Category Archives: Parkinson’s Treatment

By Richard Hartley-parkinson PUBLISHED: 11:06 EST, 17 March 2012 | UPDATED: 13:41 EST, 17 March 2012 These heart-warming images show war hero Ben Parkinson walking outside on his new legs for the first time as he gives his doting mum a bouquet of flowers for Mothers Day. Inspirational paratrooper Ben, 27, is the most injured British servicemen to survive injuries sustained in Afghanistan after he lost both his limbs and broke his back, hips and ribs when his Land Rover hit a mine in 2006. But thanks to sheer determination and a great sense of humour, Ben, who spent four months in a coma, has proved doctors wrong with his amazing progress - and his mum revealed he is even starting to get memories of his Army career back, something he thought was lost forever. Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, pictured with his mum, Diane, before handing over Mother's Day flowers as he walks outside for the first time Proud mother Diane Parkinson said: 'Ben is just incredible in the progress he has made, it goes without saying that Im very very proud of him. Mothers Days are very special to me. 'Recent events in particular have only made us realise … Continue reading →

By Richard Hartley-parkinson PUBLISHED: 11:06 EST, 17 March 2012 | UPDATED: 13:41 EST, 17 March 2012 These heart-warming images show war hero Ben Parkinson walking outside on his new legs for the first time as he gives his doting mum a bouquet of flowers for Mothers Day. Inspirational paratrooper Ben, 27, is the most injured British servicemen to survive injuries sustained in Afghanistan after he lost both his limbs and broke his back, hips and ribs when his Land Rover hit a mine in 2006. But thanks to sheer determination and a great sense of humour, Ben, who spent four months in a coma, has proved doctors wrong with his amazing progress - and his mum revealed he is even starting to get memories of his Army career back, something he thought was lost forever. Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, pictured with his mum, Diane, before handing over Mother's Day flowers as he walks outside for the first time Proud mother Diane Parkinson said: 'Ben is just incredible in the progress he has made, it goes without saying that Im very very proud of him. Mothers Days are very special to me. 'Recent events in particular have only made us realise … Continue reading →

An Australian scientist has found that people with rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) have twice the risk of developing memory problems or Parkinson's disease compared to people without the disorder. One of the hallmarks of rapid eye movement sleep is a state of paralysis, but patients with RBD appear to act out their dreams; for example, by punching the bed, jumping out of bed or injuring a bed partner. About a third of people with the disorder developed mild cognitive impairment or Parkinson's disease within four years of being in the study. That is a rate 2.2 times greater than those with normal rapid eye movement sleep. Australian behavioural neurologist Brandon Boot was the lead author of the paper, which has been published in the Annals of Neurology. "This study is the first to quantify the risk associated with probable RBD in average people, not clinical patients," he said. "It shows that we can predict the onset of some neurodegenerative disorders simply by asking a few critical questions." Dr Boot was at Mayo Clinic when the study was conducted. He is now at Harvard University. He says being able to identify those patients who are a greater risk … Continue reading →

A meeting for people with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers will be held Sunday at The First United Presbyterian Church (the Red Door Church) on Main Street in Oneonta. The session that runs from 1:30 to 3 p.m. is titled "You and Parkinson's, What You Need to Know." It is sponsored by the Red Door Church and the Butternuts Meeting of Quakers. A free lunch will precede the meeting at 12:30 p.m. The meeting will gauge if there is a need for such a group in Oneonta, said Jim Atwell, one of the meeting organizers. There are people from the area who come to the same support group he attends at the Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, which meets at 1 p.m. the second Friday of every month. With one in 300 people struggling with the disease nationwide, he would be surprised if there weren't more people who could benefit, he said. Pat Cleary, manager of rehabilitative services at O'Connor Hospital in Delhi, was a coordinator of a Parkinson's support group that regularly meets there the second Thursday of every month from noon to 1:30 p.m. "There is probably a need in every community," she said, and having one in Oneonta … Continue reading →

Newport-Mesa Audiology, Balance and Ear Institute and The Parkinsons and Movement Disorders Institute will present medical research on Vestibular Dysfunction in Parkinsons Disease at the American Academy of Audiology research conference (AudiologyNOW!) in Boston, March 28-31, 2012. The new research suggests with proper testing, identification of vestibular abnormalities that affect balance can be treated with vestibular rehabilitation therapy preventing falls, a major source of fatality in Parkinsons disease. Newport Beach, CA (PRWEB) March 15, 2012 According to the research abstract, Significant peripheral and central vestibular dysfunction was found in a group of nine Parkinsons patients of which only a third of the abnormality would be detected with traditional ENG/VNG testing. With proper testing, identification of these abnormalities can be treated with vestibular rehabilitation therapy preventing falls, a major source of fatality in Parkinsons disease. Research presenters and contributors include: According to Dr. Frei, imbalance and falls are commonplace in Parkinsons disease. Loss of postural reflexes is one of the cardinal features of the disorder, however this tends to occur several years following the onset of symptoms. Complaints of imbalance and dizziness are common in Parkinsons patients. The patients are often not clear when asked to describe their symptoms and many … Continue reading →

