IMPLANT TO HELP SLOW PARKINSON’S DISEASE

 

Dr. Steven Gill has been researching the benefits of Glial-cell line Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF)  in PARKINSON’S DISEASE for many years.

Together with his team of researchers from Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, United Kingdom, he had developed a new implant device to deliver GDNF directly to the affected area of the brain.

GDNF has been shown to be an especially potent factor for dopaminergic cell survival and for improving motor deficits such as those seen in PARKINSON’S DISEASE.

Finding ways to deliver GDNF to the affected areas in appropriate ways has been the challenge

The new device developed by this team consists of a small port surgically implanted behind the patient’s ear.

From this port, a system of tubes connects to the basal ganglia and regulated dose of GDNF can be pumped directly to the brain once a month.

To date, six patients have undergone this treatment and the team is now recruiting 36 more patients for a new trial.

If this treatment technology proves successful and safe, many other neurological diseases will be able to benefit from this technique.

Review by Marcia McCall

Photo credit: http://news.sky.com/story/1153456/brain-implant-could-stop-parkinsons-growth

NEW DRUGS FOR PARKINSON’S DISEASE UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals is working on developing two new drugs to treat PARKINSON’S DISEASE from two different perspectives and they have received a large grant to help fund this promising research.

The first approach is directed at eliminating or at least preventing alpha synuclein from entering the nervous system.  Presently, Lundbeck has developed a line of anti-bodies that bind with alpha-synuclein and one those anti-bodies has shown a direct effect in animal models of PARKINSON’S DISEASE.  Their hope is to develop the best antibody with the potential to slow the progression of PARKINSON’S DISEASE in people or to perhaps, eliminate it altogether.  A human medical model is still a ways off, and lots of work remains to be done, but this company is definitely up to the task.

Their next project involves creating a symptomatic treatment that does not involve the dopamine receptors in the brain.  They are focused on a so-called “orphan G-protein” in a part of the brain that controls the motor system.  Already they have several drugs that can control the activity of this protein.  Their hope for this project is to create a new type of drug for treatment of the motor symptoms of PARKINSON’S DISEASE that does not have the side effects of current medications.  We all hope that success comes SOON!

Learn more about Lundbeck Research and Development

Review by Marcia McCall

Photo credit: http://www.lundbeck.com/global/about-us/facts-and-background/milestones

LASER THERAPY A NEW HOPE FOR PARKINSON’S DISEASE

 

Aggregates of alpha-synuclein in brain cells of people with PARKINSON’S DISEASE have long been the target of research hoping to cure or at least alleviate the symptoms of dementias often associated with PARKINSON’S DISEASE.  Newly publicized research from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden together with Wroclaw University of Technology in Warsaw, Poland found that it is possible to use a laser driven technology to distinguish the formations of alpha-synuclein proteins from the formations of other functionally beneficial and necessary proteins in the brain.  The same technique, called “multi-photon laser technique” could also be used to eliminate those aggregated proteins..

These researchers believe that the ability to target these misfolded proteins that are believed to be part of the disease process for many dementia type diseases, including Alzheimer’s, PARKINSON’S,  and Lewy Body diseases may enable them to be destroyed by laser instead of by taking multiple drugs to counter their activity.  Photo acoustic therapies, such as these researchers discuss, has already been used to destroy cancer tumors in certain specific settings.  During this therapy, the specific light wave energy of the laser is converted to heat on targeted specific light wave sensitive receptors on the cells.  The heat generated then destroys that targeted cell.

This treatment for destroying alpha-synuclein misfolded proteins is a very new, “on the cutting edge of research” technology.  As with all new procedures and technologies, a lot of studies will need to be done before it can be made widely available to treat people with PARKINSON’S DISEASE.  It would be a non-surgically invasive procedure and would potentially reduce the use of medications while wiping out the dementia caused by accumulations of alpha-synuclein.

