More Delays to Florida's Medical Marijuana ID Card Process

October 27, 2017   By JOE REEDY, Associated Press

Medical marijuana patients in Florida waiting for their identification cards are in for more bad news.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Medical marijuana patients in Florida who are already experiencing long delays in receiving their identification cards are in for more bad news.

A company that was not selected to take over processing and manufacturing the cards has filed a protest over the process. Automated Health Systems filed the challenge Wednesday after the state's Office of Medical Marijuana Use notified finalists Monday that it intended to award the contract to Veritec Solutions LLC.

The challenge means that the department will continue issuing cards, much to the frustration of patients, caregivers and legislators.

"We are very disappointed in the delay that this will put in outsourcing our card program. We will continue to do everything in our power to process card applications as quickly as possible to serve Florida's patients," Department of Health spokeswoman Mara Gambinieri said.

Christian Bax, who is the executive director of the Office of Medical Marijuana Use, said earlier this week before the Senate's Health Policy committee that 20,000 patients have received their cards, which is less than half of the 46,952 now in the registry. According to patients, the wait for cards ranges anywhere from 35 to 90 days.

Lauren Drake of Milford, whose parents both have cancer, said it took 66 days for them to receive their identification cards.

"It is frustrating to the point where you want to give up at times, but you can't," she said.

Identification cards for patients were part of a law signed by Gov. Rick Scott in June. The state revised the laws after voters last November passed a constitutional amendment allowing medical marijuana.

Patients who suffered from epilepsy, chronic muscle spasms, cancer and terminal conditions were allowed under laws Scott signed in 2014 and 2016 to receive either low-THC cannabis or full strength medical marijuana. Amendment 2 added people with HIV and AIDS, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder, ALS, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and similar conditions.

With the added conditions, the state's patient registry is seeing an average of 300 people added per day.

"There certainly have been logistical problems as we deal with a significant increase to the pool of patients. Once we will be able to move forward with an outside vendor who can produce cards at a faster speed, it will be a significant improvement," Bax said.

Bax told legislators that cards are being processed in an average of 30 days, but there have been very few instances of that happening. State Sen. Lauren Book, a Democrat from Plantation, said she has gone through the process herself and that it took three months to receive her card.

"Unfortunately, my process is not unique. It is impossible to get anyone with the office to see status of applications or what might be delaying them," Book said. "It is very disappointing and sad how long people are waiting."

Legislators may introduce a bill during the upcoming session that would allow patients to receive a limited supply of cannabis once they are entered into the registry.

ID cards aren't the only headaches Bax's office is dealing with. The awarding of five new medical marijuana treatment center licenses was not done by the Oct. 3 statutory deadline. Bax was grilled by legislators over why the deadline was missed.

http://www.usnews.com/news/features/news-video?ndn.trackingGroup=90080&ndn.siteSection=ndn1_usnews&ndn.videoId=32536385

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/florida/articles/2017-10-27/more-delays-to-floridas-medical-marijuana-id-card-process

Karate teacher losing use of right arm to Parkinson's disease

October 27, 2017  

Maria Zaccaro

'My life won't be the same' - Much-loved karate teacher faces losing use of arm

A HAMPSHIRE karate teacher who has taught more than 10,000 youngsters over 40 years may have to give up on his passion because he is losing the use of his right arm.

David Morris, from West End, has been teaching karate for four decades at his school in Southampton, the Kyudokan Martial Arts club, and at several leisures centres such as the Eastleigh-based Fleming Park and Bitterne Park Leisure Centre.

But now the 62-year-old struggles to complete even basic tasks such as going shopping, doing up buttons or putting on clothes due to Parkinson's.

David was diagnosed with the disease in 2010 and said if he does not undergo treatment quickly he will have to give up on teaching.

He added: "I'm running out of time - I am 62 and I want to give myself the best possible chance and I want to teach.

"If I don't have the ability to do that my life won't be the same. I live for teaching. It is my passion, it is my love."

He said a smile from his students is the best reward he has received in his career. "I am the most fortunate teacher in the world because I have had thousands of smiles", he added.

