Parkinson's Database are
conducting a survey of the causes of Parkinson's Disease. They believe that the
mass accumulation of data for Physicians and Researchers will provide better
treatments and faster diagnosis. They want to accumulate as
much pertinent data on Parkinson's Disease and related diseases as possible.
They believe that this data needs to come from the patients themselves in order
to paint a much clearer picture of this disease for researchers. They do not
want personal information. They believe that they will receive a much wider and
more honest responses by providing anonymity. http://www.parkinsonsdatabase.net/
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
SURVEY OF THE CAUSES OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE
3rd March 2013 - New survey
Parkinson's Database are
conducting a survey of the causes of Parkinson's Disease. They believe that the
mass accumulation of data for Physicians and Researchers will provide better
treatments and faster diagnosis. They want to accumulate as
much pertinent data on Parkinson's Disease and related diseases as possible.
They believe that this data needs to come from the patients themselves in order
to paint a much clearer picture of this disease for researchers. They do not
want personal information. They believe that they will receive a much wider and
more honest responses by providing anonymity. http://www.parkinsonsdatabase.net/
Parkinson's Database are
conducting a survey of the causes of Parkinson's Disease. They believe that the
mass accumulation of data for Physicians and Researchers will provide better
treatments and faster diagnosis. They want to accumulate as
much pertinent data on Parkinson's Disease and related diseases as possible.
They believe that this data needs to come from the patients themselves in order
to paint a much clearer picture of this disease for researchers. They do not
want personal information. They believe that they will receive a much wider and
more honest responses by providing anonymity. http://www.parkinsonsdatabase.net/COGANE FAILS CLINICAL TRIALS FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
18th February 2013
Cogane, which
can be taken orally, readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and has been shown
to stimulate the release of GDNF. GDNF can indirectly stimulate the formation of
dopamine, the substance whose insufficiency causes Parkinson's Disease.
However, GDNF deficiency has never been shown to be the cause of Parkinson's
Disease. Previous studies claiming efficacy for Cogane in Parkinson's Disease
were only carried out in Macaque monkeys who did not actually have Parkinson's
Disease.
Phytopharm announced the results of the Phase II, randomised,
double blind, placebo controlled, dose-ranging trial of Cogane in unmedicated
patients with early-stage Parkinson’s Disease. Cogane was found to have no
beneficial effects at all on Parkinson's Disease symptoms.
Cogane, which
can be taken orally, readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and has been shown
to stimulate the release of GDNF. GDNF can indirectly stimulate the formation of
dopamine, the substance whose insufficiency causes Parkinson's Disease.
However, GDNF deficiency has never been shown to be the cause of Parkinson's
Disease. Previous studies claiming efficacy for Cogane in Parkinson's Disease
were only carried out in Macaque monkeys who did not actually have Parkinson's
Disease.DBS IS EFFECTIVE IN EARLIER PARKINSON'S DISEASE
15th February 2013 -
New England Journal of Medicine [2013] 368 (7) : 610-622
(Schuepbach WM, Rau J, Knudsen K, Volkmann J, Krack P, Timmermann L, Hälbig TD,
Hesekamp H, Navarro SM, Meier N, Falk D, Mehdorn M, Paschen S, Maarouf M, Barbe
MT, Fink GR, Kupsch A, Gruber D, Schneider GH, Seigneuret E, Kistner A, Chaynes
P, Ory-Magne F, Brefel Courbon C, Vesper J, Schnitzler A, Wojtecki L, Houeto JL,
Bataille B, Maltête D, Damier P, Raoul S, Sixel-Doering F, Hellwig D, Gharabaghi
A, Krüger R, Pinsker MO, Amtage F, Régis JM, Witjas T, Thobois S, Mertens P,
Kloss M, Hartmann A, Oertel WH, Post B, Speelman H, Agid Y, Schade-Brittinger C,
Deuschl G; EARLYSTIM Study Group)
Researchers assessed
whether it would be suitable to use Subthalamic stimulation at an earlier stage
of Parkinson's Disease. Subthalamic stimulation, which is referred to as DBS
(Deep Brain Stimulation), involves the use of
electrodes that are implanted into the brain and connected to a small electrical
device called a pulse generator that can be externally programmed. DBS can
reduce the need for L-dopa and related drugs, which in turn decreases the
involuntary movements called dyskinesias that are a common side effect of
L-dopa.
Researchers assessed
whether it would be suitable to use Subthalamic stimulation at an earlier stage
of Parkinson's Disease. Subthalamic stimulation, which is referred to as DBS
(Deep Brain Stimulation), involves the use of
electrodes that are implanted into the brain and connected to a small electrical
device called a pulse generator that can be externally programmed. DBS can
reduce the need for L-dopa and related drugs, which in turn decreases the
involuntary movements called dyskinesias that are a common side effect of
L-dopa.
