IDENTIFYING A GENETIC MUTATION BEHIND SPORADIC PARKINSON’S DISEASE

This proposed model shows the correlation between mutation-dependent transcription factor binding, alpha-synuclein expression, and the risk of Parkinson’s disaease. In the top instance, the enhancer efficiently binds the transcription factor, thereby reduceing the expression of the alpha-synuclein gene (SNCA).  Below, changing one nucleotide from an A to a G prevents the transcription factor from binding well, which increases SNCA expression and the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

Image: Courtesy of Nature.

APRIL 20, 2016

TAGS: JAENISCH LABGENETICS + GENOMICSNERVOUS SYSTEM

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Using a novel method, Whitehead Institute researchers have determined how a non-coding mutation identified in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) can contribute to sporadic Parkinson’s disease (PD). The approach could be used to analyze GWAS results for other sporadic diseases with genetic causes, such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and cancer.

“This is really the first time we’ve gone from risk variants highlighted by GWAS to a mechanistic and molecular understanding—right down to the nucleotide—of how a mutation can contribute to the risk of developing disease,” says Whitehead Founding Member Rudolf Jaenisch, who is also a professor of biology at MIT.

About 90% of PD cases are sporadic; that is, caused by complex interactions between environmental and common genetic risk factors. Because scientists have had difficulty analyzing these interactions, most research has focused on rare familial forms of the disease. GWAS, which identify common mutations that increase the risk to develop a particular condition, have been used to study sporadic PD, and other complex conditions, with limited success.

GWAS are akin to genomic treasure maps bearing hundreds or thousands of X’s marking the general locations of mutations that could be risk factors for a given condition. However, GWAS do not reveal the specific locations of potentially pathogenic mutations, nor do they indicate how an X on a genomic map contributes, if at all, to a disease. For example, in sporadic PD, multiple GWAS point to the alpha-synuclein gene (SNCA) as one of the strongest risk loci in patients’ genomes, yet GWAS contain little information regarding the mechanism of how this gene is dysregulated in sporadic PD patients.

To see if distant gene regulatory elements on the same chromosome carrying SNCA could affect cellular levels of alpha-synuclein, a team of researchers led by Frank Soldner, a senior researcher in the Jaenisch lab, investigated two GWAS-flagged risk variants located in a putative SNCA enhancer. Their results are described online this week in the journal Nature.

The team used clustered regularly-interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 to edit the mutations into isogenic human pluripotent stem cells. By altering the genetic variant on only one chromosome, the other chromosome remains unchanged and acts as an internal control. This method allows the scientists to measure very subtle effects with very high confidence, while eliminating the effect of any genetic or epigenetic modifications and cell culture related variations that could occur during the experiment.

“Our method addresses an essential shortcoming of GWAS—using the correlations produced by GWAS, you cannot distinguish the effect between two variants that are very close together in the genome,” says Soldner, who is the lead author of the Nature paper. “Such physical proximity means that they will always co-segregate during inheritance, which is why we had to do what we did—modify and analyze each variant independently while keeping the rest of the genome completely constant.”

After differentiating the cells into neurons, the scientists noted the changes in SNCAexpression. Although one of the mutations has no effect, the other, which switches one nucleotide from an A to a G, slightly but significantly boosts alpha-synuclein production. When compared to the enhanced alpha-synuclein production in the familial form of the disease, the modest effect created by the A to G mutation would be sufficient over a lifetime to increase the risk of PD, according to Soldner.

To see how the mutation affects alpha-synuclein production, the researchers identified two transcription factors that bind to the enhancer that carries this mutation. When the enhancer is not mutated, the transcription factors bind to it, which suppresses SNCA. If the enhancer has the G mutation, the transcription factors are unable to bind to the enhancer, and SNCA is activated.

Most genetic conditions are sporadic and caused by a combination of mutations. Jaenisch says that the method that identified the single point mutation in SNCA’s enhancer could be used to pinpoint additional pathogenic genes for sporadic PD and sift through the GWAS hits for other diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH grants 1R01NS088538-01 and 2R01MH104610-15) and by Qatar National Research Fund (grant NPRP 5-531-1-094).

