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3rd September 2010 - New research
EARLY LIFE FACTORS AND PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Movement Disorders [2010] 25
(11) : 1560-1567 (Gardener H, Gao X, Chen H, Schwarzschild MA, Spiegelman D,
Ascherio A.)
Complete abstract
Few studies have investigated the relation between early life factors and risk
of Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's Disease risk was examined in relation to :
season of birth, birth weight, parental age at birth, preterm birth, multiple
birth, ever having been breast-fed, and left or right handedness. No significant
relation with Parkinson's Disease was observed for : birth weight, paternal age, preterm birth,
multiple birth, and having been breastfed. A modest association
was suggested for season of birth, as there was a 30%
higher risk of developing Parkinson's Disease in those born in Spring rather
than Winter. Older maternal age at birth increased the risk of developing
Parkinson's Disease by 75% among those with mothers aged 30 years and older
versus those with mothers younger than 20 years old. Left handed women were
found to be 62% more likely to develop Parkinson's Disease than right handed
women. Men were not affected at all according to whether they were right or left
handed. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
1st September 2010 - New research
THE GENETIC LIKELIHOOD OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Journal of Human Genetics [2010] 55 (4) : 241-243 (T.H.Hamza,
H.Payami)
Complete abstract
Researchers questioned
whether the evidence for the genetic likelihood of Parkinson's Disease could be
explained by the susceptibility genes that have already been identified. They
estimated heritability of risk and age at onset of Parkinson's Disease in a
large sample of families. After excluding families with known genetic mutations
and accounting for the main genes likely to cause Parkinson's Disease, they
found the likelihood of inheriting Parkinson's Disease to be 41%. However, this
study did not take account of families passing on their non-genetic factors,
such as physical environment, dietary habits, and medicine use. In order to
properly assess the genetic likelihood of developing Parkinson's Disease they
would need to assess twins separated at birth. However, even when twins not
separated at birth were assessed, it was found that the genetic likelihood of
developing Parkinson's Disease was only 10% in twins. For more details go to the
Complete abstract.
The results suggest that Parkinson's Disease is not inherited except in the
rarer cases, where there is a specific genetic mutation. In order to refer
to this article on its own
click here.
31st August 2010 - New review
STALEVO FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Stalevo is a drug for
Parkinson's Disease that is a combination of
L-dopa, carbidopa and entacapone. That is the same as Sinemet plus entacapone.
For more information go to
Stalevo. The therapeutic constituent is L-dopa.
Entacapone is a COMT inhibitor, which is able to slow down the breakdown of
L-dopa. Stalevo is intended for the treatment of people with Parkinson's Disease
who experience signs and symptoms of end-of-dose "wearing off"
[1].
A
series of studies showed that Stalevo and corresponding dosages of L-dopa /
carbidopa plus entacapone had the same effect
[2].
A clinical advantage of Stalevo is that patients can take one pill rather than
two (or more) separate tablets
[2].
Over 70% of the patients that added entacapone to their Sinemet (or the
equivalent), or that switched to Stalevo, which includes all three, felt that
they were clinically improved. Over 80% of them experienced a reduction in
fluctuations
[3]. About 8% of people that changed to Stalevo
discontinued treatment, mostly because of adverse events. There was also a
tendency for Stalevo to initiate or worsen dyskinesia
[4].
Stalevo resulted in an improvement in symptoms
[4]
[5]
[8]
[11]. There was also an improvement in "on"
time
[9]
[10].
Patients found Stalevo more simple to dose, more convenient to use, easier to
handle, easier to remember and easier to swallow
[7].
A majority of patients also preferred Stalevo to L-dopa and carbidopa when in a
sustained release form, and improved their symptoms when they changed over to it
[6].
The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is evaluating clinical trial data that may suggest that
patients taking Stalevo may be at an increased risk for developing prostate
cancer. Patients taking Stalevo were compared to those taking carbidopa and
levodopa. The number of people
taking Stalevo with prostate cancer was small, but it was still four times what
would otherwise be expected. The FDA consequently suggested that "Patients should not stop taking their
medication unless directed to do so by their healthcare professional"
[12].
They are also evaluating clinical trial data
that suggest patients taking Stalevo may be at an increased risk for
cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death)
[13]. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
21st August 2010 - New review
LEAD AS A CAUSE OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Prolonged exposure to lead can
double the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s Disease
[Complete abstract].
Common means of exposure are : lead contaminated soil, ingestion of lead dust or
chips from deteriorating lead-based paints. Air pollution from the processing of
lead, food grown in contaminated soil, drinking water from plumbing and fixtures
that are either made of lead or have trace amounts of lead in them. Lead can be
found in cosmetics in some countries, some herbal remedies, and even in toys.
For more information go to
Lead Poisoning.
Means
of toxicity : Due to the similarity of their structures, lead can inadvertently
replace iron in enzyme reactions, but lead does not properly function as a
cofactor. This might cause a reduction in L-dopa because iron is an essential
cofactor for L-dopa formation. Most lead poisoning symptoms are thought to occur
by interfering with the enzyme Delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD),
which is required for the formation of hemoglobin, as is ferrochelatase, which
is also interfered with lead. Hemoglobin transports oxygen, which is required
for the formation of L-dopa. So lead may also cause Parkinson's Disease symptoms
by interfering with the availability of oxygen to the brain. However, the
precise means by which it causes Parkinson's Disease has still not been proven.
Symptoms : Serious and chronic
exposure to lead can more than double the likelihood of developing Parkinson's
Disease, making it 2.27 times more likely. Milder exposure to lead did not
increase the likelihood of Parkinson's Disease
[Complete abstract]. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
17th August 2010 - New book
PARKINSON'S DISEASE IN PRACTICE
Carl E.Clarke
Publisher's
description : Parkinson's Disease in Practice provides practical, up-to-date
summaries on how to manage Parkinson's disease in everyday practice. The title
reflects the current developments surrounding Parkinson's disease and the fields
of pharmacology and surgery making this an indispensable guide full of tips and
useful advice. This title reviews the entire spectrum of Parkinson's disease,
and includes topics as its epidemiology and aetiology, pathophysiology, and
potential investigations. This book will be of great value to general
practitioners, hospital doctors, Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialists and
paramedical therapists working in this area, as well as to undergraduate and
postgraduate students of medicine, pharmacology and pharmacy
Click here for more details. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here. For
more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books.
14th August 2010 - New review
DUODOPA FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Duodopa is a combination of
L-dopa and carbidopa in the form of a gel. It is administered throughout the day
using a portable pump directly into the small intestine through a surgically
placed tube. For the
Duodopa fact sheet.
The
method ensures a flow of L-dopa that can be
adjusted according to the patient's individual needs
[1]. It
enables more consistent plasma concentrations
of L-dopa
[3]. Significant improvements were found with
its use
[2]
[5]
[6].
The side effects are similar
to those observed with oral administration of
L-dopa and carbidopa
[3]
[4].
Dislocation of the intestinal tube to the
stomach was the most common technical
problem
[2]
[3]
[4],
occurring in nearly 70% of the patients during the first year
[4].
Whether or not L-dopa consumption was reduced or increased with infusion as
compared to oral therapy differed according to the study
[2]
[4]
[6]. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
12th August 2010 - History
SEVENTEENTH CENTURY TREATMENTS OF PARKINSON'S
DISEASE
Nicholas Culpeper (1616-1654) was an English botanist, herbalist,
physician and astrologer. He published books, The English Physitian (1652)
and the Complete Herbal (1653). The Complete Herbal contains both
pharmaceutical and herbal knowledge. Among the recommendations in Complete
Herbal, he suggests sage for "sinews, troubled with palsy and cramp". For
centuries prior to this, Sage had also been recommended for tremor in the
hands. Amongst other plant remedies Culpepper suggested for palsy and
trembling were bilberries, briony (called "English mandrake"), and
mistletoe. In the 1696 edition of his
Pharmacopoeia Londinensis, a variety of
substances were claimed to be useful
in the
treatment of "palsies", the "dead palsy", and
"tremblings". These included the "oil of winged ants" and preparations
including earthworms ! For more concerning the history of Parkinson's go
to the
History of Parkinson's Disease.
9th August 2010 - New review
MUCUNA PRURIENS - THE OLDEST TREATMENT FOR
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
An ancient
civilisation in India practiced their medical doctrine called Ayurveda. They described
the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, which they called Kampavata as far back as
5000 B.C.. To treat Kampavata, they used Mucuna Pruriens, which is
certainly the oldest known method of treating the symptoms of Parkinson's
Disease.
Mucuna pruriens is a tropical legume whose seeds
are a natural source of high quantities of L-dopa. Immature seeds contain
maximum L-dopa content
[1]. Mucuna Pruriens is a
milder source of L-dopa than the quantities of L-dopa in pharmaceutical forms.
Its mildness lessens the problem of excessive dosage that often occurs with the
use of L-dopa in pharmaceutical form. Mucuna Pruriens is also more adjustable in
its dosages. It can be used for Parkinson's Disease
as a form of L-dopa
[2]. In optimal dosages, Mucuna Pruriens acts more quickly than
L-dopa, and its effects last longer. There are no major differences between them
regarding possible side effects
[3]. Mucuna Pruriens also
possesses anti-oxidant qualities, which help to protect against cell damage, and
also metal chelating activity, which helps to protect against excessive
quantities of metals
[4]. There is no evidence
that it contains the equivalent of carbidopa, which is a substance in Sinemet
that reduces L-dopa breakdown before it is reaches the brain.
In order to refer to this article on its own
click here.
3rd August 2010 - New research
THE EFFECT OF BLOWS TO THE HEAD ON PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Movement Disorders [2010]
Jul 28 [Epub ahead of print] (Lolekha P, Phanthumchinda K, Bhidayasiri R.)
Complete abstract
Blows to the head are sometimes claimed to have been a cause of Parkinson's
Disease.
Boxing, with its frequent blows to the head is often believed to be a cause of Parkinsonism because of
chronic repetitive head injury, with Muhammad Ali frequently, but very possibly
wrongly, cited as an
example. Even more extreme and frequent blows to the head occur in Kick Boxing, in which
participants receive not only punches, but also kicks to the head. Kick Boxing is at its
most extreme in Thailand, where it originated, as the sport of
Muay Thai.
As the blows are more powerful and the contests more frequent, Muay Thai tests the impact of blows to the head even more than boxing.
In
order to assess the effect of blows to the head, this study determined the
prevalence of Parkinson's Disease in retired Muay Thai boxers. Out of over 700
that responded, only 5 of them had Parkinson's Disease, which is not even 1% of
boxers. So boxing, even in the extreme form found in Thailand, did not make
Parkinson's Disease likely, nullifying the claim that boxing and blows to the head commonly
cause Parkinson's Disease. Those Muay Thai boxers that had a large
number of professional contests were found to be a bit more prone to developing
Parkinson's Disease. So frequent blows to the head appear to cause an inclination to
Parkinson's Disease rather than actually cause it. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
31st July 2010 - New research
MIRAPEX ER CLINICAL TRIAL RESULTS
Movement Disorders [2010] Jul 28 [Epub ahead of
print] (Hauser RA, Schapira AH, Rascol O, Barone P, Mizuno Y, Salin L, Haaksma
M, Juhel N, Poewe W.)
Complete abstract
Movement Disorders [2010]
Jul 28 [Epub ahead of print] (Rascol O, Barone P, Hauser RA, Mizuno Y, Poewe W,
Schapira AH, Salin L, Sohr M, Debieuvre C)
Complete abstract
The
objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pramipexole
extended release (ER) administered once daily in early Parkinson's Disease.
Pramipexole extended release (ER) is marketed as
Mirapex ER. Pramipexole immediate release (IR) is administered three
times daily. Pramipexole ER was proven to be effective. The level of efficacy
was almost identical to that of immediate release Pramipexole, demonstrating
that there was no loss of activity when changing over
from the immediate release version of Pramipexole. Adverse events more common
with Pramipexole ER than placebo included somnolence, nausea, constipation, and
fatigue.
In a separate study, the feasibility was
assessed, in early Parkinson's Disease, of an overnight switch from
immediate-release (IR) pramipexole to a once-daily extended-release (ER)
pramipexole. Over 80% of people successfully changed over to the extended
release version of pramipexole after 4 weeks, and around 85% successfully
changed over to the extended release version of pramipexole after 9 weeks. So
changing over to the extended release version is not quick and always
successful. In order to refer to this article on its own
click here.
29th July 2010 - New research
NEBICAPONE - A NEW COMT INHIBITOR FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
CNS Neuroscience &
Therapeutics [2010] Jul 23 [Epub ahead of print] (Ferreira JJ, Rascol O, Poewe
W, Sampaio C, Rocha JF, Nunes T, Almeida L, Soares-da-Silva P)
Complete abstract
Nebicapone,
is a new COMT inhibitor undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of motor fluctuations in Parkinson's
Disease. COMT inhibitors
help to prolong the effect of L-dopa. The two COMT inhibitors that have already
being used to treat Parkinson's Disease are
Tolcapone
(Tasmar), and
Entacapone (Comtan), which is also marketed as
Stalevo
in a combination with L-dopa and carbidopa.
A
clinical trial compared the use of Nebicapone (50 mg, 100 mg,
150 mg) with Entacapone (200 mg) or placebo administered with L-dopa/carbidopa
(Sinemet) or levodopa/benserazide (Madopar). The 150mg dosage of Nebicapone were
found to be more effective than the existing COMT inhibitors, by decreasing the
off time by 81 minutes in comparison to Entacapone, and by 106 minutes in comparison
to the placebo. The 50mg and 100mg dosages of Nebicapone failed to have a
significant effect in reducing off time. Treatment-emergent adverse events were
reported by 32% to 49% of patients in any treatment group, with no observed dose
relationship in the Nebicapone groups. Liver transaminases were elevated in 8%
of the 150mg Nebicapone group.
