29th December 2013 - New research

L-DOPA PRODRUG FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Movement Disorders [2013] Dec 13 [Epub ahead of print (P.A.Lewitt, F.J.Huff, R.A.Hauser, D.Chen, D.Lissin, K.Zomorodi, K.C.Cundy)  Complete abstract

XP21279 is a new L-dopa prodrug being developed by Xenoport for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. It uses naturally occurring, high capacity nutrient transporters in the gastrointestinal tract to generate active and efficient absorption into the body.

XP21279-carbidopa sustained-release bilayer tablets were developed to provide more continuous exposure to L-dopa. Once absorbed, XP21279 is rapidly converted into L-dopa. In a clinical trial of XP21279, people with Parkinson's Disease were given either XP21279 with carbidopa, or L-dopa with carbidopa, which as Sinemet is the most common means of treating Parkinson's Disease.

The average daily off time was reduced more when using XP21279 but only by 18 minutes. There was little difference between the two in their effect on dyskinesia. However, XP21279 significantly reduced the variability of L-dopa concentration that occurs when using Sinemet (L-dopa and carbidopa). This was achieved by taking XP21279 only three times per day, instead of the four to five times a day that the L-dopa with carbidopa was taken. Therefore, overall, although L-dopa and carbidopa as Sinemet is the most common means of treating Parkinson's Disease, XP21279 was found to be more advantageous. In order to refer to this article on its own click here.   

28th December 2013 - New research

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE FACTORS AND THE RISK OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Movement Disorders [2013] Dec 18 [Epub ahead of print] (R.Liu, D.Baird, Y.Park, N.D.Freedman, X.Huang, A.Hollenbeck, A.Blair, H.Chen)  Complete abstract

In the largest ever study of its kind, researchers examined female reproductive factors and the risk of Parkinson's Disease. The study involved nearly 120,000 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 71 years.  The risk of developing Parkinson's Disease was not significantly associated with female reproductive factors including age at first menstruation, age at first live birth, and age at menopause generally.

However, there was a tendency for an increased risk of Parkinson's Disease in those women who reached menopause when they were 55 or older. Current hormone users for less than 5 years showed a higher risk of developing Parkinson's Disease, which was anywhere between 11% more likely to more than twice as likely. However, this association disappeared for current hormone users after 5 years of use.  Oral contraceptive use for ten years was associated with a lower risk of Parkinson's Disease, down to 59% of what would otherwise be expected. In order to refer to this article on its own click here.   

20th December 2013 - New review

PESTICIDES ON AIRCRAFT AS A CAUSE OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Flight attendants who have developed Parkinson's Disease have taken legal action to try to prove that they have developed Parkinson's Disease because of the insecticides that are routinely sprayed inside  aircraft. For more information go to News report and News report

Those pesticides that are known to cause, or be highly associated with Parkinson's Disease are Dieldrin, Rotenone and Organophosphorus pesticides. The fungicides Maneb and Paraquat are also known causes of Parkinson's Disease. Evidence in support of Permathrin, which is used in aircraft, is presently restricted to three animal studies.

Dieldrin levels are above normal in brains of people with Parkinson's Disease. Dieldrin was the most frequently detected Organochlorine pesticide in people with Parkinson's Disease thereby suggesting that dieldrin is associated with Parkinson's Disease. Organophosphorus pesticides are significantly associated with Parkinson's Disease. The frequent use of household pesticides containing Organophosphorus chemicals increased the chances of developing Parkinson's Disease by 71%. Exposure can lead to Parkinsonism. Rotenone can cause the neurochemical, neuropathological and behavioural features of Parkinson's disease, including hypokinesia and rigidity. In order to refer to this article on its own click here.  

19th December 2013 - New book

DBS A PATIENT GUIDE TO DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION

Sierra M.Farris, Monique L.Giroux

Publisher's description :  DBS A Patient Guide to Deep Brain Stimulation by DBS experts Sierra Farris and Monique Giroux distill a high tech brain surgery into understandable terms for every reader. The authors bring 14 years’ experience working as a DBS team in treating over 1000 patients. Their easy to read format is packed with practical tips in a patient-centered approach. The authors hope to promote patient empowerment by offering insights that are rarely shared outside the clinic appointment. Filled with case studies, personal stories, practical tips and unique graphics, this book offers in-depth easy to understand explanations for one of the most high tech procedures that can turn back the clock on neurological disease.  Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to Parkinson's Disease Books  

14th December 2013 - News release

ANTIBODIES FOR THE TREATMENT OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Roche and Prothena are collaborating to co-develop antibodies for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. Prothena's antibody for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, PRX002,  targets alpha-synuclein. PRX002 is currently in preclinical development. It is expected to enter Phase 1 clinical trials in people with Parkinson's Disease in 2014. PRX002 has already been tested in various cellular and animal models of synuclein-related disease.

Synuclein proteins are found throughout the body. One protein from this family, alpha-synuclein, is found extensively in neurons and characterize several neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's Disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation type 1, and multiple system atrophy, which collectively are termed synucleinopathies. As part of the agreement, Roche and Prothena will initiate a research collaboration focused on including incorporation of Roche's proprietary Brain Shuttle technology to increase delivery of therapeutic antibodies to the brain. For more information go to the News release  In order to refer to this article on its own click here.  

                                                                                                                                                                                         10th December 2013 - New book

PARKINSON'S DISEASE TRAPPED - IT'S A GREY MATTER

 Christopher C. Evans

Publisher's description :  Parkinson’s disease 'Trapped' questions and expands our understanding of Parkinson’s disease. Accessible and meticulously researched, the observations illuminate the grey matter of brain science. It examines three regions of the brain and how these relate to symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, highlighting insights that lead to the discovery of a unique potential cause. Exploring the effects of trauma and lack of blood supply to the brain, it finds missing pieces of the Parkinson’s puzzle. This book explains why people, who smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, have high cholesterol, and drink too much coffee are less likely to get Parkinson's disease. It presents a controversial three phase model of neurodegeneration.  Click here for more details. For more books concerning Parkinson's Disease go to Parkinson's Disease Books