Category Archives: Parkinson’s Treatment

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on January 15, 2013 In a bad news, good news story, specialists from around the world are reporting Parkinsons disease patients are displaying new creative talents presumably as an offshoot of medications for their condition. Medical therapy for Parkinsons disease includes drugs that increase the activity of dopamine in the brain to reduce tremors and muscle rigidity. Apparently these medications are having an unintentional creative side effect, enhancing an individuals artistic talents including painting, sculpting, writing, and more. Prof. Rivka Inzelberg, M.D.,of Tel Aviv Universitys Sackler Faculty of Medicine first noticed the trend in her own Sheba Medical Center clinic when the usual holiday presents from patients typically chocolates or similar gifts took a surprising turn. Instead, patients starting bringing us art they had made themselves, she said. Inspired by the discovery,Inzelberg sought out evidence of this rise in creativity in current medical literature. Bringing together case studies from around the world, she examined the details of each patient to uncover a common underlying factor all were being treated with either synthetic precursors of dopamine or dopamine receptor agonists. These drug regimens increase the amount of dopamine … Continue reading →

(NAPSW)Innovative technology for the treatment of Parkinsons disease and other movement disorders was recently implanted for the 100,000th time worldwide, inspiring people like longtime fitness trainer Roy Roden to pursue previously impossible goals. Roden has always had an adventurous spirit, and the 55-year-old and his wife Lynn enjoy participating in many interesting outdoor activities together. This month, Roden and his wife embarked on their most challenging journey together yeta 4,500-mile cross-country bike ride to raise awareness and research funds for Parkinsons disease. Just a few months ago, these activities would have been unmanageable for Roden, who is one of the more than 1 million Americans living with Parkinsons. Diagnosed in 2008, he began experiencing difficulty over time with basic tasks, such as eating and getting dressed. Each day, he was taking 10 different medications, and their effectiveness was waning. It was crazyI was taking some medications purely to control the symptoms from other medications, Roden said. Last July, Roden made the decision with his neurologist and family to pursue Medtronic Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) therapy, during which a small, pacemaker-like device sends electronic stimulation to a specific area of the brain that controls movement. The stimulation suppresses the unwanted motor … Continue reading →

MUMBAI: A new study could help earlier diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. According to a study by Newcastle University, researchers said that even in early stages of the disease people may experience symptoms. While movement-- motor problems are the main symptom of Parkinson's disease, non-motor problems such as drooling, anxiety and bowel problems affect a large number of patients, and begin sooner than previously thought. Earlier diagnosis could lead to earlier treatment and therefore allow patients to have a better quality of life. In the study, published on Tuesday in the medical journal, American Academy of Neurology, researchers from Newcastle University compared 159 people with newly-diagnosed Parkinson's disease to 99 people of similar ages who did not have the disease. Participants were asked whether they experienced any of the 30 non-motor symptoms screened for, including sexual problems, sleep problems and gastrointestinal problems. Study author Dr Tien K Khoo said: ""Often people don't even mention these symptoms to their doctors, and doctors don't ask about them, yet many times they can be treated effectively."" The people with Parkinson's disease had an average of eight of the non-motor problems, compared to three non-motor symptoms for the people who did not have the disease. … Continue reading →

Breakthrough by North-East researchers could lead to earlier diagnosis of Parkinson's 1:00am Tuesday 15th January 2013 in News By Barry Nelson, Health Editor A NEW study by North-East researchers could help earlier diagnosis of Parkinson 's disease. While movement - motor - problems are the main symptom of Parkinson's, non-motor problems such as drooling, anxiety and bowel problems affect a large number of patients and begin sooner than previously thought. Earlier diagnosis could lead to earlier treatment and allow patients to have a better quality of life. In the study, published in the journal Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, researchers from Newcastle University compared 159 people with newly-diagnosed Parkinson's disease to 99 people of similar ages who did not have the disease. Participants were asked whether they experienced any of the 30 non-motor symptoms screened for, including sexual problems, sleep problems and gastrointestinal problems. Study author Dr Tien K. Khoo said: "Often people don't even mention these symptoms to their doctors, and doctors don't ask about them, yet many times they can be treated effectively." The people with Parkinson's disease had an average of eight of the non-motor problems, compared to three non-motor symptoms for … Continue reading →

Jan. 14, 2013 While movement problems are the main symptom of Parkinson's disease, a new study shows that even early in the course of disease people frequently experience many non-motor symptoms such as drooling, anxiety and constipation. The study is published in the January 15, 2013, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. "Oftentimes people with early Parkinson's don't even mention these symptoms to their doctors, and doctors don't ask about them, yet many times they can be treated effectively," said study author Tien K. Khoo, PhD, of Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. The study compared 159 people with newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease to 99 people of similar ages who did not have the condition. Participants were asked whether they experienced any of the 30 non-motor symptoms screened for, including sexual problems, sleep problems and gastrointestinal problems. Those with Parkinson's disease had an average of eight of the non-motor problems, compared to three for the people who did not have the disorder. Among the most common symptoms for those with Parkinson's disease were drooling, urinary urgency, constipation, anxiety and a reduced sense of smell. These likely represent other symptoms of Parkinson's that may … Continue reading →