In order to refer to this article on its own
click here.
28th
July 2010 - New book
THE BOOK OF EXERCISE AND YOGA FOR
THOSE WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Lori A.Newell
Publisher's
description : This book covers a wide range of movement therapies such as range
of motion exercises, low to no-impact aerobics, strength training, yoga, and
T'ai Chi. It is unique in that it covers a wide range of techniques, which are
specifically geared to, and have been proven helpful for, those with Parkinson's
disease. The exercises are all explained in detail utilizing safe body mechanics
and are illustrated in standing, standing holding onto a chair, and seated
variations to accommodate a wide variety of abilities. This complete wellness
program goes beyond the traditional exercise book offering information on home
safety, fall prevention, activities of daily living, and body mechanics.
Click here for more details. For
more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books.
26th July 2010 - New review
THE EFFECTS OF COENZYME Q10 IN
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
The mitochondria is the
part of the cells that produces energy. The first step in producing energy in
the mitochondria is Complex I (NADH : ubiquinone oxidoreductase). In people with
Parkinson's Disease, Complex I is reduced in activity in the substantia nigra,
which is the part of the brain primarily affected in Parkinson's Disease.
Complex I needs Coenzyme Q10 in order to function properly
[1]. However, energy production has no direct
effect on increasing dopamine formation It has been claimed that Coenzyme
Q10 is a potent antioxidant that can partially recover the function of
dopaminergic neurons (the cells involved in Parkinson's Disease).
Coenzyme
Q10 was found to be completely ineffective in Parkinson's Disease in daily doses
of 200mg
[2], 300mg
[3], 400mg
[4], 600mg
[4], and 800mg
[4]. Only one Coenzyme Q10 study has ever shown
any improvement in Parkinson's Disease, using 360mg, but the effects were mild
and were only assessed for four weeks
[5]. Daily doses of 300mg, 600mg and 1200 mg of
Coenzyme Q10 failed to improve the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, but reduced
the rate of deterioration
[6]. Coenzyme Q10 was safe to use in doses of
1200mg
[6]
[7], 1800mg
[7], 2400
[7], and 3000 mg
[7]. Plasma levels of Coenzyme Q10 did not
increase in doses above 2400mg
[7].
In order to refer to this article on its own
click here.
21st July 2010 - New review
cabergoline - a review of the dopamine agonist
Cabergoline is also
known by the brand names Dostinex and Cabaser. Cabergoline is a dopamine agonist
that primarily stimulates the D2 receptor activity and has a very long half-life
[1].
Besides being used for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease, cabergoline is also
used for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia, and exerts anti-depressant effects
[2]. For more information got to
Dostinex and
Cabaser.
When
cabergoline was compared to the use of L-dopa : motor complications, such as
dyskinesia occurred less frequently
[3], symptoms overall were worse
[4], some symptom scores apart from motor
disability were better
[3],
off time was reduced
[5]
[6], there were greater side effects
[3]
[4]
[7], including nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia,
gastritis, dizziness, postural hypotension, and peripheral oedema
[8]. When cabergoline was added to the use of
L-dopa : symptoms improved
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14] but not by much
[13],
there was a small reduction in off time
[3]
[12]
[13]
[15]
[16], L-dopa dose could be reduced
[3]
[5],
and side effects increased
[10]
[11]
[13].
Cabergoline was found to be slightly better or similar than the use of
bromocriptine
[15]
[17].
Cabergoline is associated with the risk of
valvular heart disease
[18], valvular regurgitation
[19]
[20]
[21]
[22]
[23]
[24], and
worsens contrast sensitivity
[25].
In order to refer to this article on its own
click here.
16th July 2010 - New research
THE
most troubling SYMPTOMS IN parkinson's diseasE
Movement Disorders [2010] May 14 [Epub ahead of print] (Politis
M, Wu K, Molloy S, G Bain P, Chaudhuri KR, Piccini P.)
Complete abstract
People with Parkinson's Disease typically experience a range of symptoms
over time, each of which will affect a particular individual to varying
degrees. However, patients' perceptions of troublesome symptoms often
differ from the clinician's view, and these discrepancies can hamper
effective management of Parkinson's Disease. In this study, people with
Parkinson's Disease were asked to rank their three most troublesome
symptoms. Patients were divided into early Parkinson's Disease (less than
6 years) and late Parkinson's Disease (longer than 6 years). In early
Parkinson's Disease, the five most prevalent complaints ranked in
descending order were : slowness, tremor, stiffness, pain, and then loss
of smell or taste. In advanced Parkinson's Disease the five most prevalent
complaints ranked in descending order were : fluctuating response to
medication (most commonly wearing off followed by dyskinesia), mood
changes, drooling, sleep problems (most commonly middle and late night
insomnia followed by daytime sleepiness), and then tremor. The findings
show that as Parkinson's Disease progresses the most troublesome issues
change considerably. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
13th July 2010 - New research
vitamin d deficiency linked to parkinson's disease
It has been widely reported that low vitamin
D increases the likelihood of Parkinson's Disease, such as in the
following
News report. However, of the two
studies referred to, one of them does not concern Parkinson's Disease at
all. In the other study, those people with Parkinson's Disease who had the
lowest amounts of vitamin D were three times more likely to develop
Parkinson's than those with the highest amounts of vitamin D. In a
previous study, 55% of people with Parkinson's
Disease had insufficient vitamin D, in comparison to 36%
of healthy controls. For the details go to the
Complete abstract.
Statistically, these are not very significant results. Despite this, the
researchers claim that this data supports a possible role of vitamin D
insufficiency in causing Parkinson's Disease. However, Vitamin D has no role at all in the formation of
dopamine, the substance whose deficiency causes Parkinson's Disease. For more
information go to the
Biochemistry of Parkinson's Disease. In severe cases of Vitamin
D deficiency, there is no known relationship with Parkinson's
Disease as there certainly would be if Vitamin D deficiency could cause it. Sunlight is a
primary source of Vitamin D. So the link between Vitamin D and
Parkinson's Disease may be due merely to those people with Parkinson's
Disease who have mobility problems being exposed to less sunlight, and
thereby having lower vitamin D levels. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
11th July 2010 - New research
ADDING DRUGS TO
L-DOPA IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews [2010] 7 :
CD007166 (Stowe R, Ives N, Clarke CE, Deane K; van Hilten, Wheatley K, Gray R,
Handley K, Furmston A.)
Complete abstract
At some point, medical practitioners usually add an additional drug
to L-dopa when treating Parkinson's Disease from one of three other types of
Parkinson's Disease drugs : dopamine agonists, COMT inhibitors (tolcapone,
entacapone), or MAO inhibitors (selegiline, rasagiline). However, it remained
unclear as to the whether one class of drug is more effective than the other.
The three types of drug were compared, using all of the relevant clinical
trials.
Adding another drug to L-dopa reduced off-time by
only an hour, reduced the L-dopa dosage by about 55mg per day, and slightly
improved symptom scores. A lot of side effects increased : dyskinesia,
constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, hallucinations, hypotension, insomnia,
nausea, somnolence and vomiting. Comparisons of the three drug types suggested
that dopamine agonists were more effective in reducing off-time, in reducing
L-dopa dosage, and improving symptom scores. The overall incidence of side
effects was least with MAO inhibitors, but only marginally better than dopamine
agonists.
In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
9th July 2010 - New research
GENE THERAPY FOR PARKINSON'S
DISEASE
Molecular Therapy [2010] Jul 6 [Epub ahead of
print] (Muramatsu SI, Fujimoto KI, Kato S, Mizukami H, Asari S, Ikeguchi K,
Kawakami T, Urabe M, Kume A, Sato T, Watanabe E, Ozawa K, Nakano I.)
Complete abstract
The primary fault in Parkinson's Disease is the inability to produce sufficient
dopamine via dopamine producing enzymes in the brain. Gene transfer of dopamine
producing enzymes into the brain has led to recovery in animal models of
Parkinson's Disease. So researchers evaluated the safety, tolerability, and
potential efficacy of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene delivery of the enzyme
that produces dopamine into the brain of people with Parkinson's Disease. Six
Parkinson's Disease patients were evaluated at the start and after six months,
using a variety of measures. The procedure was well tolerated. Six months after
surgery, motor functions in the off-medication state improved by an average of
46% based on the UPDRS symptom questionnaire. Assessment using scanning saw a
56% improvement, which persisted up to 96 weeks.
In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
5th July 2010 - New book
I WILL GO ON : LIVING WITH A MOVEMENT DISORDER
Dr Daniel Brooks
Publisher's
description : Daniel Brooks was a 50-year-old husband, father and district-level
administrator in a public school system, when he first noticed pronounced
tremors, speech difficulties and walking problems developing. In this book,
Daniel chronicles his life with a Parkinson’s Plus syndrome and explains how he
dealt with the neurological decline that resulted. Read a user-friendly,
patient's explanation of the defining symptoms of these atypical Parkinsonism
disorders and find out how this neuro-degenerative disease progressed in Dan’s
case. He writes a compelling and inspirational story of how he maintained his
faith in God, while courageously facing life with a movement disorder.
Click here for more details. For
more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books. For Daniel's
blog, go to
We Will Go On.
3rd July 2010 - New research
ENTACAPONE CLINICAL TRIAL
RESULTS
Annals of Neurology [2010] 68 (1) : 18-27 (Stocchi
F, Rascol O, Kieburtz K, Poewe W, Jankovic J, Tolosa E, Barone P, Lang AE,
Olanow CW.)
Complete abstract
Entacapone is a COMT inhibitor, which is able to
slow down the breakdown of L-dopa. It is marketed for Parkinson's Disease on its
own as Comtan, and also as Stalevo in combination with L-dopa and carbidopa, the
same two substances in Sinemet. Adding Entacapone to the equivalent of Sinemet was
considered to be potentially advantageous over Sinemet in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. However, in
recent clinical trials, the time taken for the effectiveness to wear off
between the two methods was not actually significantly different. There was a
tendency that favoured those taking Entacapone. However, the Entacapone group
received a higher dose equivalent. Adding Entacapone to the equivalent of
Sinemet was also found to speed up the onset of dyskinesia. This was especially
so in people that were also taking dopamine agonists. These results make the
claimed advantages of adding Entacapone to Sinemet questionable.
In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
30th June 2010 - News release
MICROCHIPS TO CONTROL
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
A Tel Aviv University team is aiming to create a microchip that can help doctors
wire computer applications and sensors to the brain. Using Deep Brain
Stimulation to stimulate certain areas of the brain, the effects of medical
disorders such as Parkinson's Disease can be reduced. However, because
controlling that stimulation currently lacks precision, some of its therapeutic
benefits are lost over time. The team's method is to record activity using
electrodes implanted in diseased areas of the brain. Based on an analysis of
this activity, they develop algorithms to simulate healthy neuronal activity
which are programmed into a microchip and fed back into the brain. For now, the
chip, called the Rehabilitation Nano Chip (ReNaChip), is hooked up to tiny
electrodes which are implanted in the brain. But as chips become smaller, the
ReNaChip could be made small enough to be "etched" right onto the electrodes
themselves. For more information go to the complete
news release.
In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
24th June 2010 - New research
THE CAUSE OF DEATH IN
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Parkinsonism Related Disorders [2010] May 28. [Epub ahead of print] (Pennington
S, Snell K, Lee M, Walker R.)
Complete abstract
The current literature provides little data concerning the causes of death in
Parkinson's Disease. Death certificate documentation is inadequate in one third
of certificates, making research difficult. Less than two thirds of people with
Parkinson's Disease actually had Parkinson's Disease recorded on their death
certificates. When thoroughly assessed it was found that the most common cause
of death in people with Parkinson's Disease was Pneumonia, which was the cause
of death in 45% of people. For more information concerning
Pneumonia. However, people with
Parkinson's Disease were actually less likely to die of Cancer or Heart Disease
than the rest of the population.
In order to refer to this article on its own
click here.
18th June 2010 - New research
TREMOR WRONGLY DIAGNOSED AS
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Journal of Neurological Neurosurgical
Psychiatry [2010] Jun 14 [Epub ahead of print] (N.P.Bajaj, V.Gontu, J.Birchall,
J.Patterson, D.G.Grosset, A.J.Lees)
Complete abstract
Tremor is often wrongly assumed to be Parkinson's Disease. This is despite
tremor occurring in a wide variety of medical disorders besides Parkinson's
Disease, and failing to occur in nearly a third of people who do have
Parkinson's Disease. This contributes to a quarter of people diagnosed
with Parkinson's Disease being wrongly diagnosed, and consequently treated for a
medical disorder that they do not even have. This study examined the clinical
accuracy of movement disorder specialists in distinguishing tremor dominant
Parkinson's Disease from other medical disorders in which tremor occurred. As
many as a quarter of those patients assessed were diagnosed as having
Parkinson's Disease when they did not even have it. As many as a fifth of
the patients that did have Parkinson's Disease were wrongly claimed not to have
it.
This study demonstrated the inadequacy of assessing
Parkinson's Disease solely according to symptoms instead of using biochemical
means. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
15th June 2010 - New book
PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND MOVEMENT DISORDERS
Charles H.Adler, J.Eric Ahlskog (Editors)
Publisher's
description : Highly experienced clinician-researchers distill the new
information now available about movement disorders to create a practice-oriented
tutorial for all physicians treating movement disorders. Their book helps
physicians distinguish each disorder, providing a basic understanding of both
the test and treatment options needed in active practices, as well as the
effective use of the therapeutic recommendations. The first half of the book is
devoted to Parkinson's disease and conditions masquerading as parkinsonism,
while the remainder details the recognition and treatment of tremor, dystonia,
chorea, myoclonus, tics, gait disorders, the ataxias, conditions resulting in
spasms, and restless legs syndrome. It provides sufficient background so that
even relatively inexperienced clinicians can readily master the diagnosis and
treatment of neurologic conditions.
