Substances to be probed for potential in slowing Parkinson's

WASHINGTON — The government is preparing major studies of substances that offer the hope of slowing the progression of Parkinson's disease instead of just treating its symptoms. First on the list is an over-the-counter dietary supplement.

The National Institutes of Health is finalizing plans to enroll hundreds of early-stage Parkinson's patients in a study of super-high doses of coenzyme Q-10, or CoQ10, the agency's neurology chief announced Thursday. Some scientists theorize that CoQ10, a compound made in the body, may help preserve the nerve cells that die off in Parkinson's.

An antibiotic called Minocycline and a supplement called creatine often used by bodybuilders are the next two candidates for similar studies. Preliminary research released on Thursday suggests that they, too, might offer a chance at slowing Parkinson's.

The disease gradually destroys brain cells that produce dopamine, a chemical crucial for the cellular communication that controls muscle movement. What results are increasingly severe tremors and difficulty moving.

Standard treatments are to replace lost dopamine, and a brain implant to control tremors. Both work for a while, but they do not fight the underlying cause of the disease.