26th September 2013 - New research

THE WORLD'S LOWEST INCIDENCE OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Journal of  Neural Transmission [2013] Sep 22 [Epub ahead of print] (C.L.Ma, L.Su, J.J.Xie, J.X.Long, P.Wu, L.Gu) Complete abstract

The world's lowest incidence of Parkinson's Disease has been found to be in China. Incidence is the rate at which Parkinson's Disease is being newly diagnosed. The incidence of Parkinson's Disease in China, at only 2 people per 100,000 is remarkably low. In constrast, the incidence rate in the U.S.A. is about ten times that number. The prevalence of Parkinson's Disease in China is remarkably high, with 797 per 100,000 being one of the highest rates in the world. The ratio of men to women with Parkinson's Disease is, at 1.29 men for every woman, more typical.

With very high prevalence (those people that have Parkinson's Disease now) and very low incidence (those people that are being diagnosed) means that the number of people in China with Parkinson's Disease must be dropping rapidly, and at a greater rate than anywhere else in the world..The researchers provide no reasons for this.  In China, instead of standard Parkinson's Disease drugs, people tend to use more Chinese herbal remedies, a number of which are known to have effect in Parkinson's Disease. For more information go too Herbal Medicines for Parkinson's Disease For a printable version of this article click here. In order to refer to this article on its own click here.   

The former Chinese leader Chairman Mao is known to have had Parkinson's Disease. However, it is never disclosed in China that Chairman Mao, who is given almost God like status in China, ever actually had Parkinson's Disease.

22nd September 2013 - New research

THE EFFECT OF TEN YEARS WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Parkinsonism Related Disorders [2012] 18 supplement, 3 : S10-S14 28 (3) : 380-383 (A.Hassan, S.S.Wu, P.Schmidt, I.A.Malaty, Y.F.Dai, J.M.Miyasaki, M.S.Okun) Complete abstract

A large number of people who had Parkinson's Disease for more than ten years were assessed to see what effect it had on them. The clinical status and health-related quality of life of patients reaching this milestone had not been well documented before. Their average age was 68 years old. Their average age of onset was 53 years old. Their average disease duration was 14 years. Many of them were minimally disabled (44%) or experiencing postural instability (40%). Most (88%) were able to stand unaided but falls were common (55%). Almost all (93%) were living at home, with a family member as a regular caregiver (84%).

They had an average of two additional medical disorders with arthritis (49%) and heart problems (32%) being the most common. Most of them  (87%) took at least 2 medications, with L-dopa (96%), dopamine agonists (45%) and antidepressants (37%) being the most common. Most of them were not currently utilizing physical, occupational or speech therapy, but two-thirds of them reported engaging in physical activity. Deep brain stimulation was documented in 22%. Overall the mean health-related quality of life and caregiver burden was impaired in all domains. For a printable version of this article click here. In order to refer to this article on its own click here.   

21st September 2013 - New research

COFFEE INTAKE AND THE RISK OF DYSKINESIA

Movement Disorders [2013] 28 (3) : 380-383 (A.M.Wills, S.Eberly, M.Tennis, A.E.Lang, S.Messing, D.Togasaki, C.M.Tanner, C.Kamp, J.F.Chen, D.Oakes, M.P.McDermott, M.A.Schwarzschild)   Complete abstract

Caffeine is a naturally occurring adenosine antagonist that is commonly found in coffee, and to a lesser extent in tea, cola drinks, cocoa, and chocolate. Adenosine antagonists reduce or prevent the development of dyskinesia in animal models of L-dopa induced dyskinesia.

Researchers examined the association between the intake of caffeine and  the time taken to develop dyskinesia. Those people who consumed 12 ounces of coffee per day, which is about two cups, reduced their likelihood of developing dyskinesia to 61%. Those people who consumed 4 to 12 ounces of coffee per day, which is less than two cups per day, reduced their likelihood of developing dyskinesia to 73%. The authors suggest tha these results support the possibility that caffeine may reduce the likelihood of developing dyskinesia. For a printable version of this articlee click here. In order to refer to this article on its own click here.   

16th September 2013 - News report

The 70 year old Scottish comedian Billy Connolly has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease but has vowed to continue with his stage and screen career despite also having prostate cancer. Besides being known for stand up comedy on television and in large arenas he has appeared as a comedian and as a serious actor in films such as The Last Samurai, The Hobbit, Indecent Proposal, Muppet Treasure Island, and Gulliver's Travels. For more information go to Billy Connolly. Connolly’s spokesman revealed that "Billy has been assured by experts that the findings will in no way inhibit or affect his ability to work, and he will start filming a TV series as well as undertaking an extensive theatrical tour." For more details go to Daily Mail.

9th September 2013 - New review

FUTURE FORMS OF L-DOPA FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE

The forms of L-dopa presently being developed are likely to completely change the way that L-dopa is used. They include Inhaled L-dopa, Dual layer L-dopa, Subcutaneous L-dopa, L-dopa prodrug, Melevodopa and AcuForm.

Mucuna Pruriens has been a source of L-dopa since ancient times. As a drug, L-dopa started out as a treatment on its own. Sinemet and Madopar combined L-Dopa with a decarboxylase inhibitor in order to reduce the loss of L-dopa before it was used. In order to spread out the effect of L-dopa, controlled release versions of Sinemet and Madopar were then produced, Stalevo added Entacapone to that combination. Entacapone is a COMT inhibitor, which is able to slow down the degradation of L-dopa. An improved version of Stalevo called ODM-101 is already being developed. Parcopa is an orally disintegrating combination of L-dopa and carbidopa, which is the same combination as Sinemet. Duodopa is a combination of L-dopa and carbidopa in the form of a gel, which is administered throughout the day using a portable pump directly into the small intestine through a surgically placed tube.

New forms of L-dopa presently being developed for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease are :