With Thanks to

Piotr Hanczyc, Marek Samoc, Bengt Norden. Multiphoton absorption in amyloid protein fibres. Nature Photonics, 2013; DOI: 10.1038/nphoton.2013.282

 

Reviewed by Marcia McCall

 

Picture Credit’s

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2487249/Could-LASER-zap-away-Alzheimers-Parkinsons-CJD.html

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/11/05/333191/study-lasers-may-cure-brain-diseases/

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THE LONG TERM EFFECT OF DBS ON PARKINSON'S DISEASE

13th October 2013 - New research

Journal of the Formosan Medical Association [2013] Oct 5 [Epub ahead of print] (J.L.Jiang, S.Y.Chen, T.C.Hsieh, C.W.Lee, S.H.Lin, S.T.Tsai) Complete abstract

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) involves the use of electrodes that are implanted into the brain and connected to a small electrical device called a pulse generator that can be externally programmed. For more information go to Deep brain stimulation Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) has been shown to produce long-term improvements in Parkinson's Disease.
The aim of this study was to assess the improvements that can be expected after 1 year and after 5 years. Patients with Parkinson's Disease were assessed after 1 year and 5 years according to the Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) parts I, II, III, and IV scores, the Hoehn and Yahr stage, and Schwab and England activities of daily living (SEADL) scores in the conditions of off-medication/on-stimulation and off-medication/off-stimulation. Further analysis included the changes in the L-dopa equivalent daily dose.
After 1 year  significant improvements were seen in the UPDRS parts I, II, III, and IV and the Schwab and England scale. Five years after STN-DBS had been initiated improvements in UPDRS scores were observed only for parts II, III, and IV. In the off-medication/off-stimulation condition no significant improvement was observed. However, after 5 years there were significant deteriorations when compared to the improvements seen after 1 year in the scores for the UPDRS parts I, II, III and the Schwab and England scale.

DUAL LAYER L-DOPA CLINICAL TRIAL RESULTS

7th October 2013 - New research

Parkinsonism Related Disorders [2013] Sep 5 [Epub ahead of print] (R.Pahwa, K.E.Lyons, R.A.Hauser, S.Fahn, J.Jankovic, E.Pourcher, A.Hsu, M.O'Connell, S.Kell, S.Gupta)

L-dopa usually comes in two different formats : either the immediate release version, which satisfies the immediate need for L-dopa, or the controlled release version, which avoids the excessive effects of L-dopa by spreading out the effect over time. Dual layer L-dopa (IPX066), which is being developed for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease, has the advantages of both by combining the two types of L-dopa.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of IPX066 assessed three dosages of L-dopa : 145mg, 245mg or 390mg taken three times daily. The main efficacy measure was the Parkinson's Disease symptom score, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and also the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39).
All three dosages improved Parkinson's Disease, with the 145mg dosage, then the 245mg dosage giving better results. The most commonly reported adverse events with IPX066 included nausea, dizziness, and headache. No unexpected drug-related serious adverse events were reported.

3rd October 2013 - New research
DEPRESSION TREBLES THE RISK OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Neurology [2013] Oct 2 [Epub ahead of print] (Cheng-Che Shen, Shih-Jen Tsai, Chin-Lin Perng, Benjamin Ing-Tiau Kuo, Albert C.Yang)

In the largest study of its kind, involving more than 23,000 subjects, people who had depression were found to have more than three times the chance of developing Parkinson's Disease. This suggests that depression is a strong indication of future Parkinson's Disease, even beyond that of other early indicators. 
Parkinson's Disease is primarily due to the insufficient formation of dopamine in the brain, in the dopaminergic neurons. Besides affecting muscle function and therefore the characteristic muscular symptoms of Parkinson's Disease such as as rigidity and tremor, dopamine insuffiency also affects the emotions.
This is why dopamine insufficiency can also lead to depression. However, even biochemically, dopamine is not the only factor involved in depression, which is why depresssion and Parkinson's Disease do not always coincide. Therefore, depression, even when severe, does not inevitably lead to Parkinson's Disease and why it is possible to have Parkinson's Disease without also having depression.  

