Virus destroys Parkinson's symptoms

YourNewsNow - Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. It develops gradually, and often starts with a barely noticeable tremor in one hand. While tremors may be the most well-known sign of Parkinson's disease, the disorder also commonly causes a slowing or freezing of movement.

According to the Mayo Clinic, there's no cure for Parkinson's disease, but medications can help control some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, and in some cases, surgery may be helpful.

A small region deep within the brain is the source for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. When brain neurons in that region of the brain begin to die, the cells can no longer manufacture the molecule dopamine -- a chemical critical for controlling movement.

The exact cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown, but several factors appear to play a role, including genes. Researchers have found specific genetic mutations that likely play a role in Parkinson's disease. In addition, scientists suspect that many more changes in genes -- whether inherited or caused by an environmental exposure -- may be responsible for Parkinson's disease. Exposure to toxins or certain viruses may trigger Parkinson's signs and symptoms.

For the first time, gene therapy has proven successful in Parkinson's patients. The therapy uses a virus that is stripped of its infectious properties and delivered with a thin tube into the brain's subthalamic nucleus -- a structure "the size of a pine nut" that is involved with movement.

Researchers followed 45 patients for six months after the procedure at seven U.S. medical centers. Half the patients showed improvements early on, which they still sustained six months later.

Most current therapies and research approaches target dopamine to treat motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease. In contrast, the focus of the current gene therapy strategy is on increasing GABA -- a brain neurotransmitter that regulates movement.

In Parkinson's disease, GABA is reduced in the area of the brain known as the subthalamic nucleus, causing it to be overactive. Investigators feel this might be a better way to help advanced Parkinson's disease. (SOURCE: Henry Ford Health System)

Children's Teeth Help Stem Cell Research

 

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Experts say children's teeth might hold the key to effective treatments for diseases like Parkinson's disease and diabetes.

Children's teeth may be more valuable than a quarter under their pillow from the Tooth Fairy.

“It has been recently discovered that there are stem cells in the pulp chamber of these teeth” said Todd Flower, the director of research at GeneCell International.

The same type of stem cells used in research at the University of Miami to repair damaged hearts can be found in children's teeth, so officials at GeneCell International are reaching out to parents to bank the dental pulp stem cells in their freezers in West Kendall. 

“Ideally we would like to get the child’s tooth extracted once it becomes loose," Flower said. "If it falls out, you lose the blood supply to the tissue inside the tooth. Therefore the cells would die.”

A dentist would have to extract the loose tooth, put it in a special collection bottle, and send it to GeneCell's laboratory, where they process then store the cells at 340 degrees below zero.

Dr Jeffrey Kane is a dentist in Aventura who volunteers at The Robert Morgan Dental Clinic in Southwest Miami-Dade.

He sees an unneeded extraction as a concern.

“Even though you know it’s going to come out at a future date, to pull it prematurely may be a tough sell for a lot of children," he said. "I know for my children it would be a tough sell.”

He says another option would be using teeth that need to be extracted before braces or wisdom teeth.

There's also the issue of cost. Dental pulp services including processing and storage for up to four teeth at once runs from $695 for a year to $2,295 for 20 years. 

Flower points out that in the future “these cells probably could be used to treat many debilitating conditions like Parkinson’s, potentially spinal cord injury, even diabetes."

Dr. Joshua Hare, the director of the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute at UM Miller School of medicine, said it's too early to say how much impact baby teeth can have on future medical breakthroughs.

While the research is extremely encouraging, Hare said "we can't say right now for sure it would be useful in the future, but it doesn't hurt to bank these cells if cost is not a problem."

He also points out it's unclear if frozen stem cells from a child's tooth will still be good to use 50 or 60 years later when they might be needed.

Fat happens to be another rich source of these promising stem cells. GeneCell says banking the fat extracted during liposuction might be in the near future.

By Diana Gonzalez

source: http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Childrens-Teeth-Help-Stem-Cell-Research.html

Isotope Biomarkers Reveal Protein Fingerprints of Brain Disease

 

Monday, September 19, 2011

KineMed Inc. ( www.kinemed.com ) announced today that Dr. Patrizia Fanara, Vice President of Neuroscience, will present at the 5th Neurodegenerative Conditions Research and Development Conference on Sept 22nd, 2011 in San Francisco, CA, at 10.10am.

Dr. Fanara's presentation entitled "Novel Biomarkers that Monitor Brain Changes in Neurodegeneration and Translate into Humans" will discuss how KineMed's neuronal pathway-based biomarker approach has advanced the field of biomarker research and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Fanara will focus on KineMed's use of non-radioactive isotopic labeling to compare changes in the kinetics of biochemical processes between healthy and diseased states, thereby identifying pathways that are causal in pathogenesis.

