Category Archives: Parkinson’s Treatment

Billy Connolly will continue to perform on stage and screen despite undergoing surgery for prostate cancer and being treated for the "initial symptoms" of Parkinson's disease. The 70-year-old star, affectionately known as the Big Yin, started his showbusiness career as a folk singer before developing the stand-up act that made him famous and led to a career in television and film. His spokeswoman said: "Billy Connolly recently underwent minor surgery in America after being diagnosed with the very early stages of prostate cancer. The operation was a total success, and Billy is fully recovered. In addition, Billy has been assessed as having the initial symptoms of Parkinson's disease, for which he is receiving the appropriate treatment. 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 in the near future, as well as undertaking an extensive theatrical tour of New Zealand in the new year." The Glasgow-born star, who began his working life in the Clyde shipyards, became a household name with a string of appearances on Michael Parkinson's chatshow. He went on to perform sell-out stand-up shows around the world, present … Continue reading →

The first time many of us heard of Parkinson's disease was when Michael J Fox announced he had the condition, back in 1999. Now it is back again in the spotlight after Billy Connolly revealed he also has it. Like diabetes, there is no cure for Parkinson's, and scientists do not know what exactly causes the disease. Around 127,000 people in the UK have Parkinson's disease, and it is caused by a loss of brain cells that produce a chemical messenger called dopamine. Symptoms tend to get worse the longer a person has the disease because it is a progressive neurological disorder. It differs from case to case but often include a tremor or fine shake while the person is at rest, rigidity of muscles, slowness of movement and unsteady balance. Tremor (shaking) Slowness of movement Rigidity (stiffness) Physical and other symptoms of Parkinson's Bladder and bowel problems Eye problems Falls and dizziness Freezing Pain Restless legs syndrome Skin, scalp and sweating problems Sleep problems Speech and communication problems Swallowing problems Anxiety Dementia Depression Hallucinations and delusions Memory problems Source: Parkinson's UK Other possible symptoms can include memory loss and earlier this year, Connolly admitted he had started to forget … Continue reading →

Comic and actor Billy Connolly has undergone surgery for prostate cancer, a spokeswoman for the star has confirmed. He is also being treated for the 'initial symptoms' of Parkinson's disease it has been revealed. The 70-year-old star, who rose to fame on the Scottish folk music scene, will continue to work in TV and on stage. His spokeswoman said: 'Billy Connolly recently underwent minor surgery in America after being diagnosed with the very early stages of prostate cancer. The operation was a total success, and Billy is fully recovered. 'In addition, Billy has been assessed as having the initial symptoms of Parkinson's disease, for which he is receiving the appropriate treatment. '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 in the near future, as well as undertaking an extensive theatrical tour of New Zealand in the new year.' The Glasgow-born star, affectionately known as the Big Yin, began his working life in the Clyde shipyards but soon moved into entertainment with folk singing and comedy performances. A string of appearances on Michael Parkinson's chatshow made him a household name and … Continue reading →

Amicus Therapeutics (FOLD: Quote) has entered into a collaboration with Biogen Idec (BIIB) to discover, develop and commercialize novel small molecules for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The collaboration will build upon preclinical studies at Amicus and independent published research that suggest increasing activity of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerobrosidase (GCase) in the brain may correct alpha-synuclein pathology and other deficits associated with Parkinson's disease. FOLD closed Tuesday's trading at $2.66, up 4.31%. Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CNAT: Quote), which made its stock market debut as recently as July of this year, has initiated a phase II study of Emricasan in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. This study is being conducted by the Translational Research and Evolving Alcoholic Hepatitis Treatment (TREAT) Consortium consisting of the Mayo Clinic Rochester, Indiana University, and Virginia Commonwealth University in collaboration with the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. CNTA closed Tuesday's trading 0.47% higher at $8.62. Exelixis Inc. (EXEL: Quote) has initiated a phase III trial, dubbed CELESTIAL, comparing Cabozantinib with placebo in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who have previously been treated with Sorafenib. The primary endpoint for the trial is overall survival. EXEL touched a new 52-week high of $5.64 on Tuesday before … Continue reading →

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MONDAY, Sept. 9 (HealthDay News) -- A genetic deletion may be linked to some cases of early onset Parkinson's disease, researchers say. The investigators found that people aged 35 to 64 who were missing DNA on a specific part of chromosome 22 were about 90 times more likely to develop Parkinson's than people from the same age group in the general population. People with this inherited genetic condition -- called 22q11.2 deletion syndrome -- have about 50 genes missing on chromosome 22. The condition occurs in about one in 2,000 to 4,000 people, and those with this genetic deletion may have birth defects (including heart defects), learning or speech difficulties, anxiety disorders, or schizophrenia. Previously reported cases of patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and Parkinson's disease symptoms have indicated that there may be a link between the two conditions, according to the researchers from the Center for Addiction and Mental Health and University Health Network in Toronto. Dr. Anne Bassett, director of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health's Clinical Genetics Research Program, said 22q11.2 deletion syndromes has been studied in children and adolescents, but less is known about the syndrome in adults. In addition, in some cases, Parkinson's disease … Continue reading →

