Menthol for Improving Movement and Sleep in Parkinson's Disease Patients

Summary

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by both motor and non-motor symptoms due to the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons. There is currently no cure. Menthol, a natural compound that activates TRPM8 receptors, has shown neuroprotective and motor function benefits in preclinical PD models. In mice, distal limb immersion in menthol improved dopamine neuron survival and motor performance. Similar menthol-based interventions improved outcomes in a stroke model and a clinical trial with stroke patients. This study investigates whether topical menthol can offer therapeutic benefits for individuals with PD.

Timeline

Start

2025-12-15

Primary completion

2027-07-31

Completion

2027-07-31

Publications

• Background Huang SS, Su HH, Chien SY, Chung HY, Luo ST, Chu YT, Wang YH, MacDonald IJ, Lee HH, Chen YH. Activation of peripheral TRPM8 mitigates ischemic stroke by topically applied menthol. J Neuroinflammation. 2022 Jul 27;19(1):192. doi: 10.1186/s12974-022-02553-4.

Drugs

Indications