Parkinson’s support group open to entire community

 By JULISSA HILL     Nov 27, 2017

Physical therapist Lettitia Furrow (right) and patient John Nieberlein practice LSVT Big movements to help Nieberlein as he battles with the degenerative neurological disorder Parkinson’s. LSVT Big promotes bigger, full-body and limb movements to improve the ease of daily activities, such as standing up, walking, balancing and getting dressed.

Rocky Mount’s Carilion Clinic Outpatient Therapy offers programs and a newly formed a community support group to provide Parkinson’s patients with specialized therapy to improve everyday living.

Patients with progressive neurological diseases like Parkinson’s frequently suffer from speech and physical limitations that affect routine activities. While many people are likely to have heard of the degenerative disorder, they may not be aware of how the condition starts. It can develop when there is a loss of brain cells that produce the chemical dopamine, which coordinates movement.

Burke Rehabilitation Hospital reported that close to 500,000 people in the United States suffer from Parkinson’s, and about 50,000 other are diagnosed each year based on research from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Parkinson’s normally manifests in people over 60, but can be present earlier in life as well. Physical therapy assistant Amy Meador said that Parkinson’s is second only to Alzheimer’s in neurological conditions.

She also said there is no known cause of the condition, but researchers believe it could be a combination of genetics and environmental factors. She said there are medications that can help the symptoms, but exercise has been proven beneficial. Exercise can improve brain function and slow the progression of the disease, experts say.

In 2012, Carilion Clinic started the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Big program for victims of the disease. The program is overseen by Meador and physical therapist Lettitia Furrow, and is a “research-based intensive, high amplitude” exercise program that helps “stimulate motor learning” and challenge the motor and sensory systems, according to the clinic.

“We want them to move bigger,” Meador said. “We’ve had great success with our patients.”

It’s anticipated that by continuing to practice the large movements, the patients will be able to perform everyday tasks more easily.

Carilion Clinic also offers the LSVT Loud program, which helps improve voice and speech to help with voice projection.

Clinicians must be certified in order to treat patients in the LSVT programs, and the clinic currently has three certified physical therapists. Together the three physical therapists have treated more than 45 patients through the programs, Meador said.

LSVT treatments consist of sessions four days a week for four consecutive weeks, individual one-hour sessions, daily homework and carry-over exercises. Participants must be referred by a physician, and the treatments are covered by most insurance companies.

Most recently, the clinic has decided to offer a Parkinson’s support group to community members who may be suffering from the disease and their families.

“We want to get the word out to the community that we have these programs,” Meador said. “A lot of time it helps to be with people that are going through the same things.”

Meador said the support group was started as a trial to see how it would work, and was well-received by participants.

“Patients seem to really enjoy it and take back useful information they can use at home,” she said.

The support group is open to the community and offers guest speakers, occasional small groups, one-on-one time and helpful information.

The group meets about every three months; the next meeting will be held on Dec. 6 at the Franklin Center in Rocky Mount from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The guest speaker will be Joseph Ferrara, a Carilion Clinic neurologist from Roanoke. Pre-registration is required by calling the clinic at 800-422-8482 or online at http://www.cvent.com/d/htq0h1. Light refreshments will be served.

http://www.thefranklinnewspost.com/townnews/medicine/parkinson-s-support-group-open-to-entire-community/article_d9c04b30-d38c-11e7-9ef2-f392a0846b10.html

Quest for new medicines could be helped by cell discovery

November 27, 2017

Scientists have made a key discovery that could speed up the production of cells in the lab for studying diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.

Experts say it could also help to boost supplies of cells for use in drug discovery research and could eventually aid production of cells for use as therapies.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have pinpointed two molecules that boost reprogramming of cells - a process through which cells of one type can be converted to another.

The molecules - called SMAD2 and SMAD3 - can enhance the efficiency of converting mature cells into induced pluripotent stem cells, which have the distinctive ability to become any type of cell found in the body.

The team at the University's Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine were surprised to find the molecules can also boost direct conversions from one type of mature cell to another - including transforming skin cells into brain cells.

Usually, converting human skin cells to functional brain cells in a dish takes around 50 days. The team found that adding either of the two molecules into a dish with the cells cuts the time taken to just 25 days.

Scientists use cell reprogramming techniques to produce cells in the lab so that they can study diseases. Such cells are also used for drug discovery and for screening new medicines for potential toxic effects.

The approach is particularly helpful for producing cells that cannot be obtained from patient samples, such as brain cells.

The study was published in the journal Cell Stem Cell.

