Category Archives: Parkinson’s Treatment

ScienceDaily (Mar. 2, 2012) Millions of people suffer from Parkinson's disease, a disorder of the nervous system that affects movement and worsens over time. As the world's population ages, it's estimated that the number of people with the disease will rise sharply. Yet despite several effective therapies that treat Parkinson's symptoms, nothing slows its progression. While it's not known what exactly causes the disease, evidence points to one particular culprit: a protein called -synuclein. The protein, which has been found to be common to all patients with Parkinson's, is thought to be a pathway to the disease when it binds together in "clumps," or aggregates, and becomes toxic, killing the brain's neurons. Now, scientists at UCLA have found a way to prevent these clumps from forming, prevent their toxicity and even break up existing aggregates. UCLA professor of neurology Jeff Bronstein and UCLA associate professor of neurology Gal Bitan, along with their colleagues, report the development of a novel compound known as a "molecular tweezer," which in a living animal model blocked -synuclein aggregates from forming, stopped the aggregates' toxicity and, further, reversed aggregates in the brain that had already formed. And the tweezers accomplished this without interfering with normal … Continue reading →

Raleigh Neurology/Flickr Flexibility testing at a Parkinson's clinic. A possible breakthrough has happened in the treatment of Parkinsons disease. UCLA researchers have found a way to stop the progression of the disease in animal tests. Parkinsons is a disease that strikes the nervous system, affecting ones movements. So far, there are no treatments to stop its progression. Medical professionals aren't even sure what actually causes it. But researchers do believe one particular protein in the brain plays a role. Its found in clumps in all Parkinson's patients. Researchers at UCLA have created a compound that prevents the protein from clumping. They call it a "molecular tweezer." In live animal tests, the compound binds to that protein, prevents it from aggregating and even breaks up existing clumps. Most importantly, the compound did this without appearing to harm normal brain cells. The study was done with transparent zebrafish. Now the findings are being applied to mice. Human trials, they hope, will be next. Read more: UCLA researchers stop Parkinson's progression in animal tests … Continue reading →

By Meg Tirrell - Thu Mar 01 05:00:00 GMT 2012 A drug for Parkinsons disease accelerated the ability of patients with severe brain injuries to open their eyes and speak, providing what researchers said is the first evidence that a medical treatment might help speed head trauma recovery. Patients taking the medicine, amantadine, for four weeks regained cognitive functioning faster than those on a placebo, according to the 184-patient study published online yesterday in the New England Journal of Medicine. The rate of recovery declined in two weeks after treatment and its unknown whether the drug aided long-term improvement. Traumatic brain injuries are the most common cause of death and disability for people ages 15 to 30, the researchers said. While amantadine is often prescribed for patients in vegetative or minimally conscious states after such injuries, little clinical research has been done on its safety and efficacy, said study author Joseph Giacino, director of rehabilitation neuropsychology at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston. Theres no question in my mind this is now finally some cause for optimism in a patient population that has historically been viewed as beyond help and, frankly, hopeless, said Giacino, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, … Continue reading →

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rainbow BioSciences, the biotech division of Rainbow Coral Corp. (OTCBB: RBCC.OB - News) announced today that it has initiated talks with a drug development company pursuing a promising new therapy for Parkinsons disease. The market for Parkinson's disease drugs could reach a value of $3.75 billion by 2015, according to a 2011 report by business info provider Visiongain. New drugs and other products could significantly boost the Parkinson's treatment market and help advance the timeline for a cure for this debilitating disease. RBCC is always searching for new partnerships, joint ventures, and possible acquisitions that could increase the companys revenues and exposure in the biotech industry. The company is working on agreements with rising stars in need of assistance in funding, marketing and distributing their projectsRBCCs specialty. The company is exploring a possible deal with the drug therapy company as well as others as it pursues promising new opportunities for rapid growth. For more information on Rainbow BioSciences, Rainbow Corals biotech division, please visit http://www.rainbowbiosciences.com/investors. Rainbow BioSciences will develop new medical and research technology innovations to compete alongside companies such as Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ:CELG), Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH - News), Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) and Affymax, … Continue reading →

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Autonomic Technologies, Inc. (ATI), the developer of a novel miniaturized implantable stimulator for severe headaches, today announced initiation of a study in Europe to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the company’s investigational neurostimulation system for the treatment of high frequency, high disability migraine. The multi-center, randomized Pathway M-1 study will enroll 30 patients initially at leading headache centers in Denmark, Belgium, Spain, France and Germany. Migraine is the most common disabling headache, affecting 11% of the population in Western Europe and the United States.1 It is marked by pulsating, moderate to severe pain lasting from 4-72 hours, and may be associated with nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. According to the World Health Organization, severe migraine is associated with the highest level of disability (Class VII), higher than that of Congestive Heart Failure, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer diseases.2 “Current migraine treatments include preventive and acute abortive drugs, but these are not effective for all migraine sufferers,” said Prof. Dr. Rigmor Hoejland Jensen, Director of the Danish Headache Center at Glostrup Hospital in Denmark and study Principal Investigator. “Some patients cannot use these medications because of cardiovascular risk factors or side effects, and others do not … Continue reading →

