Technologies

Invention
The present early-stage invention, a caffeinated triazabutadiene, holds great potential for combatting Parkinson's disease (PD). By labeling or inhibiting key brain functions activated in the progression of PD, the method could be valuable for research, treatment, and diagnosis.

Background
More than 10 million people are living with PD worldwide. The number of PD patients in the United States amounts to more than the number of those with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig's disease combined. After Alzheimer's, it is the most common neurodegenerative disorder. Despite the amount of research and attention dedicated to it, the PD mortality rate remains unchanged. And while approaches are shifting towards a better understanding of the underlying neurodegeneration, current approaches to motor symptom management are still rife with unpleasant side effects.