I HAVE PARKINSON'S DISEASES AND THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE A PLACE WHERE THE CONTENTS OF UPDATED NEWS IS FOUND IN ONE PLACE. THAT IS WHY I BEGAN THIS BLOG.
I COPY NEWS ARTICLES PERTAINING TO RESEARCH, NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE, DEMENTIA, THE BRAIN, DEPRESSION AND PARKINSON'S WITH DYSTONIA. I ALSO POST ABOUT FUNDRAISING FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND EVENTS. I TRY TO BE UP-TO-DATE AS POSSIBLE.
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Researchers have discovered
how nerve cells adjust to low energy environments during the brain's growth
process, which may one day help find treatments for nerve cell
damage and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
diseases.
Neurons in the brain have
extraordinarily high energy demands due to complex dendrites that expand to
high volume and surface areas. It is also known that neurons are the first to
die from restriction of blood supply to tissues, causing a shortage of oxygen
and glucose needed for cellular metabolism.
Little was known, however,
on how cells adjust to low energy level environments in the developing brain,
when mitochondria, the so-called "power plants" of cells, do not
delivered on time, and a lag in the energy distribution occurs, which may lead
to a variety of neurodegenerative disorders.
To unlock the mystery, the
research team studied mitochondria and energy consumption in a live, growing
nerve cell over the course of a week.
Credit: Mineko Kengaku,
Kyoto University's Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS)
"If neurons try to
grow in low ATP energy levels, they could end up deformed, and even worse, put
the life of the cell itself at stake," Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.. "Since a
single mitochondria in the root of the cell is not enough to supply energy to the
nerve ends, the cell distributes mitochondria to its most outer branches to
deliver power where energy levels are scarce."
In areas of low ATP energy
concentrations, chemical changes were brought by molecular proteins, which stopped the dendrites from growing further.
"We found two protein molecules that synergistically produced enzymes to allocate
energy molecules where it is direly needed for cellular survival," says
Mineko Kengaku, the principal investigator of the study from iCeMS.
In the future, Kengaku and
her co-authors envision treatments for incurable diseases by mapping the nerve
cell metabolism in an energy-deprived state. "If we can get a better
understanding of an unhealthy neuron, we may someday find ways to cure pathologies
caused by them."
Family physician living with Parkinson's Disease, Founder of Designing A Cure Inc.
Posted: Updated:
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease for which there is no cure. April is Parkinson's awareness month, a time for raising public understanding about a disease that affects one in 100 people over the age of 65, translating to millions worldwide who are currently facing the daily challenges this illness brings.
Despite the great strides in past decades in our knowledge of this illness, there are many myths or lack of information about Parkinson's disease that remain.
(1) "If I have a tremor, I'll see my doctor and get tested for Parkinson's."Parkinson's disease is still a clinical diagnosis. That means that when you are diagnosed with PD, you are given that diagnosis based primarily on the physician's clinical exam and your account of your symptoms. Unlike diabetes or high blood pressure or even cancer, there is no definitive test such as a blood test or imaging study for Parkinson's disease. Lack of a marker interferes with early diagnosis, makes the diagnostic process that much more difficult, prolonged and questionable and significantly affects the development of better treatments and potential cures..
(2) "I'm not at risk, I don't have a family history of Parkinson's disease."Only about 14 per cent of people affected with PD have a first degree relative (parent, sibling or child) that is also living with the disease. The vast majority of cases are what we call sporadic with no identifiable cause and no family history.
(3) "He got Parkinson's last year." Actually by the time a person begins to experience the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, 60 - 80 per cent of the cells that produce a chemical that is necessary for normal movement, dopamine, have died. So the process that causes Parkinson's, likely begins years before patients experience the disease. And so far, we have no way of regenerating these cells.
(4) "Parkinson's disease is a disease that affects the elderly." Although celebrities like Michael J. Fox and former NBA player Brian Grant have put a young face to this disease, the prevalent view that this is a disease affecting the elderly, still exists. It is true that the majority of individuals are diagnosed with Parkinson's after the age of 60, but this illness affects younger people as well with 20 per cent diagnosed under the age of 50 and 5 - 10 per cent under the age of 40.
(5) "They know what causes Parkinson's disease." Unfortunately this is not true. The actual cause of this illness remains a mystery. We know that a lack of one of the brain chemicals or messengers, dopamine, causes some of the symptoms but not all. And we know that the cells that produce dopamine die in part of the brain called the substantia nigra. But what we don't know is why these cells die or why other symptoms that are not related to lack of dopamine, exist.
