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Introduction
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, causing a wide range of motor and non-motor symptoms. Despite extensive research efforts, there is still no cure for PD, and current treatments primarily focus on managing symptoms rather than halting or slowing the disease progression. However, recent research has provided a glimmer of hope with the discovery of potential therapeutic benefits of a diabetes drug called lixisenatide for Parkinson's patients. In this comprehensive review, we will delve into the background of Parkinson's disease, explore the mechanisms of action of lixisenatide and other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs, examine the findings of clinical trials evaluating their efficacy in PD, discuss the challenges and future directions in this field, and highlight the potential implications of these discoveries for patients and healthcare professionals.
Understanding Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain, leading to a deficiency of dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in motor control and other functions. The cardinal motor symptoms of PD include tremors…