Click here for more details,
and for
the official web site. For
more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books.
10th June 2010 - New resource
A CLOSER LOOK AT STEM CELL
TREATMENTS
The International Society for Stem Cell Research
has published an online report that aims to educate those who might be tempted,
by providing criteria for people to evaluate claims made by clinics around the
world that offer stem cell treatments. For the full details go to
A closer look at stem cell treatments.
The
International Society for
Stem Cell Research Society
is assessing stem cell clinics, and asking them to provide evidence in support
of their claims of efficacy. Stem cell therapy clinics can now be found in
China, Central America, Russia, Europe and the United States. According to the
head of Canada's Stem Cell Network "It's irresponsible and despicable" that many
overseas clinics are purporting to offer stem cell treatments for people with
illnesses without any scientific evidence". "Around the world, really the only
proven treatments relating to stem cells are for blood - using blood stem cells
to treat various blood disorders, predominantly various types of cancer - and
some wound healing with some skin treatments, and there's been some work done
with the cornea," said Drew Lyall of the Stem Cell Network. "If you go to the
websites of many of these companies you'll see that they're claiming to cure
Parkinson's Disease and there's just no scientific evidence for that."
For more information go to the complete
news report.
It is often claimed that there is a massive loss of
the cells involved in Parkinson's Disease, and that stem cell therapy is
necessary in order to replace the lost cells. However, not a single study has
ever actually shown that there is massive cell loss in Parkinson's Disease.
In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
5th June 2010 - New research
DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION - A
COMPARISON OF THE TWO TYPES
New England Journal of Medicine [2010] 362 (22) :
2077-2091 (Follett KA, Weaver FM, Stern M, Hur K, Harris CL, Luo P, Marks WJ Jr,
Rothlind J, Sagher O, Moy C, Pahwa R, Burchiel K, Hogarth P, Lai EC, Duda JE,
Holloway K, Samii A, Horn S, Bronstein JM, Stoner G, Starr PA, Simpson R,
Baltuch G, De Salles A, Huang GD, Reda DJ) PMID: 20519680
Complete abstract
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is the main surgical procedure for people with
advanced Parkinson's Disease.
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. The globus pallidus interna and the
subthalamic nucleus are accepted targets for this procedure. Researchers
compared the outcomes for patients who had undergone these two types of DBS :
bilateral stimulation of the globus pallidus interna (pallidal stimulation), and
subthalamic nucleus (subthalamic stimulation). The average outcome did not
differ between the two methods. There was also no significant difference in
self-reported function. However, patients undergoing subthalamic stimulation :
required a lower dose of dopaminergic drugs than did those undergoing pallidal
stimulation, had slightly more serious adverse events than those undergoing
pallidal stimulation, and their depression worsened in contrast to an
improvement in people undergoing pallidal stimulation. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
28th May 2010 - New research
THE EFFECT OF ANTIOXIDANTS ON
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
European Journal of Neurology [2010] May 18 [Epub
ahead of print]
Complete abstract
Higher intakes of Vitamin E and Vitamin A
(beta-carotene) may be associated with a decreased risk of Parkinson's Disease.
Higher consumption of Vitamin E reduced the risk of Parkinson's Disease to 46%
of what it would otherwise be. Vitamin A (beta-carotene) reduced the risk
of Parkinson's Disease to 56% of what would be expected. However, when assessed
according to gender, these inverse associations were significant only in women.
There does not appear to be any explanation for this gender difference.
Antioxidant vitamins, such as Vitamin E and Vitamin A are expected to protect
cells from oxidative damage. Vitamin E and Vitamin C (rather than Vitamin A) can
assist the ridding of the superoxide anion. The superoxide anion is a damaging
element that tends to be formed in Parkinson's Disease. However, no
relationships were shown to exist between the intake of Vitamin C, or
alpha-carotene, cryptoxanthin, green and yellow vegetables, other vegetables, or
fruit and the risk of Parkinson's Disease. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
19th May 2010 - New research
PROLONGED RELEASE ROPINIROLE CLINICAL TRIAL RESULTS
Movement Disorders [2010] 25 (7) : 927-931 (Hersh BP, Earl NL, Hauser RA, Stacy M.)
Complete abstract
Movement Disorders [2010] 25 (7) : 858-866 (Watts RL, Lyons KE, Pahwa R, Sethi K, Stern M, Hauser RA, Olanow
W, Gray AM, Adams B, Earl NL; 228 Study Investigators)
Complete abstract
Prolonged
Release Ropinirole was found to have a positive effect on Parkinson's
Disease symptoms two weeks after its use begins. Prolonged Release Ropinirole is
a once a day dopamine agonist that is marketed as Requip XL. For more
information go to
Ropinirole. However, the improvements it
caused were minimal. PR Ropinirole improved "off time" but only by 42 minutes
per day. It increased "on time" without dyskinesia, but only by 24 minutes
per day. Improvements were seen in Parkinson's Disease scores, but only
slightly. Even these small improvements are achieved by also causing side
effects.
In another study,
Prolonged Release Ropinirole
was found to delay the onset of dyskinesia when added to L-dopa when compared to
increasing the L-dopa dosage. Otherwise there was no difference in Parkinson's
Disease symptom scores. Adverse events were comparable
in the two groups with nausea, dizziness, insomnia, back pain, arthralgia,
somnolence, fatigue, and pain most commonly reported.
In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
18th May 2010 - New book
THE CHALLENGE OF A LIFETIME : BACKPACKING WITH
PARKINSON'S
Pete Ferrari
Publisher's
description : This is an inspirational story (rather than a how-to book) about
several wilderness trips in Algonquin Park in Canada and an 8-day Laurel
Highlands backpacking trip. Pete Ferrari interweaves his Parkinson's Disease
experience and the challenges he faced in coping with strenuous conditions. The
book would be especially inspiring for newly diagnosed patients, as it is a
testimony to challenging oneself to overcome obstacles and lead an active life.
Diagnosed at a young age, he faced the mental battle with the disease, which he
describes perfectly, and explains and demonstrates how he identified the enemy
and approaches the battle.
Click here for more details. For
more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books.
13th May 2010 - New book
PARKINSON'S DISEASE : A HEALTH POLICY
PERSPECTIVE
Wayne Martin, Oksana Suchowersky, Katharina Kovacs
Burns, Egon Jonsson
Publisher's
description : Part of the successful Institute of Health Economics (IHE) book
series, this handbook and ready reference adopts a unique approach in combining
policy recommendations with specific treatment options for Parkinson patients.
The first part of the book deals with the clinical medical, social and
economical aspects of Parkinson Disease. These ten chapters include the latest
diagnosis and treatment options for patients, the economical consequences,
social and ethical implications and end-of life issues. The second part of the
book essentially covers a large-scale case study on Parkinson in Alberta,
Canada, since most of the issues discussed are relevant in all developed
countries. With its strong focus on correct diagnosis and early intervention,
this is an invaluable guide for clinicians and policymakers dealing with this
devastating disease.
Click here for more details. For
more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books.
9th May 2010 - New research
TOLCAPONE CLINICAL TRIAL RESULTS
CNS Spectrums [2010] 15 (1) : 27-32 (K.Sethi,
S.Factor, R.Watts)
Complete abstract
Changes in the quality of life (QOL) were assessed
in people with Parkinson's Disease after thirty days of the use of Tolcapone
being added to their existing treatments. Tolcapone, whose brand name is Tasmar,
is a COMT inhibitor, which is drug that helps to maintain the levels of
dopamine, the substance whose deficiency causes Parkinson's Disease. For more
information go to
Tolcapone.
After thirty days of Tolcapone use the mean PDQ-8 total score (which assesses basic Parkinson's Disease symptoms) improved from
42.1 to 34.8.
Nearly 70% of the patients also improved on the CGI-I (the investigator's impression
of improvement). Physicians planned to continue the use of Tolcapone beyond the
thirty days in 72% of cases, most commonly because of the improvements in motor
function and overall general improvement. However, the side effects it caused
were not detailed.
Tolcapone is the same kind
of drug as Entacapone, which is more commonly used. Entacapone is sold on its own as Comtan, or in combination
with Sinemet as Stalevo. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
5th May 2010 - New research
THE EFFICACY OF DEEP BRAIN
STIMULATION
Lancet Neurology [2010] Apr 28. [Epub ahead of
print] (A.Williams, S.Gill, T.Varma, C.Jenkinson, N.Quinn, R.Mitchell, R.Scott,
N.Ives, C.Rick, J.Daniels, S.Patel, K.Wheatley)
Complete abstract
Researchers assessed whether Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and best medical
therapy improved the quality of life more than the best medical therapy alone in
people with advanced Parkinson's Disease. 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.
Best medical therapy usually means only the use of Parkinson's Disease drugs
instead. After a year, there was improvement
in those people that had also undergone Deep Brain Stimulation, but there was no
improvement in people taking only Parkinson's Disease drugs. Those people who
had also undergone DBS fared better regarding mobility, in the activities of
daily living, and feelings of bodily discomfort. DBS made no difference in any
other respect. Nearly 20% of of those patients who underwent DBS had
serious surgery-related adverse events. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
27th April 2010 - News release
THE FURTHER WITHDRAWAL OF NEUPRO
In April 2008, Neupro was
withdrawn from use in the U.S.A. because specific batches of Neupro had deviated
from their specification. Neupro (Rotigotine) is a dopamine agonist used with
Parkinson's Disease that, via a skin patch, provides a slow and constant supply
of Rotigotine over the course
of 24 hours. For more information go to
Neupro.
The FDA have informed the manufacturers UCB that Neupro must be reformulated
before it can be made available again in the U.S.A.. This means that Neupro
could be withdrawn from use for another two years. In June 2009, UCB proposed
new refrigerated storage conditions to alleviate crystallization on the patches.
The FDA "agrees that the proposed new refrigeration conditions significantly
inhibit the degree of crystallization on the patches, but has recommended that
the definitive resolution of the crystallization is to reformulate the drug
product". This FDA decision does not impact product supply and availability in
Europe and the rest of the world. For more information go to the complete
News release. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
22nd April 2010 - New research
DYES ARE STRONGLY ASSOCIATED
WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE
International journal of Neuroscience [2010] 120 (5)
: 361-367 (Hristina VD, Sipetic SB, Maksimovic JM, Marinkovic JM, Dzoljic ED,
Ratkov IS, Kostic VS.)
Complete abstract
Researchers assessed the association between
Parkinson's Disease and a variety of environmental factors. Of these,
Parkinson's Disease was, by far, the most highly associated with the use of dyes.
Use of dyes increased the likelihood of Parkinson's Disease by 25 times, which is far more
than other environmental factors commonly believed to increase the likelihood of
Parkinson's Disease. The researchers make no suggestion as to which chemicals in dyes caused the strong association between the use of dyes and
Parkinson's Disease. However, some dyes include chemicals such as toluene, that
are known causes of Parkinson's Disease. The other factors they found associated
with Parkinson's Disease in order of likelihood are :
naphtha,
which is a product of petroleum (9 times more likely), and the following, all
probably because of pesticides : gardening (5 times more likely), insecticides
(3 times more likely), well water drinking (2 times more likely), spring water
drinking (2 times more likely). In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
18th April 2010 - New research
GLYCOPYRROLATE FOR SIALORRHEA IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Neurology [2010] 74 (15) : 1203-1207 (Arbouw ME,
Movig KL, Koopmann M, Poels PJ, Guchelaar HJ, Egberts TC, Neef C, van Vugt JP)
Complete abstract
Sialorrhea (excessive saliva) affects 3 out of every 4 people with
Parkinson's Disease. Sialorrhea is often treated with anticholinergics, but side
effects limit their usefulness. Glycopyrrolate (glycopyrronium bromide) is an
anticholinergic drug that is not able to cross the blood-brain barrier in
considerable amounts. Therefore, glycopyrrolate exhibits minimal central nervous
system side effects, which may be an advantage in people with Parkinson's
Disease. In a clinical trial the severity of the sialorrhea was scored on a
daily basis by the patients or a caregiver with a sialorrhea scoring scale
ranging from 1 (no sialorrhea) to 9 (profuse sialorrhea). Around 39% of people
taking glycopyrrolate had a clinically relevant improvement of at least 30%,
without side effects. The authors concluded that 1 mg 3 times daily is an
effective and safe therapy for sialorrhea in Parkinson disease. However, these
results also mean that around 60% of people with Parkinson's Disease do not
significantly benefit from its use. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
14th April 2010 - New research
THE EFFECT OF NEUPRO ON PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Evidence of Neupro (rotigotine transdermal system) improving symptoms of
Parkinson's Disease was presented at the 62nd American Academy of Neurology
annual meeting in Canada. Neupro (Rotigotine) is a dopamine agonist used with
Parkinson's Disease that, via a skin patch, provides a slow and constant supply
of Rotigotine over the course of 24 hours. For more information go to
Neupro.
Rotigotine showed significantly greater improvement than the use of a placebo in
early morning muscular symptoms, sleep quality, fatigue, mood, cognition,
attention and memory. The effect persisted over a long period of time. The most
frequently reported adverse events were nausea (21%), application site reactions
(15%), and dizziness (10%). However, the use of Neupro can cause a wide variety
of, sometimes serious, side effects. The use of any dopamine agonist, including
Neupro, will also eventually cause a decrease in the sensitivity of the same
dopamine receptors that it is intended to stimulate.
In April 2008, Neupro was
withdrawn from use in the U.S.A. because specific batches of Neupro had deviated
from their specification. UCB is working with the U.S. FDA so that Neupro can be
available to patients with early-stage Parkinson's Disease as soon as possible.