(6) "People with Parkinson's mostly have trouble with their movements."Once thought to be primarily a movement disorder that was defined by the cardinal symptoms of tremor, stiffness and slowness, we now know that this disease is much more. This is a pervasive illness and it affects many body systems causing a diverse array of symptoms such as constipation, incontinence, sexual dysfunction, sleep disorders, visual changes, depression, anxiety and even skin changes to name a few. These non-motor symptoms as they are known, actually contribute to poorer quality of life than the motor aspects of this disease. And unfortunately, they can be more difficult to treat, many not responding to conventional Parkinson's medications.
(7) "Everyone with Parkinson's experiences the same symptoms." I've heard it said that when you meet one person with Parkinson's, you've met one person with Parkinson's. In other words that one individual's experience cannot be generalized to others diagnosed with the same illness. People with Parkinson's differ in terms of the time of their diagnosis, their symptoms, the course of their disease, their response to medications, their quality of life and their prognosis. There are some similarities but also a vast amount of variability within the Parkinson's population.
(8) "You die from Parkinson's disease." Complications resulting from Parkinson's disease such as aspiration pneunmonia or a severe fall can result in a shortened life span but the disease itself will not lead to an early death. However the same cannot be said about disability and the need for extra care resulting in a significant societal and healthcare issue, particularly since the number of people diagnosed with this disease (currently approximately one-million Americans) is predicted to double in the U.S. by the year 2040 as the population ages.
(9) "There are lots of medications to treat Parkinson's disease." There are a number of medications to treat Parkinson's however the gold standard treatment for this illness was developed almost half a century ago. Levodopa was found to be an effective treatment for the motor aspects of the disease over 50 years ago in the 1960s many years after James Parkinson in 1817 wrote about a constellation of symptoms that today we know as Parkinson's. And unfortunately levodopa is not without its limitations both because it fails to address all the symptoms, it tends to be less effective in advanced disease and also because it can cause significant side effects for some individuals. But it is still the drug that any other new medication is compared to when judging effectiveness.
(10) "The cure is around the corner." Due to the lack of clear understanding of the cause of this disease, the lack of a biomarker, the challenges that research faces, the search for better treatments and a cure is a difficult one. However that doesn't mean that there is no hope for the future. Undoubtedly there is much exciting and forward thinking research coming down the pipeline in the search for better treatments and a cure but there are no imminent answers.
Parkinson's disease is an illness that affects the quality of life of millions of people around the world. And as our population ages, it will become a challenge that millions more will likely face. How can you make a difference? Contribute to the search for better treatments and a cure by raising money for research, participating in clinical studies and raising awareness so that others may do the same. By working together we can make a significant impact that has the potential to change the advancement of this disease.Previous
Findings may 'change the landscape' of dysphagia intervention
Nearly 40 percent of Americans 60 and older are living with a swallowing disorder known as dysphagia. Although it is a major health problem associated with aging, it is unknown whether the condition is a natural part of healthy aging or if it is caused by an age-related disease that has yet to be diagnosed, such as Parkinson's disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Following a recent study, researchers at the University of Missouri have established a model that identifies aging as a key factor in the development of dysphagia, which may lead to new therapeutic treatments.
"As people age, and especially once they're 50 and older, their ability to swallow quickly and safely deteriorates with each advancing decade," said Teresa Lever, Ph.D., assistant professor of otolaryngology at the MU School of Medicine and lead author of the study. "For years, we haven't known why. Through our research with mice, we now know this disorder can occur naturally and independent of another disease. Our next step is to study this model to determine why age-related dysphagia, also called presbyphagia, occurs and identify ways to prevent it."
Individuals with presbyphagia generally experience slow, delayed and uncoordinated swallowing that compromises airway function. This puts older individuals at risk for developing life-threatening malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia, which is caused when food or saliva is breathed into the lungs or airways. These risks are increased when an individual has an existing health condition, such as a neurodegenerative disease, head and neck cancer, or a major surgery.
Videofluoroscopy has long been the gold standard for diagnosing swallowing disorders in humans. A video fluoroscopic swallow study is a radiologic examination of an individual's swallowing function that uses a special X-ray device called a fluoroscope. The patient is observed swallowing various foods and liquids mixed with a contrast agent that can be seen by fluoroscopy in order to evaluate his or her ability to swallow safely and effectively. However, because a long-term study of the swallowing ability of an individual as he or she ages is unfeasible, Lever and her research team studied the swallowing function of healthy mice throughout their approximate two-year lifespan.
"We have a miniaturized fluoroscope and swallow test protocol that are unique to our lab that we can use to determine if a mouse has dysphagia," Lever said. "By studying the swallowing function of healthy mice over their lifespan, we found they exhibit many of the same symptoms of dysphagia as healthy aging adults."
