The PPAR-gamma agonist pioglitazone modulates inflammation and induces neuroprotection in parkinsonian monkeys

Journal of Neuroinflammation 2011, 8:91 doi:10.1186/1742-2094-8-91

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Christine R Swanson, Valerie Joers, Viktorya Bondarenko, Kevin Brunner, Heather A Simmons, Toni E Ziegler, Joseph W Kemnitz, Jeffrey A Johnson and Marina E Emborg

Activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) has been proposed as a possible neuroprotective strategy to slow down the progression of early Parkinson's disease (PD). Here we report preclinical data on the use of the PPAR-gamma agonist pioglitazone (Actos(R); Takeda Pharmaceuticals Ltd.) in a paradigm resembling early PD in nonhuman primates.

Clinically, pioglitazone has been tested for Alzheimer disease, multiple sclerosis, autism, stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Friedreich’s Ataxia. The results of these small clinical trials suggest that its administration can benefit patients with neurological disorders.

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