| 
MARCH 
2010 �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������   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. ��������������  
�� |