Now David is considering undergoing stem cell treatment in Belgrade, Serbia, because he believes it is one of the fastest cures.

He explained that while other countries, including the UK, are still researching on cures for Parkinson's, in Serbia it is possible to undergo an operation which will enable doctors to extract the ill cells, treat them and reintroduce them in the patient's body.

This means David will need to stay in hospital for at least 12 days and be fed with vitamins.

The treatment costs £20,000 and David has now launched a fundraising campaign in a bid to raise the money by February 2018, when he is hoping to undergo the operation.

"The only treatment we have in this country is through drugs and medication but I think it's more beneficial if they treat my own cells. This treatment is likely to be successful and unfortunately my Parkinson's has progressed so much in the past six months that I have to do something as quickly as I can."

David has already raised £1,155.

To support him visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/davemorris.

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/15623866.__39_My_life_won__39_t_be_the_same__39____Much_loved_karate_teacher_faces_losing_use_of_arm/

Bingo caller with Parkinson’s disease to start group

October 27, 2017  Joseph Laws

BINGO: John Lieberman follows in hismother’s footsteps with bingo night set up to fund Parkinson’s Disease support group

A MAN with Parkinson’s disease is setting up a new bingo night to raise money to start a support group in Braintree.

John Lieberman has set out to prove what can be done rather than what cannot while combating the disease.

The 53-year-old will follow in the footsteps of his mother, Beryl, who was a fellow bingo caller in Braintree until she sadly died.

Mr Lieberman was first diagnosed aged 44 but his consultant thought he had probably been struggling with the disease for about ten years previously.

He said: “I have done a couple of fundraisers for Parkinson’s UK since being diagnosed, and my son also raised more than a thousand pounds three years ago at the age of 13.

“With the kind help of the owners at Jardins, on East Street, Braintree, I am starting a bingo night.

“I was going to donate the profits to Parkinson’s UK directly, but I am going to start up a club for Parkinson’s sufferers of all ages instead.

“Our area does not have enough support and information for people like me.

“I was a member of an Epping based group which was so informative.

“We all learnt from each over about treatments, care benefits and pure friendship and understanding.

“If I can emulate the Epping club in Braintree, so many sufferers will benefit.”

Mr Lieberman said bingo always brings back great memories for him.

He said: “My late mother was the finest bingo caller in Essex, working as a caller for Braintree Odeon.

“My mother used to take me to bingo in the same hall.

“In 1978 it was called Lake and Elliot’s Social Club and every Sunday more than 100 people would enjoy bingo from the hall. It was a fantastic place to be.”

Mr Lieberman said he wants the public to have fun and enjoy themselves.

He said: “At the age of 14 I had pink hair and all the old ladies used to fight to get on my table.

“If I can recreate the same great atmosphere, it would be fantastic.

“We are also doing a weekly raffle for a chance to play higher and lower.

The prize is £30 going up £10 every week if it is not won.

“We hope the the residents of the Braintree district will fully support our quest to help people like me with this extremely debilitating disease.”

A spokesman from Jardins said they were delighted to hold the event.

They said: “John is a very caring and kind person and it is great he is doing this.

“We think it is a great thing to do for the community and we can’t wait to start.”

Mr Lieberman was due to host his first night last night from 8pm and then every Wednesday.

http://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/news/north_essex_news/15622026.Caller_with_Parkinson___s_disease_to_start_group/

THE EFFECT OF MEDICAL CANNABIS ON PARKINSON’S DISEASE

28th October 2017

Medical cannabis or medical marijuana, are cannabis or marijuana that is recommended by doctors for their patients. It has been claimed to be beneficial for people with Parkinson’s Disease. However, its use is controversial, because support for its benefits is based on small clinical studies. For more information go to : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_cannabis

The duration of medical cannabis use was an average of 19 months (between 2 and 36 months). The average daily dose was 0.9g per day. The delivery of medical cannabis was mainly by smoking cigarettes (in 80% of cases). The size of the effect from the greatest effect to the least effect were for reducing falls 0.89, pain relief 0.73, tremor 0.64, depression 0.64, muscle stiffness 0.62, and then sleep 0.60.