Written by Nicole Giese Rura

* * *

Rudolf Jaenisch's primary affiliation is with Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, where his laboratory is located and all his research is conducted. He is also a professor of biology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

* * *

Full Citation:

“Parkinson-associated risk variant in distal enhancer of α-synuclein modulates target gene expression”

 Nature, April 20, 2016.

Frank Soldner (1), Yonatan Stelzer (1), Chikdu S. Shivalila (1,2), Brian J. Abraham (1), Jeanne C. Latourelle (3), M. Inmaculada Barrasa (1), Johanna Goldmann (1), Richard H. Myers (3), Richard A. Young (1,2), Rudolf Jaenisch (1,2).

1. Whitehead Institute, 9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA

2. Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 31 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA

3. Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston MA, 02118, USA

Whitehead Institute is a world-renowned non-profit research institution dedicated to improving human health through basic biomedical research. 

Wholly independent in its governance, finances, and research programs, Whitehead shares a close affiliation with Massachusetts Institute of Technology

through its faculty, who hold joint MIT appointments.

http://wi.mit.edu/news/archive/2016/identifying-genetic-mutation-behind-sporadic-parkinson-s-disease

EUROPEAN PATENT ISSUED AND PATENT ALLOWED IN JAPAN FOR AEOLUS' PARKINSON'S DISEASE COMPOUND AEOL 11114

 MISSION VIEJO, CA --(Marketwired - April 18, 2016) - Aeolus Pharmaceuticals (OTCQB: AOLS)

AEOL 11114 Is Subject of Michael J Fox Foundation Research Grant Program

• Efficacy Demonstrated in Two Parkinson's Disease Models 
• IND Filing for Parkinson's Disease Targeted for First Half of 2017

Aeolus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB: AOLS), a biotechnology company developing compounds to protect against fibrosis, inflammation, nerve damage and infection, announced today that the European Patent Office issued patent number 2625180 covering the composition of matter for its oral Parkinson's disease drug AEOL 11114. The Company also announced that a patent for AEOL 11114 has been allowed in Japan. AEOL 11114 has demonstrated neuro-protective activity in models of Parkinson's disease and other indications. The compounds were invented by Brian J. Day, PhD at National Jewish Health and Manisha Patel, PhD at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in collaboration with Aeolus Pharmaceuticals and under two research grants from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's disease. Aeolus has obtained worldwide, exclusive licenses to develop the compounds from National Jewish Health and the University of Colorado. 

Aeolus is currently working on optimization of the AEOL 11114 manufacturing process and formulation. Upon completion of this work, IND-enabling safety and toxicology studies are planned to begin in the third quarter of 2016. Aeolus plans to file an IND for the treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease during the first half of 2017. The Company intends to pursue a partner with clinical development expertise in this indication to initiate clinical studies.

Preclinical studies funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation in two models of Parkinson's disease demonstrated that AEOL 11114 reduced oxidative stress and damage, mitigated dopamine depletion, prevented loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, the most important neuropathological feature of Parkinson's disease, and improved Parkinson's disease-like motor deficits. Additional studies funded by the Fox Foundation have shown that AEOL 11114 exhibited drug-like characteristics with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile, oral bioavailability, metabolic stability and brain penetrance, and a safety profile amenable for long-term dosing.

"AEOL 11114 has exciting potential as a Parkinson's disease treatment given its mechanism of action, its pharmacokinetic and safety profile and the significant efficacy it has demonstrated in two widely used animal models of the disease," stated John L. McManus, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aeolus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "We now have active development programs for three compounds in seven indications. Our Parkinson's program in AEOL 1114 joins our development programs for AEOL 10150 in Pulmonary Acute Radiation Syndrome, Radiation Therapy for Cancer and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. In addition, we are currently conducting pre-clinical studies in our infectious disease compound, AEOL 20415, with the intention of filing an IND in 2017. With our substantial US government development contract for AEOL 10150 in Acute Radiation Syndrome, the planned human clinical trials in IPF and radiation oncology and the new compounds in development, the Company never been more diversified or better capitalized."

Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the central nervous system that results from the loss of cells in various parts of the brain, including the substantia nigra. The substantia nigra cells produce dopamine, which transmits signals within the brain that allow for coordination of movement. Loss of dopamine causes neurons to fire without normal control, reducing a patient's control of their movement. It is estimated that more than one million people in the United States and five million people worldwide are affected by Parkinson's disease. 