Neupro is not approved for use in Canada either, but is available in Europe. For
more information go to the
News release. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
12th April 2010 - New book
DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION PROGRAMMING : PRINCIPLES
AND PRACTICE
Erwin B.Montgomery
Publisher's
description :
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a remarkable therapy for an expanding range of
neurological disorders, including Parkinson's Disease. Post-operative
programming of the DBS systems seems unfamiliar, even mysterious, and is viewed
as difficult and time consuming. Even these principles can be relatively easy to
grasp. The book helps the reader to obtain an intuitive understanding of the
basic principles of electronics, electrophysiology and the relevant regional
anatomy through the use of readily understood metaphors and numerous
illustrations. The book provides an introduction to where some of the new
theories may lead particularly with the growing awareness of the importance of
oscillations in the brain's activities. The brain has more in common with
electrical devices, such as computers, than it does to a stew of chemicals.
Click here for more details. For
more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books.
2nd April 2010 - News release
STALEVO IS LINKED TO PROSTATE CANCER
It has been claimed that Stalevo, which is used for
the treatment of Parkinson’s disease,
may be linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Stalevo is a combination of L-dopa, carbidopa, and entacapone. For more
information go to
Stalevo. Entacapone is also available as a
single-product ingredient called
Comtan. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) is evaluating clinical trial data suggesting that patients taking Stalevo,
may be at an increased risk for developing prostate cancer. The number
of people taking Stalevo with prostate cancer was small, but it was still four
times what would otherwise be expected. The FDA's review of Stalevo is ongoing
and so no new conclusions or recommendations about the use of this drug have
been made. They consequently suggest that "Patients should not stop
taking their medication unless directed to do so by their healthcare
professional". For more information go to the
News release. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
27th March 2010 - New research
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Neurology [2010] 74 (12) : 995-1002 (Gagne JJ,
Power MC.)
Complete abstract
It has been claimed that anti-inflammatory drugs may prevent Parkinson Disease
by inhibiting an underlying neuro-inflammatory process. This theory was tested
according to the type of anti-inflammatory drug, the duration of use, and the
intensity of use. All relevant clinical studies were assessed. Seven studies
reported associations between non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
and Parkinson's Disease. Six of them reported aspirin.
Two of them reported acetaminophen. There was a 15% reduction
in the incidence of Parkinson's Disease among users of non-aspirin NSAIDS. A similar effect
was observed for Ibuprofen use. The reduction in the incidence of Parkinson's
Disease was greater (21%) in long term users, and even greater than that (29%)
in regular users. However, for people who already had Parkinson's Disease, the
use of aspirin or acetaminophen made no difference at all. This is contrary to
the claim that there is an inflammatory problem in Parkinson's Disease. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
24th March 2010 - New research
THE RISK OF DEVELOPING
DYSKINESIA IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Movement Disorders
[2010] Mar 22. [Epub ahead of print] (Ku S, Glass GA.)
Complete abstract
The risk of developing dyskinesia due to taking L-dopa is known to vary
inversely with the age of Parkinson's Disease onset. Basically, the younger
somebody is when they develop Parkinson's Disease the more likely they are to
subsequently develop dyskinesia. Dyskinesia is abnormal and involuntary
physical movements such as those shown by Michael J.Fox in this
interview. After 5 years of L-dopa
treatment, the dyskinesia risk for patients with onset age 40-49 was high, at
70%. For those diagnosed between 50-59 years old the risk of developing
dyskinesia decreased to 42%. The risk decreased further still for those
diagnosed between 60-69 years old to 33%. Least at risk were those diagnosed
between 70-79 years old, who had only a 24% risk of developing dyskinesia. After
5 years of L-dopa treatment, dyskinesia risks became uniformly high regardless
of age of onset. So lengthy use of L-dopa by those diagnosed at an early age
were by far the most likely to develop dyskinesia. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
14th March 2010 - New book
COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND DEMENTIA IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Murat Emre
Publisher's
description : This book provides an extensive overview of the cognitive
impairment and dementia associated with Parkinson's disease. Experts in the
field describe in detail all aspects of cognitive impairment and dementia in
Parkinson's disease, including epidemiology, spectrum of clinical features,
pathology, neurochemistry and genetics, findings in auxiliary investigations,
relation to other neurodegenerative disorders, diagnostic process and
management, and rounded up by discussion of future research directions and
expectations. The text is complemented and enriched with tables, figures and
fully referenced to encompass all relevant literature.
Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books.
12th March 2010 - New research
THE RATE OF PROGRESSION OF
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Movement Disorders
[2010] Mar 8. [Epub ahead of print] (Zhao YJ, Wee HL, Chan
YH, Seah SH, Au WL, Lau PN, Pica EC, Li SC, Luo N, Tan LC.)
Complete abstract
This study was carried out to evaluate the rate of
progression in Parkinson's Disease. What was analysed was the time taken to
progress from one stage of the Hoehn and Yahr scale to the next. The Hoen and Yahr
characterises patients according to a scale of five stages of severity, from
Stage 1, which is mild, to Stage 5, which is incapacitated. For the questionnaire go to the
Hoehn and Yahr scale.
The average time taken to progress from Stage 1 (mild) to Stage
2 (mild but various symptoms) was 1 year 8 months. The average time taken
to progress from Stage 2 to Stage 3 (typical) was 7 years and 3 months.
From Stage 3 to Stage 4 (severe) took 2 years. From Stage 4 to Stage 5
(incapacitated) took 2 years and 2 months. So the stage with typical symptoms
lasts the longest. Those factors associated with faster progression were older
age at diagnosis, and longer disease duration. Gender and ethnicity were not
associated with the rate of Parkinson's Disease progression. These figures are
only averages. Progression is not inevitable. Some people with Parkinson's
Disease have either : stayed the same for decades, reduced their symptoms, rid
their symptoms, or worsened at a rapid rate. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
10th March 2010 - New research
PARDOPRUNOX - A PARTIAL DOPAMINE
AGONIST FOR
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Movement Disorders
[2010] Mar 2. [Epub ahead of print] (Bronzova J, Sampaio
C, Hauser RA, Lang AE, Rascol O, Theeuwes A, van de Witte SV, van Scharrenburg
G)
Complete abstract
Pardoprunox is a new partial dopamine agonist from Solvay being assessed for its
potential future use in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. It unusually
combines two effects as if it were two distinct but combined drugs :
partially stimulating dopamine, whose deficiency causes Parkinson's Disease, and
fully stimulating serotonin, which is another chemical naturally produced in the brain.
It is thought that Pardoprunox could avoid some of the severe
side effects that full dopamine agonists cause by lessening the effect of
dopamine when dopamine activity is high. This study examined the efficacy and
safety of Pardoprunox (SLV308), in the treatment of patients with early
Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's Disease symptoms did reduce when taking
Pardoprunox. Activities of daily living in
people with Parkinson's Disease also improved. Nausea was reported by 47% of
patients. Dizziness, somnolence, headache, asthenia were reported far less
commonly. The effects of Pardoprunox are to be assessed further. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
6th March 2010 - New book
THE EFFECTS OF EXERCISE ON PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Michael Sage
Publisher's
description : This book explores the role of exercise in the treatment and
management of Parkinson’s Disease. Detailed and thorough comparisons are made
between various exercise interventions, including sensory attention focused
exercise (PD SAFEx). PD SAFEx is a novel exercise strategy designed to target
underlying neurophysiological deficits in Parkinson’s disease. Namely, it
targets the disrupted sensorimotor integration in Parkinson’s Disease and
focuses participants’ attention to proprioceptive feedback while in motion. It
was found that PD SAFEx and strength training have the greatest symptomatic
benefit for individuals with Parkinson's Disease.
Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books.
3rd March 2010 - New research
MODAFINIL FOR
FATIGUE IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Clinical Neuropharmacology
[2009] 32 (6) : 305-310 (Lou JS, Dimitrova DM, Park BS, Johnson SC, Eaton R,
Arnold G, Nutt JG.)
Complete abstract
Fatigue is a major symptom in Parkinson disease. It is associated with
reduced activity and lower quality of life. Modafinil has been considered for
use in the treatment of fatigue in Parkinson's Disease due to its ability to
release dopamine. For more information go to
Modafinil.
A study has determined whether Modafinil improves
subjective fatigue and physical fatigability in Parkinson's Disease. After a
month Modafinil made no difference. After two months Modafinil helped to some
extent with physical fatigue. However for fatigue generally it still had no
effect. The primary problem in Parkinson's Disease is the inability to produce
optimal amounts of dopamine. The reason for the ineffectiveness of Modafinil in
Parkinson's Disease may be due to it only releasing dopamine. It doesn't form
any additional dopamine in order for more to be released. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
27th February 2010 - New research
THE CHOICE OF DOPAMINE AGONISTS
FOR
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Drug Safety [2010] 33 (2) : 147-161 (Kulisevsky J,
Pagonabarraga J.)
Complete abstract
The tolerability and safety of ropinirole (Requip) in the treatment of
Parkinson's Disease, was compared to those of other dopamine agonists (bromocriptine,
cabergoline,
pramipexole,
rotigotine,
pergolide),
the use of a placebo, and when used
alongside L-dopa. Thirty three
years worth of clinical trials were assessed. In all the studies included, dopamine agonists, including
ropinirole (Requip), exhibited a higher likelihood of adverse events than the use of a
placebo. The occurrence of constipation when using ropinirole (Requip) was only 55% of
that of bromocriptine (Parlodel), and 25% of that of L-dopa. There was no difference
between ropinirole (Requip) and rotigotine (Neupro) regarding constipation and dyskinesia. For
nausea, pergolide (Permax) was worse than ropinirole (Requip), but only
narrowly. Both were worse than rotigotine (Neupro). All were clearly worse than
the use of a placebo. Ropinirole (Requip) was worse than pramipexole (Mirapex)
regarding nausea, dizziness, sleepiness and dyskinesia. Worst for
hallucinations was pergolide (Permax) then rotigotine (Neupro), then pramipexole
(Mirapex), and finally ropinirole (Requip). Hallucinations were far more likely
than when taking a placebo. Confusion and constipation were far worse with
pramipexole (Mirapex) compared with placebo. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
20th February 2010 - News release
THE EFFECT OF IBUPROFEN ON
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
It has been widely claimed that Ibuprofen can
lessen the risk of Parkinson's Disease. For the full details go to the
News release.
The research involved 136,474 people who did not have Parkinson’s Disease at the
beginning of the research. The study found that regular users of Ibuprofen were
40% less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than people who did not take
Ibuprofen. People who took higher amounts of Ibuprofen were less likely to
develop Parkinson’s disease than people who took smaller amounts of the drug.
However, the details have not yet been made available for analysis. Frequently,
the results of medical research do not match the claims made for them. Ibuprofen
is often taken for arthritis or pain. For more information go to
Ibuprofen. It works by preventing the
formation of prostaglandins. However, prostaglandins have nothing at all to do
with the biochemistry of Parkinson's Disease. So the full details might show
that Ibuprofen has little effect on Parkinson's Disease or that there is only an
indirect association. The most comprehensive research concerning the effect of
Ibuprofen on Parkinson's Disease assessed studies carried out over 40 years. The
effects of Ibuprofen were found to be far less than those of the news release,
and statistically could have shown a reduced association with Parkinson's
Disease of only 11%. For more details see the
Complete abstract. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
16th February 2010 - New book
NATURAL THERAPIES FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Dr Laurie Mischley
Publisher's
description : Many patients seek alternative and complementary options. This
book fosters an understanding between conventional and complementary providers.
Chapters on : Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Aluminum, Antioxidants, Beta-carotene, Calorie
Restriction, Carnitine, Chelation, Cholesterol, Choline, Coenzyme Q-10,
Constipation, Creatine, Curcumin (Turmeric), Dairy, DHA (fish oil), Fava Beans,
Glutathione, H.pylori (Helicobacter pylori), Homocysteine, Iron, Manganese,
Marijuana (Cannabis sativa), Mucuna pruriens, Velvet bean, Cowhage, Niacin, Tea,
Vitamin B6, Vitamin D, and other topics.
Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books.
8th February 2010 - News release
BONE MARROW STEM CELL THERAPY
FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
For years it was being claimed that stem cell
therapy was going to cure Parkinson's Disease. However, stem cell operations
being carried out around the world have failed to have such an effect. One of
the acclaimed stem cell pioneers eventually caused a worsening of symptoms. In
Germany, bone marrow stem cells have been used that have been taken from the
same patient. The treatment begins by collecting a small amount of bone marrow
from the patient’s hip via thin needle mini-puncture under local anaesthesia.
The stem cells are separated from the bone marrow, where they are counted and
their vitality is confirmed. The last step consists of inserting a fine spinal
needle between the patient’s vertebrae and injecting the stem cells into the
cerebrospinal fluid, which flows into the brain. The cost for Parkinson’s
treatment starts at around 7,545 Euros (over 10,000 U.S. dollars). The
XCell-Center in Germany has released results from their follow-up study of 50
Parkinson’s Disease patients. For the full results go to the
News release.
Only just over half of the patients showed any
improvement at all. Improvement was determined merely as any improvement rather
than major improvements. Only 8% of all patients had significant improvement
confirmed by their doctor. A greater number, over 10%, actually got worse. Over
90% of the patients had to continue with the use of Parkinson's Disease drugs.
Standard assessment tests for Parkinson's Disease, such as the UPDRS do not
appear to have been used. Instead, it seems that patients largely assessed
themselves even though surgery for Parkinson's Disease is known to be highly
affected by the placebo effect. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
1st February 2010 - New research
THE WORLD'S HIGHEST INCIDENCE OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Movement Disorders [2010] Jan 27 [Epub ahead of
print] (J.Linder, H.Stenlund, L.Forsgren)
Complete abstract
The incidence of Parkinson's Disease is the rate at which people are being newly
diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. The world's highest incidence of Parkinson's
Disease has been found to occur in Sweden. The incidence rate is 22.5 per
100,000. In a country the size of the U.S. this equates to 67,000 people being
newly diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease every single year. Exceptionally high
levels of Parkinson's Disease are usually found to be due to toxicity. However,
in Sweden there is no such apparent cause. Sweden has a high life expectancy.
