One for two

Researchers have developed an insulin analogue that promises to tackle both high blood glucose levels and neurodegenerative processes such as Parkinson's disease (PD) in diabetic patients. Designed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, it concurrently releases hydrogen sulphide gas, which is a modulator of neurotoxicity.

People with diabetes suffer from several associated complications as the metabolic disorder affects multiple organs. While the adverse effects of diabetes on the eyes and kidneys are long known, recent studies (bit.ly/diabetes-neurodegeneration) have shown that high blood sugar levels, when uncontrolled for long periods, can also increase the risk or progression of neurodegenerative disorders such as PD. In diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin. Studies have shown that insulin is also crucial for maintaining the health of neurons, particularly dopamine-producing neurons, which are lost in Parkinson's.