Parkinson's disease could be treated with tetanus jabs - after new research found those who had the shot were half as likely to be diagnosed with the condition

Parkinson's disease could be treated with tetanus jabs - after new research found those who had the shot were half as likely to be diagnosed with the condition By Colin Fernandez Science Correspondent Published: 00:07, 9 June 2024 | Updated: 00:08, 9 June 2024 e-mail View comments Hopes that a treatment for Parkinson's is on the horizon have been raised after research suggested tetanus jabs guard against the incurable disease. People recently vaccinated against tetanus after a wound infection have been found to be half as likely to be diagnosed with the condition. Scientists suspect that tetanus bacteria are responsible for attacking the nervous system of Parkinson's sufferers.

Around 153,000 people in the UK have Parkinson's, a neurodegenerative condition which causes pain, shaking limbs and difficulties moving. Every hour two more people are diagnosed and the disease costs the NHS more than £725 million a year. Former Newsnight presenter and University Challenge quizmaster Jeremy Paxman , who has Parkinson's, has said it 'makes you wish you hadn't been born'.

Hopes that a treatment for Parkinson's is on the horizon have been raised after research suggested tetanus jabs guard against the incurable disease (stock photo) Former Newsnight presenter and University Challenge quizmaster Jeremy Paxman, who has Parkinson's, has said it 'makes you wish you hadn't been born' The new findings suggest widely available tetanus vaccines could prevent or treat Parkinson's, which usually a.