Parkinsons - The Great Drug Experiment

SINOPSE

Featuring leading neurologists and professors, Parkinson s: The Great Drug Experiment explains the science and risks behind this crucial trial, tracing the volunteers varied experiences over the period of a year.
Parkinson s disease affects around 13 million people worldwide. It used to be considered an old persons disease, but is being diagnosed in increasing numbers of people in their 40s and younger. Once diagnosed with Parkinson s, people are told they can expect to be kept in reasonable shape with the current treatment for five to ten years. It is highly variable and some will stay relatively stable for years after that, but many people are already struggling.
This documentary follows a group of Parkinson s patients as they test MitoQ, a promising new drug meant to slow the progression of the disease. Antipodean Pharmaceuticals Ltd. are behind the making and marketing of the drug, with millions of investment dollars out of New Zealand and the United States. According to CEO Ken Taylor It s a high risk game but the returns are also very high . Neurologist Barry Snow, the head of the clinical side of the drug trial, is cautiously optimistic: If this works it will be a major discovery. Will it work? Well we don t know, but if it does it will be the first drug that slows the progression of Parkinson s disease.