
Dubai unveils new Parkinson's Pump at King's College Hospital London in Dubai
In a remarkable advancement in medical care, King's College Hospital London in Dubai has successfully administered the subcutaneous Levodopa (Fos-levodopa) pump treatment to the youngest Parkinson's patient in the UAE and the broader Middle East, North Africa (MENA), and GCC regions. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at just 30 years old, the patient has been battling the condition for 14 years and previously relied on continuous support from three caregivers. This groundbreaking treatment marks a significant milestone in Parkinson's care, offering renewed hope and a notable improvement in the patient's quality of life.
As one of the leading facilities for advanced neurological and Parkinson's care in the region, King's College Hospital Dubai is proud to be among the first to offer the Foslevodopa pump - an innovative next-generation treatment for advanced Parkinson's disease. This procedure delivers levodopa, the gold standard in Parkinson's treatment, continuously through the skin, similar to an insulin pump used for diabetes management. The treatment is personalized to meet the individual needs of each patient, with medication doses adjusted by experienced Parkinson's specialists such as Dr. Vinod Metta and Prof. Ray Chaudhuri. The new solution transforms Parkinson's care in the UAE, enabling patients to regain their independence and participate in daily activities - such as fasting during Ramadan - after years of struggle.
Dr Vinod Metta, Consultant Interventional Neurologist & Parkinson's Specialist at King's College Hospital London, Dubai, expressed his thoughts on the successful treatment:
"Personalised care and tailored dosage are essential in Parkinson's treatment, as each patient's condition is unique. It is important to optimize the dosage based on disease severity and the patient's dopamine requirements. With device-assisted therapies like the Foslevodopa pump, patients can take control of their condition. Watching our patient regain independence, enjoy a meal on his own, and walk unaided is a powerful testament to the positive impact this new treatment can have on individuals' lives."
The procedure was carried out at the Parkinson's Centre of Excellence at King's College Hospital London in Dubai, a regional leader in movement disorder care. The center is dedicated to offering world-class diagnostics, treatment innovations, and multidisciplinary support to Parkinson's patients and their families, ensuring holistic, patient-centered care.
Professor Ray Chaudhuri, Professor of Neurology and Movement Disorders at King's College Hospital London, highlighted the significance of this breakthrough:
"This is a transformative moment for Parkinson's care in the region. Introducing Foslevodopa at King's Dubai represents a major leap forward in personalized therapy, ensuring patients receive optimal care. This groundbreaking breakthrough further reinforces King's commitment to being at the forefront of neurological advancements."
King's Parkinson's Centre of Excellence: Leading the Future of Parkinson's Care
● A Centre of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease in Dubai/UAE
● World-renowned UK-trained Parkinson's specialists, led by Dr. Vinod Metta and Prof. Ray Chaudhuri
● Bespoke and tailored approaches, supported by a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including Parkinson's nurses, physiotherapists, speech therapists, dieticians, neuroradiologists, and occupational therapists
● King's Parkinson's Centre of Excellence in Dubai started with just one patient under Dr. Vinod Metta's leadership and has since grown into a well-known tertiary referral center in the UAE, Middle East, and MENA, treating over 1,000 Parkinson's patients across the GCC
For more information about the Foslevodopa/Foscarbidopa pump treatment, please contact King's Parkinson's Centre of Excellence. Our Parkinson's Nurse Specialist will be happy to assist with any inquiries:
This advancement represents a significant step forward in improving Parkinson's care and offering hope to patients in the UAE and beyond.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Al Etihad
6 days ago
- Al Etihad
Japan firm seeks approval for stem cell treatment for Parkinson's
TOKYO (AFP) Japanese drugmaker Sumitomo Pharma said Tuesday it is seeking approval for a Parkinson's disease treatment that transplants stem cells into a patient's brain, following a successful clinical trial. The company applied to Japanese regulators for manufacturing and marketing authorisation aimed at the treatment of patients with avanced Parkinson's disease, it said in a statement. A trial led by Kyoto University researchers indicated that the company's treatment using induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells -- which have the potential to develop into any cell in the body -- was safe and successful in improving symptoms. The study involved seven Parkinson's patients aged between 50 and 69, with each receiving a total of either five million or 10 million cells implanted on both sides of the brain. The iPS cells from healthy donors were developed into the precursors of dopamine-producing brain cells, which are no longer present in people with Parkinson's disease. The patients were monitored for two years and no major adverse effects were found, the study said. Four patients showed improvements in symptoms, it said. The trial results were published in Nature in April. Sumitomo Pharma is also carrying out a clinical trial in the United States. Parkinson's disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects the body's motor system, often causing shaking and other difficulties in movement. Worldwide, about 10 million people have the illness, according to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. Currently available therapies "improve symptoms without slowing or halting the disease progression," the foundation says. iPS cells are created by stimulating mature, already specialised, cells back into a juvenile state -- basically cloning without the need for an embryo. The cells can be transformed into a range of different types of cells, and their use is a key sector of medical research.