"We will be presenting advances that represent a new future in this field through an unprecedented ability to measure not just one molecule but an entire pathway, and the flux of proteins within that pathway. This enables us to look directly into the immense complexity of neuronal function in vivo and obviates the need to create simplified disease models, with their inherent weaknesses. We are providing our collaborators with a rich and powerful toolset that reveals causal disease processes in their early stages, identifies trackable biomarkers and precisely measures the effects of drug perturbation on disease progression. KineMed is continuing to advance techniques that can therefore be applied both to the detection of neurological disorder and to the development of truly disease-modifying, effective therapeutic strategies to address Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Huntington's, ALS and other neurodegenerative conditions," said Dr. Patrizia Fanara, Vice President of Neuroscience.

Dr. Fanara's presentation will provide an overview of:

Rational and exploratory biomarker discovery approaches through putative linkage with pathways relevant to neurodegeneration; Real-time indices of neuronal dysfunction and reparative processes; Ability to measure dynamic biological and biochemical processes occurring in neurodegeneration and to move quickly from animal studies to human trials; Information gained about the disease process from brain chemistry signatures from neurons and other cell types in humans that can be back-translated to preclinical models; Biomarkers that can be useful to clarify disease mechanisms and to discover new diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

SOURCE: KineMed, Inc.

For more information, please visit: http:/ www.gtcbio.com

HEALING OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE THRU EXERCISE

  Exercise plays a key role in the management of Parkinson's disease (PD). If done regularly, it may slow down the progression of the disease. It usually includes stretching, strength training and aerobic activities. An exercise program should be individualized and should be based on the patient's ability level so as to maintain flexibility, mobility and general well-being. It is usually recommended by the rehabilitation specialist who works hand in hand with a physical therapist.

HEALING OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE THRU EXERCISE

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Exercise plays a key role in the management of Parkinson's disease (PD). If done regularly, it may slow down the progression of the disease. It usually includes stretching, strength training and aerobic activities. An exercise program should be individualized and should be based on the patient's ability level so as to maintain flexibility, mobility and general well-being. It is usually recommended by the rehabilitation specialist who works hand in hand with a physical therapist.

Dr. M. Schenkman, et. al, did a a randomized, controlled trial in 1998 at the Duke University  Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, USA, on how exercise can improve spinal flexibility and function for people with Parkinson's disease. The study showed improvements in axial mobility and physical performance within a 10-week exercise program for people in the early and midstages of PD.

In another study done by Dr. Victur Lun, et.al, in 2005, the effects of a self-supervised home exercise program were compared with the effects of a physiotherapist-supervised exercise program on the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. There was note of a statistifically significant improvement on the motor symptoms for both programs with similar effectiveness.

The above findings are important in the counseling of PD patients regarding adjunctive treatment of motor symptoms of PD with exercise.

Some of the benefits of regular exercise for the person with Parkinson’s disease are as follows: 

Improved control over gross motor movements, such as walking 
Increased muscle strength and flexibility 
Increased cardiovascular fitness  Improved coordination and balance 
Improved posture  Reduced muscle cramping 
Greater confidence in performing daily activities 
Reduced stress levels  Improved joint mobility

General recommendations on getting started are the following: 
Spend at least 15 minutes of exercise every day. 
A thorough stretching program that targets each joint and muscle group is recommended. 
Warm up and cool down for a few minutes like marching in place or stretching. 
Begin with the easiest exercises first and slowly perform the more difficult exercises as your fitness increases. 
Try to execute each movement to the best of your ability. 
Stop and rest if you get tired at any point during your exercise program to prevent worsening of your symptoms. 
Stop performing any exercise that causes you pain. 
If you get tired easily, try exercising earlier in the day. 
Try to make exercising fun by exercising with others or playing your favourite music.

If you are at risk of falling or freezing (sudden inability to move), general safety suggestions include the following:
Sit down when you do your exercises. 
Grab a chair when performing standing exercises. 
Avoid floor exercises if you can’t get up by yourself. 
Don't exercise alone even at home so you can ask help if necessary. 
Exercise with others. 
Call for assistance from a family member or friend.

Aim to build up to 8–10 repetitions of each exercise.

Ideally, the exercise program should target the following:
Overall fitness  Muscle flexibility
 Legs 
Head and shoulders 
Arms and torso 
Face 
Hands and wrists

References:1. Movement Disorders Volume 20, Issue 8, pages 971–975, August 2005

Source: http://parkinsonsdiseaseintheworld.blogspot.com/2011/09/healing-of-