Cambridge pharma company Vernalis is collaborating with UK-based Britannia Pharmaceuticals to explore development of new formulations of apomorphine in North America for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Britannia has granted Vernalis exclusive rights to use Britannia's technology to develop a continuous sub-cutaneous infusion of apomorphine in North America. This product is currently marketed in Europe by Britannia and can be used in patients with frequent fluctuations or who require multiple injections in a day. Terms have also been negotiated to develop a nasal powder formulation of apomorphine in North America. Britannia is currently conducting Phase II clinical trials with this formulation in Europe. Vernalis has also announced the acquisition of from US WorldMeds’ Apokyn® (apomorphine hydrochloride injection) which is indicated for the acute, intermittent treatment of ‘off’ episodes associated with Parkinson's. Simon Sturge, the Vernalis CEO, said “This agreement with Britannia complements our acquisition of Apokyn® and further strengthens our Parkinson's disease franchise.” Vernalis has also announced the successful completion of a long-term Phase III open-label safety study of frovatriptan administered for six days a month for 12 months in the prevention of migraine in patients with migraines related to their menstrual cycles. In total, 525 patients entered the study … Continue reading →

NONFICTION: CHILDREN'S Carson and His Shaky Paws Grandpa by Kirk Hall (Innovo Publishing) HIGHLANDS RANCH — Carson Hall was 7 years old when he noticed that his grandfather, Kirk Hall , always seemed to be trembling and a little unsteady. "How come you shake?" Carson asked. "Because Grampa has shaky paws," Kirk Hall answered, reducing his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease to a flippant phrase that a youngster could understand. Hall, 62,enjoyed recounting that story to his friends. He got such a good reaction that he decided to write "Carson and His Shaky Paws Grampa," a book for other children whose families are affected by Parkinson's Carson and his Shaky Paws Grampa, by Kirk Hall, illustrated by Alison Paolini (|) disease. A former marketing executive with American Express, Colorado Christian publishers and other companies before retiring in 2008, Hall kept the story tight. He wanted "enough but not too much" information about Parkinson's disease and essential tremor, a similar movement disorder that sometimes precedes or accompanies Parkinson's. In the United States, nearly 1 million people are living with Parkinson's disease, with an estimated 60,000 new diagnoses each year, according to the Parkinson Association of the Rockies. The cause of the disease is … Continue reading →

LOS ANGELES — A six-month program of tai chi exercises helped people with various stages of Parkinson's disease improve stability, their ability to walk and reduced the frequency of falls. A study released this month in the New England Journal of Medicine compared a six-month tailored tai chi program to resistance training and stretching to see which was most effective at improving functional movement, walking and balance for Parkinson's patients. Researchers randomly assigned 195 men and women ages 40 to 85 who were in stages one to four of Parkinson's disease (on a scale of one to five). Parkinson's is a neurological disorder caused by a loss of neurons that produce dopamine, a chemical involved with muscle function and movement coordination. It can result in tremors, stiffness, poor coordination and more difficulty doing daily activities. It also can lead to a higher risk of falls, which can cause serious injuries. Tai chi, a discipline that incorporates slow, deliberate movements, plus breathing, has health benefits that include reducing stress and improving balance and posture. The study participants were randomly assigned to hourlong, twice-weekly sessions of tai chi, resistance training or stretching, for six months. Researchers assessed their status at the beginning … Continue reading →

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 23, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chelsea Therapeutics International, Ltd. (Nasdaq:CHTP - News) today announced that the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee (CRDAC) voted 7-4 with 1 abstention and 1 non-vote to recommend approval of NORTHERA(TM) (droxidopa) for the treatment of symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (also known as Neurogenic OH or NOH) in patients with primary autonomic failure (Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy and pure autonomic failure), dopamine beta hydroxylase deficiency and non-diabetic autonomic neuropathy. "Chelsea is committed to improving the lives of patients with Neurogenic OH," commented Dr. Simon Pedder, president and CEO of Chelsea Therapeutics. "We believe our clinical data demonstrates the significant symptomatic benefit of Northera treatment across a broad range of Neurogenic OH symptoms. Since no other treatment has been proven to alleviate the symptoms of neurogenic OH or improve patients' ability to carry out activities of daily living, we continue to believe Northera could fill this unmet need for patients with Parkinson's disease, MSA, PAF and other neurologic diseases. We are pleased by today's panel vote and we look forward to continuing to work with the FDA in advance of the March 28, 2012 PDUFA action date." … Continue reading →

22-02-2012 09:48 See how deep brain stimulation reduced the tremors a patient had from Parkinson's disease. Learn more at http://www.exempla.org/dbs View original post here: Deep Brain Stimulation Treatment Reduces Tremors from Parkinson's Disease - Video … Continue reading →