GLENN TIPTON's Daughter To Raise Money For JUDAS PRIEST Guitarist's Foundation At Barcelona Marathon

February 15, 2019

Karina Greenin, the daughter of JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Glenn Tipton, will take part in Barcelona, Spain's annual marathon next month to raise funds for the Glenn Tipton Parkinson's Foundation.

JUDAS PRIEST launched Glenn Tipton Parkinson's Foundation last June in honor of the musician, who is suffering from the degenerative neurological disorder.

Earlier this week, Karina started a GoFundMe campaign to allow PRIEST fans and others to donate online. As of presstime Friday, it has raised £2,136 of its £2,500 goal.

In her introductory message, she wrote: "As many of you know, my Dad (Glenn Tipton) has Parkinson's. It affects so many aspects of his life, and sadly has recently forced him to retire from full-time touring (the tremors causing problems with coordination that impair the speed and accuracy of guitar playing). My Dad is ever the fighter and has an amazing positive attitude trying to battle this cruel disease. 

JUDAS PRIEST have set up 'The Glenn Tipton Parkinson's Foundation' in his honour, all proceeds raised from the foundation will go directly to a 'pioneering new treatment called MR guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy which although in its early stages has already had great success with a Parkinson's related condition called essential tremor.' Dad is keen to make a difference to help other people fighting the disease, and I'd love to support him. I'm participating in the Barcelona Marathon (10th March) to try and raise some funds. Any donations are hugely appreciated! Karina x"

Tipton, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease five years ago — after being stricken by the condition at least half a decade earlier — announced in early 2018 that he was going to sit out touring activities in support of PRIEST's latest album, "Firepower". The guitarist, who is now 71 and has performed on every PRIESTrecord since the band's 1974 debut set, "Rocka Rolla", is not quitting the band, but simply cannot handle the rigorous challenges of performing live. He is being replaced on tour by "Firepower" album producer Andy Sneap, also known for his work as the guitar player in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT.

In a statement announcing the formation of the Glenn Tipton Parkinson's Foundation, Glenn said: "As you probably know by now, I've had to pull out of the current PRIEST tour due to ill health. I am still doing some shows and joining the guys on stage for some songs and will carry on for as long as I can without compromising the band. So far, when I walk on stage, the audience reaction has been amazing, heartwarming and quite emotional.

"I knew that something was wrong as my coordination and speed were affected and have both been slowly getting worse over the last ten years. Accordingly, when I was diagnosed, it wasn't really a shock. 

"Rob [Halford], Richie [Faulkner], Ian [Hill] and Scott [Travis] are playing better than ever and Andy is doing a really great job. They have all given me so much support. 

"It was the band that suggested we start a foundation which, although in my name, is really a JUDAS PRIEST foundation. We are selling t-shirts with the slogan 'No Surrender' (a track off the latest album), which is very appropriate considering the determination you have to summon up to get on with life and beat this illness; it's the sort of thing that always happens to 'someone else.'

"There are many Parkinson's-related charities where we could send the funds we raise to which deal with the many different aspects of this disease both physically and mentally, but what really excites me is a brand new pioneering treatment called MR-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy, which, although in its early stages, has already had great success with a Parkinson's-related condition called essential tremor. 

Dr. Bain, my specialist who is one of the leading experts in this field, and his colleagues are now turning their attention to treating Parkinson's patients with state-of-the-art MR scanners and are very optimistic as to the positive results that are emerging.

"All proceeds we receive from you will go to this cause and I urge not just JUDAS PRIEST fans but everyone out there to help."

"If you can't get to the shows, you can also purchase t-shirts online at this location.

"We will keep you posted on what you have all raised through this tour so remember… Keep the faith and… no surrender!!"

JUDAS PRIEST will return to the United States in May for a run with fellow classic heavy rockers URIAH HEEP.

As many of you know, my Dad (Glenn Tipton) has Parkinson's. It affects so many aspects of his life, and sadly has...

Posted by Judas Priest on Thursday, February 14, 2019

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/glenn-tiptons-daughter-to-raise-money-for-judas-priest-guitarists-foundation-at-barcelona-marathon/

Local Salon Cuts and Styles Hair in Annual Fundraiser for Parkinson's Disease

 Feb 16, 2019  By Mallory Metzner

https://youtu.be/_VcTzHuCzzg

(LEWES, Del.) -  Salon Fusion H20 of Lewes holds an annual fundraiser to support the Parkinson's Education and Support Group of Sussex County and to raise awareness for the disease. 

Ashly Skibicki and Lori Zaiss have been cutting and styling hair at Salon H20 of Lewes for about a year and a half, but for one day a year, these finished hairdo’s have a larger purpose.