About Aeolus Pharmaceuticals

Aeolus Pharmaceuticals is developing compounds with demonstrated anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-infective and neuro-protective properties. Its first compound, AEOL 10150, is being developed, with funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as a medical countermeasure against chemical and radiological weapons, as well as a treatment for pulmonary fibrosis. Aeolus' strategy is to leverage the substantial investment in toxicology, manufacturing and preclinical and clinical studies of AEOL 10150 made by U.S. government agencies, including the contract with BARDA valued, with options, at up to $118.4 million, to efficiently develop the compound for use in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and oncology. For more information, please visit Aeolus's corporate website at www.aolsrx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that are not purely statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, those relating to Aeolus' product candidates, as well as its proprietary technologies and research programs, and the Company's initiation or potential initiation of a phase 1 study in oncology and IPF patients. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Aeolus' actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause results to differ include risks associated with uncertainties of progress and timing of clinical trials, scientific research and product development activities; difficulties or delays in development, testing and obtaining regulatory approval; the need to obtain funding for pre-clinical and clinical trials and operations; the scope and validity of intellectual property protection for Aeolus' product candidates, proprietary technologies and their uses; competition from other biopharmaceutical companies; and whether BARDA exercises one or more additional options under the its contract with Aeolus. Certain of these factors and others are more fully described in Aeolus' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, Aeolus' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2015. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

Contact:
John McManus
President and Chief Executive Officer
Aeolus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
1-(949) 481-9820

http://health.einnews.com/pr_news/321993130/european-patent-issued-and-patent-allowed-in-japan-for-aeolus-parkinson-s-disease-compound-aeol-11114?n=2&code=lAb0qDE0aV13cmUw

Singing improves Parkinson's symptoms and quality of life

April 18, 2016

Singing therapy gives physical, emotional and social support for people with Parkinson's.

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, affecting an estimated 1 million Americans. A study suggests group singing appears to relieve some of the symptoms not currently targeted by existing treatments.

The symptoms of Parkinson's include tremor, particularly in the hands, arms, legs, face and jaw. It causes a slowness in movement, problems with balance and emotional changes.

These symptoms are often the prime focus of research, but they are not the only life-changing difficulties that Parkinson's diseasepresents.

Impairments in breathing and voice are also substantial hurdles that cause a significant drop in quality of life.

Voice impairments impact 60-80% of Parkinson's patients. Their voice can become monotone and display less variety in volume; there may also be a reduced vocal intensity and pitch, and a harsh, breathy voice.

Standard Parkinson's treatments do not target these aspects with the same level of success as the motor symptoms. Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus, which relieves many of Parkinson's classic symptoms, can, in fact, make voice alterations worse.

Parkinson's voice therapies

Although there are various interventions designed to improve voice and breathing deficits, they do not tend to address overall quality of life, and, as symptoms progress, drop out rates of these therapies are often high. This means that even the most beneficial therapies do not always have the opportunity to take full effect.

Researchers at Iowa State University, led by Elizabeth Stegemöller, set out to investigate whether group singing could help relieve some of the voice symptoms of Parkinson's disease and, at the same time, increase quality of life and whole health measures.

Singing is a culturally universal pastime that improves bonding and produces a sense of belonging that traditional therapies often cannot match. Additionally, singing can be considered an elongated type of speech with particular emphasis on rhythm, tempo, tonal changes and respiratory control.

Parkinson's therapy involving singing has been trialed in previous studies, but findings have been mixed. This study is the first to test whether improvements in symptoms can be affected by "dosage," in other words, can two singing sessions a week be more effective than one?

Can singing relieve the symptoms?

The trial consisted of 27 Parkinson's patients who attended group singing sessions either once or twice a week. Before and after the 8-week trial, swallowing measures and voice measures, such as the patient's vocal range and how long they could hold a note, were recorded.

Therapy sessions involved vocal exercises, followed by renditions of popular songs, including "You Are My Sunshine" and "Show Me The Way To Go Home."

The researchers found that, after 2 months of singing, there were significant improvements in pitch duration, vocal loudness and swallow control.

Both groups (one session per week and twice per week) demonstrated a significant improvement in maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressure, as well as phonation time. Other voice measures improved, but not to a statistically significant degree.