Professor Keisuke Kaji, a Medical Research Council Senior Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, said: "We have shown it is possible to boost reprogramming of diverse cell types using a single molecule. We hope this will stimulate further research to find other molecules that could have a similar - or even better - effect."

Dr Rob Buckle, Chief Science Officer at the Medical Research Council said: "Regenerative medicine is one of the most promising fields in biomedicine and a priority for the MRC. Pluripotent stem cells offer great potential for developing new treatments for a wide range of currently untreatable diseases so the discovery of the role these two molecules can play in improving the way we can make these cells, and how they can enhance the direct conversion of one mature cell-type to another of quite different function, represents real progress for the field."

More information: Tyson Ruetz et al, Constitutively Active SMAD2/3 Are Broad-Scope Potentiators of Transcription-Factor-Mediated Cellular Reprogramming, Cell Stem Cell (2017).  DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2017.10.013

Journal reference: Cell Stem Cell 

Provided by: University of Edinburgh

https://phys.org/news/2017-11-quest-medicines-cell-discovery.html

Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday for Parkinson's Disease

November 27, 2017

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to giving back. You share our dedication to advancing Parkinson's research, on behalf of your own journey with the disease or that of a loved one. And like all of us at The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), you believe that together, we can make Parkinson's a thing of the past. 

We've set a big goal: raise $1 million in one day to accelerate better treatments and a cure for Parkinson's. Any donation made to the Foundation tomorrow will be matched, up to $1 million. And we promise to put your gift to work quickly and efficiently: 89 cents of every dollar spent at MJFF goes directly to our high-impact programs to accelerate a cure. 

Help us spread the word today. Forward this email to friends or personalize and share on social media: 

This #GivingTuesday, I'm helping The Michael J. Fox Foundation speed a cure for Parkinson's because ______. #1Day1Million

Go to: 

https://www.michaeljfox.org/get-involved/donation2.php?pg=38

'He's an inspiration' - Stagecoach cleaner with Parkinson's recognised for his dedication

ByHolly O'Flinn - November 27, 2017

Stagecoach cleaner Andy, who suffers from Parkinson's, was presented the bronze award for customer service by TV personality Jessica Wright

A man who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and always keeps a smile on his face has been awarded for his commitment to Stagecoach.

Cleaner Andy Nicholson has seen his condition deteriorate in recent years, but continues his dedication and hard work at the bus company in Skegness.is never off sick and still keeps the bus station spick and span in any weather.

He is said to be a “real credit” to the Skegness team and his never give up attitude is infectious to those he works with.

Colleagues say he has inspired many other members of staff due to his “amazing” attitude towards life and many are known to look up to Andy, admiring his work ethic. 

Andy said: “I was absolutely delighted to win a bronze award at this year’s Stagecoach champion awards.

“I have worked for Stagecoach for 14 years and feel proud to be able to take the award back to Skegness. I’d like to thank all my colleagues for the nomination.”

His colleague, traffic controller Chris Kelk, who nominated Andy for the award, said: "I can honestly say that the reason I nominated Andy was the fact that he has a great attitude to work and even on the days he really struggles with his condition, he still does his job with a smile on his face and to the best of his ability.

“Passengers remark on what a great job he does and how clean our station is. He is inspirational.

“Some would have taken the easy option and said enough is enough, but not Andy he will keep going until he physically can’t get to work, which I admire tremendously. “

The Stagecoach Group Champions event was attended by TV personality Jessica Wright, who presented Andy with his bronze award.

The awards – now in their eighth year – recognise excellence over six areas including safety, health, community, customer service, environment and innovation.

He received a trophy, cash prize and a two-night stay in London incorporating the award ceremony.

http://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/hes-inspiration-stagecoach-cleaner-parkinsons-821339

Vibrating sensors created to aid diagnosis of diseases

November 27, 2017

Engineers have developed a new type of small vibrating sensor that could be used to enhance the detection of biological markers in small amounts of blood.

The new microelectromechanical resonators have been created by a Purdue University-led research team to facilitate sensitive, inexpensive detection of biomarkers that signify disease, illness or trauma.

“New vibrating sensors have been developed as a means of identifying blood biomarkers more easily.“

Using a piezoelectrically actuated resonant microsystem, the sensors are able to detect changes in mass, with sensitivity increasing as the resonant frequency rises, making high-frequency resonators ideal for biomarker detection.

As such, the sensors can detect minute amounts of specific proteins to allow the earliest changes in brain chemistry associated with concussion. It is thought that the technology could also aid the detection of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and a host of other conditions.