ScienceDaily (Mar. 14, 2012) People with symptoms suggesting rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, or RBD, have twice the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Parkinson's disease within four years of diagnosis with the sleep problem, compared with people without the disorder, a Mayo Clinic study has found. The researchers published their findings recently in the Annals of Neurology. One of the hallmarks of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is a state of paralysis. In contrast, people with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, appear to act out their dreams when they are in REM sleep. Researchers used the Mayo Sleep Questionnaire to diagnose probable RBD in people who were otherwise neurologically normal. Approximately 34 percent of people diagnosed with probable RBD developed MCI or Parkinson's disease within four years of entering the study, a rate 2.2 times greater than those with normal rapid eye movement sleep. "Understanding that certain patients are at greater risk for MCI or Parkinson's disease will allow for early intervention, which is vital in the case of such disorders that destroy brain cells. Although we are still searching for effective treatments, our best chance of success is to identify and treat these disorders … Continue reading →

NOKOMIS, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As emerging biotech firm Rainbow Coral Corp. (OTCBB: RBCC.OB - News) closes in on a deal with a new clinical-stage company developing diagnostics and therapeutics for Parkinsons disease, exciting news is emerging that drugs used to treat the disease could also be beneficial to patients suffering from traumatic brain injuries. Scientists reported last month that daily doses of a drug used to treat Parkinsons disease significantly improved function in severely brain-injured people thought to be beyond the reach of treatment. Researchers from 11 clinics enrolled 184 patients who recently had a traumatic brain injury from a car accident or from blows to the head in the study. The programs results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, were highly encouraging. Patients receiving daily doses of the Parkinsons drug amantadine showed improvements in coordination and communication beyond those of the control group. The study could be a turning point in the understanding and treatment of people with severe traumatic brain injuries, opening up Parkinsons treatments to a new market of thousands of patients. RBCC is working hard to capitalize on the growing demand for effective treatments for Parkinsons and other neurological health issues. Last week, the company … Continue reading →

Brian Grant, a former Trail Blazers power forward, and Ben Petrick, a Salem native and former pro baseball player, will be among those participating Saturday in a symposium designed for those age 59 and younger who have Parkinson's disease, and for their families. The event is sponsored by Oregon Health & Science University's Parkinson Center of Oregon and by the Brian Grant Foundation, which aims to build awareness of Parkinson's, to increase earlier diagnosis, educate patients and their families, and provide a forum for those affected by the disease. Dr. Matthew Brodsky will discuss Parkinson's research and treatment strategies. Other experts will focus on maintaining intimacy with Parkinson's, exercise, parenting with the disease and Social Security disability issues. Grant was diagnosed in 2008 at 36. Petrick, 34, a former catcher for the Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers and Portland Beavers, and a Glencoe High School grad, was diagnosed with Parkinson's after the 1999 season. The symposium runs 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the OHSU School of Nursing, 3455 S.W. Veterans Hospital Road. Cost is $20. - Katy Muldoon; twitter.com/katymuldoon More: Brian Grant, Ben Petrick, former NBA and MLB players, join Parkinson's disease symposium … Continue reading →

By Traci Pedersen Associate News Editor Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on March 11, 2012 A novel explanation of glaucoma is rapidly rising, and it is promoting advances in treatment that may ultimately eliminate the disease. Rather than being viewed solely as an eye disease, top scientists now consider glaucoma to be a neurologic disorder that causes nerve cell death, similar to what happens in Parkinsons disease and Alzheimers. Treatment advances are being tested in patients or are scheduled to begin clinical trials soon. The long-standing theory regarding glaucoma was that vision damage was caused by unusually high pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP). Therefore, lowering IOP was the focus of surgical techniques and medications; developing tests and instruments to measure and track IOP was vital to that effort. Although measuring a patients IOP is still a key part of glaucoma treatment, it is no longer the only method an ophthalmologist uses to diagnose glaucoma. Even when surgery or medication successfully lowers IOP, some glaucoma patients continue to lose vision. Also, some patients find it difficult to use eye drop medications as prescribed by their physicians. These problems encouraged researchers to look beyond IOP as a … Continue reading →

WARREN -- Bob Van Housen's advanced Parkinson's disease claimed his mobility. He couldn't walk in the morning until his oral medication, the standard Levodopa, would kick in. Usually that took around ninety minutes. His life was unpredictable because he never knew when the symptoms would appear. He also needed to take four pills every three hours. Levodopa has been on the market since 1969. It's a cheap and reliable first line of treatment for many. But as the disease progresses,Levodopa often wears off sooner. Bob's situation is not uncommon for many Parkinson's patients so when he had the opportunity to join a clinical trial at Cleveland Clinic testing a new way to deliver the drug, he took the chance. The device is called Levodopa Carbidopa Intestinal Gel pump, or LCIG. It's been used in Europe for over a decade, but just now being tested here. Dr. Hubert Fernandez is the head of Movement Disorders at the Center for Neurological Restoration at Cleveland Clinic. Bob is one of three of his patients testing the pump. It works by surgically inserting a tube into the intestines. Similar to a feeding tube but smaller. The tube is attached to a pump device and … Continue reading →