The most frequently reported adverse effects from medical cannabis were cough (35%) in those who used medical cannabis by smoking it, and confusion and hallucinations, which were each reported in 17% of people, causing 10% of patients to stop taking cannabis. 

Reference : Clinical Neuropharmacology [2017] Oct 20 [Epub ahead of print] (Y.Balash, L.Bar-Lev Schleider, A.D.Korczyn, H.Shabtai, J.Knaani, A.Rosenberg, Y.Baruch, R. Djaldetti, N.Giladi, T.Gurevich)

Complete abstract : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29059132 

http://www.viartis.net/parkinsons.disease/news/171028.pdf

Donors provide new Barrington workout center for physically challenged

October 27, 2017

Registered nurse Joy Wagner in the fitness room at the new NeuroBalance Center in Barrington, which she co-founded with Dr. LeeAnn Steinfeldt, a chiropractor. More clients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and other conditions are expected to be served in the nonprofit's Grove Avenue building, where a grand opening was held Thursday.

Barrington's nonprofit NeuroBalance Center is ready to serve more clients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and other conditions in a new building with five times more space and state-of-the-art equipment geared for people with physical challenges.

NeuroBalance hosted a grand opening ceremony Thursday for the 10,000-square-foot structure on Grove Avenue near Barrington's post office. The mortgage-free building with easy access to everything was built through contributions from donors, including NeuroBalance board member Vince Foglia's family.

Foglia, a North Barrington philanthropist and the retired founder of health care industry company Sage Products, was impressed with the facility as he checked out the exercise equipment accompanied by his wife, Pat.

This is the new NeuroBalance Center on Grove Avenue in Barrington. The nonprofit's building is geared for clients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and other conditions.

Bob Susnjara | Staff Photographer

"This will be a great center for people to get back their independence or at least hold off their dependence on other people for as long as they can," Foglia said. "And there is no reason to give in to any disease."

Registered nurse Joy Wagner and Dr. LeeAnn Steinfeldt, a chiropractor, opened what originally was called fitMS NeuroBalance Center in 2011. Its client base grew beyond those with MS and includes Parkinson's, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Type 1 diabetes, fibromyalgia and more.

Wagner was a pediatric nurse when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001 and saw a need to have an exercise facility specifically for those with conditions affecting their mobility, balance, strength, gait, coordination and speech. She expressed appreciation for the new building in her remarks to the grand opening crowd.

"When you look around you here, you see a community of family and friends and people I don't even know who came forward and decided to support this portion of the community that is largely ignored," she said.

NeuroBalance plans to expand its programs and projects to grow from the 750 or so clients who regularly used the former 2,000-square-foot facility in a Barrington office park. Wagner said NeuroBalance, as a nonprofit, has sliding-scale fees and draws from a roughly 30-mile radius.

NeuroBalance Center board member Vince Foglia, left, a North Barrington philanthropist, checks out exercise equipment at a grand opening Thursday for the new Barrington building geared for clients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and other conditions. Foglia and others provided donations for construction of the nonprofit's 10,000-square-foot building on Grove Avenue.

Bob Susnjara | Staff Photographer

Two physical therapists, two massage therapists, a chiropractor who also is a functional neurologist, group fitness instructors, physical therapist assistants, personal trainers and others are part of the operation. The modern exercise equipment includes an antigravity treadmill and Power Plate whole-body vibration machines.

Barrington resident Jeff Anderson, 60, said he's exercised "like a fiend" to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease since he was diagnosed in 2000. He said NeuroBalance offers workouts tailored to his condition, and equipment such as the Power Plate allows him to exercise in a variety of ways with reduced muscle strength.

"I like being with a community of people who are afflicted with the same thing I am," Anderson said. "It's good to share ideas and share problems. It's just a really nice environment."

Margaret Rovetuso, a physical therapist assistant who also is a yoga and Pilates instructor, teaches classes for those with MS and Parkinson's. She's also about to start a Rock Steady Boxing program for Parkinson's clients.

"One they start to exercise, they feel like they can fight it," Rovetuso said. "They can do something. They have a little bit of control over their life versus it controlling them and getting worse. And even if it does get worse, they have the support around them.

