Immunotherapy vaccines could prevent Parkinson’s Disease

A pre-clinical study, led by researchers in the Faculty of Medicine, has given new insight into the potential of immunotherapy vaccines to prevent neurological diseases like Parkinson’s Disease.

The study, published in the journal Acta Neuropathologica, showed that UB312 antibodies bind to disease-related forms of alpha-synuclein and prevented functional decline without inducing widespread glial cell reactivity or T cell infiltration.

Alpha-synuclein pathology in the gut, a common symptom of Parkinson’s Disease, was reduced by 68%.

The study was carried out in collaboration with Vaxxinity.

Jacqui Nimmo, from the Roxana Carare Research Group, led the study and said: “Our work presents for the first time, to our knowledge, the potential of immunotherapy to reduce the Alpha-synuclein pathology in the gut, which is a vital step forward in finding better treatments for Parkinson’s Disease.

“This work has strong translational implications and supports the ongoing phase I clinical trials for UB312 in Parkinson’s Disease patients.”