April 27, 2010 by mike.

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April 27, 2008 by mike.

last updated: 11 April 2008 A surge of Parkinson’s disease linked to rapidly ageing populations worldwide will severely tax health care systems in coming decades, experts warned ahead of World Parkinson’s Disease Day.

AdvertisementThe burden of Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases that strike later in life will be amplified, experts say, by breakdown of informal, home-based care networks that are already strained.

“In many countries, overdependence on voluntary care is a key issue caused by lack of appropriate, consistent and affordable institutional resources,” said Mary Baker, president of the European Parkinson’s Disease Society.

“With an ever-increasing elderly global population, the cost to nations will be astronomical if action is not taken now, at the beginning of the 21st century,” she said.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) forecasts a 20 percent jump from 2007 to 2030 in the number of “disability-adjusted life years” (DALYs) attributable to Parkinson’s.

DALYs is a measure that combines years of life lost due to a disability, and years of healthy life lost.

The rate of increase over the same period for Alzheimer’s and other progressive neurological disorders that typically emerge in old age is even higher at 66 percent.

Myths and misconceptions about Parkinson’s
For 2008, World Parkinson’s Disease Day is seeking to overturn myths and misconceptions about the condition, which affects 6.5 million people around the world.

Sufferers of what James Parkinson, the English doctor who first diagnosed the disease, called “the shaking palsy” are sometimes shunned due to awkward and uncontrolled movements, or mistaken for persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Symptoms include muscular rigidity, difficulty with initiating movements, lack of balance, and slowness of voluntary actions.

“In today’s world, it is necessary to move fast, and to communicate through body language and emotions,” commented French Psychiatrist Philippe Nuss of Saint Antoine Hospital in Paris. “Parkinson’s attacks exactly these three areas.”

For Marie Vidhaillet, a neurologist at Pitie Salpetriere Hospital, living with the disease is like the fickle weather of March, with an unpredictable sequence of good days and bad days.

“You have to learn to live with it without succumbing to it,” she added.

Death of brain neurons
Parkinson’s is caused by the death of neurons in the brain that produce dopamine, a chemical neurotransmitter that regulates, among other things, bodily movement.

Several medications compensate for the lack of dopamine that triggers symptoms, but only imperfectly. Neurosurgical treatments also exist, but are only appropriate in five percent of cases.

Among the misconceptions surrounding Parkinson’s is the idea that it is “an old person’s disease,” said Vidhaillet.

At least 10 percent of patients in France are under 45, but “most doctors don’t think of Parkinson’s if a patient is 40 years old.”

“In our society, where one does not have the right to get old, the disease is doubly stigmatising,” she said. ?(Marlowe Hood/Sapa)

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April 13, 2008 by mike.

An unusually serious one, this. Research shows that tango can actually be good for people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, a degenerative disease of the nervous system.

Researchers Gammon M. Earhart, Ph.D., assistant professor of physical therapy, and Madeleine E. Hackney, a predoctoral trainee in movement science, compared the effects of Argentine tango dance classes to exercise classes on functional mobility in 19 patients with Parkinson’s disease. The participants in the dance program showed significant improvement in several standard tests for patients with Parkinson’s disease

Tango is often viewed as one of the more challenging dances to become good at, rather than merely proficient. I can’t help wondering if it’s that quality of concentration and co-ordination that helps in this situation.

The researchers said that while dance in general may be beneficial for patients with Parkinson’s disease, tango uses several aspects of movement that my be especially relevant for these patients including dynamic balance, turning, initiation of movement, moving at a variety of speeds and walking backward.

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January 18, 2008 by mike.

PFP Inc. , in forging “Partnerships for Parkinson’s” has joined with Prodege to create a method of funding the 501 (c) 3 organization through web search engines.

Download the special toolbar at the following site:

http://PartnershipsforParkinsonsPFPInc.prodege.vmn.net/

Install and every time you use the search box a donation is made to PFP Inc!

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November 18, 2007 by mike.

