson’s disease, “Safety and feasibility of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation,” indicates that stem cell therapy improves motor functions and reduces symptoms.
2. Another phase I/IIa clinical trial study, “Safety and feasibility in Parkinson’s disease patients of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation,” reports that stem cells decrease the severity of symptoms, show remarkable improvement in motor functions, and are safe and effective.

Perks of stem cell therapy

1. Better control of muscle movement
2. Decreased muscle tremors
3. Enhanced body balance
4. Enhancement of speech
5. Enhanced reading and writing capability.

Conclusion

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder impacting hundreds of millions of people. While there exists no cure for Parkinson’s, the latest technological research and advancements offers hope for the treatment of Parkinson’s. The cutting-edge therapies varying from diagnosis to treatment have progressed over time and provide hope in treating the disease. 

The regenerative ability of stem cell therapy has taken greater strides in the neurological field. Stem cells also provide numerous benefits in the treatment of Parkinson’s.

FAQs

Q: What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that alters movement and coordination and is characterized by tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. It damages dopamine-producing cells, a hormone that regulates coordination and movement.

Q: What is Magnetic Resonance Guided Focussed UltraSound (MRgFUS) Therapy?

Magnetic Resonance Guided Focussed UltraSound (MRgFUS) Therapy is a non-invasive therapy that combines Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ultrasound waves. In this therapy, strong ultrasonic energy targets the specific areas of the brain.

Q: How do stem cells inhibit neuronal apoptosis?

Stem cells release various neurotropic growth factors and molecules, such as, vascular endothelial growth factor, glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which decreases neuronal apoptosis and enhances neuronal survival.

Q: What are the outcomes post stem cell therapy?

The outcomes post stem cell therapy are enhancement of coordination, posture, and gait, decrease in muscle stiffness, improvement in cognitive and motor functions, reduction of mood swings and episodes of depression and enhancement of survival functions.