"http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171027/donors-provide-new-barrington-workout-center-for-physically-challenged

Clinical Trials: My Experience

By Michael Church  October 27, 2017

A clinical trial literally saved my life! It’s hard to imagine but it’s true. My Parkinson’s had progressedto a point to where I couldn’t tie my shoes or button a shirt much less attempt to shave or risk a toothbrush in the eye. My quality of life had deteriorated to a point that medication, and I tried it all, no longer allowed me to function. I went into a deep depression and hid myself from public view. I was a stumbling and shaking shell of a man. Having exhausted the resources of my local neurologist, he referred me to a movement disorder clinic that specialized in a fairly new (FDA approved 2003) type of medical procedure, deep brain stimulation surgery (DBS).

This really was brain surgery!

Basically, the procedure involves surgically drilling into the skull and implanting wires powered by small battery packs implanted in your chest, like a pacemaker for the brain. As it was explained to me, although FDA approved, there were aspects of DBS that the medical community still had questions about and was asked if I would volunteer to participate in a little experiment, a DBS clinical trial. Normally through the use of high-resolution brain scanning (MRI), my medical team planned and plotted where in my brain they were going to target the wires. My participation in the study was to intentionally leave me in the dark about where the position of my brain they were targeting. The question I believe they were attempting to answer is: Does one position have any benefit over another. I wasn’t told what part of my brain was being stimulated with low amounts of electricity but it worked. About six months later, the results were published and it was revealed to me that my target had been in the subthalamus nucleus which I understand is a tiny, dime-size cluster of nerve cells in the substantia-nigra area of the brain. Thank goodness for technology to be able to push a wire into such a tiny space. My surgery was a success and I understand based on this trial, that there was no significant difference in the location of the stimulation. Although I am grateful to the skill and professionalism demonstrated by my medical team, I feel a sense of honor to have been one of 45 participants in a scientific experiment that answered medical questions of how the brain works and interacts with PD.

My attitude on clinical trials

This was my first clinical trial and I wasn’t scared, because of the confidence of my medical team exuded. They answered all my questions and found some answers to their own because of my participation. Since then, I’ve gone on to participate in both voluntary and compensated trials and I’d like to think that my participation has benefited science in some way. I guess I have to, indirectly. Will I continue to participate in clinical trials? Sure I will but before I sign up, I read every word of every page and make sure it is legitimate, professionally done and sanctioned by a major lab, clinic or university. There are literally thousands of clinical trials so choose wisely, do your homework and ask questions if you aren’t sure. For more information on clinical trials, go to: https://www.nih.gov/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you/finding-clinical-trial.

My advice

I have participated in clinical trials for speech, swallowing, DBS related, quality of life, exercise, writing, and others that having Parkinson’s Disease affects. I know my symptoms are progressing but I look at it this way: If my participation in clinical trials helps the quality of care for the Parkinson’s community then it will have been worth the effort. It’s a small sacrifice of time but in the long run, I know I am affecting outcomes all over the world.

https://parkinsonsdisease.net/clinical/clinical-trials-my-experience/

Could Alzheimer’s Be a Disorder of Energy Metabolism?

NEUROSCIENCE NEWS  OCTOBER 27, 2017

Summary: Failure of mitochondrial function may contribute to the development of late onset Alzheimer’s disease, a new study reports.

Source: McLean Hospital.

For three decades, it has been thought that the accumulation of small toxic molecules in the brain, called amyloid beta. NeuroscienceNews.com image is in the public domain.

A team of investigators from McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School, led by Kai C. Sonntag, MD, PhD, and Bruce M. Cohen, MD, PhD, has found a connection between disrupted energy production and the development of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD). The findings appear in the current issue of Scientific Reports.

“These findings have several implications for understanding and developing potential therapeutic intervention in LOAD,” explained Sonntag, an associate stem cell researcher at McLean Hospital and an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. “Our results support the hypothesis that impairment in multiple interacting components of bioenergetics metabolism may be a key mechanism underlying and contributing to the risk and pathophysiology of this devastating illness.”