Jeffrey Rhoads, a professor in Purdue's school of mechanical engineering, said: "Detecting biomarkers is like trying to find a handful of needles in a large haystack. So we devised a method that divided the large haystack into smaller haystacks."

http://www.zenopa.com/news/801842428/vibrating-sensors-created-to-aid-diagnosis-of-diseases

Whitchurch Ladies Open Group presents £150 to Parkinson's UK

Sunday, 26 November 2017 By Contributor in Community News

THE Whitchurch Ladies Open Group has presented £150 to the Parkinson’s UK charity after raising the money at a jumble sale.

Chairperson Thelma Bishop and treasurer Barbara Geldhill are pictured with the ladies presenting the money to former local police officer Mark Hoar, a sufferer of the disease and member of the charity, at the group’s AGM in Whitchurch Village Hall last week.

http://www.calstock-today.co.uk/article.cfm?id=422295&headline=Whitchurch%20Ladies%20Open%20Group%20presents%20£150%20to%20Parkinson%27s%20UK&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2017

Scientists at NUI Galway make breakthrough for Parkinson’s disease

November 26, 2017

NEUROSCIENTISTS AT NUI Galway have made a breakthrough in regenerative medicine approaches to Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s is a condition that primarily affects a person’s ability to control movement leading to a progressive deterioration in ability.

The symptoms of the condition are caused by the degeneration and death of brain cells that regulate movement.

Brain repair for Parkinson’s involves replacing the dead cells by transplanting healthy brain cells back into the brain, but the widespread roll-out of this therapy has been hindered by the poor survival of the implanted cells.

The research, which was published in the Nature journal, Scientific Reports this week, found that the survival of the transplanted cells is dramatically improved if they are implanted within a supportive matrix made from the natural material collagen.

It was carried out by a team at the Galway Neuroscience Centre and CÚRAM, the Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Research in Medical Devices, based at NUI Galway.

Lead author of the research paper, Dr Eilis Dowd said:

The collagen provides the cells with a nurturing, supportive environment in the brain and helps them to survive the aversive transplant process.

The work will be presented at the upcoming Network for European CNS Transplantation and Restoration (NECTAR) conference which is being hosted by Dr Dowd in Dublin from the 6–8 December.

The event will feature leading scientists from the US, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK, who will present their latest research on brain repair for Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s.

http://www.thejournal.ie/scientists-galway-parkinsons-3715051-Nov2017/

Scottish scientists are to begin trials for first antibody therapy for Parkinson's disease

November 26, 2017  By STEPHEN WILKIE

Parkinson's affects around 127,000 people in Britain, and a new diagnosis is made every hour

The aim of the project is a vaccine being developed against the degenerative brain disease.

Parkinson’s affects about 127,000 people in Britain, and a new diagnosis is made every hour in the UK.

The highest-profile sufferer in Scotland is comedian and actor Sir Billy Connolly, 75, who revealed his battle with Parkinson’s four years ago.

Dr Donald Grosset, consultant neurologist at the Institute of Neurological Sciences at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, has recently been appointed clinical director at the charity Parkinson’s UK Excellence Network.

If you can target abnormal proteins and mop up or extract those abnormal proteins, you will keep cells healthy 

Dr Donald Grosset

He said advances in antibody therapy have given Parkinson’s researchers hope that the progress of the condition could be halted or even prevented altogether.

Dr Grosset said: “Where we are heading is to target the mechanism that goes wrong, which is particular types of proteins which clump together. That is abnormal. It damages nerve cells and they die.

“If you can target that abnormal protein and mop up or extract that abnormal protein, you will keep cells healthy.”

Researchers in centres across the world, many funded by the Michael J Fox Foundation – established by the actor who was diagnosed with the condition at 29 – are attempting to develop antibodies to the abnormal protein that causes Parkinson’s.

The idea is to mimic the way the body uses antibodies to fight viruses or bacteria.

Dr Grosset, honorary professor of neurology at the University of Glasgow, said: “It is exciting in its novelty but it is too early to know how promising it is for Parkinson’s.

“Human trials are planned for the next year or so. You can look at the cancer question and the MS question and see what a difference it has made there. Some cancer types really respond to this kind of treatment. MS has had a broader benefit from these kinds of approaches.

Immunisation has passed its first safety tests in Parkinson volunteers. The tolerability of the vaccine was fine, at least in the short term.”

At present there is no cure for Parkinson’s. 