Importantly, questionnaires that assessed the impact of voice changes on their quality of life (and their overall quality of life) showed significant improvements. Interestingly, there were no differences between the two groups; both benefited equally.

Stegemöller says:

"With people who have Parkinson's disease, what you're hoping for is maintaining these skills - because it's a progressive disease. If we can improve the voice, then maybe there's hope to maintain that function a little bit longer.

'Singing addresses social and emotional aspects'

This research was just a pilot, and the team plans to expand the investigation once funding has been secured. Medical News Today asked Stegemöller about the type of study she would conduct in a perfect world; her aim is to produce a large-scale project measuring more parameters, including "voice, swallow, respiratory, quality of life, social network, depressionand anxiety." She continues:

"I would also like to examine the associated brain changes. Finally, I would like to develop methods to bring this music therapy-led intervention to as many persons with Parkinson's disease as possible."

Stegemöller has a passion for music, how the brain responds to it and its use in therapy. It is a fascinating topic that spans scientific fields as diverse as human evolution, sociology, psychology, endocrinology and neuroscience. MNT asked Stegemöller how she thinks singing might have evolved in human culture, and she said:

"I believe that music evolved as an initial method of communication before formal language was developed."

It seems oddly satisfying that a primal social activity like singing might be used to treat such an intractable disorder that modern medical science is still battling against. Stegemöller says "something like singing is not only addressing the physical needs but also the social and emotional aspect."

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/309140.php

A 53-year-old man suffering from Parkinson’s Disease is running the London Marathon to raise awareness of the debilitating illness.

April 17, 2016

Ken Wright

Ken Wright, who lives in Flitwick, was diagnosed almost three years ago and will be fundraising for Parkinson’s UK. His training routine has included the Bedford bypass run on Sunday, April 10. He said: “I thought I am not going to sit around and feel sorry for myself, I want to have a challenge. I have three grown up children, Matthew 33, Charlene 28 and Liam 26, and they have backed me 100% through my challenge.”

Ken is organising a darts competition at the Russell Park Club in Bedford on Sunday, April 17, to boost his fundraising and beat his target of £2,000 and hopes for a good crowd.

Read more: http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/local/dad-53-suffering-parkinson-s-in-training-for-the-london-marathon-1-7323859#

http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/local/dad-53-suffering-parkinson-s-in-training-for-the-london-marathon-1-7323859

Parkinson's disease: 'Many patients hide symptoms'

April 18, 2016

More than a third of people in the UK with Parkinson's disease feel the need to hide their symptoms or lie about having the condition, a survey for a charity suggests.

They feel the symptoms are not socially acceptable and may embarrass those close to them, Parkinson's UK said.

It added it was concerned that too many people were struggling alone with their diagnosis, affecting emotional health.

The disease affects 127,000 people in the UK - about one in 500 people.

The main symptoms are tremor, slowness of movement and rigidity. 

The charity surveyed 1,868 people with the disease to find out how they dealt with their diagnosis.

Fear of stigma

One in three with the condition said they had delayed telling friends and family about their diagnosis with some of the main reasons including the fear of being stigmatised.

The charity said the findings also revealed a worrying level of emotional repercussions for people diagnosed with Parkinson's. 

Younger people reported being hardest hit by the diagnosis to the extent that many said they felt "like their world had ended" and said "they didn't know who to turn to".

Steve Ford, chief executive at Parkinson's UK, said not getting help for the degenerative neurological condition was having a devastating impact on people's emotional health.

"We are determined that each and every person with Parkinson's is aware of the support available so they can feel equipped to have these difficult conversations.

"We know that the right support, whether through family, friends or Parkinson's UK, is vital for those with the condition, to help them come to terms with their diagnosis and know that they're not alone."

He added: "We are here to help people find the support they need, when they need it."

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-36052997

Parkinson’s disease: Signs, Symptoms And Treatment

Nearly one million people in the U.S. alone are living with Parkinson's disease, but the cause for this disease remains unknown. However there are medications, therapies, lifestyle changes and surgery that can help manage the symptoms.

April 17, 2016

By Deepthi B, Tech Times 

Disease (PD), is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system that affects the movement of the body. It is a result of the malfunction or loss of neurons (critical nerve cells) in the brain.

Dopamine is a chemical produced by dying neurons, as the disease progresses the level of dopamine production decreases. It is this reduction in dopamine production that invariably affects the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination. 