In a two year clinical trial people with Parkinson's Disease
and early motor complications (with an average age of 52 and a mean duration of
Parkinson's Disease of 7.5 years) underwent neurostimulation plus medical
therapy or only medical therapy alone. The primary end point was quality of
life, as assessed with the use of the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39)
with scores ranging from 0 to 100 and higher scores indicating worse function.
For the primary outcome of quality of life, the mean score for
the neurostimulation group improved by 7.8 points, and that for the
medical-therapy group worsened by 0.2 points. Neurostimulation was superior to
medical therapy with respect to motor disability, activities of daily living,
L-dopa induced motor complications, and time with good mobility and no
dyskinesia. Serious adverse events occurred in 54% of the people in the
neurostimulation group and in 44% of those in the medical therapy group. Serious
adverse events related to surgical implantation or the neurostimulation device
occurred in 17% of people.
MOLECULAR HYDROGEN WATER FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
14th February 2013 - New
research
Movement Disorders [2013] Feb 11 (A.Yoritaka, M.Takanashi, M.Hirayama, T.Nakahara, S.Ohta, N.Hattori, D.Weintraub, K.Papay, A.Siderowf)
Drinking molecular hydrogen
dissolved water had reduced oxidative stress and improved Parkinson's Disease
features in animals. A pilot study was carried out in people with Parkinson's
Disease who were taking L-dopa. Each person drank either a litre a day of
molecular hydrogen water or only water (without the molecular hydrogen). Symptom
scores improved in those people who drank molecular hydrogen water and worsened
in those people who only drank normal water. The drinking of molecular hydrogen
water was found to safe and well tolerated. It would therefore be an easy means of delaying or
reducing symptoms. A larger clinical trial is intended.
Movement Disorders [2013] Feb 11 (A.Yoritaka, M.Takanashi, M.Hirayama, T.Nakahara, S.Ohta, N.Hattori, D.Weintraub, K.Papay, A.Siderowf)
Oxidative stress is involved in the progression of Parkinson's
Disease. Recent studies have confirmed that molecular hydrogen (H2) functions as
a highly effective antioxidant in cultured cells and animals.
Drinking molecular hydrogen
dissolved water had reduced oxidative stress and improved Parkinson's Disease
features in animals. A pilot study was carried out in people with Parkinson's
Disease who were taking L-dopa. Each person drank either a litre a day of
molecular hydrogen water or only water (without the molecular hydrogen). Symptom
scores improved in those people who drank molecular hydrogen water and worsened
in those people who only drank normal water. The drinking of molecular hydrogen
water was found to safe and well tolerated. It would therefore be an easy means of delaying or
reducing symptoms. A larger clinical trial is intended. POSITIVE RESULTS CLAIMED FOR STEM CELLS IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE
8th February 2013 -
International Stem Cell Corporation have claimed positive results from its pre-clinical study using stem cells in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. The primary goal of the study was to demonstrate the benefits of neuronal cells derived from human stem cells. The neuronal cells were derived from human parthenogenetic stem cells, which are not obtained via reproduction. They can become neurons when they are implanted in to the brain.
The study was carried out for
12 weeks on rats who did not actually have Parkinson's Disease. The rats were
instead given 6-OHDA (6-Hydroxydopamine), which is a toxin used to kill
dopaminergic neurons (the cells involved in Parkinson's Disease). The actual
results for the study have not been disclosed. It has only been stated that
"signs of improvement in rotational behavior of these animals were clearly
observed.
Although it
was claimed for many years that stem cells could rid Parkinson's Disease, stem
cell operations have not fulfilled those claims. It was widely believed that
stem cell operations were essential because there was a massive loss of cells
involved in Parkinson's Disease. However, no study has ever demonstrated massive
cell loss in Parkinson's Disease.
International Stem Cell Corporation have claimed positive results from its pre-clinical study using stem cells in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. The primary goal of the study was to demonstrate the benefits of neuronal cells derived from human stem cells. The neuronal cells were derived from human parthenogenetic stem cells, which are not obtained via reproduction. They can become neurons when they are implanted in to the brain.
The study was carried out for
12 weeks on rats who did not actually have Parkinson's Disease. The rats were
instead given 6-OHDA (6-Hydroxydopamine), which is a toxin used to kill
dopaminergic neurons (the cells involved in Parkinson's Disease). The actual
results for the study have not been disclosed. It has only been stated that
"signs of improvement in rotational behavior of these animals were clearly
observed.
6th February 2013 - New book
SO I'VE GOT PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Terry Rummins
Publisher's description
: Terry Rummins was diagnosed with Parkinson's 10 years ago. So, I've Got
Parkinson's Disease is her story and covers her diagnosis and the progression of
the condition - from the first warning tremors in her right hand to her
day-to-day life now. Terry has written this book in the hope that describing her
experience will benefit others who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's and to
help them understand their expectations of how the condition may affect them.
This is a candid story, told with humour and contains a positive message for
those recently diagnosed and those close to them. It is also for anyone
interested in what happens when life presents an unpleasant surprise.
