Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative movement disorder that can also cause dementia and behavioral abnormalities is another important disease target for NE3107. PD and AD share many similarities with regard to the hypothesized central roles of inflammation and insulin resistance on disease processes, although the diseases typically begin their attacks on different parts of the brain.

Like Alzheimer’s disease, PD may progress slowly, with worsening symptoms resulting in disability five to ten years after diagnosis. Most persons who are diagnosed with PD are treated with levodopa in combination with carbidopa. The combination slows L-dopa metabolism to a form that cannot be transported into the brain (dopamine). Prolonged use of L-dopa has been associated with the frequent development of involuntary movements called L-dopa induced dyskinesia (LID). The abnormal involuntary movements of LID can be as disabling as PD, itself, and may be regarded as a major limitation to L-dopa therapy.

In PD, inadequate production and utilization of dopamine, is directly related to the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Inflammation is thought to be central to the processes that lead to the low dopamine state. It is known that the protein alpha synuclein (SNA) is over expressed and misfolded in Parkinson’s Disease. The defective form of alpha synuclein creates inflammatory SNA aggregates in a region of the brain called the substantia nigra. When healthy, the substantia nigra that makes the movement mediating neurotransmitter, dopamine. Inflammation causes neuronal death and dysfunction in the substantia nigra and in surrounding regions of the striatum (a region of brain coordinating motion, decision making, and other important functions), leading to a shortage of dopamine and suboptimal brain activity related to the lower concentration of dopamine present because of neuron death. In scientific studies, (BioVie, data on file) NE3107 has shown the potential to decrease neuroinflammation and the resulting insulin resistance to slow neurodegeneration and improve neuron function.