For three decades, it has been thought that the accumulation of small toxic molecules in the brain, called amyloid beta, is central to the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Strong evidence came from studying familial or early-onset forms of AD (EOAD) that affect about five percent of AD patients and have associations with mutations leading to abnormally high levels or abnormal processing of amyloid beta in the brain. However, the “Amyloid hypothesis” has been insufficient to explain the pathological changes in the more common LOAD, which affects more than 5 million seniors in the United States.

“Because late-onset Alzheimer’s is a disease of age, many physiologic changes with age may contribute to risk for the disease, including changes in bioenergetics and metabolism,” said Cohen, director of the Program for Neuropsychiatric Research at McLean Hospital and the Robertson-Steele Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. “Bioenergetics is the production, usage, and exchange of energy within and between cells or organs, and the environment. It has long been known that bioenergetic changes occur with aging and affect the whole body, but more so the brain, with its high need for energy.”

According to Sonntag and Cohen, it has been less clear what changes in bioenergetics are underlying and which are a consequence of aging and illness.

In their study, Sonntag and Cohen analyzed the bioenergetic profiles of skin fibroblasts from LOAD patients and healthy controls, as a function of age and disease. The scientists looked at the two main components that produce energy in cells: (1) glycolysis, which is the mechanism to convert glucose into fuel molecules for consumption by mitochondria, and (2) burning of these fuels in the mitochondria, which use oxygen in a process called oxidative phosphorylation or mitochondrial respiration. 

The investigators found that LOAD cells exhibited impaired mitochondrial metabolism, with a reduction in molecules that are important in energy production, including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). LOAD fibroblasts also demonstrated a shift in energy production to glycolysis, despite an inability to increase glucose uptake in response to the insulin analog IGF-1. Both the abnormal mitochondrial metabolism and the increase of glycolysis in LOAD cells were disease- and not age-specific, while diminished glucose uptake and the inability to respond to IGF-1 was a feature of both age and disease.

“The observation that LOAD fibroblasts had a deficiency in the mitochondrial metabolic potential and an increase in the glycolytic activity to maintain energy supply is indicative of failing mitochondria and fits with current knowledge that aging cells increasingly suffer from oxidative stress that impairs their mitochondrial energy production,” said Sonntag.

Cohen added that because the brain’s nerve cells rely almost entirely on mitochondria-derived energy, failure of mitochondrial function, while seen throughout the body, might be particularly detrimental in the brain.

The study’s results link to findings from other studies that decreasing energy-related molecules (and specifically NAD) are features of normal aging by suggesting that abnormalities in processes involving these molecules may also be a factor in neurodegenerative diseases like LOAD. Whether modulating these compounds could slow the aging process and prevent or delay the onset of LOAD is unknown. However, several clinical trials are currently under way to test this possibility. Other changes are unique to AD, and these, too, may be targets for intervention.

While these findings are significant, the paper’s authors emphasize that the pathogenesis of LOAD is multifactorial, with bioenergetics being one part of risk determination and note that the skin fibroblasts studied are not the primary cell type that is affected in LOAD.

“However, because bioenergetics changes are body-wide, observations made in fibroblasts may also be relevant to brain cells,” said Sonntag. “In fact, metabolic changes like diminished glucose uptake and insulin/IGF-1 resistance may underlie the association between various disorders of aging, such as type 2 diabetes and AD.”

Sonntag and Cohen are already in the midst of follow-up work aiming to study these bioenergetics features in brain nerve cells and astrocytes generated from LOAD patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells, as an aging and disease model in the dish. It is the group’s hope that findings from these studies will reveal further insight into the role of bioenergetics in LOAD pathogenesis and novel targets for intervention–both prevention and treatment.

ABOUT THIS NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH ARTICLE

In addition to Mareike Bacha-Trams and Iiro Jääskeläinen, the research team included Enrico Glerean, Juha Lahnakoski, Elisa Ryyppö, Mikko Sams and Robin Dunbar, Oxford University Professor known for Dunbar’s Number.

Source: Laura Neves – McLean Hospital

Publisher: Organized by NeuroscienceNews.com.

Image Source: NeuroscienceNews.com image is credited to the researchers.

