Category Archives: Parkinson’s Treatment

Public release date: 23-Apr-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Donna Krupa dkrupa@the-aps.org 617-954-3976 Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology BOSTONParkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive degenerative disease affecting a person's ability to coordinate and control their muscle movement. What starts out as a tremor in a finger will eventually lead to difficulty in writing and speaking, and ultimately the inability to walk without assistance. Since the 1950s research has shown that people with Parkinson's have decreased levels of the chemical dopamine in their brains, which is involved in sending messages to the part of the brain that controls coordination and movement. Subsequent research has found that dopamine-generating cells, known as dopaminergic neurons, are also absent in a specific area of the brain in those with PD. The precise cause or causes of PD is unknown, but there is a consensus that an inflammatory event or episode is involved in the initiation of neurodegeneration, and that chronic neuroinflammation is a sustaining and exacerbating reason for the loss of the dopaminergic neurons. A new study conducted by a team of Texas researchers brings the understanding of inflammation's role a step further. They have found that a single, high-dose exposure … Continue reading →

Washington, April 22 (ANI): A gene therapy approach developed by researchers at Northeastern University in Boston may one day stop Parkinson's disease (PD) in it tracks, preventing disease progression and reversing its symptoms. The novelty of the approach lies in the nasal route of administration and nanoparticles containing a gene capable of rescuing dying neurons in the brain. Parkinson's is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder caused by the death of dopamine neurons in a key motor area of the brain, the substantia nigra (SN). Loss of these neurons leads to the characteristic tremor and slowed movements of PD, which get increasingly worse with time. Currently, more than 1 percent of the population over age 60 has PD. The available drugs on the market for PD mimic or replace the lost dopamine but do not get to the heart of the problem, which is the progressive loss of the dopamine neurons. The focus of Dr. Barbara Waszczak's lab at Northeastern University in Boston is to find a way to harvest the potential of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) as a treatment for PD. GDNF is a protein known to nourish dopamine neurons by activating survival and growth-promoting pathways inside the cells. … Continue reading →

Apr. 22, 2013 The earliest signs of Parkinson's disease can be deceptively mild. The first thing that movie star Michael J. Fox noticed was twitching of the little finger of his left hand. For years, he made light of the apparently harmless tic. But such tremors typically spread, while muscles stiffen up and directed movements take longer to carry out. Research groups led by Armin Giese of LMU Munich and Christian Griesinger at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Gttingen have developed a chemical compound that slows down the onset and progression of Parkinson's disease in mice. The scientists hope that this approach will give them a way to treat the cause of Parkinson's and so arrest its progress. The disease usually becomes manifest between the ages of 50 and 60, and results from the loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the substantia nigra, which is part of the midbrain. Under the microscope, the affected cells are seen to contain insoluble precipitates made up of a protein called alpha-synuclein. As an early step in the pathological cascade, this protein forms so-called oligomers, tiny aggregates consisting of small numbers of alpha-synuclein molecules, which are apparently highly neurotoxic. By the … Continue reading →

22 Apr 2013 00:01 A gene that restores and protects dopamine can halt Parkinsons if administered direct to the brain Getty A possible cure to Parkinsons disease has been developed to be taken through sufferers noses. The devastating disorder is caused by the death of dopamine neurons in a key area of the brain. But a gene that restores and protects dopamine can halt Parkinsons if administered direct to the brain. It was thought this was only possible by surgical injection. But now a team at Dr Barbara Waszczaks lab at Northeastern University in Boston has come up with a nasal treatment. Rats given the therapy carried on producing a protein nourishing dopamine for long periods, avoiding the need for redosing. Dr Waszczaks said it may provide an effective and non-invasive therapy. Parkinsons, which leads to tremors, affects more than one per cent of over-60s. The rest is here: Parkinson’s disease 'cure' is shot up the nose … Continue reading →

Public release date: 21-Apr-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Jim Bernstein jbernstein@aspet.org 301-646-3259 Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology BOSTON Researchers at Northeastern University in Boston have developed a gene therapy approach that may one day stop Parkinson's disease (PD) in it tracks, preventing disease progression and reversing its symptoms. The novelty of the approach lies in the nasal route of administration and nanoparticles containing a gene capable of rescuing dying neurons in the brain. Parkinson's is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder caused by the death of dopamine neurons in a key motor area of the brain, the substantia nigra (SN). Loss of these neurons leads to the characteristic tremor and slowed movements of PD, which get increasingly worse with time. Currently, more than 1% of the population over age 60 has PD and approximately 60,000 Americans are newly diagnosed every year. The available drugs on the market for PD mimic or replace the lost dopamine but do not get to the heart of the problem, which is the progressive loss of the dopamine neurons. The focus of Dr. Barbara Waszczak's lab at Northeastern University in Boston is to find a way to harvest the potential of glial … Continue reading →

By Kay Quinn Healthbeat Reporter ST. LOUIS (KSDK) - Parkinson disease affects a million Americans. Actor Michael J. Fox has it, and St. Louis broadcaster Jack Buck was diagnosed before his death in 2002. Now, you can help support those with Parkinson by playing in a golf tournament to raise money for research and support for those with the disease. Here's a look what it means to live with this disease and the local effort to combat it. "We have always been an upbeat family," said Lynda Wiens, "you always look for a silver lining, and you always find one." Almost three decades ago, Lynda and Bob Wiens moved to St. Louis from Canada and raised two sons. She was a nurse, he was a cardiologist. Bob was the physician on call for visiting presidents, the pope, and the Dean of St. Louis University's Medical School. Then in the late 1980s he diagnosed himself with the symptoms of Parkinson disease. "My son was about nine years, 10-years-old probably, and he wanted to know why dad could play ball with him one day and not the other," recalled Lynda. Parkinson is a neurological disease that causes tremors, slow movements and problems … Continue reading →

CHELSEA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Civitas Therapeutics, Inc., a privately-held pharmaceutical company developing transformative therapeutics using the ARCUS(TM) respiratory delivery platform, today announced positive topline results from a Phase 2 clinical trial of CVT-301, an inhaled formulation of levodopa (L-dopa). CVT-301 is being developed as an adjunct therapy to provide rapid and reliable relief from intermittent debilitating motor fluctuations (OFF episodes) that impact a large proportion of Parkinsons disease patients. The study used a randomized, placebo-controlled design to evaluate L-dopa pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects following administration of CVT-301 to Parkinsons disease patients experiencing motor fluctuations. Administering CVT-301 to patients in the OFF state produced a rapid and durable improvement in motor function. The pharmacokinetic data recapitulated the Phase 1 study results showing CVT-301 provided immediate L-dopa absorption and consistent increases in plasma concentrations in marked contrast to the delayed and variable L-dopa levels seen with Sinemet (oral L-dopa/carbidopa). All doses of CVT-301 were safe and well tolerated with no increase in the frequency or severity of dyskinesias relative to oral. Civitas plans to present the comprehensive data from the study at a future scientific meeting. The unpredictable wearing off of oral L-dopa and the dyskinetic side effects are among the most significant … Continue reading →

Janice Seabrooks, left, helps Tony Greco of West Manchester Township stretch during an exercise class for people who have Parkinson's disease at HealthSouth. Jennifer Harlacher, a senior therapist there, said fear of falling, embarrassment and depression sometimes prevent people from staying active after they've been diagnosed. ( DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS - KATE PENN) York, PA - While sitting in his wheelchair, Dale McCoy faced his son Craig in the family's Hellam Township living room. "Hands out," Craig McCoy said while demonstrating the movements. "Down to the floor." With wide, concentrated eyes and slow stiff movements, Dale McCoy, 81, extended his arms in front of his body, bent at his waist and lowered his hands to the floor. While still in his wheelchair, he returned his torso to an upright position. Craig McCoy asked his dad to do it again. Dale McCoy has Parkinson's disease, a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. The stretching exercise is one of many he does to help retain his mobility. In recent years, experts have started encouraging Parkinson's patients to move more because studies have shown that regular physical activity can improve their quality of life. Jennifer Harlacher, senior therapist for HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital … Continue reading →

SAN DIEGO, April 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Ceregene, Inc. today announced the top-line data from its double-blind, randomized, controlled Phase 2b clinical study of CERE-120 (AAV-neurturin), a gene therapy product designed to deliver the neurotrophic factor neurturin, for Parkinson's disease. The trial did not demonstrate statistically significant efficacy on the primary endpoint (UPDRS-motor off). However, one of the "key secondary endpoints" (Diary-off score), as defined and prespecified in the Statistical Analysis Plan, did produce statistically significant benefit. The trial also provided further evidence for the safety of CERE-120 and the dosing methods employed. A marked placebo effect was observed in this trial in that both the sham-surgery-control patients and the CERE-120 treated patients showed significant improvement following their surgery. Fifty-one (51) patients with moderately advanced Parkinson's disease who could not be satisfactorily controlled with conventional Parkinson's medication were enrolled in the study at 11 leading clinical sites throughout the U.S. Approximately half of the patients received CERE-120 while the other half received sham (placebo) surgery as a control. Patients were monitored for 15-24 months to assess safety and changes in Parkinson's disease symptoms, using multiple endpoints such as the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Daily Diaries that assess motor … Continue reading →

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. (AP) Hall of Famer Forrest Gregg says that while he and his neurologist blame concussions for his Parkinson's disease, he's not going to sue the NFL like thousands of other former players. The 79-year-old says he doesn't begrudge those who have joined the lawsuits but he has his pensions from his playing and coaching days and "I don't need anything from anybody but what I earned." He said he's an "independent type" and doesn't believe in holding others accountable for his well-being. "And my experience in the National Football League was good," said Gregg, who is promoting UCB, Inc.'s "Parkinson's More Than Motion" campaign during Parkinson's Awareness Month. Gregg said he's doing well 18 months after his diagnosis and credits medicine, exercise and daily phone calls from his son and former teammates to reminisce about the good ol' days, which keeps his mind sharp. The former offensive lineman known as "Iron Man" said he wants to help others recognize the signs of Parkinson's and seek treatment early enough to delay the degenerative effects of the chronic, debilitating disease on both mind and body. When Gregg was diagnosed, his neurologist, Dr. Rajeev Kumar, a Parkinson's expert and medical … Continue reading →