23rd January 2014 - New review

RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE

The excessive muscle contraction that Parkinson's Disease causes can affect the muscles that control respiration. Consequently, the breathing rate in Parkinson's Disease can often not be sustained as well, and breathing efficiency can be reduced [1]. There is often abnormal ventilatory control despite normal lung volumes and flows [2]. Respiratory muscle strength and endurance also are decreased [3].

Due to the reduced respiratory capacity, people with Parkinson's Disease are more prone to the effects of pneumonia, which occurs more commonly than expected in Parkinson's Disease, but not because of Parkinson's Disease [4]. Consequently, pneumonia is the most common cause of death associated with Parkinson's Disease [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]. For more information concerning pneumonia go to Pneumonia. However, death certificates indicated that Parkinson's Disease was a substantial contributor to the cause of death in only 20% of people with Parkinson's Disease [11]. For 80% of people there were other causes. In order to refer to this article on its own click here.   

19th January 2014 - New research

VISUAL DISTURBANCES IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Parkinsonism Related Disorders [2013] Dec 27 [Epub ahead of print] (P.Urwyler, T.Nef, A.Killen, D.Collerton, A.Thomas, D.Burn, I.McKeith, U.P.Mosimann) Complete abstract

Visual symptoms are common in Parkinson's Disease but are frequently under-diagnosed. The detection of visual symptoms is important for differential diagnosis and patient management. The causes of visual symptoms divides between Parkinson's Disease and Parkinson's Disease drugs. Parkinson's Disease can cause visual disturbances by affecting the muscles of the eye. Parkinson's Disease drugs in excess can cause visual hallucinations. Recurring visual complaints emerged as risk factors predictive of the minor forms of hallucinations, but not recurrent complex visual hallucinations.

Researchers established the prevalence of recurrent visual complaints (RVC) and recurrent visual hallucinations (RVH) in Parkinson's Disease. The most common visual disturbances were found to be : double vision (in 18% of people with Parkinson's Disease), misjudging objects when walking (in 12%), words moving whilst reading (in 17%), and freezing in narrow spaces (in 30%), which was almost exclusively found in people with Parkinson's Disease. The same was true for recurring complex visual hallucinations and illusions, which were found in 17% of people with Parkinson's Disease. Recurring visual complaints were found in 43% of people with Parkinson's Disease. Recurring visual hallucinations were found in 29% of people with Parkinson's Disease. In order to refer to this article on its own click here.   

13th January 2014 - New research

PROSAVIN CLINICAL TRIAL RESULTS FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE

The Lancet, Early Online Publication, 10 January 2014 (S.Palfi, J.M.Gurruchaga, G.S.Ralph, H.Lepetit, et al) Complete abstract

ProSavin uses LentiVector gene delivery technology to deliver genes they suggest are required for the formation of dopamine. The product is administered locally to the relevant region of the brain in order to increase the brain's own capacity for the formation of dopamine. For more information go to Prosavin

A clinical trial assessed the safety and efficacy of ProSavin after bilateral injection into the brains of 15 people who had Parkinson's Disease for more than 5 years. Three doses were assessed : low dose, mid dose and high dose. During the first 12 months 54 drug-related adverse events were reported (51 mild and 3 moderate). The most common adverse events were increased dyskinesias (in 11 out of 15 patients) and on-off phenomena (in 9 out of 15 patients). No serious adverse events related to the study drug or surgical procedure were reported. There was a moderate improvement in Parkinson's Disease symptom scores after 6 months and 12 months. However, in a previous study moderate improvements started declining after only 6 months. In order to refer to this article on its own click here.   

12th January 2014 - New book

OXFORD TEXTBOOK OF MOVEMENT DISORDERS

David Burn

Publisher's description : This volume covers the basic science and clinical concepts underlying movement disorders, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of individual hypokinetic and hyperkinetic movement disorders. Written to aid understanding and treatment of a wide range of movement disorders, it includes a section covering the miscellaneous causes that are routinely encountered by neurologists. It is also supplemented with illustrative video clips that can be accessed through the concurrent online edition. Although firmly rooted in evidence-based management approaches, the authors included their own top tips and experience on the management of difficult cases where no current guidance exists.  Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to Parkinson's Disease Books 

8th January 2014 - New research

THE PREVALENCE OF MUSCULOSKELETAL PROBLEMS IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Parkinsonism Related Disorders [2013] 19 (7) : 666-669 (Y.E.Kim, W.W.Lee, J.Y.Yun, H.J.Yang, H.J.Kim, B.S. Jeon)  Complete abstract

The prevalence of musculoskeletal problems was found to be significantly higher Parkinson's Disease. Around two thirds of people with Parkinson's Disease have them. Only just over a quarter of people with Parkinson's Disease answered that their musculoskeletal problems were recovering.  Musculoskeletal problems also tended to receive less treatment when people had Parkinson's Disease.

Common sites of musculoskeletal problems were the lower back, shoulder and knee in that order. The lower back was the site of musculoskeletal problems in nearly half of people with Parkinson's Disease. The shoulder and knee were affected far less often. Among the past diagnoses associated with musculoskeletal problems, frozen shoulder, low back pain, osteoporosis and fracture were more common in people with Parkinson's Disease. Older age, being female, and having a higher score on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale were associated with more musculoskeletal problems.  For more information go to Musculoskeletal disorders. In order to refer to this article on its own click here.   

7th January 2014 - New book

PARKINSON'S DISEASE : IMPROVING PATIENT CARE 

Jason S.Hawley, Melissa J.Armstrong, William J.Weiner

Publisher's description : Improving Patient Care is a clinically-focused text for healthcare professionals involved in the everyday management of Parkinson's disease patients. Primary care physicians, general neurologists, medical trainees, and ancillary therapists including mental health professionals, speech therapists, and physical therapists will all find helpful information regarding caring for patients with Parkinson's disease. The 12 chapters cover all aspects of Parkinson's disease care from diagnosis, test selection and early management to handling complications, deciding whether surgical options are appropriate, managing Parkinson's disease patients in the inpatient setting and supporting patients and families during late-stage complications.  Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to Parkinson's Disease Books