Researchers have successfully used a peptide to reverse biochemical, cellular and anatomical changes that occur in the brains of mice with Parkinson’s disease (PD), and report success in preventing the disease from progression.

“This could be a new approach to halt disease progression in PD patients,” said study author Kali Pahan, PhD, professor of neurological sciences at Rush University Medical Center. Dr. Pahan and colleagues from Rush, along with researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, and Yale University, New Haven, published these findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, November 13, 2007.

The authors have shown that one protein, NF-kB, is increased in the midbrain of PD patients and mice with PD pathology, and the researchers used a novel peptide (small proteins) to block this protein in mice with PD-like symptoms.

Pahan explained that after intraperitoneal injection (injection into the abdomen of the mouse) this peptide enters into the brain and blocks protein NF-kB and other associated toxic molecules, and goes on to protects neurons, normalizes neurotransmitter levels, and improves motor functions in mice with PD. Peptides, proteins and certain drugs usually do not enter into the brain after crossing the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, at present, peptides, proteins or genes are injected into the brain which is risky and painful. “To overcome this problem, we have added a tag in front of that peptide that is helping the peptide enter into the brain. Therefore, there is no need to inject these peptides into the brain. This is an important discovery.

Understanding how the disease works is important to developing effective drugs that protect the brain and stop the progression of PD,” Pahan said. “Now we need to translate this finding to the clinic and test this peptide in patients with PD. If these results can be replicated in PD patients, it would be a remarkable advance in the treatment of this devastating neurodegenerative disease.”

Parkinson’s is a slowly progressive disease that affects a small area of cells within the mid-brain known as the substantia nigra. Gradual degeneration of these cells causes a reduction in a vital chemical neurotransmitter, dopamine. The decrease in dopamine results in one or more of the classic signs of Parkinson’s disease that includes: resting tremor on one side of the body; generalized slowness of movement; stiffness of limbs; and gait or balance problems. The cause of the disease is unknown. Both environmental and genetic causes of the disease have been postulated.

Parkinson’s disease affects about 1.2 million patients in the United States and Canada. Although 15 percent of patients are diagnosed before age 50, it is generally considered a disease that targets older adults, affecting one of every 100 persons over the age of 60. This disease appears to be slightly more common in men than women.

This research was supported by grants from Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and National Institutes of Health.

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October 27, 2007 by mike.

by MT Bureau - October 27, 2007 - 0 comments
Tucson — A U.S. researcher says he thinks he knows why Parkinson’s patients treated with Deep Brain Stimulation often exhibit compulsive behaviors.

Michael Frank, of the Laboratory for Neural Computation and Cognition at The University of Arizona, and colleagues say DBS interferes with the brain’s innate ability to deliberate on complicated decisions.

DBS is a surgical treatment involving the implantation of a brain pacemaker, which sends electrical impulses to specific parts of the brain to treat disorders such as chronic pain, Parkinson’s disease and tremor. DBS implants affect the subthalamic nucleus part of the brain, which also modulates decision-making.

“This particular area of the brain is needed for what’s called a ‘hold-your-horses’ signal,” Frank said in a statement. “When you’re making a difficult choice, with a conflict between two or more options, an adaptive response for your system to do is to say ‘Hold on for a second. I need to take a little more time to figure out which is the best option.’”

This could be one explanation for why these patients develop gambling habits, Frank said.

The findings are published in the journal Science.

© 2007 United Press International.

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October 19, 2007 by mike.

Main Category: Alzheimer’s / Dementia News
Article Date: 11 Oct 2007 - 10:00 PDT

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In a finding that may lead to potential new treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, researchers at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at MIT report an unexpected role in the brain for a well-known protein.

A study by Morgan H. Sheng, Menicon Professor of Neuroscience and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, and colleagues appearing in the Oct. 23 issue of Current Biology shows that the same protein that enables a yeast cell to bud into two daughter cells also helps neurons sprout the branch-like protrusions used to communicate with other neurons.

