30th March 2013 - New book

Publisher's description : I never assume a sufferer or family member is aware of the “secrets” that may lead to hope and to a happier life. We must share these secrets, and this is the purpose of this book. Each chapter of this book reveals an important secret, and with each secret I will explain the insight, the rationale, the empiricism, and the science behind it. In each chapter I will also try to reveal a little more about myself, and a lot more about the patients and talented clinicians who gifted the Parkinson's secrets. These patients planted the seed of faith. They learned to grow hope, and they discovered the core values necessary to achieve happiness despite the chronic illness of Parkinson's disease. Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to Parkinson's Disease Books.  

24th March 2103 - News release

NEW L-DOPA PRODUCT EXCEEDS THE EFFECT OF STALEVO

A new L-dopa product, which is presently called ODM-101, significantly decreased daily OFF-time without increasing ON-time with troublesome dyskinesias when compared to Stalevo, which is a standard medication in advanced Parkinson's Disease when people experience end-of-dose wearing off symptoms using L-dopa.

Stalevo contains three active substances in one tablet : L-dopa, plus carbidopa and entacapone, both of which help to maintain L-dopa levels. For more information go to Stalevo. ODM-101 has the same components as Stalevo but has a higher and fixed amount of carbidopa (either 65mg or 105 mg) regardless of the L-dopa dosage. As it made by the same manufacturers it is effectively an improved form of Stalevo.

People with Parkinson's Disease were given two forms of ODM-101 with two different amounts of carbidopa : ODM-101/65mg and ODM-101/105mg. Both of them reduced daily OFF-time more than Stalevo. ODM-101/105mg was marginally better than ODM-101/65mg. Similarly, both ODM-101 combinations increased the ON-time without troublesome dyskinesia significantly more than Stalevo. There were no significant differences between the treatments in ON-time with troublesome dyskinesia or in UPDRS II and III symptom scores. Overall, tolerability and safety of ODM-101 was comparable to that of  Stalevo. For more information go to the News release. For a printable version of this article click here. In order to refer to this article on its own click here. 

23rd March 2013 - New research

PIMAVANSERIN CLINICAL TRIAL RESULTS IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE

In a phase III clinical trial, Pimavanserin had effect in the treatment of psychosis in Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis usually consists of visual hallucinations and delusions. It is normally due to Parkinson's Disease drugs not Parkinson's Disease.  It eventually occurs in up to 60% of people with Parkinson's Disease. Pimavanserin is an antagonist of serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. It is taken orally as a tablet once-a-day.

Patients took 40mg Pimavanserin for only six weeks. So its long term effects have not been assessed. The adverse events were little different from those found in people taking a placebo. Pimavanserin demonstrated significant antipsychotic efficacy and significant improvements in all secondary efficacy measures. Statistically significant benefits were also observed in exploratory measures of nighttime sleep, daytime wakefulness, and caregiver burden. For more information go to the News release. For a printable version of this article click here. In order to refer to this article on its own click here. 

14th March 2013 - New research

BEING OVERWEIGHT IS MORE PREVALENT IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Arquivos de Neuropsiquiatra [2012] 70 (11) : 843-846 (H.Morales-Briceño, A.Cervantes-Arriaga, M.Rodríguez-Violante, J.Calleja-Castillo, T.Corona) Complete abstract

Underweight and malnutrition are well documented in Parkinson's Disease (PD), while being overweight has been less reported. Researchers carried out a study comparing the weight and height of people with and without Parkinson's Disease. In those people with Parkinson's Disease only 1% were underweight, 33% were within the normal range, 47%% were overweight, and 19% were obese. Being normal weight and overweight were more prevalent in those people who had Parkinson's Disease when compared to those people who did not. Being obese and, even moreso, being underweight  were more common in those people who did not have Parkinsons' Disease. For a printable version of this article click here. In order to refer to this article on its own click here. 

5th March 2013 - News release

CLINICAL TRIAL OF SUBCUTANEOUS L-DOPA FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE

NeuroDerm announced today the results of a Phase I safety and pharmacokinetic trial of ND0612. ND0612 is a novel drug formulation for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease. NeuroDerm is a pharmaceutical company that specializes in the development of novel dermal delivery routes for CNS drugs.

ND0612 is a combination of L-dopa and carbidopa, as is Sinemet, but it is a liquid formula administered continuously sub-cutaneously (via the skin) through a patch pump. It is designed to provide steady L-dopa blood levels for the reduction of motor complications in Parkinson’s Disease.

In this double-blind, placebo controlled, dose-escalation trial in young, healthy volunteers, ND0612 was shown to be safe and tolerable in all of the tested doses. Clinically meaningful L-dopa concentrations were reached. For the first time in humans, steady state L-dopa concentrations were maintained in a practical manner both day and night, thereby enabling more even levels of L-dopa than oral forms of L-dopa. The full results of this study will be presented at a future scientific meeting. For more information go to the News release For a printable version of this article click here. In order to refer to this article on its own click here. 

4th March 2013 - New book

Publisher's description : People with Parkinson’s commonly have symptoms and problems unique to their condition that can interfere with daily activities. When initially diagnosed they all too often don’t know what to do or where to turn. This book, written specifically for them, clears up questions they may have regarding their self-help. It gives step by step instructions in properly handling daily activities like walking, getting out of bed or chairs, and other potentially problematic everyday movements. It also guides them in finding the optimal medical team to help them stay well. For caregivers there are easy-to-follow instructions in safely assisting a person with PD without jeopardizing themselves or the one they are helping. Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to Parkinson's Disease Books.