The researchers established 15 metrics that could be compared to human swallowing function. These metrics include functions such as swallow rate, pharyngeal transit time - the time it takes liquid to be swallowed through the pharynx , or throat, and into the esophagus, or food tube - and the number of ineffective swallows through the esophagus. The researchers found that healthy aging mice develop symptoms of swallowing impairment that closely resemble the impairments seen in older adults: generally slowed swallowing function, impaired tongue function, larger size of the amount swallowed and an increase in the time it takes liquid to travel through the throat to the stomach.
"We're about to change the landscape of dysphagia intervention," Lever said. "For years, we've only been able to treat the symptoms and have been unable to address the root causes of dysphagia. Though more research is needed, this knowledge sets the stage for us to study ways to prevent, delay or potentially reverse swallowing disorders using new therapies."
It's a sad fact that motor skills are dramatically impaired for those suffering from Parkinson's Disease. One area that declines is handwriting, which becomes smaller and less clear. That reality may change, however, thanks to a new style of pen.
Read more:http://www.digitaljournal.com/image/234249#ixzz3Ww0KJCIz It's not on the market yet but it has shown in testing to be helpful for those who suffer from Parkinson's, a disease of the central nervous system which includes shaking and trembling, along with hands cramping up. The specific disorder that causes hand-cramping is called micrographia
The pen was invented by a group of researchers at the Royal College of Art and Imperial College in London and it uses high-frequency vibrations which in essence stimulate and manage key muscles in the hand.
The managing of the muscles enables the writer to move the pen across the page with more ease and control, and with little or no cramping. Doing so, as one test patient said, makes their writing "bigger and more clear." Another helpful aspect of the pen is its wider shape and a design that makes it easier for gripping. Tests show an increased clarity of writing and an overall handwriting improvement of 85 percent.
The inventor group at the Royal College call themselves Dopa Solutions and named their invention the ARC pen. They don't know yet when it will be out on the market and are looking for a company to put some money into its further development.
The group is also applying the technology of high-frequency vibrations to stimulate muscles in other areas that may benefit sufferers of Parkinson's Disease, including to devices such as hair and tooth brushes, make-up applicators and computer mice.
EMERYVILLE, Calif., April 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADMS) today announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug status to ADS-5102 for the treatment of levodopa-induced dyskinesia associated with Parkinson's disease. Adamas currently has multiple Phase 3 studies underway evaluating ADS-5102 for this indication, which currently has no FDA-approved treatment options.
"People with Parkinson's disease contend with the disability associated with levodopa-induced dyskinesia multiple times a day as the disease progresses and their motor symptoms fluctuate," said Gregory T. Went, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of Adamas Pharmaceuticals. "Adamas is committed to bringing new treatments to patients suffering with movement disorders related to neurological disorders. With positive data from our Phase 2/3 study, a pivotal Phase 3 program well underway, and 10 issued US patents, we are pleased with our ongoing momentum."
About Orphan Drugs
The Orphan Drug Act enables the FDA to grant special status to a product that treats a rare disease or condition upon request of a sponsor. For a drug to qualify for orphan drug designation, the condition must meet certain criteria, including affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US. Once granted, orphan designation qualifies the sponsor for various incentives including: potential tax credits, a reduction in certain regulatory fees, and the potential for seven years of market exclusivity for the drug when it achieves FDA marketing approval.
About ADS-5102
Adamas' most advanced wholly owned product candidate is ADS-5102 (amantadine HCl), a high dose, extended-release version of amantadine that is administered once daily at bedtime. Adamas is initially developing ADS-5102 for the treatment of levodopa-induced dyskinesia, or LID, in patients with Parkinson's disease. LID is a complication that frequently occurs in patients after long-term treatment with levodopa, the most widely used drug for Parkinson's disease. There are no approved drugs for the treatment of LID in the United States or Europe.
Parkinson's Disease and Levodopa-induced Dyskinesia (LID)
Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive motor disorder that causes a variety of symptoms, such as tremors, rigidity, slowed movements and postural instability. The most commonly prescribed treatments for Parkinson's disease are levodopa-based therapies. In the body, levodopa is converted to dopamine to replace the dopamine loss caused by the disease. Patients initially receive relief from symptoms of Parkinson's disease for much of the day. This period of relief is known as "ON" time. As the effects of levodopa wear off, the symptoms of Parkinson's disease return. This is known as "OFF" time.
As Parkinson's disease progresses, most patients require increasing doses of levodopa to achieve equivalent therapeutic benefit. Patients may also experience symptoms of their disease upon waking, prior to the first dose of levodopa taking effect. Over time many patients will suffer from LID, a condition characterized by involuntary movements without purpose. LID can become severely disabling, rendering patients unable to perform routine daily tasks. As Parkinson's disease advances, the symptoms of LID worsen in frequency and severity. Eventually the total time that a patient spends either "OFF" or "ON" with LID can become a majority of his or her day.