January 14, 2013 Lawrence LeBlond for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online Health experts around the world are talking about a remarkable phenomenon seen in Parkinsons patients that was first noticed by researchers at Tel Aviv Universitys Sackler Faculty of Medicine over the holidays. Professor Rivka Inzelberg said patients she treated at Sheba Medical Center clinic had skipped bringing the usual presents of chocolate, flowers and knick-knacks in over the holiday season and had instead brought in works of art that they had made themselves. The remarkableness of this has to do with a drug that has been administered to many of these patients to increase dopamine activity in the brain as a therapy for loss of motor skills that come with tremors and muscle rigidity. Inspired by the discovery, Inzelberg further sought out evidence elsewhere to ensure it wasnt a fluke seen only in her practice. By researching other case studies around the world, Inzelberg analyzed the data to come to the conclusion that all of the patients she encountered had been treated with either synthetic precursors of dopamine or dopamine receptor agonists. Publishing her findings in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience, Inzelberg said dopamines main purpose is to aid in the … Continue reading →

Experienced fitness PD practitioners, David Zid & Jackie Russell, deliver evidence-based follow-up to #1-selling book detailing Parkinson's defeating exercise program, Delay the Disease . Columbus, OH (PRWEB) January 14, 2013 For most of us, being able to pass through an open doorway, get out of a car, dressing, or simply walking in a crowd is something we take for granted. However, for people with Parkinsons disease, being able to perform ADL's such as these can be a struggle. This program clearly demonstrates tips for accomplishing daily tasks with corresponding exercises to help conquer everyday challenges of living with this disease. The latest research is showing promise that exercise has the ability to not only slow the progression of the disease but perhaps even reverse it. What the professionals are saying about Delay the Disease : "The last major breakthrough in our understanding of treating and altering the course of Parkinson's comes in the form of dedicated exercise routinesprograms like Delay the Disease demonstrate significant, and in some cases, breathtaking reversal of disability" -- Lawrence W. Elmer, MD, Ph.D. Professor of Neurology, Director -- The Center for Neurological Health, Director -- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Program, University of Toledo "One … Continue reading →

Public release date: 14-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: George Hunka ghunka@aftau.org 212-742-9070 American Friends of Tel Aviv University Parkinson's experts across the world have been reporting a remarkable phenomenon many patients treated with drugs to increase the activity of dopamine in the brain as a therapy for motor symptoms such as tremors and muscle rigidity are developing new creative talents, including painting, sculpting, writing, and more. Prof. Rivka Inzelberg of Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine first noticed the trend in her own Sheba Medical Center clinic when the usual holiday presents from patients typically chocolates or similar gifts took a surprising turn. "Instead, patients starting bringing us art they had made themselves," she says. Inspired by the discovery, Prof. Inzelberg sought out evidence of this rise in creativity in current medical literature. Bringing together case studies from around the world, she examined the details of each patient to uncover a common underlying factor all were being treated with either synthetic precursors of dopamine or dopamine receptor agonists, which increase the amount of dopamine activity in the brain by stimulating receptors. Her report will be published in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience. Giving in to artistic impulse … Continue reading →

Jan. 14, 2013 Parkinson's experts across the world have been reporting a remarkable phenomenon -- many patients treated with drugs to increase the activity of dopamine in the brain as a therapy for motor symptoms such as tremors and muscle rigidity are developing new creative talents, including painting, sculpting, writing, and more. Prof. Rivka Inzelberg of Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine first noticed the trend in her own Sheba Medical Center clinic when the usual holiday presents from patients -- typically chocolates or similar gifts -- took a surprising turn. "Instead, patients starting bringing us art they had made themselves," she says. Inspired by the discovery, Prof. Inzelberg sought out evidence of this rise in creativity in current medical literature. Bringing together case studies from around the world, she examined the details of each patient to uncover a common underlying factor -- all were being treated with either synthetic precursors of dopamine or dopamine receptor agonists, which increase the amount of dopamine activity in the brain by stimulating receptors. Her report will be published in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience. Giving in to artistic impulse Dopamine is involved in several neurological systems, explains Prof. Inzelberg. Its main purpose is … Continue reading →

Doctors say tissue sample taken from the saliva glands could reveal abnormal protein, which is tell-tale sign But charity warns the study was small and too invasive to become a routine test By Anna Hodgekiss PUBLISHED: 12:06 EST, 11 January 2013 | UPDATED: 12:14 EST, 11 January 2013 Former boxer Muhammad Ali is one of world's best-known people to suffer from Parkinson's disease, for which is there is no diagnostic test Scientists have developed the first diagnostic test to detect Parkinson's disease. The new test is based on taking a tissue sample from the saliva glands found under the lower jaw. Currently, there are no tools to detect the devastating condition that mainly affects people aged over fifty. Instead doctors base a diagnosis on common symptoms, which include slowness, stiffness of muscles and tremors. Described as a 'big step forward' for treatment, scientists now suggest a portion of a person's saliva gland can show up the illness. Dr Charles Adler, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, Arizona, said: 'There is currently no diagnostic test for Parkinson's disease. See original here: First test to detect Parkinson's disease developed by studying tissue taken from under the jaw … Continue reading →