“It is a fundraiser for the Sussex County Parkinson’s division. It’s just to help raise money so they can work on programs to provide awareness and work towards a cure," says Part Owner Ashly.

“It’s a full service too so it’s a full shampoo, haircut, blowdry," adds Co-Partner Lori.

The fundraiser is well-received by those living with the disease like David Kobrin. “Anybody who supports research, how to get rid of this disease is going to be somebody we support," he says.

Glenn Henderson with the Parkinson’s Support Group of Sussex County says their membership is free. “The only requirement is that you have Parkinson’s or be the caregiver of someone with Parkinson’s," he explains.

100% of the proceeds from these haircuts go towards the Parkinson’s Education & Support Groups of Sussex County to pay for exercise, speech, and educational programs as well as fun activities.

The salon is contributing as much as they can to the cause. “When clients tip us we give that to Parkinson’s as well," says Lori.

Fundraisers like this keep the group thriving and its members see the significance. 

“We as a group pay the instructors and we have Parkinson’s specific exercises. We have boxing, spinning, there are aerobic exercises," says Henderson. 

Kobrin is grateful. “I speak probably for a lot of my fellows who have the disease when I say thank you," he says.

Haircuts for Parkinson’s is only in its second year, but it has already become a tradition for some. 

“It’s kind of started to be something that people expect or know that’s happening. One of the men that we had today was already talking about next year," says Ashly.

Last year’s haircuts for Parkinson’s event raised $1700. This year they’re hoping that they can raise $2500 and the proceeds don’t just have to come from haircuts. Customers were able to purchase vouchers and drop off donations that would also go towards the fundraiser.

The Parkinson's Support Group of Sussex County meets the first Monday of every month at 2 p.m. in the Lutheran Church in Rehoboth Beach. Anyone living with the disease or who cares for someone who has it is welcome to join.    

http://www.wrde.com/news-article/8818.htm

Clare was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at 24

February 16, 2019   Ciara Galvin

Claire Connolly, who works at a Montessori school in Sligo, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease at the age of 24. Five years on, Claire is trying to highlight the issue of young people in such situations, and is deeply involve with the Young Parkinson’s Ireland group

Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at the age of 24, creche worker Clare Connolly was determined not to let the disease get the better of her.

After an innocuous fall in college at the age of 19, the Clare native now living in Sligo became more aware of her body.

"About a month or two after the fall one of my toes started twitching, my mother noticed and asked could I stop it and I couldn't, that's when we got suspicious," explained the 29-year-old.

In and out of doctors appointments, it was a whole five years later when Clare finally saw a neurologist who informed her that the earlier fall had not triggered her symptoms.

In March 2014 Clare was diagnosed with Juvenile Onset Parkinson's Disease. Clare admits that it took a number of days for the news to sink in.

"It was only afterwards it hit me. And I thought, 'What do I do now?', but there and then I was more fascinated looking at the scan of my brain than the prognosis."

The prognosis wasn't good. After hearing that Clare worked in childcare, her neurologist told her she would only have ten years in her career due to the disease.

Sitting in the car after receiving the diagnosis, Clare showed her steely resolve stating to her mother, 'This won't stop me'.

The amateur theatre enthusiast's next thoughts were focused on overcoming her symptoms. With an upcoming show with her local musical society, Clare was adamant to get rid of her tremor before taking to the stage.

"I thought, 'How quick can this medication work'. From 19 to 24 I deteriorated with no treatment. My tremor was very visual, I was shuffling, my legs were so heavy and weak and I was very fatigued, walking with my knees and not with my hips."

Accepting her diagnosis and coming to terms with living with it, Clare attended World Parkinson's Day in Dublin which in turn introduced her to Smovey, an exercise ring that vibrates.

The exercise tool was revolutionary for Clare and helped bring her walk back to normal. Such was the improvement that her neurologist told her she had added a further ten years to her work span.

A firm believer in exercise, she explains that medication can only do so much in terms of staving off the progression of the disease

"You have to do exercise. That's what I always tell anyone diagnosed, forget about the medication you're on, what exercise are you doing? You have to do exercise."

Previously not one for exercise, Clare now keeps fit with yoga classes and cardio.

"It kills me, but at the end of the day, this is what my body needs."

Involved with Young Parkinson's Ireland (YPI), a support group which offers advice, runs events and provides talks, Clare says the group is highly beneficial for anyone dealing with the disease, whether newly-diagnosed or not. The youngest member of the group, she adds that the organisation if for people under the age of 55 who have the disease.

"We have all sorts of talks and advice from insurance, to work.