The work revolves around septins–proteins known since the 1970s to play an essential function in the process through which the cytoplasm of a single yeast cell divides. “In yeast, septin is localized exactly at the neck between the yeast mother cell and the bud or emerging daughter cell,” Sheng said. “Amazingly, we found septin protein localized at the base of the neck of neuronal dendritic spines and at the branchpoint of dendritic branches.”

Nine of the 14 septins found in mammals are found in the brain. One of them, Sept7, appears the most, but its role was unclear. Septins form long filaments and act as scaffolds, recruiting other proteins into their assigned roles of builders of the cell infrastructure.

While neurons don’t divide, they do form protrusions that eventually elongate into dendritic branches. Dendrites, from the Greek word for “tree,” conduct electrical stimulation from other neurons to the cell body of the neuron from which the dendrites project.

Electrical stimulation is transmitted via synapses, which are located at various points along the dendritic branches. Dendrites play a critical role in receiving these synaptic inputs. “Because dendritic spines are important for synaptic function and memory formation, understanding of septins may help to prevent the loss of spines and synapses that accompanies many neurodegenerative diseases,” said co-author Tomoko Tada, a postdoctoral associate in the Picower Institute. “Septin could be a potential target protein to treat these diseases.”

Moreover, in the cultured hippocampal neurons the researchers used in the study, septin was essential for normal branching and spine formation. An abundance of septin made dendrites grow and proliferate while a dearth of septin made them small and malformed.

“Boosting septin expression and function would enhance the stability of spines and synapses, and therefore be good for cognitive functions such as learning and memory,” Sheng said. His laboratory is now exploring ways to prevent septin degradation and loss.

In addition to Sheng and Tada, authors are MIT affiliates Alyson Simonetta and Matthew Batterton; Makoto Kinoshita of Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine; and Picower postdoctoral associate Dieter Edbauer.

This work is supported by the National Institutes of Health and the RIKEN-MIT Neuroscience Research Center.

Written by Debbie Halber, Picower

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September 9, 2007 by mike.

By ARENA WELCH
Eagle Staff Writer

Two nationally recognized researchers hope to help the public break through the cloud of mystery surrounding Parkinson’s disease next week during a neurosciences symposium in College Station, officials said.

“Parkinson’s is still a disease with a lot of question marks around it,” said Tim Ottinger, a spokesman for St. Joseph Regional Health Center.

“Although treatment is advancing, it’s certainly not where physicians, scientists and patients would like it to be.”

Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease characterized by tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement and instability of posture, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Dr. Mahlon DeLong, a professor of neurology at Emory University School of Medicine, will discuss the current treatment methods of those afflicted with Parkinson’s disease, including medications and surgery.

Mark Cookson, a senior research fellow at the National Institutes of Health, will speak about what’s coming in terms of research into the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

The public session will be from 10 a.m. to noon Friday at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center at Texas A&M University.

The event will be followed by a symposium for physicians, scientists and researchers.

The free event is being hosted by the Texas Brain and Spine Institute, a collaboration of local physicians, health care professionals, scientists and researchers.

Dr. Jonathan Friedman, director of the Texas Brain and Spine Institute, said that the number of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s is increasing as the population gets older, so it’s important to keep up with new information in the field.

“We don’t have a cure, so any developments along those lines, even in the next couple of years - or 10 to 20 years from now - could make a dramatic difference in people’s lives,” he said.

To register for the public session of the symposium, call 731-1231.

• Arena Welch’s e-mail address is arena.welch@theeagle.com.

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September 8, 2007 by mike.

This is an informational page on Parkinson’s disease. For information on the social security disability process, including advice, tips and how the disability evaluation system works at the intial claim, reconsideration, and disability hearing levels, you may follow the link at the top of this page that leads to Disability Secrets.com or, if you are considering representation, you may scroll to the bottom of this post and submit a case evaluation form.

Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic degenerative neurological disorder that adversely affects an individual’s motor functioning. Most individuals suffer from idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.

