The Artificial sugar Mannitol may have a potential role for Parkinson’s disease

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130617122401.htm

Mannitol is an artificial sugar alcohol produced by fungi, bacteria, algae – is also used medically as a diuretic, and during surgery as a substance that opens the blood brain barrier, to ease the passage of drugs…found that mannitol also prevents clumps of the protein α-synuclein from forming in the brain -- a process that is characteristic of Parkinson's disease.

They found that mannitol was among the most effective agents in preventing aggregation of the protein in test tubes. The benefit of this substance is that it is already approved for use in a variety of clinical interventions, Prof. Segal says.

To study fly movement, they used a test called the "climbing assay," in which the ability of flies to climb the walls of a test tube indicates their locomotive capability. In the initial experimental period, 72 percent of normal flies were able to climb up the test tube, compared to only 38 percent of the genetically-altered flies. The researchers then added mannitol to the food of the genetically-altered flies for a period of 27 days and repeated the experiment. This time, 70 percent of the mutated flies could climb up the test tube. In addition, the researchers observed a 70 percent reduction in aggregates of α-synuclein in mutated flies that had been fed mannitol, compared to those that had not…After four months, the researchers found that the mice injected with mannitol also showed a dramatic reduction of α-synuclein in the brain.

Further experiments on animal models, including behavioral testing, whose disease development mimics more closely the development of Parkinson's in humans is needed

For the time being, mannitol may be used in combination with other medications that have been developed to treat Parkinson's but which have proven ineffective in breaking through the blood/brain barrier, says Prof. Segal. These medications may be able to "piggy-back" on mannitol's ability to open this barrier into the brain.

Although the results look promising, it is still not advisable for Parkinson's patients to begin ingesting mannitol in large quantities, Prof. Segal cautions. More testing must be done to determine dosages that would be both effective and safe. [ this is their normal don’t do this yet or we’ll get sued sort of spiel, but having said that mannitol is a diuretic, its side effects in excess would be a pain…]