The cause for the disease has not been established yet but nearly 1 million people in the U.S. alone are living with Parkinson's disease, according to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. 

The early signs of Parkinson's Disease include tremors or shaking of the limbs; slowed body movements like while walking or getting up from the seat; speech problems such as slurring, speaking softly or quickly; blank expressions or masked face; rigidity in the joints and muscle stiffness; change in handwriting; stooped posture or balance problems; loss of smell; constipation; dizziness and fainting. The behavioral problems like depression, dementia or sleep disorders arise in the progressed stages of the disease.

Parkinson's can be detected early through various signs and symptoms that a person exhibits. Having one of these symptoms doesn't necessarily indicate Parkinson's. However, exhibiting more than one of these symptoms should be taken seriously and the same should be consulted with a doctor.

It is advised that one should not neglect these signs and symptoms, as early detection and treatment could greatly mean a difference to a patient's quality of life.

There is no known cure for treating Parkinson's disease; however, there are varied options to treat and manage the symptoms such as intake of proper medications, therapies, surgery and living a healthy lifestyle with nutritious diet and regular exercise. These steps can considerably help a patient live through as normally as possible.

Researchers have suggested building a healthy diet and eating foods such as fruits, vegetables, fish, and fiber-rich food. Reduction in intake of red meat and dairy products may also provide some protection against Parkinson's as well.

There are several therapies that make living with Parkinson's disease much easier, and it can help dealing with the symptoms on a regular basis. Some of these therapies include physiotherapy for muscle stiffness; occupational therapy to help deal with basic day to day functionalities; speech and language therapy to enhance the speech; and cognitive behavioral therapy which is a type of a counseling therapy.

When it comes to medication, one of the most effective drugs for PD is apparently Levodopa, which is a natural chemical that gets converted into dopamine for the nerve cells in the brain. Continuous usage of this drug over the period of time makes it less effective as the body gets used to, and hence immune to, the chemical composition of the drug.

There are other drugs available too for the treatment, like Dopamine agonists, Monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors, Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors, Anticholinergic and Amantadine, which the doctors prescribe depending and pertaining to a particular individual's medical condition. 

In certain cases, the medicines are not effective enough to regulate the condition. In such situations, the doctor may suggest a surgery called Deep Brain Stimulation, during which a pulse generator (similar to a pacemaker) is implanted into the chest wall, which in turn stimulates the part of the brain that is affected by Parkinson's disease. 

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/150468/20160417/parkinson-s-disease-signs-symptoms-and-treatment.htm

Fox Insight Fuels Parkinson’s Research for One Year

Posted by  Allyse Falce, April 15, 2016

This April marks one full year of the Fox Insight study, an online observational study where participants share information about their symptoms, overall medical history, family neurological history and quality of life by completing online surveys every 90 days.

By studying the responses of thousands of volunteers over time, researchers hope to prioritize patient needs and better understand how Parkinson’s disease (PD) progresses differently across individuals. Fox Insight ultimately aims to direct scientists to new therapies and treatments for people with PD.

In the last year, 4,115 participants completed 27,168 surveys.

Fox Insight’s Discover tool aggregates the information collected through these surveys and allows participants to learn more about their fellow Fox Insight community members, including participants’ most common and most bothersome symptoms.

Most frequent motor symptoms: 

Most frequent non-motor symptoms:

Continuing to Improve and Grow Fox Insight

The Discover tool is just one of many updates we’ve made to Fox Insight over the last year to improve the study experience and enhance research. We’ve listened to participant feedback about ways we could enrich our study layout so it’s easier to use. As Fox Insight enters its second year, we’re introducing a new design that will make it easier for participants to complete their surveys and contribute to research.  

Whether you have Parkinson’s disease or not, you can participate in Fox Insight to further PD research. All study surveys can be completed from the comfort of your own home, and they only take about 20 minutes every 90 days. And your personal information will always be kept confidential. 

If you’re interested in becoming a member of the Fox Insight community, visit our website to learn more and check out our new design.

If you’re already a Fox Insight participant, thank you for contributing your time and efforts to Parkinson’s research. Please continue to complete your study visits every 90 days.