UNDERSTANDING PARKINSON'S DISEASE : AN INTRODUCTION FOR PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS

3rd October 2013- New book

Naheed Ali

Publisher's description :  Understanding Parkinson’s Disease offers patients and their caregivers the kind of cutting-edge information that will allow them to successfully confront this debilitating disease on a number of fronts. Patients will also be uniquely exposed to alternative approaches to managing the symptoms of the disease, including allopathic, osteopathic, and naturopathic approaches. The reader will be introduced to essential information on the risk factors associated with Parkinson’s, the signs and symptoms, the different stages of the disease, the various treatments, as well as how the disease develops. Anyone looking for an introduction will find the information they need in this accessible resource.  

HOUSEHOLD PESTICIDES INCREASE THE RISK OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE

29th September 2013 - New research

International Journal of Epidemiology [2013] Sep 20 [Epub ahead of print] (S.Narayan, Z.Liew, K.Paul, P.C.Lee, J.S.Sinsheimer, J.M.Bronstein, B.Ritz)

Household pesticide use is widespread, and for over 40 years organophosphorus chemicals have been common active ingredients in these products. Parkinson's Disease has been linked to pesticide exposures but little is known about the contributions of chronic exposures to household pesticides.

Consequently, researchers investigated whether long term use of household pesticides, especially those containing organophosphorus chemicals, increases the risk of developing or worsening Parkinson's Disease. Frequent use of any household pesticide increased the risk of developing Parkinson's Disease by 47%. Frequent  use of products containing organophosphorus chemicals increased the risk of Parkinson's Disease by 71%. Frequent organothiophosphate use almost doubled the risk of Parkinson's  Disease. The evidence shows that household use of organophosphorus pesticides is clearly associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's Disease. 

THE WORLD'S LOWEST INCIDENCE OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE

26th September 2013 - New research

Journal of  Neural Transmission [2013] Sep 22 [Epub ahead of print] (C.L.Ma, L.Su, J.J.Xie, J.X.Long, P.Wu, L.Gu)   
The world's lowest incidence of Parkinson's Disease has been found to be in China. Incidence is the rate at which Parkinson's Disease is being newly diagnosed. The incidence of Parkinson's Disease in China, at only 2 people per 100,000 is remarkably low. In constrast, the incidence rate in the U.S.A. is about ten times that number. The prevalence of Parkinson's Disease in China is remarkably high, with 797 per 100,000 being one of the highest rates in the world. The ratio of men to women with Parkinson's Disease is, at 1.29 men for every woman, more typical.
With very high prevalence (those people that have Parkinson's Disease now) and very low incidence (those people that are being diagnosed) means that the number of people in China with Parkinson's Disease must be dropping rapidly, and at a greater rate than anywhere else in the world. The researchers provide no reasons for this.  In China, instead of standard Parkinson's Disease drugs, people tend to use more Chinese herbal remedies, a number of which are known to have effect in Parkinson's Disease.
The former Chinese leader Chairman Mao is known to have had Parkinson's Disease. However, it is never disclosed in China that Chairman Mao, who is given almost God like status in China, ever actually had Parkinson's Disease.

THE EFFECT OF TEN YEARS WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE

22nd September 2013 - New research

Parkinsonism Related Disorders [2012] 18 supplement, 3 : S10-S14 28 (3) : 380-383 (A.Hassan, S.S.Wu, P.Schmidt, I.A.Malaty, Y.F.Dai, J.M.Miyasaki, M.S.Okun)

A large number of people who had Parkinson's Disease for more than ten years were assessed to see what effect it had on them. The clinical status and health-related quality of life of patients reaching this milestone had not been well documented before. Their average age was 68 years old. Their average age of onset was 53 years old. Their average disease duration was 14 years. Many of them were minimally disabled (44%) or experiencing postural instability (40%). Most (88%) were able to stand unaided but falls were common (55%). Almost all (93%) were living at home, with a family member as a regular caregiver (84%).
They had an average of two additional medical disorders with arthritis (49%) and heart problems (32%) being the most common. Most of them  (87%) took at least 2 medications, with L-dopa (96%), dopamine agonists (45%) and antidepressants (37%) being the most common. Most of them were not currently utilizing physical, occupational or speech therapy, but two-thirds of them reported engaging in physical activity. Deep brain stimulation was documented in 22%. Overall the mean health-related quality of life and caregiver burden was impaired in all domains.