"What's the first thing you think of when you're diagnosed? What do I need help with? We've listened to young people who have been diagnosed and what they are worried about," she explains.

Each month YPI have a social event inviting those with the disease to meet up and chat.

"The organisation also has a closed Facebook page that people with the condition can join.

"If someone has a query or a question there's advice there."

Speaking about ongoing management of the disease, the Clare native is positive and is currently on as little medication as possible.

"I'm on a low dose of medication, I was on an average dose but we cut it back because I was getting too much medication for what I needed. I'm on the bare minimum and I'm very stable on that and I'm able to work full time."

Asked how it impacts her life and whether her condition is noticeable to others, the 29-year-old speaks candidly.

Parents of children she takes care of recently approached her informing her they never knew about her condition, which surprised her as she explains she does have a noticeable tremor.

"With Juvenile Onset Parkinson's a lot of people don't see that you're sick and a lot of it is internal, fatigue, soreness and stiffness and depression comes hand-in-hand when you're diagnosed, but you just have to keep your head above water and keep a positive attitude."

Meeting newly-diagnosed people often through her work with Young Parkinson's Ireland, Clare makes it her business to chat to them and make sure they're doing okay .

"I tell them they will be ok and they will have a normal life, they'll just have to alter it a little bit.

"The first thing I say to them is, 'It's okay not to be okay and to make sure they're getting the right treatment. My door is always open for any questions.

"Everyone has a different experience with Parkinson's." A big message that Clare is trying to communicate to people is people younger than 55 get diagnosed with the disease.

"I don't consider it an old age disease anymore. I got it." In order to get this message out, upcoming awareness campaigns about the disease are being rolled out, including TV ads and a feature film has been released entitled 'The New Music'. The film is available to view via Facebook and Twitter. Clare emphasises that anyone in Sligo who has been newly-diagnosed and is looking for information can contact her directly.

So, what about hopes for the future living with the degenerative disorder?

For Clare it's simple, 'a cure'. "A cure, everybody is hoping for a cure. Like Sinemet was the newest medication invented and that's 50 years old so you're hoping for something else. In terms of research they're getting on in ways. People have longer life-expectancies than many years ago.

In the short term however, the positive spokesperson is focused on happier things a she prepares to marry her partner Ronan later this year.

For more information about Parkinson's Disease you can visit www.ypi.ie or email ypisligoevents@parkinsons.ie.

Sligo Champion

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/sligochampion/news/clare-was-diagnosed-with-parkinsons-disease-at-24-37804901.html

The Parkinson's Drug Trial: A Miracle Cure?

February 14, 2019

Filmed over six years, The Parkinson’s Drug Trial: A Miracle Cure? follows a group of volunteers with Parkinson’s as they take part in a groundbreaking medical trial testing a drug called GDNF. 

 Professor Steven Gill

Forty-two patients undergo complex brain surgery and months of infusions via a port embedded into the side of their skull. Can this clinical trial give hope to the estimated 10 million affected by Parkinson’s globally?

In 2012, doctors from Frenchay and Southmead Hospitals in Bristol recruited volunteers to participate in a £3m trial, ending in 2017, to tackle the world’s second most common neurodegenerative condition. Forty-two volunteers living with Parkinson’s put their trust in neurosurgeon Professor Steven Gill, and the trial’s principle investigator neurologist Doctor Alan Whone, along with their team of medical experts.

“I’m giving you my body and I want you to find a cure,” says 57 year-old Kay Cotton from Cornwall, who’s had Parkinson’s for 10 years.

Other volunteers living with Parkinson’s include Bryn Williams, 42, from Glasgow who says it’s the chance to be “part of a trial that could truly shift medicine”, whilst Ron Johnson, 72, from Oxfordshire, simply wants “to be able to play football with my grandchildren”.

The drug being tested is GDNF - glial-cell derived neurotrophic factor. It’s a naturally occurring protein found in our brains, first linked to treating Parkinson’s in 1993.  It was discovered in the lab that, at a high dosage, GDNF had a restorative effect on dopamine neurons. Dopamine neurons are the cells affected in Parkinson’s that lead to slowness, rigidity and tremors among other symptoms.

In this moving first episode, Professor Gill performs surgery on all of the volunteers to implant the device he’s designed that enables delivery of GDNF to a deep part of the brain.

The surgery and infusions that follow are medical firsts, offering a new way of delivering drugs to the brain. It leads to Pfizer, the world’s biggest pharmaceutical company, investing in GDNF and the Bristol delivery system part-way through the medical trial.

