Parkinson鈥檚 does not define Michael Broad 鈥 he鈥檚 been a keen photographer, climber and cyclist, and has enrolled in many online courses to improve his knowledge of the condition.
And since being diagnosed in 2013 he has taken part in a number of clinical trials to help find ways of alleviating symptoms and slowing the progression of Parkinson鈥檚, most recently PD-STAT led by the 麻豆传媒.
PD-STAT investigates whether statins 鈥 which are typically used to lower cholesterol in the blood 鈥 might work as a neuroprotective treatment, and is run at 23 hospitals nationwide. Participants are given either simvastatin or a placebo, and the trial is double-blind, which means neither the researchers nor the participants know which one they are taking until the end of the trial.
Run at sites from Cornwall to Newcastle, the trial is led nationally by Dr Camille Carroll, Associate Professor in the 麻豆传媒鈥檚 Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine (ITSMed) and Consultant Neurologist at University Hospitals 麻豆传媒 NHS Trust (UHPNT).
Dr Carroll said:
鈥淪imvastatin is a cholesterol lowering drug which evidence suggests might possibly protect nerve cells in the brain from injury or loss. In this clinical trial, we want to see whether simvastatin has the potential to slow or halt the progression of Parkinson鈥檚 disease 鈥 and it鈥檚 only thanks to the help and participation of people with the condition, like Michael, that we鈥檙e able to find out.鈥
The trial is managed by the UKCRC registered Peninsula Clinical Trials Unit at the 麻豆传媒, sponsored by University Hospitals 麻豆传媒 NHS Trust (UHPNT) and funded by The Cure Parkinson鈥檚 Trust and the JP Moulton Charitable Foundation.
The trial is about halfway through, leaving the researchers to collate, analyse and share their findings in a series of papers in the coming years. As one of 235 participants nationwide, and having just finished his last visit, Michael tells his story.
鈥淚鈥檓 from a village called Thurlstone, near Sheffield, and I first heard about the trial in an email from Parkinson鈥檚 UK, so I registered my interest with Leeds General Infirmary, part of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, to be assessed for suitability.鈥
In Leeds, the trial was led by Dr Jane Alty and research nurse Caroline Peacey.
Michael explained:
鈥淭he research team were looking for more than 200 people to take part, which they fortunately managed to do. Trying to get enough trial participants often causes delays to research, but I鈥檇 encourage anyone who can to get involved. The staff have treated me with such respect from the very beginning and answered any questions I had.鈥
At the start of the PD-STAT study, when they receive the trial medication, participants complete a number of questionnaires and motor (movement) tests, including a walking test and a finger tapping test. Then they attend a further six clinic visits after 1, 6, 12, 18 and 24 and 26 months, where they are asked about their health and any medication they are taking, as well as repeating the questionnaires and motor tests. For four of the clinic visits, the participants are asked to omit their usual PD medication, so that the researchers can get a true picture of their condition without it being masked by their normal medication.
Michael continued:
鈥淭he longest visits are the ones while in an Off State, your Parkinson鈥檚 medication needs to stop the night before attendance at the research lab, where you begin tasks to compare with the original baseline visit. Once these have been completed your medication is resumed, and approximately an hour after 鈥 dependent on the individual鈥檚 recovery time 鈥 some of the tests are repeated. The team goes to great lengths to ensure that your health is checked; you never feel neglected and always have communication with the team when at home.
鈥淲hilst on this trial I received a request from the clinical trials unit to take part in a genetic sub-study linked to PD-STAT so off I went on that one too. I understand that what I do is not for everyone, but we can鈥檛 just sit and look on, more need to get involved and assist where they can. I feel really positive about the future of Parkinson鈥檚 research and with more support, we can bring about better interventions and treatments sooner rather than later.鈥
