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There may be a whole new line of attack against the progressive ravages of Parkinson's Disease. In early tests on lab animals, an experimental compound appears to reverse the effects of the disease. CBS News Correspondent John Roberts has the latest on research that could help punch out Parkinson’s: It's most famous sufferer is Mohammed Ali--spokesman for the National Parkinson's foundation. Today, he called the foundation to find out about the new drug--that in rodents--has shown promise of reversing the effects of this debilitating disease. Greg Hamilton of Guilford Pharmaceuticals is on the team that studied the compound--called GPI-1046. Says Guilford: "In mice that had been made Parkinsonian GPI-1046 given orally was actually capable of regenerating the damaged nerves in these mice. " In a normal person, neurons the electrical pathways of the brain, produce dopamine, a chemical that helps direct the body's movements. In Parkinson’s disease, the neurons slowly deteriorate--reducing dopamine levels and short-circuiting motor movements. GPI-1046, a substance that promotes nerve growth, makes new pathways around the dead neurons, raising levels of dopamine and restoring near normal function. Parkinson's specialist Dr. Jonathan Pincus of Georgetown University believes this is a major step forward: "I think it is tremendously exciting because it holds forth the promise of a real treatment for Parkinson’s disease that would actually get at the root of the disease, which is a deficiency of dopamine." What's most exciting about this discovery say researchers is that GPI-1046 is able to cross from the blood stream into the brain where it can do its work. Most other drugs are unable to do that. It has some people cautiously uttering the word: Cure. Says Pincus: "If you define a cure as the elimination of symptoms without the need for medication, that is in fact what this would promise." Researchers caution that just because the drug works in mice doesn't mean it will work in Parkinson’s patients. They're currently testing GPI-1046 on rhesus monkeys and hope to start human trials late this year. John Roberts, CBS News, New York .