Mayo Clinic researchers study low-dose radiation for Parkinson’s

Mayo Clinic researchers have launched a clinical trial to investigate whether low-dose radiation therapy can slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. This study is the first to explore low-dose radiation as an anti-inflammatory approach specifically for patients in the early stages of the disease.

While radiation therapy is traditionally used in higher doses to treat cancer, this trial utilizes much lower, targeted doses to address inflammation in affected areas of the brain. Principal investigator and radiation oncologist Dr. Yasamin Sharifzadeh noted that the goal is to target an underlying biological process rather than merely treating symptoms.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive movement disorder characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells and the buildup of abnormal proteins. Current treatments focus on symptom management, as there is currently no cure.