Japan has the highest life expectancy. In both countries there has been a recent
escalation in the rates of Parkinson's Disease, most probably due to people
living longer in those countries. This suggests that there could soon be a major
increase in the number of people with Parkinson's Disease due to increased life
expectancy in other countries as well. For every person that has
Parkinson's Disease, 10 people alive right now were considered likely to develop
it. With increasing life expectancies that number could be far higher. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
23rd January 2010 - New research
THE AMERICAN PREVALENCE OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Neuroepidemiology [2010] 34 (3)
: 143-151 .Annals of Neurology [2009]
66 (6) : 792-798 (Wright Willis A, Evanoff BA, Lian M, Criswell SR, Racette BA.)
Complete abstract
The prevalence of Parkinson's Disease in the U.S.A. has been found to differ
enormously according to location, age and race. The prevalence of Parkinson's
Disease in some counties was found to be nearly 12 times higher than in other
counties. Urban areas were more affected than rural areas. Elsewhere, the
opposite is usually true. Parkinson's Disease is far from being evenly spread
across the U.S.A.. The study revealed a concentration of Parkinson's Disease in
the Midwest and Northeast regions of the U.S.A.. Nebraska was previously shown
to be the worst affected
Complete abstract.
In the over 65s there was found to be a prevalence in some areas of 1 in 7,
making it in those places a common medical disorder. Whites were affected with
Parkinson's Disease about twice as much as Blacks and Asians, though this
difference is progressively decreasing, especially between Blacks and Whites. In
order to refer to this article on its own
click here.
19th January 2010 - New research
PYRIDOXINE FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Annals of Neurology [2009]
66 (6) : 792-798 (Elstner M, Morris CM, Heim K, Lichtner P, Bender A, Mehta D,
Schulte C, Sharma M, Hudson G, Goldwurm S, Giovanetti A, Zeviani M, Burn DJ,
McKeith IG, Perry RH, Jaros E, Krüger R, Wichmann HE, Schreiber S, Campbell H,
Wilson JF, Wright AF, Dunlop M, Pistis G, Toniolo D, Chinnery PF, Gasser T,
Klopstock T, Meitinger T, Prokisch H, Turnbull DM.)
Complete abstract
An increased risk of Parkinson's Disease have been found for the gene for
Pyridoxal kinase. Pyridoxal kinase is an enzyme. Enzymes are chemicals
naturally produced by the body that turn one substance in to another in the
body. Pyridoxal kinase ultimately turns the Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) via
pyridoxal in to pyridoxal phosphate. This is why people need to consume vitamin
B6 (pyridoxine) in order to produce pyridoxal phosphate. Pyridoxal phosphate
(and therefore pyridoxine) is very important for Parkinson's Disease because it
is essential for making use of L-dopa. So without pyridoxine and pyridoxal
phosphate, L-dopa is virtually useless. L-dopa simply could not form dopamine.
It is therefore not surprising that a disturbance in the gene that makes
pyridoxal phosphate can make somebody more likely to develop Parkinson's
Disease. Pyridoxine was actually one of the first means of treating Parkinson's
Disease. In the 1940's pyridoxine was independently being used in the U.S.S.R.
and in the U.S.A.. However, large quantities of pyridoxine (30mg or more) can
have a detrimental effect, because it breaks down L-dopa in drug form before it
is used. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
7th January 2010 - New research
WELL WATER AS A CAUSE OF
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Environmental Health
Perspectives [2009] 117 (12) : 1912-1918 (Gatto NM, Cockburn M, Bronstein J,
Ritz B, Manthripragada AD)
Complete abstract
Investigators have hypothesized that consuming pesticide-contaminated well water
plays a role in Parkinson's Disease, and several previous epidemiology studies
support this hypothesis. Researchers investigated whether consuming water from
private wells located in areas with documented historical pesticide use was
associated with an increased risk. They separately examined 6 pesticides
(diazinon, chlorpyrifos, propargite, paraquat, dimethoate, and methomyl) from
among 26 chemicals selected for their potential to pollute groundwater or for
their relevance to Parkinson's Disease, and because at least 10% of their
population was exposed to them. People with Parkinson's Disease were more likely
to have consumed private well water and to have consumed it on average 4.3 years
longer than normal. High levels of three of the pesticides (methomyl,
chlorpyrifos, propargite) resulted in a 70%-90% increase in the risk of
Parkinson's Disease. The study demonstrated that consuming well water presumably
contaminated with pesticides can increase the likelihood of Parkinson's Disease.
In order to refer to this article on its own
click here.
19th December 2009 - New research
THE EFFECT OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE
ON DRIVING ABILITY
Neurology [2009] 73
(24) : 2112-2119 (Uc EY, Rizzo M, Johnson AM, Dastrup E, Anderson SW, Dawson
JD.)
Complete abstract
Overall, drivers with Parkinson's Disease had poorer road safety when driving,
when compared to people that did not have Parkinson's Disease. However, there
was found to be considerable variability among the drivers with Parkinson's
Disease. Some of them performed normally, or even better than normal. Drivers
with Parkinson's Disease committed more safety errors compared to controls. Over
three quarters of people with Parkinson's Disease committed more errors.
However, the number of errors was not much greater (only 1.26 times more).
Lane violations were the most common error category, but that was the same for
people that did not have Parkinson's Disease. Older age made errors more likely
in Parkinson's Disease. Familiarity with the local driving environment
made differences in some error categories insignificant. Although it is often
assumed that Parkinson's Disease makes driving more difficult, overall it does
not reduce driving ability by much in most people, and in some not at all. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
18th December 2009 - New book
THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Anthony D.Mosley, Deborah
S.Romaine, Ali M.D.Samii
Publisher's
description : This encyclopedia by a neurologist specializing in Parkinson's
disease and a medical writer provides an overview of the illness. More than 600
alphabetical entries with cross-references describe all aspects of the disease.
Entries range in length from one paragraph to several pages and include drugs
used in treatment, surgical procedures, anatomy and physiology, related
conditions, practical considerations such as coping with diagnosis, home safety,
biographies, and organizations. Two appendixes list organizations and resources
and state Medicaid offices. A bibliography of books and articles and an index
complete the work.
Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books.
3rd December 2009 - New research
PARKINSON'S DISEASE WAS
DESCRIBED IN 1690
Parkinsonism Related Disorders
[2009] (D.Bereczki)
Complete abstract
A detailed description of Parkinson's Disease has been discovered that dates
from 1690. That is over a century before the first claimed formal
description in 1817 by James Parkinson, after whom Parkinson's Disease was
subsequently named. Symptoms of Parkinson's disease, most frequently tremor,
have been described since ancient times and throughout history. For more
information go to
The History of Parkinson's Disease.
However, the first
systematic description of Parkinson's Disease is usually attributed to James Parkinson in 1817.
Over 127 years before James Parkinson described it, the Hungarian doctor Pápai Páriz
Ferenc (1649-1716) described in his medical text Pax Corporis not only individual signs
of Parkinson's Disease, but all four cardinal signs : tremor, bradykinesia,
rigor and postural instability. The book was published in Hungarian, which because it is
understood by so few people, has resulted in his description of Parkinson's
Disease being
ignored in the medical literature all this time. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
26th November 2009 - New research
DOPAMINERGIC TRANSPLANTS FAIL IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Annals of Neurology [2009] 66
(5) : 591-596 (Olanow CW, Kordower JH, Lang AE, Obeso JA.)
Complete abstract
For years, cell-based therapies that involve the transplantation of dopaminergic
cells in to the brain have attracted considerable interest as possible
treatments for Parkinson's Disease. However, all of the double-blind,
sham-controlled, studies have failed to meet their hoped for efficacy.
Transplantation of dopamine cells derived from the fetal mesencephalon is also
associated with a potentially disabling form of dyskinesia that persists even
after withdrawal of L-dopa. In addition, disability in advanced patients
primarily results from features that are not primarily due to insufficient
dopamine. These features are not adequately controlled with dopaminergic
therapies and are thus unable to respond to dopaminergic transplants. Implanted
dopaminergic neurons have also recently been found to contain Lewy bodies, which
are signs of cell damage, suggesting that even after transplantation they are
dysfunctional and may have been affected by the Parkinson's Disease process.
Although stem cell therapies have been tried in Parkinson's Disease based on the
claim that there is a massive loss of dopamine producing cells in Parkinson's
Disease, not a single study has ever shown this to be true. In
order to refer to this article on its own
click here
18th November 2009 - New research
THE EFFECT OF MOBILE PHONE USE
ON PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Ugeskrift for laeger [2009] 171
(45) : 3268-3271 (Schüz J, Waldemar G, Olsen JH, Johansen C.)
Complete abstract
Researchers assessed the effect
of the use of mobile phones on neurological disorders including Parkinson's
Disease. It has long been suspected that mobile phones have a detrimental effect
on the nervous system. In a huge study, they found that mobile phone use
increased the likelihood of migraine and vertigo by 10% to 20%. However,
long term use of mobile phones actually reduced rather than increased the
likelihood of Parkinson's Disease and dementia by 30% to 40%. The researchers
offer no reason why this might be. Mobile phones emit electromagnetic radiation.
The use of electromagnetic radiation has recently been introduced for the
treatment of Parkinson's Disease. It involves the use of a very low level
electromagnetic field in order to lessen the signs and symptoms. For more
information go to
Magnetic Therapy.
If long term mobile phone use causes any lessening of Parkinson's Disease, given
the similarity of their effects, mobile phone use is likely to be acting
unintentionally by the same means as magnetic therapy.
In order to refer to this article on its own
click here.
13th November 2009 - News release
MICHAEL J.FOX FOUNDATION FUNDS
FOUR NEW APPROACHES FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
The Michael J.Fox Foundation has
funded four novel approaches for dealing with problems caused by Parkinson's
Disease. (1) Anders Björklund is assessing the hypothesis that the brain’s
Serotonin
system plays a role in dyskinesia, the excessive movements brought on by
long-term dopamine replacement therapy. The team is initiating a pilot study of
Eltoprazine, a medicine capable of blocking inappropriate release of dopamine
from serotonin terminals. (2) Daniel Weintraub will conduct the first
placebo-controlled trial of an agent to treat impulse control disorders
associated with the use of dopamine agonists.
Naltrexone, which blocks opioid receptors, is approved by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of alcohol dependence.
It has been shown to be beneficial for pathological gambling. (3) Alvaro
Pascual-Leone and his colleagues will test the potential of non-invasive
repetitive
Transcranial magnetic stimulation
in order to improve symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease symptoms. (4) Daniel Tarsy
is investigating whether group singing can improve the decreased voice volume
experienced by many people who have Parkinson's Disease. For more information go
to the
News release.
In order to refer to this article on its own
click here.
3rd November 2009 - News release
STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY FOR
PARKINSON'S DISEASE TREMORS
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
is claimed to offer a less invasive way to eliminate tremors caused by
Parkinson's Disease than Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and Radiofrequency (RF)
treatments, and is as effective, according to a long-term study. Stereotactic
radiosurgery is a precise form of radiation therapy used primarily to treat
tumors and other abnormalities of the brain. Stereotactic radiosurgery is a
non-surgical procedure that delivers a single high-dose of precisely-targeted
radiation using highly focused gamma-ray or x-ray beams that converge on the
specific area or areas of the brain where the abnormality resides. For more
information go to
Stereotactic Surgery. In a long term
study amongst hard-to-treat tremors caused by Parkinson’s Disease and Essential
Tremors, 84% of patients had significant or complete resolution of tremors. In
patients with Parkinson’s disease, 83% had near or complete tremor resolution,
while those with essential tremor had 87% tremor resolution. For more
information go to the
News release.
In order to refer to this article on its own
click here.
2nd November 2009 - New book
THE MUHAMMAD ALI PARKINSON CENTER 100 QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS ABOUT PARKINSON DISEASE
Abraham Lieberman
Publisher's
description : Whether you're a newly diagnosed patient, or are a friend or
relative of someone suffering from Parkinson Disease, this book offers help. The
Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center 100 Questions & Answers About Parkinson Disease,
Second Edition gives you authoritative, practical answers to your questions
about treatment options, quality of life, and sources of support. Written by an
internationally recognized expert on Parkinson Disease, this book is an
invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional turmoil of
this devastating disease. All royalties of this book are donated to the Muhammad
Ali Parkinson Center.
Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books.
24th October 2009 - New research
GAUCHER'S DISEASE AND
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
New England Journal of Medicine
[2009] 361 (17) : 1651-1661
(Sidransky et al)
Complete abstract
Gaucher's Disease has been found to make Parkinson's Disease five times more
likely. Gaucher's Disease is an inherited metabolic disorder in which
harmful quantities of a substance called
glucocerebroside can accumulate in the spleen, liver, lungs, bone marrow,
and the brain. Glucocerebroside accumulates
because glucocerebrosidase (the chemical
that breaks it down) is deficient in Gaucher's Disease. It is named after
the French doctor Philippe Gaucher, who originally described it. For more
information go to
Gaucher's Disease. A lot of people are
carriers for Gaucher's Disease without realising it. Around 1 in 100 people are
a carrier for Gaucher's Disease. In Ashkenazi Jews as many as 1 in 15 are a
carrier. Those people that had Gaucher's Disease and Parkinson's Disease
developed Parkinson's Disease at an earlier age, were more likely to have
affected relatives, and were more likely to have atypical clinical
manifestations. Although it is known what causes Gaucher's Disease, it is not
known how that can also cause the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. In order to
refer to this article on its own
click here.
