AI Assists in Potential Parkinson's Drug Side Effect Discovery

A man utilized Google's Gemini AI to help diagnose a rare side effect of a common Parkinson's medication that was causing his mother severe seizures. Ed Patrick, the son, used the AI tool to summarize recent medical journal articles after his mother, Ann, was admitted to a Nottinghamshire hospital in critical condition with continuous seizures and kidney failure.

"She was taken to hospital with non-stop fits and convulsions," Patrick told BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine Show. Hospital staff informed him that standard anti-seizure medications were ineffective. Upon arriving at the hospital, he found his mother unconscious and suffering from ongoing convulsions.

Patrick fed information about his mother's symptoms and her Parkinson's treatment, which included carbidopa-levodopa, into the AI tool. The AI's analysis suggested a potential link between her condition and a rare side effect of vitamin B6 deficiency, possibly exacerbated by her Parkinson's medication. He relayed this information to the attending neurology consultant.

Medical staff administered an intravenous supplement of vitamin B6, which appeared to halt the seizures. "She hasn't had a seizure since," Patrick reported, adding that the neurologist was "high-fiving me" the following day. Dr. Bruno Gran, the consultant neurologist at Nottingham University Hospitals, confirmed the speed and magnitude of the response, stating, "Within minutes of administering vitamin B6, Ann's seizure activity stopped."

Ann has since made a full recovery from the seizures, and Patrick noted a significant improvement in her day-to-day cognitive symptoms related to Parkinson's. "It's like we've got mum back," he said. "She's sharp as a tack. Cognitively, it's like she's gone back in time five to 10 years."

Dr. Gran indicated that the hospital is working to raise awareness of this potential issue, starting with practice changes within their team. He noted that only 14 similar cases have been reported worldwide for Parkinson's patients, but insights from this case could help clinicians identify and prevent similar situations in the future. Parkinson's is a progressive disorder affecting the brain, nervous system, and muscle control, impacting an estimated 166,000 people in the UK.

Patrick believes vitamin B6 could benefit other Parkinson's patients, both in emergency situations and for long-term cognitive decline. He shared that his mother's case has been presented to colleagues, leading to regional practice changes regarding the appropriateness of B6 supplementation.

Limited existing clinical evidence connects B6 deficiency in Parkinson's patients with cognitive impacts. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a memo earlier this year requiring certain Parkinson's drugs to carry a warning about potential links to B6 deficiency.

Dr. Graham Johnson, a consultant in emergency medicine, suggested that patient stories can sometimes lead to research breakthroughs and that experts may use this case to build a wider evidence base through studies and clinical trials. Caroline Rassell, CEO of Parkinson's UK, expressed support for research trials into vitamin B6 deficiency and Parkinson's, stating that understanding these connections could transform care.

Both Rassell and other medical professionals advise caution, emphasizing that patients should never alter medications or supplements without medical advice. Professor Tom Foltynie, a Parkinson's specialist at University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, warned that excessively high doses of vitamin B6 can cause problems and recommended blood tests before seeking supplements. He added that while awareness of the link between low B6 and negative outcomes is growing, it has not yet led to widespread prescription of B6 for Parkinson's patients. He suggested that checking B vitamin levels more regularly and supplementing when necessary could be beneficial for Parkinson's patients.

Shortly after her recovery, Ann was well enough to hold her youngest granddaughter and read her a story from her hospital bed.