Original Research: Full open access research for “Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease is associated with inherent changes in bioenergetics profiles” by Kai-C. Sonntag, Woo-In Ryu, Kristopher M. Amirault, Ryan A. Healy, Arthur J. Siegel, Donna L. McPhie, Brent Forester & Bruce M. Cohen in Scientific Reports. Published online October 25 2017 doi:10.1038/s41598-017-14420-x

Abstract

Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease is associated with inherent changes in bioenergetics profiles

Body-wide changes in bioenergetics, i.e., energy metabolism, occur in normal aging and disturbed bioenergetics may be an important contributing mechanism underlying late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD). We investigated the bioenergetic profiles of fibroblasts from LOAD patients and healthy controls, as a function of age and disease. LOAD cells exhibited an impaired mitochondrial metabolic potential and an abnormal redox potential, associated with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolism and altered citric acid cycle activity, but not with disease-specific changes in mitochondrial mass, production of reactive oxygen species, transmembrane instability, or DNA deletions. LOAD fibroblasts demonstrated a shift in energy production to glycolysis, despite an inability to increase glucose uptake in response to IGF-1. The increase of glycolysis and the abnormal mitochondrial metabolic potential in LOAD appeared to be inherent, as they were disease- and not age-specific. Our findings support the hypothesis that impairment in multiple interacting components of bioenergetic metabolism may be a key mechanism contributing to the risk and pathophysiology of LOAD.

“Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease is associated with inherent changes in bioenergetics profiles” by Kai-C. Sonntag, Woo-In Ryu, Kristopher M. Amirault, Ryan A. Healy, Arthur J. Siegel, Donna L. McPhie, Brent Forester & Bruce M. Cohen in Scientific Reports. Published online October 25 2017 doi:10.1038/s41598-017-14420-x

http://neurosciencenews.com/alzheimers-energy-metabolism-7827/

Researchers Unravel Link Between Herbicide Exposure and Parkinson’s

 OCTOBER 27, 2017   BY JANET STEWART, MSC

After exposure to the herbicide paraquat, genes that may lead to Parkinson’s disease were identified using an innovative gene-editing technique.

The study, “A CRISPR screen identifies a pathway required for paraquat-induced cell death,” was published in Nature Chemical Biology.

Exposure to the herbicide paraquat is associated with Parkinson’s. Paraquat kills cells through a mechanism called oxidative stress, but how this happens has not been explained.

The research team looked for genes involved in the underlying mechanism paraquat uses to produce oxidants, the chemicals that cause oxidative stress in cells.

They reasoned that the loss of function in dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta, a small region of the brain, seen in Parkinson’s may be because they are more vulnerable to oxidative stress than other neurons. Paraquat would cause more damage to the dopamine neurons and thereby cause Parkinson’s in certain people with genetic susceptibility, they hypothesized.

“We thought it was a metabolic protein that paraquat was activating to generate oxidants,” Chandel said. “So we localized our work to the 3,000 genes that encode for metabolic proteins, rather than the 18,000 to 20,000 genes human cells have in total.”

Using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technique to disable each of roughly 3,000 genes individually as a screening method, the researchers found that when three particular genes were knocked out in cells, the cells became resistant to the effects of paraquat. The three genes were POR (cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase), ATP7A (copper transporter), and SLC45A4 (sucrose transporter).

POR, in particular, was the main source of oxidation that caused damage to cells.

“Certain people with genetic mutations could have high levels of this gene. They would be very susceptible to paraquat poisoning while working on a farm, for example,” study lead author, Navdeep Chandel, PhD, said in a press release.

“Paraquat generates a lot of oxidants. Naturally those dopaminergic neurons will be the most susceptible to damage,” said Chandel, who also is the David W. Cugell, MD, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Paraquat is banned in the European Union, and restricted in the United States, but it is still used widely throughout Asia and the developing world.

The technique used in the study is called CRISPR-Cas9 positive-selection screen, and its use in studying the biological mechanisms causing oxidative stress in cells may be the major finding of this research, according to Chandel.

https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/2017/10/27/technique-explains-herbicide-link-parkinsons-disease/

Palacios' $2.1M award to fund Parkinson's study

October 27, 2017  By Kori Tuitt

LOWELL -- A $2.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health recently was awarded to a UMass Lowell public-health assistant professor to fund a five-year study on Parkinson's disease. 