The more data we gather, the more insights we achieve.

https://www.michaeljfox.org/foundation/news-detail.php?fox-insight-fuels-parkinson-research-for-one-year

New program for Parkinson’s patients

By Emily Droege

edroege@examiner-enterprise.com

Dr. Walter Lajara speaks during an open house at Elder Care last week. 

April 17, 2016

A dose of exercise can be the best medicine for anyone, even those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. For individuals affected by the progressive movement disorder, Bartlesville’s Elder Care is now offering a new, cutting-edge program.

Parkinson Wellness Recovery! Moves is an adaptable exercise training program designed to maintain or restore skills that deteriorate and interfere with daily activities.

Elder Care’s Director of Physical Therapy Josh Lindblom explained that the program targets four functional movements that focus on posture and alignment, weight-shifting, trunk rotation and transitions.

“How you exercise is important. It’s not just use it or lose it. It is more if you use it, you improve it,” said Lindblom. “These different positions allow us to tailor an individualized program for anyone along the disease spectrum.”

The physical therapy team at Elder Care offers one-on-one therapy sessions, and Lindblom emphasized that a participant’s willingness to stick to regimented sessions is vital for long-term success.

Once a patient is independent in PWR! Moves, Lindblom said they can continue to perform their program at home, at the clinic as part of Elder Care’s Aftercare program or enroll in a PWR! Moves community class.

“The reality is that a combination of these three options will be necessary to maintain the gains they made in therapy,” he said. “In addition to their functional goals, my goals for our patients is to restore their safety, confidence and vitality, elevate their expectations for themselves, and motivate them to continue exercising from diagnosis until kingdom come.”

The PWR! program is part of an expansion at Elder Care’s Center for Healthly Aging &Neuro Health. Dr. Walter Lajara leads the center and is board certified in neurology and neuropsychiatry. He hopes the expansion into both support for patients with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s is used by the community. Lajara spoke during an open house at Elder Care last week.

“Part of my dream is for us to create somthing that is unique,” Lajara said. “An individual can come into this facility with Parkinson’s or Alzheimers’s disease, or any other form of dementia, at any stage of diagnosis — whether that is very mild symptoms in the beginning stages or whether you are in very advanced stages nearing the end of life. You can come through the doors of this facility and find all of the resources that you need and that your family needs to get the care provided.”

According to Lajara, adding the services Elder Care offers for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s patients is one-of-a-kind.

“That makes us not only unique in our general area, but that makes us quite unique in the entire country,” Lajara said. “There are very few facilities where an individual can come in and get basically everything they need through one door. This is a big commitment and I hear time and time again that when people come through our doors, they feel love, they feel special by all the staff as you come in.”

Worldwide, there are around 10 million people with the progressive movement disorder, and they struggle with stiff limbs, tremors and poor balance.

Recent advances in basic and clinical science research suggest exercise and learning approaches that promote aerobics may protect vulnerable neurons, repair damaged circuits, and optimize function in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

“Studies show that aerobic exercise with large amplitude movements and high intensity yields improved walking speed, sleep habits, balance, strength, range of motion, confidence, sequencing, spatial awareness and mood,” Lindblom added.

The typical onset of Parkinson’s disease is between 55 and 65 years old, according to Lindblom, but there are incidences of diagnosis as early as the 20s.

He added that part of the brain that is affected by Parkinson’s disease (the substantia nigra), experiences 50-60 percent cell death before a person shows any significant symptoms.

Hallmark symptoms include flexed postures, unilateral or bilateral tremor, small or slow movements, rigidity, loss of facial expression, small handwriting and soft voice.

Lindblom encourages the community to schedule a physical therapy evaluation at Elder Care. He said participants do not need a physician referral to begin a therapy regimen for up to 30 days.

“We will create a plan of care together and seek approval from your physician. The PWR! community class will be available to people with Parkinson’s disease who have completed one-on-one physical therapy sessions and demonstrate knowledge of the program,” he said.

The class will meet two days per week and the quarterly cost will be between $150-$180. For more information, go to www.abouteldercare.org and www.pwr4life.org.

EE reporter Nathan Thompson contributed to this report.

- See more at: http://examiner-enterprise.com/news/local-news/new-program-parkinson-s-patients#sthash.myzRa4XD.dpuf

http://examiner-enterprise.com/news/local-news/new-program-parkinson-s-patients