This study was conducted to explore findings from preclinical models of Parkinson's disease suggesting exenatide, has neuroprotective effects.
A commentary notes that although these findings of a potential new mechanism in the treatment of Parkinson's disease are exciting, there are several caveats.
• Groups were unbalanced at baseline: patients in exenatide arm were older and had higher MDS-UPDRS part 3 scores and lower total levodopa-equivalent doses than did those in the placebo group.
• Patients in exenatide group had somewhat greater increases in concomitant dopaminergic therapy over the course of trial than those did in placebo group.
• No significant between-group differences were noted in any of secondary outcome measures (including experiences of daily living subparts of MDS-UPDRS, on–off patient diaries, timed motor tests, non-motor symptom scale, Mattis dementia rating scales, and quality-of-life scales).
• 12-week washout period might have been too short to eliminate potentially long-lasting symptomatic effects of exenatide.
It concludes: “whether exenatide acts as a novel symptomatic agent or has neuroprotective effects on the underlying Parkinson's disease pathology remains unclear, but this study opens up a new therapeutic avenue in treatment of Parkinson's disease.”