23rd October 2009 - New book
DEEP WITHIN THE BRAIN : LIVING WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Helmut Dubiel, Hubert H.
Fernandez
Publisher's
description : At the age of forty-six, philosopher and university professor
Helmut Dubiel was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In the early stages of his
sickness, fearing censure and ostracism, Dubiel did his utmost to conceal his
condition. But when his symptoms became too obvious to camouflage, he was
obliged to admit defeat and decided to
undergo deep brain stimulation surgery. In this fascinating book, Dubiel
describes the course of his illness with a philosopher's aplomb, ennobling his
personal experience with intellectual flair and scientific insight as he makes
connections between his own medical drama and some of today's most significant
global tendencies.
Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's
Disease Books.
19th October 2009 - New research
THE EFFECT OF MAO INHIBITORS ON PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Cochrane Database of systematic reviews
[2009] 4 : CD006661 (R.Caslake, A.Macleod, N.Ives, R.Stowe, C.Counsell)
Complete abstract
Researchers compared the effect of MAO-B inhibitors on Parkinson's Disease with
the use of dopaminergic drugs. MAO-B inhibitors that are commonly used with
Parkinson's Disease are Selegiline (Deprenyl) and Rasagiline (Azilect). MAO-B
inhibitors help to sustain the levels of dopamine. For more information go to
MAO inhibitors. Those people taking
MAO-B inhibitors were far more likely to require additional treatments than
those taking L-dopa or dopamine agonists. MAO-B inhibitors were sufficient on
their own in very few people. MAO-B inhibitors caused far fewer motor
fluctuations than L-dopa, but a bit more than dopamine agonists. Withdrawals due
to adverse events were far less common with MAO-B inhibitors than with dopamine
agonists. The authors concluded that MAO-B inhibitors are one option for the
early treatment of Parkinson's Disease, but that they have weaker symptomatic
effects than L-dopa and dopamine agonists. In order to refer to this article on
its own
click here.
15th October 2009 - News release
THE EFFECT OF COGANE ON PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Phytopharm have claimed that Cogane has reversed the effects of Parkinson's
Disease. However, the study did not measure the long term effects, and the full
details of the clinical trial have not been made available for analysis. For more information go to their
News release. Cogane, which can be taken
orally, readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and has been shown to stimulate
the release of GDNF. GDNF can indirectly stimulate the formation of dopamine,
the substance whose insufficiency causes Parkinson's Disease. For more
information go to
Cogane.
However, GDNF deficiency has never been shown to be the cause of Parkinson's
Disease. GDNF was shown to be ineffective in clinical trials in humans. Although
Phytopharm claim that Cogane can reverse the effects of Parkinson's Disease,
Cogane has never reversed the effects of Parkinson's Disease in anyone. The
efficacy study was only carried out on Macaque monkeys. Macaque monkeys do not
have Parkinson's Disease. What is described as Parkinson's Disease in monkeys is
usually only drug induced. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
14th October 2009 - News report
AGENT ORANGE ACCEPTED
AS A CAUSE OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has acknowledged Agent Orange as a
cause of Parkinson's Disease. For more information go to the
News report. Agent Orange is the
name given to a herbicide used by the U.S. Military during the Vietnam War
as a means of warfare. For more information go to
Agent Orange.
In practical terms, those Veterans who served in the Vietnam War and who have
Parkinson's Disease will not have to prove an association between their
Parkinson's Disease and their military service in Vietnam. This acknowledgement
simplifies and speeds up any application they make for benefits. For their web
site go to the
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
Their acknowledgement of an association is based entirely on the "Veterans and Agent Orange Update
2008", which can be read
here.
Although the report claims to "link" Agent Orange to Parkinson's Disease, it
fails to provide any evidence at all showing that Agent Orange had caused
Parkinson's Disease. There have been over
300 published studies on the effects of Agent Orange, yet none of
them have shown that Agent Orange has ever caused Parkinson's Disease.
Toxic exposure can not begin to have an effect on Parkinson's Disease years or
decades after toxic exposure as is often claimed. It can occur in almost anyone
without toxicity being the cause. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
11th October 2009 - New research
DUAL LAYER L-DOPA FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Clinical Neuropharmacology [2009] 32 (4) :
189-192 (Hinson VK, Goetz CG, Leurgans S, Fan W, Nguyen T, Hsu A.)
Complete abstract
IPX054, which is a form of
L-dopa, in which there are two layers, has been shown to be slightly more
effective than conventional forms of L-dopa, despite only having to be taken
twice a day instead of throughout the day. 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. IPX054 combines the two
types of L-dopa, immediate release and controlled release, in one tablet, in two
different layers, aiming to provide the benefits of both formats. In clinical
practice, this ease of administration may offer improved treatment compliance
and effectiveness. In order to refer to this article on its own
click here.
7th October 2009 - News release
MAGNETIC THERAPY FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Pico-Tesla claim to have shown “significant
improvement over placebo” in reducing Parkinson’s disease symptoms using their
magnetic therapy Magneceutical, that persisted for up to two months after
treatment without side effects. The level of improvement was not disclosed. For
more information read the
News
release. Magneceutical Therapy
involves the use of an extremely low-level electromagnetic field applied by a
specially designed device, the Resonator, along with proprietary therapeutic
protocols, intended to improve a number of the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s
and other neurological disorders. Helmholtz coils immerse the entire patient in
a low strength electromagnetic field. The strength and duration of the magnetic
fields are regulated by Pico-Tesla via the internet. The mechanism of action of
magnetic therapy is not known. For more information concerning the method
used go to
The Resonator. In order to refer to this article
on its own
click here.
5th October
2009 - New research
L-SULPIRIDE AS A CAUSE OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Movement Disorders [2009]
Sep 30 [Epub ahead of print] (Shin HW, Kim MJ, Kim JS, Lee MC, Chung SJ.)
Complete abstract
The drug L-Sulpiride has been found to commonly cause the symptoms of
Parkinson's Disease.
Levosulpiride is widely used for the management
of
Dyspeptic
Syndrome, Retarded Gastric Excretion, Vertigo, Vomiting And Nausea.
For more information go to
L-Sulpiride. Little
was known about L-Sulpiride-induced movement disorders (LIM).
So the aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of
patients with L-Sulpiride-induced movement disorders (LIM). The most common
L-Sulpiride-induced movement disorder was Parkinsonism with over 90% of cases,
followed by tardive dyskinesia with about 10% of cases, and isolated tremor
affecting only 3% of cases.
The symptoms are often severe, and
L-Sulpiride-induced movement disorders still persisted even after
withdrawal of L-Sulpiride in nearly half of patients with L-Sulpiride induced
Parkinsonism. In order to refer to this article
on its own
click here.
1st October 2009 - New research
THE EFFECT OF RASAGILINE ON PARKINSON'S DISEASE
New England Journal of Medicine [2009] 361 (13) : 1268-1278 (Olanow CW, et al)
Complete abstract
Claims based on the results of a recent clinical trial that Rasagiline
(Azilect) slows the progression of Parkinson's Disease are not supported at all
by that study's results. Yet it has still been very widely, and falsely claimed
that Rasagiline slows the progression of Parkinson's Disease. Rasagiline is a
MAO inhibitor, which is a type of drug that is often used in Parkinson's Disease
alone, or alongside other treatments. For more information go to
Rasagiline. The clinical trial involved
over a thousand patients. In early-start treatment with Rasagiline at a dose of
1 mg per day, there was actually a worsening of Parkinson's Disease symptoms
throughout the clinical trial. As time progressed during the clinical trial, the
effect of 1mg Rasagiline was found to be no different from those people
that had taken Rasagiline for only half of the time. The use of 2mg Rasagiline
per day was also shown to be no better than the use of 1mg or delaying the use
of Rasagiline. In order to refer to this article
on its own
click here.
30th September 2009
- New book
DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION
Peter Bain, Tipu Aziz, Xuguang Liu, Dipankar
Nandi
Publisher's
description : Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is increasingly used for the
treatment of patients with severe Parkinson's disease, but the technique and
science behind it is still poorly understood by most clinicians. This book is
intended to provide an overview of the use of DBS for movement disorders. The
first part of the book covers the varying surgical techniques involved in
implanting electrodes into various deep nuclei within the brain. The
neuro-physiological techniques involved in this process and the complex issue of
programming the implanted stimulator in order to optimize therapeutic efficacy
and minimize stimulation induced adverse effects. The second part of the book
describes how to select appropriate patients and describes the results of DBS
treatment for Parkinson's disease, dystonia and tremors. Edited by three of the
world's leading experts in the DBS field, this pocketbook provides neurologists,
trainees, and specialist nurses with an overview of the therapeutics use of DBS.
Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books.
September 2009 - New research
OCCUPATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Archives of Neurology
[2009] 66 (9) : 1106-1113 (Tanner CM, Ross GW, Jewell SA, Hauser RA, Jankovic J,
Factor SA, Bressman S, Deligtisch A, Marras C, Lyons KE, Bhudhikanok GS, Roucoux
DF, Meng C, Abbott RD, Langston JW.)
Complete abstract
Work
in agriculture, education, health care, or welding was not associated with
increased risk of Parkinsonism. Unexpected increased risks associated with
legal, construction and extraction, or religious occupations were not maintained after
adjustment for duration. However, having worked in business, finance, legal
occupations, construction and extraction, or transportation and material moving
was associated with postural instability and gait difficulty. None of the occupations,
job tasks, or task-related exposures were associated with Parkinson's Disease
being diagnosed at a younger age. Pesticide use made the
likelihood of Parkinsonism almost twice (1.9 times) more likely.
Use of any of 8 pesticides more than doubled (2.2 times) the likelihood. This
risk was even higher (2.59 times more likely) with the use of
2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. In order to refer to this article
on its own
click here.
26th September 2009
- New book
UNDERSTANDING PARKINSON'S DISEASE : A SELF-HELP
GUIDE
David L. Cram, Xiao Gao, Steven Schechter
Publisher's
description : A simple, sympathetic guide to coping with a progressive,
disabling brain disorder. Physician Cram was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease
ten years ago. Here he matches his personal experience with his experiences
treating other patients with the disease. Cram is a firm believer in four
elements to self-help : a positive attitude, information about the disease;
partnership with a knowledgeable physician, and a willingness to take action, to
do the things "that make you feel better, help slow the disability, and keep you
as independent as possible for as long as possible.'' Cram goes on to
explain the overall progression of the disease through five stages. The hope he
offers is that early self-help and medication may delay or even prevent the
later stages. He looks at length at emotional considerations, diet, exercise,
and other lifestyle needs, as well as present and possible future medical
treatments.
Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books.
22nd September 2009 - New research
THE PREVALENCE OF HALLUCINATIONS
IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Journal of Neurological Science [2009] Sep 7 [Epub ahead of print] (Fénelon G,
Alves G.)
Complete abstract
Visual hallucinations have been found to be present in about one quarter to one
third of people with Parkinson's Disease. Auditory hallucinations occur in up to
20%. Psychotic symptoms are frequent and disabling in people with Parkinson's
Disease. Tactile (touch) and olfactory (smell) hallucinations are usually not
systematically checked. Minor phenomena such as sense of presence and visual
illusions affect anywhere between 17% to 72% of people with Parkinson's Disease.
Delusions affect only about 5%. Hallucinations persist and worsen and their
prevalence increases with time. The symptoms are usually due to Parkinson's
Disease drugs. Dopaminergic agonists increase the likelihood of symptoms, but
there is no simple dose-effect relationship between dopaminergic treatments and
the presence or severity of hallucinations. Other factors associated with
hallucinations include older age, longer duration of Parkinson's Disease,
disease severity, altered dream phenomena, and daytime sleepiness. In order to
refer to this article on its own
click here.
18th September 2009
- New research
SUICIDE IS FIVE TIMES MORE
LIKELY IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Journal of Neurological
Science [2009] Sep 7 [Epub ahead of print] (Kostic VS, Pekmezovic T, Tomic A,
Jecmenica-Lukic M, Stojkovic T, Spica V, Svetel M, Stefanova E, Petrovic I,
Džoljic E.)
Complete abstract
People with Parkinson's
Disease have been found to be five times more likely to commit suicide. In some
people with Parkinson's Disease, this tendency increases far beyond that.
Current thoughts of death or suicide were found in nearly a quarter of
people with Parkinson's Disease. This tendency was related to mood, especially
depression, rather
than the severity of Parkinson's Disease symptoms. The primary cause of
Parkinson's Disease is insufficient dopamine. Although insufficient dopamine
causes the excessive muscle contraction that is characteristic of Parkinson's
Disease, insufficient dopamine also affects the emotions, tending to make people
more prone to depression. This is why depression is common in many, but
certainly not all people with Parkinson's Disease. So the increased likelihood
of suicide and suicidal thoughts in Parkinson's Disease is largely caused due to
a biochemical deficiency of dopamine rather than by the practical problems and
circumstances that Parkinson's Disease can lead to. In order to refer to this article
on its own
click here.
14th September 2009
- New book
BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF PHYSIOTHERAPY ON FUNCTION
IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Muhammed Al - Jarrah
Publisher's
description : Drugs used to treat PD halt the symptoms of the disease for a few
years, but later can result in serious complications. Surgery as another option
available to treat PD has been shown to carry significant risk factors and treat
only certain symptoms of PD. Several studies demonstrated that exercise provides
protection against PD and lowers the risk of getting PD, but most of these
studies did not examine the physiological mechanisms of how exercise helps
patients with PD. In this book, we conducted experiments to begin to narrow down
the possible changes occurring with exercise in chronic/progressive animal model
of PD that would explain the beneficial outcomes. These mechanisms include the
beneficial effect of exercise on Respiratory parameters such as O2 consumption,
CO2 production, heat production and citrate synthase activity in cardiac and
skeletal muscles.
Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books.
11th September 2009
- News release
THE WORLD'S SMALLEST DEEP BRAIN
STIMULATOR FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Approval has been given
for the world's smallest, longest-lasting rechargeable Deep Brain Stimulator
(DBS) for Parkinson's Disease. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
involves the use in Parkinson's Disease of electrodes that are implanted into
the brain and connected to a small electrical device that can be externally
programmed. For more information go to
Deep
brain stimulation.
The new small device is called the Brio neurostimulator. It is very thin and
light, and only slightly bigger than a man's wrist watch. Additionally, the
device has the greatest recommended implant depth of any rechargeable DBS
device. The thin profile and greater implant depth potentially makes the
neurostimulator less noticeable and more comfortable for patients. The Brio DBS
system delivers mild electrical pulses to specific targets in the brain,
stimulating the structures that are involved in muscular movement. The system
consists of a neurostimulator – a surgically implanted battery-operated device
that generates the electrical pulses – and leads which carry the pulses to the
brain to influence the irregular nerve signals responsible for the symptoms of
Parkinson’s Disease. For more details read the
News release.
In order to refer to this article on its own
click here.
9th September 2009 - New research
THE EFFECT OF ROPINIROLE
(REQUIP) ON PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Clinical neurology and neurosurgery [2009] Sep 2 [Epub ahead of print] (Valldeoriola
F, Cobaleda S, Lahuerta J.)
Complete abstract
Ropinirole is a dopamine agonist that is commonly used in the treatment of
Parkinson's Disease. It is often sold as Requip, Ropark, or Adartrel. For more information go to
Ropinirole. Ropinirole was found to be
mostly used as an add on treatment (in 76% of cases), and as the only treatment
in around a quarter (24%) of those people using it. The average maintenance dose
was found to be 9mg per day, and normally be within the range 4mg to 15mg. Over
a quarter (28%) of people taking Ropinirole reported adverse reactions. The most
frequent adverse reactions were somnolence and sedation (9%), gastrointestinal
symptoms (7%), increase in dyskinesia (6%), and orthostatic symptoms (4%).
Treatment using Ropinirole was withdrawn in 14% of patients, largely because of
either adverse reactions, lack of efficacy, or change in treatment. Over 80% of
people taking Ropinirole were considered by their neurologists to have improved
after taking it. In order to refer to this article on its own
click here.
5th September 2009 - New research
RETINAL STEM CELLS DISAPPEAR
AFTER SURGERY FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Neurology [2009] Sep 2. [Epub ahead of print] (Farag ES, Vinters HV, Bronstein
J.)
Complete abstract
Retinal pigment epithelial cells have been found to disappear after being used
in a form of surgery intended for use in Parkinson's Disease. For years, the use
of implanted stem cells have been claimed to have the potential to rid
Parkinson's Disease. One of these means is the use of RPE (retinal pigment
epithelium) cells. These cells are found in the eyes and can also produce
dopamine, the substance whose deficiency causes Parkinson's Disease. A
68-year-old man underwent surgical implantation of 325,000 RPE cells in
Spheramine (gelatin microcarriers) for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. He
happened to die six months after the surgery took place. This enabled the
researchers to see what happened to retinal stem cells after surgical
implantation. Over 99.9% of the cells had disappeared after only six months.
Implanted stem cells simply failed to survive. A previous study using the same
methods demonstrated only a moderate benefit for six months. For more details
see the
Complete abstract.
Despite different forms of stem cell surgery now being carried out in countries
around the world, there is not even one study in the entire medical literature
showing that anybody has ever been rid of Parkinson's Disease by this means. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
2nd September 2009 - News report
PIMAVANSERIN FAILS CLINICAL TRIAL FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Pimavanserin, a drug in development for psychosis related to Parkinson's Disease
failed to have any beneficial effect in clinical trials. Psychotic episodes,
such as hallucinations and delusions, sometimes occur in Parkinson's Disease.
The drug was being developed by Arcadia and Biovail. For more information go to
Biovail. Parkinson's Disease is largely
due to insufficient dopamine. Psychosis appears to be due to almost the opposite
- an excess or an accumulation of dopamine. This is why anti-psychotic drugs can
cause Parkinson's Disease symptoms, and why Parkinson's Disease drugs can
sometimes cause symptoms of psychosis. Pimavanserin is a "5-HT 2A receptor
inverse agonist". Biochemically that could have no effect on the excessive
dopamine found in psychosis. So the failure of Pimavanserin in clinical
trials is almost predictable. The psychosis sometimes experienced in Parkinson's
Disease is normally due to the excessive use of dopaminergic drugs. So a
reduction in the use of those drugs is a more rational approach than using an
additional drug to combat the effects of dopaminergic drugs. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
25th August 2009 - New research
THE COMPARISON OF L-DOPA AND
DOPAMINE AGONISTS
American Family Physician [2009] 80 (1) : 28-30 (Hitzeman N, Rafii F.)
Complete abstract
Dopamine agonists have been found to have little advantage over the use of
L-dopa in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. Dopamine agonists are being used
increasingly as the initial treatment for Parkinson Disease, but uncertainty
remains about their clinical-effectiveness and cost relative to the use of
L-dopa. Based on 29 clinical trials involving over 5000 people,
dyskinesia, dystonia and motor fluctuations occurred less in people using
dopamine agonists. However, various non-motor adverse effects were worse in
those using dopamine agonists including : edema (fluid accumulation), somnolence
(sleepiness), dizziness, hallucinations, constipation, and nausea. Some agonists
are also known to cause compulsions. People treated with dopamine agonists were
also significantly more likely than people taking L-dopa to discontinue
treatment because of adverse events. The control of Parkinson's Disease symptoms
was found to be better with the use of L-dopa than with dopamine agonists. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
21st August 2009 - New book
THE NON-MOTOR SYMPTOMS COMPLEX OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE
K Ray Chaudhuri, Eduardo Tolosa,
Anthony Schapira, Werner Poewe
Publisher's description : Patients with Parkinson's disease are known to suffer
from motor symptoms, but they also experience non-motor symptoms that are often
present before diagnosis or that inevitably emerge with disease progression.
Researchers have only recently begun to focus on the non-motor symptoms, which
are poorly recognized and inadequately treated. The non-motor symptoms have a
significant impact on patient quality of life and mortality and include
neuropsychiatric, sleep-related, autonomic, gastrointestinal, and sensory
symptoms. While some non-motor symptoms can be improved with currently available
treatments, others may be more refractory and will require research into novel
(non-dopaminergic) drug therapies for the future. Edited by members of the UK
Parkinson's Disease Non-Motor Group (PD-NMG) and with contributions from
international experts, this book summarizes the current understanding of
non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease and points the way towards future
research.
Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books.
19th August 2009 - New research
THE LOSS OF SEX DRIVE IN
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
The journal of sexual medicine
[2009] 6 (4) : 1024-1031 (Kummer A, Cardoso F, Teixeira AL)
Complete abstract
Sexual dysfunction is a frequent but neglected problem in Parkinson's Disease,
as muscular problems are usually seen as the characteristic symptoms. However,
nearly two thirds (65.6%) of people with Parkinson's Disease have been found to
suffer a loss of sex drive. Over 42% of those men with Parkinson's Disease also
complained of erectile dysfunction. Ageing, female gender, lower education, and
depression were most associated with decreased sexual desire. Decreased interest
in sex was not associated with antidepressants. The neurological features that
were most associated with a greater loss of sex drive were predominance of motor
symptoms on the left side of the body, autonomic dysfunction, and severer
Parkinson's Disease. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
16th August 2009 - New report
A FUTURE REPLACEMENT FOR SINEMET
According to a new
report, Depomed are developing a new drug called DM-1992 that could outperform Sinemet in the
treatment of Parkinson's Disease. For their report
click here.
The details are on page 20. Just like Sinemet, DM-1992 is a combination of
L-dopa and carbidopa, which prevents the breakdown of L-dopa.
DM-1992 also includes AcuForm, which makes use of
the properties of certain
polymers. These polymers have long been used to "fluff" ice
cream and are safe to use. For more information go to
Depomed. Upon entering the stomach an AcuForm coated pill expands and
is retained in the stomach for up to 8 hours. This helps to deliver a drug like
Sinemet over a longer period of time. Depomed's formulation was able to
extend the therapeutic duration of L-dopa to nine hours, compared to Sinemet CR's
seven hours. The time to reach peak blood levels was extended to four hours
compared to 2 hours for Sinemet CR. These advantages could enable a decrease in the dosage of L-dopa,
and the ridding of side effects such as nausea and dyskinesia. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
14th August 2009 - Web site
DBS SURGERY WEB SITE
Deep
brain stimulation
(DBS) surgery is often used for Parkinson's Disease. It involves the use of electrodes that are implanted
into the brain and connected to a small electrical device. DBS can reduce the need for
L-dopa and related drugs, which in turn decreases the involuntary
movements called dyskinesias that are a common side effect of L-dopa.
DBS-STN.org
is a web site dealing with all aspects of DBS, which is probably the most
complex subject in Parkinson's Disease. For their web site go to
DBS-STN.org. There
is also a
forum for DBS where people can raise issues
concerning it.
11th August 2009 - New research
THE MICHAEL J.FOX FOUNDATION
FUNDS NINE NEW APPROACHES
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's
Research is funding nine new research projects for Parkinson's Disease. All of
the nearly four million dollar funding has gone to nine biotech and
pharmaceutical companies. For more information read the
Press release. The research projects consist of seven "neuroprotective approaches", and two
projects concerning the treatment of dyskinesia. The following provides links to
the details of each of the nine projects
:
|
* |
The pharmacodynamics
of ReS9-S7, which concerns early stage research in possible toxicity
[1].
The element being researched, alpha-synuclein, has never been shown to cause
Parkinson's Disease, but has instead has been found only to be affected as a result of it. |
|
* |
Exploring curcumin
(which is found in a curry spice) as a possible treatment of
Parkinson's Disease
[2]. Curcumin
is already been widely used, due to its ready
availability, but has never rid Parkinson's Disease.
|
|
* |
The effect of novel
neuronal nicotinic receptor compounds on dyskinesia
[3].
Smoking has the same effect on the nicotinic receptors due its nicotine
contact, yet does not rid dyskinesia. |
|
* |
Assessment of the
therapeutic efficacy of progranulin in a sub-chronic animal model of
Parkinson’s disease
[4].
Other researchers have already shown that progranulin has no potential in
the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. |
|
* |
Validation of LRRK2 as
a drug target for treatment of Parkinson’s disease using antisense
technology
[5].
LRRK2 concerns only a genetic form of Parkinson's Disease.
|
|
* |
Optimising lead series of small
molecule inhibitors of LRRK2 to deliver tool compounds and clinical
development candidates
[6].
LRRK2 concerns only a genetic form of Parkinson's Disease.
|
|
* |
A novel approach to
characterize the distribution of a potentially therapeutic dominant-negative
inhibitor of TNF in pre-clinical models of PD, and predict the scalability
for an effective delivery of therapy in the human brain
[7].
This aims for drugs to be able to by pass the blood brain barrier.
However, Parkinson's Disease has never been shown to be due to a deficiency
of the blood brain barrier.
|
|
* |
Pre-clinical
development of a Parkinson’s disease therapy using a glucagon-like peptide
(GLP-1) receptor agonist
[8].
It is already approved by the FDA, but for diabetes rather than Parkinson's
Disease.
|
|
* |
Optimization of MOR antagonists for the treatment of L-DOPA-induced
dyskinesias in Parkinson’s Disease
[9].
The theory behind its use does not, even in theory, address the fact that
dyskinesia is due to excessive L-dopa. |
8th August 2009 - New book
ASK THE DOCTOR ABOUT PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Michael S. Okun, Hubert H.
Fernandez
Publisher's
description : Derived from Ask the Doctor, a website column written by the
authors for the National Parkinson Foundation, this book explores frequently
asked questions. It offers detailed answers to the most common questions,
including the role of heredity in Parkinson’s, its symptoms and diagnosis, the
effectiveness of drugs and other treatments, whether the disease’s progression
can be slowed, the future of stem cell treatment in the fight against
Parkinson’s disease, and many others. Written in plain, easy-to-understand
language, it arms readers with the knowledge they need to better understand and
manage the disease.
Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books.
7th August 2009 - New research
WELL WATER AS A CAUSE OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Environmental Health
Perspectives [2009] (Nicole M. Gatto, Myles Cockburn, Jeff Bronstein, Angelika
D. Manthripragada, and Beate Ritz)
Complete report
Consumption of pesticide contaminated well water has often been claimed to be a
cause of Parkinson’s Disease. When researchers investigated consumption of water
from private wells in areas with documented historical pesticide use, they found
that it was associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's Disease. Six
pesticides were examined : diazinon, chlorpyrifos, propargite, paraquat,
dimethoate, and methomyl. People with Parkinson's Disease were found to have
consumed well water an average of more than four years longer than people that
did not have Parkinson's Disease. Consumption of well water contaminated with
the pesticides methomyl, chlorpyrifos or propargite resulted in a 70% to 90%
increase in the risk of developing Parkinson's Disease. Exposure to a higher
number of water soluble pesticides and organophosphate pesticides also increased
the risk of causing Parkinson's Disease. For more information concerning toxic
causes, go to the
Toxic causes of Parkinson's Disease. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
1st August 2009 - New research
THE WORLD'S HIGHEST PREVALENCE
OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Neuroepidemiology
[2009] 33 (3) : 225-230 (Racette BA, Good LM, Kissel AM, Criswell SR, Perlmutter
JS.)
Complete abstract
The world's highest prevalence of Parkinson's Disease by far has been found
among the Amish religious community, where Parkinson's Disease is two to three
times more prevalent than anywhere else in the world.
