Miracle Minerals? Gold Crystals Could Help Treat Parkinson's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis, Trials Show

A groundbreaking medical advancement is underway, utilizing the remarkable properties of gold to offer hope to individuals grappling with certain chronic nervous system disorders.

Recent developments in clinical trials have showcased promising outcomes for a revolutionary medication designed to enhance brain metabolism in patients dealing with Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Clene Nanomedicine is spearheading the development of this innovative therapeutic agent, known as "CNM-Au8." This medication incorporates "catalytically-active gold nanocrystals" suspended in a water solution intended for oral consumption, as detailed on the company's website.

Described in a Science Alert article recently, these gold nanoparticles differ significantly from the conventional metal used in jewelry.

They appear as tiny wine-red flecks, synthesized inexpensively and tailored to efficiently penetrate cells or traverse the blood-brain barrier to deliver medication, making them highly suitable for pharmaceutical applications.

Clene Nanomedicine highlights in a promotional video that CNM-Au8 serves to safeguard neurons from disease-induced degeneration, bolstering their survival and functionality.

Consequently, it holds tremendous potential for revolutionizing the management of neurodegenerative diseases by restoring and fortifying neurological function.

The second phase of trials, conducted at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, demonstrated that the treatment boosted brain cell energy levels, resulting in enhanced functionality, as outlined in a report published by the Journal of Nanobiotechnology.

Dr. Peter Sguigna, an assistant professor in neurology at UT Southwestern who spearheaded the research, expressed cautious optimism about the possibility of preventing or even reversing certain neurological disabilities through this approach.

Over a 12-week period, daily administration of the drug to MS and PD patients significantly reversed deficits in brain energy metabolites, leading to notable functional improvements, according to a statement by the research team.

The treatment's efficacy lies in its capacity to restore equilibrium to brain cell energy levels by counteracting the decline in energy supply to the brain, a process that occurs naturally with age but is accelerated by neurodegenerative conditions.

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The researchers emphasized that studies across various platforms, including cell cultures, animal models and human subjects, have suggested that arresting or reversing this energy deficit could mitigate the decline or potentially facilitate partial recovery in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

While further investigation is necessary to ascertain its effectiveness in progressive MS, the findings underscore the promising prospects of this treatment before its official rollout.

According to The Cleveland Clinic, neurodegenerative disorders are chronic ailments that gradually impair and dismantle components of the nervous system, particularly the brain, over time.

Although these conditions are permanent and currently incurable, advancements in medicine have rendered many of them manageable.