What is meant by idiopathic? Simply that the cause of the disease is not known. However, a small percentage of Parkinson’s cases can be attributed to genetics, toxins, drugs (especially treatment with anti psychotics), and head injury.

No matter what the cause of an individual’s Parkinson’s disease, the symptoms are basically the same. Symptoms of Parkinson’s might include the tremors, muscle rigidity, gait problems, fatigue, speech impairment, difficulty swallowing, slowing of higher brain functioning, slowing of physical movement or loss of movement all together. Additionally, many individuals who have Parkinson’s also suffer from significant depression problems.

Studies have indicated that up to eighty percent of all Parkinson’s patients also have problems with depression.

Although Parkinson’s is not considered to be fatal, the progressive nature of the disease usually causes a shorter life span. As the disease progresses, Parkinson’s patients are more susceptible to pneumonia, choking, and falls, which may lead to death.

Currently, there is no known cure for Parkinson’s disease, although there are some medications and surgical procedures that are being used in an effort to reduce the symptoms.

In addition to drugs and surgical procedures, many physicians suggest that speech therapy, physical exercise, patient and family education, and good nutrition should be part of a multi faceted Parkinson’s treatment plan.

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August 25, 2007 by mike.

New Parkinson’s Disease Online Resource Now Available
From: Medical News Today
Aug 2, 2007

Consumers searching for information on Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological condition that affects more than 1.5 million Americans, now have a new online destination. The Parkinson’s Disease Blog Network (http://www.parkinsonsblognetwork.com) is the first site to centralize these individual perspectives, helping consumers to quickly identify the most relevant and useful information for any given situation. Oversight by an advisory board of patients and medical experts ensures content accuracy.

“The Parkinson’s community is highly motivated, frequently turning to the Internet as an outlet for support and information once they or a loved one have been diagnosed,” said Dr. Neal Hermanowicz, a member of the Parkinson’s Disease Blog Network advisory board and professor in the department of neurology and director of the Movement Disorders Program at the University of California, Irvine, College of Medicine. “The Parkinson’s Disease Blog Network provides a reliable, centralized online source for those pressed for time or limited by access or ability.”

The Parkinson’s Disease Blog Network was developed and is maintained by Incendia Health Studios, an inVentiv Health company. It has been designed to serve as a real-time, virtual Parkinson’s disease discussion and community forum, allowing users to exchange information and thoughts on topics ranging from symptoms to diet and treatment. All blogs registered on the network are listed with a brief descriptor and assigned to one of three categories: resource, medical or personal. Each includes a space for user comments, a five-point rating scale and also tracks the number of “views”. This allows the blogs found to be the most useful to be most prominently featured.

Kate Kelsall, author of the site’s top-rated blog, Shake, Rattle and Roll, explains, “Many of us with Parkinson’s disease feel isolated and lonely. Even after diagnosis, we are scared of what lies ahead. Connecting online with others who have the same disease can be reassuring. By sharing hopes and providing support for each other, we find commonality and realize we are not alone.”

Support for the development of the Parkinson’s Disease Blog Network was provided by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International. To learn more or register your blog, visit http://www.parkinsonsblognetwork.com.

About Incendia Health Studios

Incendia Health Studios, is the first and only ‘purpose-driven’ media company in the field of chronic disease education. The company develops and distributes unbranded disease-education content targeting the millions of people who use the Internet and other digital technologies to seek and share information on chronic diseases. Incendia Health Studios is located at 8961 Research Drive, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92618. For additional information, visit http://www.IncendiaHealth.com

About inVentiv Health

inVentiv Health (NASDAQ: VTIV) is the leading provider of commercialization and complementary services to the global pharmaceutical, life sciences and biotechnology industries. inVentiv delivers its customized clinical, sales, marketing and communications solutions through its three core business segments: inVentiv Clinical, inVentiv Communications and inVentiv Commercial. inVentiv Health currently works with over 200 unique pharmaceutical, biotech and life sciences clients, including all top 20 global pharmaceutical companies.

http://www.inventivhealth.com
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