Assistant Professor Natalia Palacios will be leading the research team. Palacios joined the UMass Lowell team last year and teaches public health in the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences. She previously worked at Harvard University's School of Public Health. She said the research is in collaboration with Harvard, where Palacios earned her Ph.D. 

"We are looking at the links between gut microbiome, which is all the bacteria that lives in the human gut, and Parkinson's Disease," Palacios said. "The microbiome is a new area for Parkinson's disease, so we hope if we can identify a link between the microbiome and Parkinson's, it could lead to a better understanding of the microbiome." 

Palacios said many Parkinson's patients suffer from constipation and other gastrointestinal issues. If researchers do find a link between microbiome and the disease, they could be that much closer to finding a cure or offer some preventative measures -- like lifestyle or diet changes -- that could possibly to avoid the onset of Parkinson's. The research will be focused on participants from "well-characterized and well-designed existing studies," Palacios said. 

"I'm extremely grateful to the participants who give their time and their samples to this research and who have been part of this research for many years now," she said. 

Other studies have also shown that smokers and those who drink coffee are at a lower risk of being diagnosed with Parkinson's. This research may also offer some insight to the reasoning behind that finding. 

Palacios said she is honored to lead the research team and is excited about what's to come over the next five years. 

"I'm really hopeful that we can have some useful findings," she said. "If we have promising findings we will try to pursue those areas and try to do other projects." 

http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_31407421/palacios-2-1m-award-fund-parkinsons-study

Would You Row the Indian Ocean? - Lily Buttery, Farringtons School

October 27, 2017

A view from the boat at Canary Wharf

In June 2018, four brave men will start a row across the Indian Ocean from Western Australia, 3600 nautical miles, to Port Louis in Mauritius. Seventy-two days in a twenty-nine-foot-long rowing boat, on what will be an endless cycle of two hours rowing, two hours sleeping, day and night.  The men will face extreme dangers such as sharks, whales, tankers, storms and possibly even pirates; all to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease and investigate how the condition is affected by intense exercise. 

It all sounds immensely dauting but none of the team have done anything like this on such a huge scale. In fact, one of the crew members is just a normal local person, my Uncle Robin, who has Parkinson’s disease and who has only actually rowed a couple of times before…  I was lucky enough to interview him and find out more about the project.

Robin discovered he was suffering from Parkinson’s disease in his forties.  Parkinson's disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years.  The three main symptoms of Parkinson's disease are involuntary shaking of parts of the body, slow movement and stiff and inflexible muscles; all of which would surely make rowing a huge challenge?

 In 2016, when Robin first heard about this “adventure of a lifetime” advertised for someone with early onset Parkinson’s, he was intrigued and eventually “plucked up the courage to reply”.   Once Robin discovered the enormity of the challenge he was unsure.  He told me “I didn’t know whether it was something I really wanted to do as I didn’t think it would be anything like this.  But after a lot of thinking I decided if not now, then when and why not”.

To prepare for this very physically demanding trip Robin has had to embark upon a major training schedule.  He said, “I have had to get an awful lot fitter and start rowing, which sounds obvious but previous rowing has been on the river and not much, I have a rowing machine, which I use up to an hour an everyday”.  Not only has Robin had to learn to row but also increase his size and stamina by “moving dumbbells around to increase my upper body strength”

This task will be both physically challenging and mentally testing even before the row begins. Robin is feeling “mixed emotions, with a lot of trepidation.  There is no doubt it will test me hugely.  I really hope I can do it, I hope it doesn’t kill me!”  Robin realises that this challenge will “highlight my difficulties” just thinking about the extreme dangers the rowers might face reminds Robin that “there will be many moments when it will be extremely scary”.

If you would like to find out more information about the row or to donate please visit:

http:/www.rowtheindianocean.com/

By Lily Buttery, Farringtons School

http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/youngreporter/15624145.Would_You_Row_the_Indian_Ocean____Lily_Buttery__Farringtons_School/

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