The Amish are primarily in the
North East of the U.S.A. They are a devoutly religious community who believe in
the literal interpretation of the Bible. They segregate themselves from other
communities, wear traditional clothes, and live a traditional lifestyle that
does not permit the use of electricity, television, radio, or telephones. For
transport they use horses and carriages instead of cars, which they are not
allowed to use. Most speak a German dialect known as Pennsylvania Dutch. For
more information click
here
and
here, and
for a brief video of their lifestyle
click
here.
The prevalence of Parkinson's Disease
amongst the Amish aged 60 or older has been found to be 5,703 per 100,000, which
is enormously high. According to
U.N.Data, 17% of the U.S. population is aged
60 or older. So the prevalence of Parkinson's Disease in the Amish
community as a whole is 970 per 100,000. This is by far the highest
prevalence of Parkinson's Disease in the world, and around three times the
prevalence of the U.S.A., despite the U.S.A having the highest prevalence of any
country. The Amish refuse to take out health insurance. They are also afflicted
by genetic disorders. So it was thought that the cause might be genetic.
However, the more closely related they were, the less they were affected. They
are primarily involved in agriculture, and most of them use pesticides, but the
effect of pesticides was not assessed by the researchers. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
28th July 2009 - New research
HIGH CARBOHYDRATE FOODS LESSEN PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Nutrition [2009] Jul 21 [Epub
ahead of print] (Murakami K, Miyake Y, Sasaki S, Tanaka K, Fukushima W, Kiyohara
C, Tsuboi Y, Yamada T, Oeda T, Miki T, Kawamura N, Sakae N, Fukuyama H, Hirota
Y, Nagai M; for the Fukuoka Kinki Parkinson's Disease Study Group.)
Complete abstract
High glycemic carbohydrates have been found to be inversely related to
Parkinson's Disease. Carbohydrates that have a high glycemic index (such as
sugar, white bread, baked potatoes and breakfast cereals) are those that break
down quickly in to glucose in the blood. For more information go to
Glycemic index. The researchers
expected that foods such as these would decrease the risk of Parkinson's Disease
by an insulin-induced increase in brain dopamine. Their theory appears to be
correct, because high glycemic carbohydrates were significantly inversely
associated with the risk of Parkinson's Disease. The greater the intake, the
less was the risk. No association was observed for other dietary carbohydrates,
or dietary fiber intake. It was already known that an inability to make use of
carbohydrates was common in Parkinson's Disease, with 50%-80% of people with
Parkinson's Disease being prone to diabetes. In those people, higher
carbohydrate intakes can not be made use of. For more information see the
Complete abstract. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
26th July 2009 - New report
AGENT ORANGE WRONGLY LINKED TO PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Veterans and Agent Orange Update
2008
Complete report
Based on a new report, it has been widely reported that Agent Orange has been
"linked" to Parkinson's Disease. Agent Orange is the
name given to a herbicide used by the U.S. Military during the Vietnam War
as a means of warfare. For more information go to
Agent Orange.
Despite the claims being made, not even one study in the report shows that Agent
Orange had caused Parkinson's Disease in Vietnam War veterans. Even the report
itself states that there is not sufficient evidence of an association between
Agent Orange and Parkinson's Disease "because chance, bias, and confounding
could not be ruled out with confidence."
There have been over
300 published studies on the effects of Agent Orange, yet none of
them have shown that
Agent Orange has caused Parkinson's Disease. Claims of Agent Orange
causing Parkinson's Disease have usually detailed how Parkinson's
Disease was diagnosed years after possible exposure to Agent Orange.
However, with Parkinson's Disease, if somebody is affected by a toxin,
they usually suffer the effects at their worst soon after exposure to the toxin.
So if Agent Orange caused the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, they would have
initiated whilst in Vietnam - not decades later. Somebody could be exposed to
Agent Orange and quite independently develop Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's
Disease can occur in almost anyone without toxicity being the cause. In order to
refer to this article on its own
click here.
24th July 2009 - New book and DVD
MOVE IT, AN EXERCISE AND MOVEMENT GUIDE FOR
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Kevin Lockette
Publisher's
description : Move It! is a complete movement, exercise and resource guide for
people with Parkinson's Disease. The book includes : Overview of physical
symptoms; Medication review in easily understandable terms; Techniques and
tricks for improved mobility including bed mobility, transfers, & walking;
Anti-freezing techniques that really work; Adaptive devices for easier everyday
living; Complete exercise programs specific for Parkinson's Disease; Exercise
programs for all physical levels (beginner, intermediate and advanced); Complete
guide and exercise program for flexibility. For
more details of the book click
here. For more details of the DVD click
here. For the web site click
here.
For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to
Parkinson's Disease Books.
22nd July 2009 - New research
ISTRADEFYLLINE FAILS CLINICAL
TRIALS FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Parkinsonism Related Disorders
[2009] Jul 17 [Epub ahead of print] (Fernandez HH, Greeley DR, Zweig RM,
Wojcieszek J, Mori A, Sussman NM)
Complete abstract
Istradefylline is an A(2A) adenosine receptor antagonist, and so does not act by
directly increasing the activity of dopamine, as do the most effective methods
of treating Parkinson's Disease. It has been claimed for years to be a promising
method of treating Parkinson's Disease on its own. However, in new clinical
trials, when used on its own, it failed to demonstrate any beneficial effect.
By the end of the clinical trial its effects were little different from the use
of a placebo. The researchers claim that Istradefylline "is safe and well
tolerated". Yet about two thirds of the people using it reported adverse events,
despite failing to gain any benefit from it. In three previous clinical trials
in 2008, the benefits claimed were minimal, and were accompanied by a range of
side effects
[1]
[2]
[3].
Istradefylline is one of a series of recent novel approaches for treating
Parkinson's Disease that has been claimed, despite not having a sound scientific
basis, to be very promising, yet has failed when clinically tested. In order to
refer to this article on its own
click here.
19th July 2009 - New research
THE EFFECT OF ADDING AGONISTS TO
L-DOPA IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Neural Stem International
Journal of Clinical Practice [2009] 63 (4) : 613-623 (Talati R, Baker WL, Patel
AA, Reinhart K, Coleman CI.)
Complete abstract
Adding the use of dopamine agonists to the existing use of L-dopa has been found
to reduce Parkinson's Disease symptoms, but it increases the side effects. As
the effect of L-dopa tends to wear off, some patients are given dopamine
agonists for an additional effect. Scores on the primary assessment of
Parkinson's Disease, the UPDRS, are reduced when people added dopamine agonists
to the existing use of L-dopa. They also experienced symptoms for less time, and
were able to reduce their dosage of L-dopa. However, the incidence of dyskinesia
and hallucinations was higher when dopamine agonists were added to the existing
use of L-dopa. So the increase in efficacy was paid for with increased adverse
events. Although the effect of L-dopa wears off in time, so does the effect of
dopamine agonists. Dopamine agonists work by stimulating the dopamine receptors.
However, continuous use of dopamine agonists makes the dopamine receptors
progressively less sensitive to dopamine and dopamine agonists. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
17th July 2009 - New research
STEM CELLS MIGRATE IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Neuroscience Letters [2009] Jul
8. [Epub ahead of print] (Feng ZH, Ji MA, Li YU, Gang YU.)
Complete abstract
Neural Stem Cell transplantation has been claimed for decades to have the
potential to treat medical disorders including Parkinson's disease. Researchers
investigated the effect of transplanted Neural Stem Cells in an animal model of
Parkinson's Disease. They found that the implanted stem cells migrated to where
they are needed, rather than merely remain where they are added. A significant
portion of the cells differentiated in to the cells responsible for producing
dopamine, the substance whose deficiency causes Parkinson's Disease. The
researchers claimed that this improved Parkinson's Disease. However, the
Parkinson's Disease symptoms were only induced, and their methods did not
actually assess improvements in Parkinson's Disease. Despite stem cell
operations now being carried out around the world, they have never resulted in
anyone being rid of Parkinson's Disease. Although it is claimed that stem cell
operations are necessary because there is massive cell loss in Parkinson's
Disease, no studies have ever shown that there is massive cell loss in
Parkinson's Disease. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
14th July 2009 - New research
GENETICS MULTIPLY THE EFFECT OF
PESTICIDES ON PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Environmental health
perspectives [2009] 117 (6) : 964-969 (Ritz BR, Manthripragada AD, Costello S,
Lincoln SJ, Farrer MJ, Cockburn M, Bronstein J.)
Complete abstract
The chance of pesticide exposure causing Parkinson's Disease has been found to
be far greater in those genetically inclined to Parkinson's Disease. Genetic defects are not typical in Parkinson's
Disease. However, those people that have them are usually unaware of them. A
defect in the dopamine transporter (DAT) can increase the risk of Parkinson's
Disease by more than one and a half times, and as much as several times. The
dopamine transporter (DAT) rids dopamine after it is produced. There are usually
lower levels of DAT in Parkinson's Disease because there is less dopamine to
rid. The researchers do not explain how this defect can increase Parkinson's
Disease. However, ridding dopamine too readily would explain the increased
prevalence of Parkinson's Disease. In combination with exposure to pesticides,
the risk of
Parkinson's Disease was multiplied. Exposure
to the pesticides paraquat and maneb, which are known causes of Parkinson's
Disease, were increased by three times in those people that had one defect in the
dopamine transporter, and by more than four times in those people that had two
defects in the dopamine transporter. In some people the risks were many times greater
than this. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
12th July 2009 - New research
SCOLIOSIS IS PREVALENT IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Journal of Clinical
Neurology [2009] 5 (2) : 91-94 (Baik JS, Kim JY, Park JH, Han SW, Park JH, Lee
MS.)
Complete abstract
Scoliosis
has been found to be far more common in people with Parkinson's Disease.
Scoliosis is an often painful medical condition in which a person's spine is
curved from side to side. For more information go to
Scoliosis.
Scoliosis was defined as a deviation of the spine of 10 degrees or more. All of the patients submitted to a scanograph to
allow measurement of the degree of scoliosis. Scoliosis was found in a third of
people with Parkinson's Disease. This is far more common than would be expected.
Scoliosis was found to be seven times more likely in women than it is in
men. The likelihood also increased with age. The use of dopaminergic drugs
did not appear to have any effect on the degree of scoliosis. The researchers do not
explain this prevalence of scoliosis in Parkinson's Disease, especially in
women. However, the excessive muscle contraction that occurs in Parkinson's
Disease can cause the upper body to bend towards one side rather than the other. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
10th July 2009 - New research
GULF WAR VETERANS WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE
American journal of
industrial medicine [2009] Jul 7 [Epub ahead of print] (Barth SK, Kang HK,
Bullman TA, Wallin MT.)
Complete abstract
It has been suggested that some cases of Parkinson's Disease have been
caused by toxicity due to participation in the
Gulf War
in 1990-1991. This study assessed mortality rates in several conditions
including Parkinson's Disease amongst Gulf War veterans. Over a million veterans
were assessed. However, mortality rates were found to be no greater in Gulf
War veterans with Parkinson's
Disease. Mortality rates were actually lower for Parkinson's Disease, Multiple
Sclerosis and also ALS. However, Gulf War veterans potentially exposed to nerve agents at Khamisiyah,
Iraq, and to oil well fire smoke had an increased risk of mortality due to brain
cancer. As Parkinson's Disease is not a fatal illness, a better measure of the
effects of the Gulf War on Parkinson's Disease would have been the prevalence of
Parkinson's Disease in Gulf War veterans. However, no other studies have so far shown
an increased prevalence of Parkinson's Disease in Gulf War veterans either. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
9th July 2009 - News reports
INTERFERING WITH GLUTAMATE TO
PREVENT PARKINSON'S DISEASE
It has been widely reported that
researchers are aiming to interfere with the formation of Glutamate in order to
prevent Parkinson's Disease. For the news reports go to
Medical News Today
and
Science Daily.
The research was recently presented at a conference. Glutamate is able to form
GABA in the brain. GABA is a chemical produced naturally by the brain, that
affects muscular function. An excess of GABA could provoke symptoms of
Parkinson's Disease. The researchers aim to stimulate "trigger points" in
order to prevent the release of glutamate. By targeting specific receptors they
hope that side-effects will be minimised as fewer targets elsewhere in the brain
will be stimulated. They claim that glutamate causes cell death in Parkinson's
Disease. However, glutamate formation is a healthy function, and has never been
shown, in normal quantities, to cause cell death in people with Parkinson's
Disease. The fundamental weakness in their theory is that glutamate has never
been responsible for causing Parkinson's Disease when dopamine formation is
sufficient either. The primary biochemical fault in Parkinson's Disease
has been proven to be the insufficient formation of dopamine rather than an
excess of glutamate. Yet the approach used by the researchers could not, even in
theory, increase dopamine formation. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
3rd July 2009 - New research
THE LACK OF CENTENARIANS WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Journal of Rural Health [2009]
Summer; 25 (3) : 320-325 (Kaye J, Michael Y, Calvert J, Leahy M, Crawford D,
Kramer P.)
Complete abstract
In America alone, there are over 50,000 people over the age of 100. It is widely
claimed that the likelihood of Parkinson's Disease increases with age, almost as
if it is an age related deterioration. In contradiction of this assumption, the
current study found that in centenarians (those over 100 years old) Parkinson's
Disease was rarely found, thereby nullifying the assumption of Parkinson's
Disease being age related. It was also recently found that Parkinson's Disease
started to become less likely at 90 years of age onwards. For the details
click here.
However, some degree of dementia did become the norm in centenarians. Dementia
is far more related to age. Over 60% of centenarians were found to have
dementia, and nearly 30% of them were found to have some form of impairment.
Only around 10% of centenarians were found to be without some degree of
dementia. In order to refer to this
article on its own
click here.
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