Treatment for symptoms, which can include tremors, problems with movement, rigidity and speech problems, revolves around personalised drug regimens to increase levels of dopamine in the patient’s brain. 

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/884622/Scottish-scientists-begin-trials-Parkinson-s-disease-antibody-therapy

Weight loss in Parkinson’s disease patients linked to poorer outcomes

By: Devon Andre | Parkinsons | Monday, November 27, 2017 

Nearly one million Americans are affected by a degenerative neurological called Parkinson’s disease with as many as 60,000 new cases being diagnosed every year. The disease, unfortunately, is without a cure. But treatments do exist that help control the symptoms as much as possible, but none effectively halt the progressive nature of the disease.

However, new research from the University of Aberdeen shows that high-calorie diets and weight gain may improve life expectancy and reduce dementia.

While some cases of Parkinson’s disease are thought to be attributed to genetic or environmental factors, the majority of cases are considered as having no specific known cause (idiopathic). Common symptoms of Parkinson’s include tremors, stiffness, and/or rigidity. This leads patients to have slow movements throughout every aspect of their lives, decreasing their quality of life. Parkinson’s patients may also present with impaired posture and balance as well have an increased risk of cognitive decline as advanced stages.

Following patients for years

The study in question followed 275 diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or parkinsonian disorders for up to 10 years. They wanted to assess whether weight loss has any outcome on the overall health of the patient.

Their findings suggest that weight loss is a common feature seen Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonian disorder, and can occur early in the stage of the disease. This early weight loss led patients to need more health with activities of daily living, a higher risk of developing dementia, and also a higher risk of early death.

This study was the first to identify this association and has led the researchers to encourage doctors to make weight monitoring an important diagnostic criteria.

Significant associations found

“Weight loss is a common problem in Parkinson’s, but it wasn’t clear before we did this how common it was, mainly because of biases in previous studies, or what the consequences were of weight loss. Our hypothesis was that people who are losing weight were going to have adverse outcomes.

Our finding that those who lose weight have poorer outcomes is important because reversing weight loss may, therefore, improve outcomes. Therefore, it is vital that further research investigate whether e.g. high-calorie diets will improve outcomes for people with Parkinson’s who lose weight,” said Dr. Angus MacLeod, who led the study.

It has yet to be proven that incorporating higher-calorie diets to promote weight gain will improve patient outcomes, but future studies will explore this relationship.

https://www.belmarrahealth.com/weight-loss-parkinsons-disease-patients-linked-poorer-outcomes/

Rodin Receives $600,000 Michael J. Fox Foundation Grant for Parkinson’s Research

NOVEMBER 27, 2017   BY CAROLINA HENRIQUES

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) has awarded $600,000 to Rodin Therapeutics to advance new research in Parkinson’s disease.

One of the most prominent features in Parkinson’s is the loss of dopaminergic neurons in a brain regions called substantia nigra. These cells produce dopamine, the chemical messenger that coordinates movement.

Loss of dopamine (and dopaminergic synapses) causes neurons to start communicating abnormally, leaving patients unable to control their movements. Sometimes, patients also show signs of cognitive impairment.

This has led Rodin to try to develop small molecules that boost critical pathways in synaptic function with minimum safety risks. The approach may be useful for Parkinson’s and other neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases where synaptic loss is a major concern.

Rodin, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, uses epigenetic regulation — the mechanism by which specialized proteins turn genes on and off — to treat diseases like Parkinson’s. The company’s approach is based on the principle that modulation of the HDAC complex, a major epigenetic regulator, can restore synaptic function, health and survival (also called “synaptic resilience”) in degenerative brain diseases.

The strategy is promising in the sense that it could be potentially used by several phenotypically diverse diseases that share the common root cause of impaired neuronal and synaptic function.

“We are pleased to support Rodin’s research toward enhancing synaptic resilience, an intriguing new strategy with strong potential for treating Parkinson’s disease,” Dr. Jamie Eberling, MJFF’s director of research programs, said in a press release. “The Rodin molecules exhibit favorable properties, and we look forward to continued progress as the company moves its program toward the clinic.”

Adam Rosenberg, president and CEO of Rodin, said his company is proud of the grants it has received from the foundation.

“MJFF’s ongoing support has enabled Rodin to make important preclinical progress in optimizing the therapeutic window of our compounds as we prepare to advance into clinical trials,” he said.

https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/2017/11/27/rodin-therapeutics-announces-award-of-grant-support-from-the-michael-j-fox-foundation-to-advance-novel-treatment-strategy-for-parkinsons-disease/