Gulf Today
20-07-2025
- Gulf Today
Dubai meeting discusses developing charitable work
The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (IACAD) held a meeting of the Advisory Council for the Development of Charitable Work in Dubai to discuss key challenges facing the charitable sector in the emirate. During the meeting, participants also reviewed available development opportunities and appropriate mechanisms to enhance performance efficiency and ensure the sustainability of charitable giving, through strengthened governance, transparency, and the adoption of best practices in the field of charitable and social work. Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of the Department and Chairman of the Advisory Council, emphasised the importance of this coordination meeting, which falls within the Department's efforts to enhance integration and cooperation among various stakeholders in the charitable sector. He noted that the primary goal is to develop the charitable work system in Dubai and to meet the aspirations of the community and the challenges of the upcoming stage — solidifying the emirate's position as a leading hub for sustainable humanitarian work. He added: 'We believe that the development of charitable work can only be achieved through active partnership, unified efforts, and the exchange of expertise among all entities working in this field. This contributes to achieving the desired social impact and supports our wise leadership's vision of reinforcing the values of giving and solidarity.' Recently, the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) announced its contribution of Dhs1 million in support of the Fathers' Endowment campaign, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Coinciding with Ramadan, the campaign aims to establish an endowment fund that provides sustainable healthcare for the poor and needy. The Fathers' Endowment campaign aims to promote the values of honouring parents, compassion, and solidarity. It also highlights the vital role of fathers in the UAE in fostering supportive family environments that promote the well-being of all. The campaign seeks to provide healthcare to those in need within underserved communities worldwide, contributing to a dignified life and reinforcing the UAE's leading role in regional and international charitable and humanitarian efforts. Under the umbrella of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the campaign aims to further establish the noble values within Emirati society, including generosity, giving, and global humanitarian solidarity, while also advancing the concept of charitable endowments. Ahmed Darwish Al-Muhairi, Director-General of IACAD, said the Department's contribution to the Fathers' Endowment campaign reflects its deep commitment to supporting community and humanitarian initiatives that foster solidarity and generosity. WAM


Arabian Post
05-07-2025
- Arabian Post
Parkinson's Study Revives Hopes of Neuronal Recovery
A targeted drug therapy has shown potential to reverse cellular damage in Parkinson's disease by regenerating critical brain structures and restoring neuron function, according to new findings from a leading neuroscience research team. Scientists at Stanford University have demonstrated that suppressing the hyperactivity of a specific enzyme, LRRK2, with a compound called MLi-2 can prompt substantial recovery of dopaminergic signalling in a genetically engineered mouse model of Parkinson's. The treatment not only halted further degeneration but appeared to reverse structural impairments in the affected brain cells, marking a significant shift in understanding how Parkinson's progression might be modified at a cellular level. Parkinson's, a neurodegenerative condition marked by tremors, rigidity, and impaired movement, is primarily caused by the death of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain's substantia nigra. For decades, treatments have largely focused on symptom management rather than tackling the root causes of cellular dysfunction. The Stanford findings now suggest that correcting underlying molecular defects could pave the way for regenerative strategies. ADVERTISEMENT The breakthrough centres on the LRRK2 enzyme, mutations in which are among the most common genetic causes of Parkinson's. Overactive LRRK2 has been linked to damage of cellular structures called primary cilia — antenna-like projections that play a vital role in neuron communication and survival. The research team found that neurons in the striatum of the brain — a key region involved in motor control — lacked these cilia in the Parkinson's model mice. Using the LRRK2-inhibiting compound MLi-2, the team observed a significant regeneration of these lost cilia after three months of treatment. Dopamine signals began to function normally again in many of the affected neurons. The mice showed molecular signs of cellular recovery, with restored receptor localisation and improved intercellular communication. Importantly, the drug was administered after symptoms had started to appear, indicating that early-stage intervention could potentially reverse some aspects of the disease. Further investigations revealed that the repaired cilia helped restore the sonic hedgehog signalling pathway, which is essential for neuron protection and maintenance. In Parkinson's, reduced Shh signalling due to cilia loss contributes to further deterioration of neurons. Restoring this pathway through cilia regrowth suggests a dual benefit: halting ongoing degeneration and triggering repair mechanisms. Although the research was conducted on genetically modified mice, the implications for human forms of Parkinson's could be significant. LRRK2 mutations account for a relatively small percentage of all Parkinson's cases, but the pathway affected by this mutation may play a broader role in other forms of the disease, including idiopathic Parkinson's with unknown genetic causes. The MLi-2 compound itself is a highly selective, brain-penetrant molecule designed to inhibit LRRK2 activity without causing off-target effects. Previous efforts to target LRRK2 were hindered by concerns over safety and unintended consequences in other organs where the enzyme is also active. However, the current study found no major toxic effects over the duration of the experiment, opening the door for cautious optimism about its translational potential. ADVERTISEMENT Neuroscientists have long been searching for ways to go beyond dopamine replacement therapies, which offer temporary relief but do not prevent neuron loss. Deep brain stimulation and other invasive procedures are used in advanced cases but are not curative. A pharmacological approach that addresses root biological causes has remained elusive. The discovery that cellular antennae can regrow and restore critical signalling functions represents a conceptual leap in the field. Experts have noted that early intervention will be key. While the drug showed promise after symptoms appeared, the degree of neuronal recovery is likely to depend on how much degeneration has already taken place. Identifying Parkinson's earlier in its course, perhaps through biomarker detection, may significantly enhance the efficacy of such treatments. Further preclinical studies and safety evaluations are expected before MLi-2 or similar compounds move into human trials. Nonetheless, the research has sparked considerable interest among those exploring disease-modifying treatments. If replicated and expanded, the findings could contribute to a paradigm shift in the management of neurodegenerative conditions more broadly. The concept of regrowing cilia to restore function in damaged neurons could also have implications for other central nervous system disorders involving disrupted cell signalling. Beyond Parkinson's, researchers are already examining cilia dysfunction in conditions such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease.