Category Archives: Parkinson’s Treatment

Research has linked the disease to a genetic defect that stops cells clearing out defective mitochondria, tiny metabolic generators that supply energy This may result in death of brain cells, say researchers 'Waste management system' called mitophagy might be the key to new treatment options for the disease By Anna Edwards PUBLISHED: 23:30 EST, 11 August 2013 | UPDATED: 06:05 EST, 12 August 2013 150 shares 18 View comments Breakthrough? Scientists have found dysfunctional mitochondria are potentially very harmful when it come to Parkinson's, which could help with treatment Parkinson's disease is caused by a genetic defect that produces poor 'housekeeping cells', claim scientists who believe they are closer to treating the debilitating condition. Research has linked the disease to a genetic defect that stops cells clearing out defective mitochondria, tiny metabolic generators that supply energy. Dysfunctional mitochondria are potentially very harmful. Read the original post: Parkinson's disease caused by a 'genetic defect' claim scientists who believe they are closer to treating condition … Continue reading →

Targeting poor housekeeping in cells could lead to new treatments for Parkinson's disease, scientists believe. Blog: Living Life in the Slow Lane Boxing Training May Delay Parkinson's Disease Symptoms Research has linked the disease to a genetic defect that stops cells clearing out defective mitochondria, tiny metabolic generators that supply energy. A recent study in the journal Neurology showed that simple activities like cooking, cleaning and washing the dishes -- as well as good, old-fashioned exercise -- is associated with a decreased Alzheimer's disease risk, even among people who are age 80 and older. Researchers found that the people who were the least active each day -- in the bottom 10th percentile in the study -- were two times more likely to go on to develop Alzheimer's disease, compared with people who were in the top 10th percentile for daily activity. The results were even more marked when evaluating the intensity of physical activity: Those who were in the bottom 10th percentile for physical activity intensity were three times more likely to develop Alzheimer's, compared with those in the top 10th percentile. Being bilingual could strengthen your brainpower and protect against dementia, according to a recent study published in the … Continue reading →

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Aug 12, 2013) - MRI Interventions, Inc. (OTCQB: MRIC) today announced treatment of the first patient in a Phase I clinical trial utilizing uniQure B.V.'s glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) for treatment of Parkinson's disease. This gene therapy holds promise in the battle against the degenerative and debilitating disorder, which affects 1.5 million people in the United States.MRI Interventions' ClearPoint Neuro Intervention System is being used in the clinical trial to enable direct infusion of the gene therapy into an area of the brain affected by Parkinson's disease. Dr. Krystof Bankiewicz, MD, PhD at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and Dr. John D. Heiss, MD at the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), are leading the trial.uniQure B.V., a leader in human gene therapy, is providing the GDNF gene. uniQure made headlines last November by receiving regulatory approval in Europe of a first-in-class gene therapy to treat orphan diseases. The hypothesis of the Parkinson's disease trial is that GDNF's neuro-regenerative and protective properties may protect and strengthen brain cells that produce dopamine, a chemical that affects brain function.In Parkinson's disease, dopamine production is reduced in an … Continue reading →

Pill-rolling tremor of Parkinson Disease. Classical pill-rolling tremor of Parkinson Disease. By: Ian Goh … Continue reading →

Even hockey enforcers have to put in their gym time if they're going to stay on top of their game. A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton has long since earned his spot among hockey's best pound-for-pound fighters. And from his regular training in the sweet science to his jiu-jitsu work with former UFC lightweight contender Kenny Florian, Thornton says NHL fighters are looking for any edge to keep their skills sharp. Speaking over the telephone following a workout with noted Boston boxing trainer Tommy McInerney, Thornton explained his approach. "I've been taking boxing lessons since I was in the minor leagues," Thornton said. "Maybe the average fan doesn't think we do, but yeah, you've got to actually learn how to throw a punch if you're going to scrap in the NHL." Thornton's one of several mixed martial arts fans on the Bruins, whose ranks including forward Milan Lucic and defenseman Zdeno Chara, whose father, Zdenek, was an Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler for Czechoslovakia in 1976. "UFC's kind of our get together night," Thornton said. "After the Stanley Cup we wanted to get the guys together in private and just hang out, so everyone came over to my … Continue reading →

Public release date: 11-Aug-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: David Weston d.weston@ucl.ac.uk 44-020-310-83844 University College London Researchers have discovered how genetic mutations linked to Parkinson's disease might play a key role in the death of brain cells, potentially paving the way for the development of more effective drug treatments. In the new study, published in Nature Neuroscience, a team of researchers from UCL, the University of Cambridge and the University of Sheffield showed how defects in the Parkinson's gene Fbxo7 cause problems with 'mitaphagy' an essential process through which our bodies are able to get rid of damaged cells. Mitochondria are the 'energy powerhouses' of cells. Their function is vital in nerve cells which require a great deal of energy in order to function and survive. Dysfunctional mitochondria are potentially very harmful and, normally, cells dispose of the damaged mitchondria by self-eating them, a process called mitophagy. Most of what we know about the mitophagy process comes from the study of the familial forms of Parkinson's, one of the most common diseases of the brain. Over the last three years, two genes associated with familial Parkinson's disease, PINK1 and Parkin, have been reported to play a role in … Continue reading →

Targeting poor housekeeping in cells could lead to new treatments for Parkinson's disease, scientists believe. Research has linked the disease to a genetic defect that stops cells clearing out defective mitochondria, tiny metabolic generators that supply energy. Dysfunctional mitochondria are potentially very harmful. Cells normally dispose of them through a "hazardous waste" management system called mitophagy that causes the bean-like bodies to be digested and broken down. Scientists have now discovered a biological pathway that allows mutations in a gene called FBxo7 to interfere with mitophagy. In people with Parkinson's, this leads to a build-up of defective mitochondria that may result in the death of brain cells. The study, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, indicates that mitophagy might be the key to new treatment options for the disease. Dr Helene Plun-Favreau, one of the researchers from the University College London Institute of Neurology, said: "These findings suggest that treatment strategies that target mitophagy might be developed to benefit patients with Parkinson's disease in the future. " What makes the study so robust is the confirmation of defective mitophagy in a number of different Parkinson's models, including cells of patients who carry a mutation in the Fbxo7 gene." Co-author Dr … Continue reading →

By TERRANCE ODWYER, IrishCentral Contributing Writer Published Tuesday, March 12, 2013, 7:15 AM Updated Thursday, August 8, 2013, 9:35 AM Italian Doctor Daniel Volpe has discovered that Irish dancing has a positive effect on patients suffering from Parkinson's disease Photo by ParkinsonsItalia.it Doctor Daniele Volpe is not an ordinary Italian neurologist. In addition to heading up the Parkinson's Rehabilitation unit at the St. John of God hospital in Venice, he is a musician who loves trad and who visits Ireland frequently to play in a band. Amazingly, he has found a way to connect both his professional life and his love of trad music. The story begins in June of 2010 in Peppers Pub, a Trad hot spot located in the tiny village of Feakle (population 126), in County Clare. Peppers regularly offers Trad nights where customers can enjoy music, and if so inclined, participate in set dances. On this particular night, Dan Fox (Volpes stage name) was playing alongside Charlie Piggot, one of the founding members of De Dannan, and as the band was about to start, the Italian doctor noticed a man with an unsteady gait enter the pub. "Someone with Parkinson's," he remembers thinking. Go here to … Continue reading →

Michael Douglas has revealed his biggest regret - he didn't end his first marriage soon enough. The actor, 68, who is now married to Catherine Zeta Jones, wed first wife Diandra in 1977 and the couple divorced in 2000. He told the Daily Mirror: "I know I'm going to get into trouble here. I have nothing against her and in fact I'm very fond of my first wife. But we should have ended that marriage eight or 10 years earlier. "It took me too long to realise that if you go to a marriage counsellor to resolve problems, it's in his interest to keep the marriage going. "Because if I end the marriage he's got no business. I think Diandra would probably say the same thing. That's the only clear regret that I have." Michael, who has battled throat cancer and whose wife Catherine has had treatment in rehab for bipolar disorder, said he had a philosophical outlook. "I don't think anyone walks around happy all the time unless they're completely medicated. Happiness is cherishing good moments and trying to link together more good moments than bad." Despite his wealth, he said he wasn't interested in accruing objects and that … Continue reading →

Delta Goodrem - was diagnosed at 18 with Hodgkins Lymphoma, an announcement that incited an outpouring of support from her particularly Australian fanbase. In the two decades since Michael J Fox's Parkinson's diagnosis, the popular actor has continued to work on both TV and film, as well as writing two autobiographies and creating a foundation. He has received many awards for his humanitarian work, and says that his illness has in countless ways improved his life. Olivia Newton-John's breast cancer diagnosis and treatment has inspired the Australian singer to work tirelessly on behalf of others, including walking the Chinese wall to raise funds for her new Wellness Centre in a Melbourne hospital. Leslie Ash became the unfortunate figurehead of the MRSA bug that plagued various UK hospitals after she caught the superbug. The actress was awarded 5m in damages, and still walks with a stick. TLC's T-Boz (Tionna Watkins) was diagnosed as a child with sickle cell anaemia, which gave her a reduced life expectancy by doctors she has continued to confound. Christopher Reeve was paralysed following his fall from a horse in 1995. Until his death a decade later, the actor dedicated his efforts to raising funds and advocating … Continue reading →