Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders in the world. It affects the central nervous system and causes various symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, difficulty walking, and impaired speech. Due to its progressive nature, Parkinson’s symptoms tend to worsen over time. To date, most available treatments only help relieve symptoms but do not stop or reverse the damage to brain cells.

However, a recent case report from Indonesia offers a glimmer of hope. In this study, a 71-year-old man who had lived with Parkinson’s for 22 years underwent an innovative 70-day therapy, consisting of 48 intravenous infusion sessions. The treatment combined hydrogen–oxygen nanobubbles, gasotransmitters (such as nitric oxide), and methylene blue. Interestingly, the patient’s routine Parkinson’s medications were continued unchanged throughout the treatment. The results were highly encouraging. The patient’s motor score on the UPDRS-III scale—commonly used to assess Parkinson’s severity—dropped from 28 to 18 points, showing a 36% reduction in symptoms. His mobility also improved dramatically: his “Timed Up and Go” performance decreased from 15 seconds to just 3 seconds, and his walking speed doubled from 0.5 m/s to 1.0 m/s. In addition, the patient reported feeling more energetic, able to walk and stand for three hours without fatigue, experiencing reduced tremors, and having clearer speech.

Why Nanobubble and Methylene Blue?

One of the key components of this therapy is methylene blue. While it may sound unfamiliar to some, methylene blue was originally known as a dye but has long been used in medicine for various purposes, such as treating infections and poisonings. In the context of Parkinson’s disease, methylene blue shows great potential due to its ability to support mitochondrial function—the “powerhouses” of the cell. It acts as an alternative electron carrier in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, helping to boost energy (ATP) production and reduce oxidative stress, which is damage caused by free radicals. Moreover, methylene blue also works as an antioxidant and monoamine oxidase inhibitor—functions that support the survival and health of neurons, especially dopamine-producing neurons that are damaged in Parkinson’s disease. Some studies even suggest that methylene blue increases the production of neurotrophic factors like BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), which is vital for the growth and repair of nerve cells.

Meanwhile, nanobubbles—tiny gas bubbles capable of carrying oxygen—help enhance oxygen supply to the brain and improve cellular metabolism. Because of their extremely small size, these bubbles can cross the blood–brain barrier, allowing the therapeutic agents they carry to reach the affected areas of the brain more effectively. While these findings are promising, the researchers emphasize that this is a single-patient case report. There was no control group or biomolecular data to objectively measure the physiological changes. Therefore, further research in the form of well-controlled clinical trials is urgently needed to validate the effectiveness, safety, and underlying mechanisms of this therapy. One thing is clear: the combination of nanobubble technology and the biochemical potential of methylene blue opens a new chapter in the search for therapies that not only relieve Parkinson’s symptoms but may also slow down—or even halt—its progression.

Source:

Fadryona, D., & Hernowo, A. T. (2025, July 22). Motor and functional improvement in a 71-year-old Parkinson’s disease patient following a series of intravenous nanobubble and methylene blue therapy: A case report [Preprint]. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202507.1803.v1