CRANBURY, N.J., Sept. 10, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amicus Therapeutics (FOLD), a biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of therapies for rare and orphan diseases, has entered a collaboration with Biogen Idec (BIIB) to discover, develop and commercialize novel small molecules for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The collaboration will build upon preclinical studies at Amicus and independent published research that suggest increasing activity of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerobrosidase (GCase) in the brain may correct alpha-synuclein pathology and other deficits associated with Parkinson's disease. "Our collaboration with Amicus complements our current strategy to identify and develop novel therapies to address Parkinson's disease," said Tim Harris, Senior Vice President of Translational Medicine at Biogen Idec. "Amicus has been a pioneer in the discovery of novel small molecules that increase GCase activity in the brain, and we look forward to working together to discover potential treatments for Parkinson's disease." Under terms of the multi-year agreement, Amicus and Biogen Idec will collaborate in the discovery of a new class of small molecules that target the GCase enzyme, for further development and commercialization by Biogen Idec. Biogen Idec will be responsible for funding all discovery, development, and commercialization activities. In addition Amicus will be reimbursed … Continue reading →

BOSTON, Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Rhythm announced today that The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) has awarded a $1.35 million research grant to Rhythm to help fund a Phase 2 clinical trial of RM-131, the company's novel ghrelin agonist, for the treatment of refractory constipation in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). This study expands the ongoing Phase 2 clinical program for RM-131 for the treatment of both upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) functional disorders. "As we work toward a cure for Parkinson's, alleviating the symptoms of disease is our best approach to improve quality of life for the millions living with PD. Development of a treatment for painful and debilitating constipation will have significant meaning to this population," said Maurizio Facheris, MD, MJFF associate director of research programs. Constipation is common among people with Parkinson's, with studies reporting more than 50% of PD patients suffering from moderate to severe constipation. Many of these patients are refractory to existing therapy. In addition, GI dysfunction in PD can affect the upper GI tract, resulting in gastroparesis. Overall, the symptoms of upper and lower GI functional disorders can be debilitating and disruptive to the lives of PD patients and, … Continue reading →

Home Mail News Sports Finance Weather Games Groups Answers Flickr More omg! Shine Movies Music TV Health Shopping Travel Autos Homes Mobile Yahoo! News Search News Search Web Sign In Mail Help Account Info Help Suggestions Yahoo! Home Video Photos GMA Year in Review Odd Comics Travel Opinion Trending Now Who Knew? Weather The Upbeat U.S. U.S. Video GMA Education Religion Crimes and Trials Local Contributor Network Year In Review World World Video Middle East Europe Latin America Africa Asia Canada Australia/Antarctica Business Video Exclusives Today's Markets Stocks Personal Finance Marketplace Entertainment Video Clinton Concert Celebrity TV Movies Music Fashion Books Arts Theater Dear Abby Comics Odd News Sports Video NFL MLB NBA NCAAF NCAAB Soccer Cycling NHL Tennis Golf Boxing Motor Sports MMA Olympics Tech Gadgets Wireless Apple Social Media Security Open Source Gaming Apps This Could Be Big Upgrade Your Life Politics Remake America The Issues Women and Politics Press Releases Video Science Science Video Weather News Space / Astronomy Pets Dinosaurs / Fossils Biotech Energy Green Health Video Weight Loss Cancer Sexual Health Medications/Drugs Parenting/Kids Seniors/Aging Diseases/Conditions Blogs The Sideshow Katie's Take Power Players This Could Be Big Newsmakers Trending Now The Upbeat Who Knew? Nightline Fix … Continue reading →

Geneva, Switzerland, 4 September 2013 - Addex Therapeutics (ADXN.SW), a leading company pioneering allosteric modulation-based drug discovery and development announced today additional positive preclinical data for its mGlu5 negative allosteric modulator (NAM) oral small molecule, dipraglurant, in a validated model for primary generalized torsion dystonia 1 (DYT1), a common and severe genetic form of dystonia, caused by a mutation in the TOR1A gene encoding the torsin A protein. In the study, that is part of an ongoing collaboration with Professor Antonio Pisani, University of Rome Tor Vergata and Fondazione Santa Lucia, chronic treatment with dipraglurant (50 mg/kg i.p. for 8 days) partially restored long-term depression and synaptic de-potentiation which are impaired in the DYT1 mutant mice over expressing the human mutant TOR1A gene. These data together with previously reported results obtained with dipraglurant in in vitro and in in vivo preclinical behavioral models, as well as observations made in the Phase 2a study of dipraglurant in Parkinson`s disease patients, further support the hypothesis that inhibition of mGlu5 could be beneficial in counteracting the abnormal electrophysiological function observed in dystonia. In keeping with the Company`s rare disease development strategy, Addex plans to initiate a Phase 2a study with dipraglurant in a … Continue reading →