SO I'VE GOT PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Terry Rummins
Publisher's description
: Terry Rummins was diagnosed with Parkinson's 10 years ago. So, I've Got
Parkinson's Disease is her story and covers her diagnosis and the progression of
the condition - from the first warning tremors in her right hand to her
day-to-day life now. Terry has written this book in the hope that describing her
experience will benefit others who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's and to
help them understand their expectations of how the condition may affect them.
This is a candid story, told with humour and contains a positive message for
those recently diagnosed and those close to them. It is also for anyone
interested in what happens when life presents an unpleasant surprise.
USING CELL PHONES TO MONITOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
29th January 2013
IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering (submitted) [2013] (A.Tsanas, M.A.Little, P.E.McSharry, L.O. Ramig)
Telephone monitoring of Parkinson’s Disease has attracted
interest as a potential means of assessing this. Purpose built devices have been
developed that record various signals that can be associated with symptom
severity, as quantified on standard Parkinson's Disease scores such as the
Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Previous studies have
demonstrated replication of UPDRS scores to within less than 2 points of a
clinical raters’ assessment of symptom severity, using solely high-quality
speech signals.
IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering (submitted) [2013] (A.Tsanas, M.A.Little, P.E.McSharry, L.O. Ramig)
Dysphonia is an impairment in the ability to produce vocal
sounds that can occur in Parkinson's Disease. A wide range of dysphonia measures
have been used to predict Parkinson's Disease severity using speech signals.
Researchers demonstrated that this method can match standard methods of
diagnosing Parkinson's Disease.
Telephone monitoring of Parkinson’s Disease has attracted
interest as a potential means of assessing this. Purpose built devices have been
developed that record various signals that can be associated with symptom
severity, as quantified on standard Parkinson's Disease scores such as the
Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Previous studies have
demonstrated replication of UPDRS scores to within less than 2 points of a
clinical raters’ assessment of symptom severity, using solely high-quality
speech signals.
This study investigated using the cellular mobile telephone
networks for Parkinson's Disease monitoring. The Parkinson's Disease (UPDRS)
symptom score could be estimated to within about 3.5 points difference from the
clinicians’ assessment, which is useful because even different clinicians vary
by as much as 4 to 5 points. This provides evidence that the phone network is
adequate for inexpensive, mass-scale Parkinson's Disease symptom
monitoring.
SALIVA GLAND TEST FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
11th January 2013 -
The study involved 15
people with an average age of 68 who had Parkinson's disease for an average of
12 years, who responded to Parkinson's medication and who did not have known
saliva gland disorders. Biopsies were taken of two different saliva glands. The
abnormal Parkinson's protein was detected in nine of the 11 patients who had
enough tissue to study. This is the first study demonstrating the value of
testing a portion of the saliva gland to diagnose a living person with
Parkinson's Disease.
New research has suggested that testing a portion of a
person's saliva gland may be a means of diagnosing Parkinson's Disease. It was
previously shown in autopsies of people with Parkinson's Disease that the
abnormal proteins associated with Parkinson's are consistently found in the
submandibular saliva glands, which are found under the lower jaw.
The study involved 15
people with an average age of 68 who had Parkinson's disease for an average of
12 years, who responded to Parkinson's medication and who did not have known
saliva gland disorders. Biopsies were taken of two different saliva glands. The
abnormal Parkinson's protein was detected in nine of the 11 patients who had
enough tissue to study. This is the first study demonstrating the value of
testing a portion of the saliva gland to diagnose a living person with
Parkinson's Disease. PARKINSON'S DISEASE DOES NOT CAUSE COMPULSIONS
12th January 2013 - New research
Neurology [2013] 80 (2) : 176-180 (Weintraub D, Papay K, Siderowf A)
Neurology [2013] 80 (2) : 176-180 (Weintraub D, Papay K, Siderowf A)
Although compulsions can often occur in Parkinson's Disease,
Parkinson's Disease does not actually cause compulsions or related problems.
When people with Parkinson's Disease were compared with people who do not have
Parkinson's Disease the frequencies of compulsions were little different :
gambling (1.2% v 0.7%), buying (3% v 2%), sexual behaviour (4.2% v 3.5%), eating
(7% v 10%), punding (prolonged, purposeless, and stereotyped behaviour) (5% v
2%), hobbyism (5% v 12%), walkabout (0.6% v 0.7%), any compulsions (18% v 20%).
The fact that Parkinson's Disease itself does not seem to cause
an increased risk of developing compulsions or related behaviour further
reinforces the reported association between Parkinson's Disease drugs and
causing compulsions. Given that approximately 20% of people with newly diagnosed
Parkinson's Disease report some impulse control or related behaviour symptoms,
long-term follow-up is needed to determine whether such people are at increased
risk for impulse control disorder development once Parkinson's Disease drugs are
initiated.