Tom Isaacs 

Forty-four year-old Tom Isaacs from  Hertfordshire is one of the trial’s most severely-affected volunteers.  Tom, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s when he was 27, says that the diagnosis "stays with you every single second of every single day."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2019/09/parkinsons-drug-trial-a-miracle-cure?fbclid=IwAR1zCxYl1R8wY7HGjDi3X8kr-t1OuDGX29qQhI4linwBVsfmlMFSoWihbXE

Parkinson's Disease & Gut Health Have Been Linked In This New Study From Finland

Aoife Hanna    February 14, 2019

Scientific breakthroughs are hurtling down the tracks a mile a minute, and the medical world is a real stand-out star in scientific realms. Huge strides are being made in order to diagnose, treat, and cure a great many diseases. 

However, one key element that scientists are focusing on right now is the prevention of disease, which they hope will eventually eliminate the need for treatment at all. And when it comes to debilitating illnesses such as Parkinson's disease, this work is incredibly important. Recent research about the role of the gut in Parkinson's disease is making waves in the medical world, and it could mean big things for Parkinson's disease sufferers.

The study, which was published in a special supplement of the Journal of Parkinson's Disease, was undertaken by Dr. Filip Scheperjans, Ph.D., of the Department of Neurology at the Helsinki University Hospital in Finland. Scheperjans chose to research the connection between the gut and Parkinson's disease in order to understand more about of the illness, and to help improve treatments for it. 

Scheperjans told Medical News Today:

"Better understanding the role of the gut in [Parkinson's disease] will help us to understand the origin of the disease and to improve treatments. There is accumulating evidence that at least in some patients, the origin of the disease may lie in the gut with possible involvement of abnormal protein aggregates, local inflammation, and the gut microbiome."

So, in layman's terms, it looks like Parkinson's disease may actually begin in the gut, and perhaps diagnosing it earlier may stop the illness in its tracks. However, this research is in its infancy and Dr Scheperjans feels that his project has proven that more research is needed: "[F]urther studies into the role of the gut in [Parkinson's] are important and may reveal new possibilities for diagnosis and treatment," he said.

But what actually is Parkinson's disease? According to the NHS, Parkinson's disease is "a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years." Symptoms include tremors, slow movement, and stiff and inflexible muscles, and they can be incredibly debilitating for those suffering from the disease. Sadly, there is currently no cure for the disease, but treatment options are available for those affected.

Famous sufferers of the disease include British comedian Billy Connolly, boxer Muhammed Ali, and the sadly deceased Robin Williams. Actor Michael J Fox, who you probably know best from the Back To The Future movie franchise, also suffers from the disease, and has been particularly involved in publicising his own experiences with it. He has set up a charitable foundation called The Michael J Fox foundation, and their mission statement makes it clear why he was voted philanthropist of the year last year by Variety:

"The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's today."

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research on YouTube

https://youtu.be/5qFM9LYwT1g

Although research on the link between the gut and Parkinson's is in its early stages, this kind of continued progress can only be a good thing.

https://www.bustle.com/p/parkinsons-disease-gut-health-have-been-linked-in-this-new-study-from-finland-15952364

'Pints for Parkinson's' set for Bend, Portland in April

By:  Barney Lerten    Posted: Feb 14, 2019

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Brian Grant Foundation is kicking off its annual Pints for Parkinson’s fundraiser with parties in Portland and Bend in late March to celebrate the 35 businesses that participate in the program.

Throughout the month of April people can purchase $25 “Pints Passports” that are good for 10 pints at any of the participating locations. Proceeds from the sales of “Pints Passports” support BGF’s programs to improve the well being of people with Parkinson’s.

The Pints for Parkinson’s kick off parties will be held on March 27 at Urban Studio in Portland and March 28 at Boneyard Pub in Bend. Attendees of these events will be able to purchase their “Pints Passports” in advance while enjoying food, drinks and games.

Tickets for the Portland event are available at www.briangrant.org. Thanks to the sponsors of this event, 100% of ticket sales will support BGF’s programs. The event in Bend is open to the public, with $1 of every pint purchased that evening benefitting BGF.

“The incredible number of establishments participating in Pints for Parkinson’s shows the commitment of our business community to helping people with Parkinson’s live fulfilling lives,” says Katrina Kahl, executive director of BGF.

“Brian was known for his tenacity on the court and that determination is matched by the thousands of Oregonians that come out year after year to support him in his new journey as a Parkinson’s advocate.”

“Pints Passports” can be purchased at any of the participating locations or online throughout the month of April. Passports can be used starting on April 1 and ending on on May 31. Each passport entitles the purchaser to 10 pints of beer at any of the locations listed on the passport (one pint per location).

