PARKINSON'S DISEASE NEWS

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, dyskinesia risks became uniformly high regardless of age of onset.

So lengthy use of L-dopa by those diagnosed at an early age was by far the most likely to cause dyskinesia. In order to refer to this article on its own click here.

16th March 2010 - New book

DEEP BRAIN DIARY :                                                                                                                                                 MY LIFE AS A GUY WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND BRAIN SURGERY VOLUNTEER

Bill Schmalfeldt

Publisher's description : It was nearly four weeks after his 45th birthday when Bill Schmalfeldt was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In addition to having to get used to having what he always thought of as a old man's disease, Bill had to adjust to the idea that his condition would only deteriorate. After seven years, Bill learned about an experimental clinical trial of deep brain stimulation for patients in the less-advanced stages of Parkinson's. He was one of 30 people to sign up for this Phase I trial testing the safety and tolerability of the procedure. Bill takes you into the operating room with him, remaining awake as twin probes are carefully advanced deep into the subthalamic nuclei of his brain.  He also shares his life before the surgery and his life afterwards including the mixed results he is currently experiencing. Click here for more details. The author's proceeds will be donated to the National Parkinson Foundation. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to Parkinson's Disease Books.

The author, Bill Schmalfeldt is a 55-year old federal writer-editor who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease ten years ago. He has a Parkinson's Disease web site, that details different aspects of life with Parkinson's Disease 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's 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 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.