About Adamas Pharmaceuticals
Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company driven to improve the lives of those affected by chronic disorders of the central nervous system. The company achieves this by modifying the pharmacokinetic profiles of approved drugs to create novel therapeutics for use alone or in fixed-dose combination products. Adamas is currently developing its lead wholly-owned product candidate, ADS-5102, for a complication associated with the treatment of Parkinson's disease known as levodopa-induced dyskinesia, or LID, and is evaluating other potential indications. The company's portfolio also includes two approved products with Forest Laboratories Holdings Limited (a subsidiary of Actavis plc), Namzaric™ and Namenda XR®. Forest is responsible for marketing both products in the United States under an exclusive license from Adamas. For more information, please visit www.adamaspharma.com.
Namenda XR® is a registered trademark of Merz Pharma GmbH & Co. KGaA.
Namzaric™ is a trademark of Actavis, Inc. or its affiliates.
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, but not limited to, statements regarding bringing new treatments to patients suffering movement disorders. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as "committed" and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions, or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in forward-looking statements, including risks relating to research and development activities of ADS-5102 and other current and future products, challenges associated with clinical trials including delays in enrollment, the failure to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of ADS-5102 or other product candidates, as well as risks relating to Adamas' business in general, see Adamas' Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2015. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Adamas undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in this press release.
The Columbus Dispatch • Wednesday April 8, 2015 5:04 PMAfter Robin Williams died last year, his wife said that the comedian and actor suffered from anxiety, depression and had learned he had Parkinson’s disease prior to his suicide.
She wrote of his family’s hope that others would find strength to seek care and support “to treat whatever battles they are facing so they may feel less afraid.”
As many as half of those with Parkinson’s disease experience depression and almost as many experience anxiety, but those problems often go unaddressed in doctors appointments, leaving patients and their families to suffer without help.
“It can be very disabling and more disabling than the movement disorders in some people,” said Dr. David Hinkle, a neurologist who leads OhioHealth’s Movement Disorders Clinic.
Because both mood disorders are common and treatable, better recognition is of utmost value, he said.
A free symposium on April 18 in Powell will focus on the connection between Parkinson’s and depression, as well as ways to help patients and caregivers.
The local chapter of the National Parkinson Foundation will host the event, which requires advance registration by Friday. Those interested should register online at www.centralohioparkinson.org or call 614-890-1901 or 866-920-6673.
Hinkle, who will speak at the symposium, said depression can stem from the frustration and struggles associated with Parkinson’s, including mobility problems, speech difficulties and cognitive trouble.
But it also can be part and parcel of the disease, because the area of the brain affected by Parkinson’s — the basal ganglia — also modulates mood, he said.
Exercise, medications and counseling can help those with Parkinson’s cope with anxiety and depression.
“A lot of people say, ‘How can I exercise?’ ” Hinkle said. “You have to start slow and build gradually with professional help.
“There are people who are in wheelchairs who are exercising and people who are running marathons.”
In Columbus, a popular program called Delay the Disease helps many Parkinson’s patients stay active, and plans are in the works to start a boxing program at Title Boxing in Grandview, said Daniel Davis, president and CEO of the Parkinson Foundation’s Central & Southeast Ohio office.
The symposium will highlight the new program, “Rock Steady Boxing,” a technique called “touch drawing” and equine therapy as ways to cope with the disease and its effects, he said.
“For the longest time, we’ve really focused on the motor symptoms,” Davis said, adding that experts have started to look more at psychological health and opportunities to improve patients’ quality of life through acknowledging and treating depression and anxiety.
“Depression is a misunderstood component. It’s not just feeling sad,” he said, adding that depression screenings are important for Parkinson’s patients.
Caregivers often are first to notice signs of trouble and can be integral in starting conversations with doctors and nurses, Davis said.
Jerry Yarov, who is on the Foundation board and has lived with Parkinson’s for a decade, said daily exercise makes all the difference for him.
“I really have met a lot of Parkinson’s patients that just don’t do anything (physical),” said Yarov who is 65 and lives in East Columbus.
Yarov said although there are days where his mind says no, he pushes himself to make the trip to the YMCA. “Whatever it takes, I just do it, probably an hour a day.”
He encourages other Parkinson’s patients to find a way even if the idea seems daunting. “Get off the couch and start exercising — it’s very important. It helps physically and mentally.”
Both Davis and Yarov said Parkinson’s patients often find comfort and strength in interacting with others who have the illness.
“It can decrease that feeling of isolation,” Davis said.
Yarov stressed the importance of encouragement from doctors, whether they are Parkinson’s specialists or primary care physicians.
“Tell them they don’t have a death sentence. Tell them they can have a relatively normal life, but they’ve got to work on it.”
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