PARKINSON'S DISEASE NEWS

Parkinson's Disease News covers all significant new research, reports, books, and resources concerning Parkinson's Disease. Articles are chosen on the basis of their medical significance or potential interest. Our overwhelming priority is the facts, regardless of whether they contradict prevailing views or vested interests. Analysis and further information is provided either to explain the background or implications, or to balance misleading claims. If you notice errors or inadequacies, or dispute what is written, or want to propose articles, please e-mail mail@viartis.net.

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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 ON 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

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

Archives of Neurology [2010] 67 (7) : 808-811 (Knekt P, Kilkkinen A, Rissanen H, Marniemi J, Sääksjärvi K, Heliövaara M.) Complete abstract

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.

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.

2nd July 2010 - New book

NO DOOR WIDE ENOUGH : 2000-2010, MY PARKINSON'S DISEASE DECADE

Bill Schmalfeldt

Publisher's description : It was just about three weeks after his 45th birthday in 2000 when Bill Schmalfeldt was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In 2007 while working at a federal agency as a writer and podcaster, telling other people about the importance of clinical trials, Bill heard about and volunteered for an experimental brain surgery to determine whether or not "deep brain stimulation" could be done on patients in the earlier stages of the disease. This is the story of Bill's "Parkinson's Decade" from being diagnosed in 2000, to having the surgery in 2007, through today. The story is told in a humorous, satirical, almost jovial style considering the fact that Bill's motor skills and cognition continue to degenerate. Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to Parkinson's Disease Books.

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

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.

 

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