Ampicillin May Help in the Treatment of Torsion Dystonia

Filed in archive Did you know , Drugs, Vaccines and Therapeutics on January 11, 2010

Photo: Dystonia Dreams

In the latest issue of the journal Disease Models & Mechanisms, scientists report of ampicillin's potential in the treatment of early-onset torsion dystonia.

Torsion dystonia (also called idiopathic or generalized torsion dystonia) is a movement disorder characterized by sustained muscle contractions, usually producing twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. It is not fatal, but severely debilitating, eventually necessitating the use of wheelchairs or mobility scooters. There is no cure for torsion dystonia, although physical therapy and medications may help the patient with posture and gain more control with navigating wheelchair ramps, for example.

In the study, researchers discovered that ampicillin, a common antibiotic of the penicillin group, serves to activate torsinA, which, in its normal form, appears to protect cells from stresses, such as protein misfolding - a problem known to impact various movement disorders.

"In human dystonia patient cells, ampicillin was efficacious and restored the patient cells back to the normal function," Kim Caldwell said. "And, the drug restored normal movement to mice that were genetic mimics of dystonia."

The scientists have filed patents filed patents covering the use of antibiotics and other novel chemicals as activators of torsinA for treatment of dystonia and other diseases, including Parkinson's disease.

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