Scientists from the University of Eastern Finland found that two rheumatoid arthritis drugs show potential for lowering the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
The research is published in Neurology and was conducted by Anne Paakinaho et al.
Some previous studies have found that people with rheumatoid arthritis have a lower risk of Parkinson’s, and it was suggested that a class of rheumatoid arthritis drugs called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may play a role in that reduced risk.
In the study, researchers analyzed data from thousands of patients in Finland.
They found the use of most DMARDs—including methotrexate, sulfasalazine, gold preparations or immunosuppressants—at least three years before Parkinson’s disease diagnosis was not linked to the risk of the disease in those with rheumatoid arthritis.
However, the researchers did find that rheumatoid arthritis patient who took the DMARDs chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine had a 26% lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Both of these drugs affect the immune system and have been shown to have anti-Parkinson’s potential in animal studies. But results of animal studies are often different from those in humans.
The study controlled for length of time with rheumatoid arthritis, age, sex and other health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.
The team says the risk factors for Parkinson’s disease are still unclear.
Previous studies have linked rheumatoid arthritis with Parkinson’s. But they have yielded conflicting findings, with rheumatoid arthritis being associated with either a lower or higher risk of Parkinson’s.
If you care about Parkinson’s, please read studies that people with Parkinson’s may benefit from 7 walking strategies, and scientists find new way to treat Parkinson’s disease.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about diet that may prevent or even reverse Alzheimer’s disease, and a low-carb diet that could help reverse brain aging.
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