For more information about the program and the kick off parties and to purchase a passport online visit briangrant.org:    https://briangrant.org

https://www.ktvz.com/news/-pints-for-parkinson-s-set-for-bend-portland-in-april/1019034155

L‐DOPA Treatment Prevents Age-related Iron Accumulation, Mouse Study Finds

FEBRUARY 14, 2019       BY CATARINA SILVA 

Levodopa (L-DOPA) therapy is neuroprotective and prevents age-related iron accumulation in the substantia nigra, a brain region involved in Parkinson’s disease.

The study with that finding, “L-DOPA modulates brain iron, dopaminergic neurodegeneration and motor dysfunction in iron overload and mutant alpha-synuclein mouse models of Parkinson’s disease,” was published in the Journal of Neurochemistry.

L-DOPA is sill the primary pharmacological treatment for Parkinson’s disease motor symptoms. However, while the therapy provides symptom relief immediately following the onset of motor symptoms, during later stages of the disease certain non L-DOPA-responsive symptoms emerge that contribute to the rapid decline in quality of life.

Conflicting evidence also suggests the therapy may further damage dopamine-producing neurons due to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species, a molecular phenomenon known as oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of cells to detoxify them. These free radicals, or reactive oxygen species, are harmful to the cells and are associated with a number of diseases, including Parkinson’s disease.

Several studies have established an association between iron build-up and both aging and neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Apart from loss of dopamine-producing neurons, Parkinson’s also is characterized by pronounced iron accumulation in two brain regions: the globus pallidus and the substantia nigra.

It has been suggested that free iron molecules can induce dopamine oxidation and thus contribute to Parkinson’s disease development. Nonetheless, the exact mechanism of iron-induced dopaminergic degeneration is still unclear.

“Considering the substantial conflicts in the literature regarding whether L -DOPA is either neurotoxic or protective, and that [iron] has multiple well-established roles in both normal [dopamine] metabolism and neurotoxic oxidation,” researchers from the University of Melbourne, Australia, examined the effects of L -DOPA administration in three mouse models of Parkinson’s disease.

Mice fed with an iron solution from 10 to 17 days of age — mimicking early-life iron overexposure to accelerated age-related accumulation; a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease which over-expresses human A53T mutation (hA53T) in the alpha-synuclein protein, mimicking disrupted dopamine metabolism; and a mouse model combining these two experimental paradigms, i.e., hA53T transgenic iron-fed mice.

Animals were given L-DOPA in their drinking water from three to eight months of age. Researchers analyzed the therapy’s effect on brain iron levels, nerve cell numbers and motor function prior to the equivalent onset of clinical symptoms, in comparison to mice fed with clioquinol spiked food for the same period of time.

Clioquinol is a compound that binds to iron molecules suppressing their (harmful) chemical activity. Studies demonstrate clioquinol is beneficial in animal models of three neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease.

Results revealed L-DOPA did not increase neurotoxicity in any of the mouse models and prevented age-related iron accumulation in the substantia nigra, much like clioquinol.

In addition, researchers observed a potential neuroprotective effect, as in both the iron overload and the hA53T mouse models L-DOPA treatment significantly reduced iron levels in the substantia nigra, decreased protein carbonyls (biomarkers of oxidative stress), and prevented neurodegeneration.

“Chronic L -DOPA treatment showed no evidence of increased oxidative stress in [normal mice] midbrain and [normalized] motor performance, when excess [iron] was present,” researchers wrote.

Additionally, L-DOPA did not increase protein oxidation levels in hA53T mice, with or without excess iron accumulation in the substantia nigra, and showed evidence of neuroprotection.

At eight months, total iron levels did not increase in hA53T mice that did not receive L-DOPA, suggesting the mutant alpha-synuclein does not itself trigger harmful iron accumulation.

“When challenged with excess [iron] during a critical window of neurodevelopment [10-17 days of age], hA53T mice showed the expected increase in nigral [iron]. Interestingly, excess [iron] did not worsen or accelerate neuropathology,” researchers wrote.

Similar to clioquinol, L -DOPA was able to mitigate oxidative damage from excessive iron accumulation. This effect was not as pronounced in hA53T expressing mice, which are more susceptible to oxidative damage from iron exposure.

These findings suggest that alpha-synuclein dysfunction could be behind iron-mediated dopamine oxidation, with the latter being an early sign of parkinsonian neurodegeneration.

“We found no evidence in any of our model systems that L-DOPA treatment accentuated neurodegeneration, suggesting [dopamine] replacement therapy does not contribute to oxidative stress in the Parkinson’s disease brain,” researchers concluded.

https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/2019/02/14/l-dopa-treatment-prevents-age-related-iron-accumulation-mice/