26th July 2012 - News release

SINGLE DRUG FOR PARKINSON'S, ALZHEIMER'S AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

A new class of drug is being developed at Northwestern University as a single therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and traumatic brain injuries by reducing inflammation in the brain. Northwestern University has been issued patents to cover this new drug class and has licensed the commercial development to a biotech company that has recently completed the first human Phase 1 clinical trial for the drug. The drugs in this class, represented by MW151 and MW189, target a particular type of brain inflammation, which they claim is a common denominator in these neurological disorders, as well as in traumatic brain injury and stroke. They claim that brain inflammation plays a major role in the progressive damage characteristic of these chronic diseases and brain injury. For more information, go to the News release.

Despite their claims, there is no evidence that inflammation is a primary cause of Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's Disease has been shown to be due to the insufficient formation of dopamine, which is completely unaccounted for by this method. Their recent study solely concerned Alzheimer's Disease in mice who did not even have Alzheimer's Disease, and was not shown to rid or reduce Alzheimer's Disease. They have not obtained any evidence at all concerning efficacy in Parkinson's Disease. For a printable version of this article click here.  In order to refer to this article on its own click here. 

16th July 2012 - News release

NEUPRO LAUNCHED IN THE U.S.A. TO TREAT PARKINSON'S DISEASE

The role of UCB announced today that Neupro (Rotigotine Transdermal System) is now available in U.S. pharmacies. Neupro was approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration in April to treat the signs and symptoms of early and advanced stage idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and moderate-to-severe primary Restless Legs Syndrome. Neupro is a once-daily patch that provides continuous delivery of the dopamine agonist rotigotine for 24 hours. Neupro is available in four different dosage strengths for the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (2 mg/24 hours, 4 mg/24 hours, 6 mg/24 hours, and 8 mg/24 hours).

In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions were nausea, vomiting, somnolence, application site reactions, dizziness, anorexia, insomnia, hyperhidrosis, peripheral edema, and dyskinesia. There is an increased risk for hallucinations in people with advanced-stage Parkinson’s Disease when they are treated with Neupro. Neupro may cause symptomatic postural/orthostatic hypotension and syncope (fainting), especially during dose escalation, elevated blood pressure, elevated heart rate, weight gain and fluid retention. Neupro should be used with caution in people with cardiovascular disease.

Case reports suggest that patients can experience intense urges to gambling, increased sexual urges, intense urges to spend money, binge eating, and other intense urges, and the inability to control these urges while taking medications including Neupro. 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. 

13th July 2012 - New research

THE EFFECT OF PHYSIOTHERAPY ON PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews [2012] 7 : CD002817 (Tomlinson CL, Patel S, Meek C, Clarke CE, Stowe R, Shah L, Sackley CM, Deane KH, Herd CP, Wheatley K, Ives N.) Complete abstract

The role of physiotherapy in Parkinson's Disease aims to maximise functional ability and minimise secondary complications through movement rehabilitation. However, there are many methods of physiotherapy that have been used in Parkinson's Disease with differing effects. An analysis was carried out of all the published studies concerning the use of physiotherapy in Parkinson's Disease. Trials were classified into the following intervention comparisons : general physiotherapy, exercise, treadmill training, cueing, dance and martial arts

Physiotherapy was found to be beneficial using most methods in the short term (less than three months). The benefit was significant when using the following tests : velocity, step length, two-minute or six-minute walk tests, Timed Up & Go, Functional Reach Test, Berg Balance Scale and clinician-rated UPDRS. However, for some outcomes (velocity, Berg Balance Scale and UPDRS), the differences observed were at, or approaching, what are considered minimally clinical important changes. The review illustrates that a wide range of approaches are employed by physiotherapists to treat Parkinson's Disease. There was no evidence of differences in treatment effect between the types of physiotherapy used. For a printable version of this article click here.  In order to refer to this article on its own click here. 

8th July 2012 - New book

RATING SCALES IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE : CLINICAL PRACTICE AND RESEARCH

Cristina Sampaio, Christopher G.Goetz, Anette Schrag

Publisher's description : For many years, the need to develop valid tools to evaluate signs and symptoms of Parkinson Disease has been present. Rating Scales in Parkinson's Disease: Clinical Practice and Research is written for researchers from the medical and social sciences, and for health professionals wishing to evaluate the progress of their patients suffering from Parkinson's Disease. The book is both exhaustive in the description of the scales and informative on the advantages and limitations of each scale. As such, the text clearly guides readers on how to choose and use the instruments available. Extensive cross-referenced tables and charts integrate the parts of the book to facilitate readers in moving from one symptom domain to another. Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to Parkinson's Disease Books. In order to refer to this article on its own click here. 

1st July 2012 - New research

FIPAMEZOLE FOR DYSKINESIA IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Neurology 2012 Jun 27 [Epub ahead of print] (Lewitt PA, Hauser RA, Lu M, Nicholas AP, Weiner W, Coppard N, Leinonen M, Savola JM.)  Complete abstract

Fipamezole is a new a(2)-adrenergic receptor antagonist being assessed for its use in treating the dyskinesia that can occur in Parkinson's Disease. Dyskinesia is abnormal physical movements, in the form of writhing or jerky movements, that can be caused by chronic use of L-dopa. Over half of people taking L-dopa can eventually be affected by dyskinesia. The following video shows mild to moderate dyskinesia Video. The following video shows severe dyskinesia Video.

The study was carried out in the U.S.A. and India. The total study population showed no statistically significant difference. However, because of the differences between the  U.S. and Indian study populations, a prespecified subgroup analysis of U.S. subjects was conducted, showing fipamezole at 90 mg moderately reduced dyskinesia that was due to to L-dopa. The response was shown to be according to the dose used when assessing the different dosages (30mg, 60mg, 90 mg fipamezole). Fipamezole induced mild transient blood pressure elevation and was associated with "an acceptable profile of adverse effects." For a printable version of this article click here.  In order to refer to this article on its own click here.