Category Archives: Parkinson’s Treatment

Hauser RA, Grosset DG. [(123) I]FP-CIT (DaTscan) SPECT Brain Imaging in Patients with Suspected Parkinsonian Syndromes. J Neuroimaging. 2011 Mar 16. [Medline]. Wirdefeldt K, Adami HO, Cole P, Trichopoulos D, Mandel J. Epidemiology and etiology of Parkinson's disease: a review of the evidence. Eur J Epidemiol. 2011 Jun. 26 Suppl 1:S1-58. [Medline]. Anderson P. More Evidence Links Pesticides, Solvents, With Parkinson's. Medscape Medical News. Available at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/804834. Accessed: June 11, 2013. Pezzoli G, Cereda E. Exposure to pesticides or solvents and risk of Parkinson disease. Neurology. 2013 May 28. 80(22):2035-41. [Medline]. Liu R, Guo X, Park Y, Huang X, Sinha R, Freedman ND, et al. Caffeine Intake, Smoking, and Risk of Parkinson Disease in Men and Women. Am J Epidemiol. 2012 Apr 13. [Medline]. Ballard PA, Tetrud JW, Langston JW. Permanent human parkinsonism due to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP): seven cases. Neurology. 1985 Jul. 35(7):949-56. [Medline]. Tanner CM, Ottman R, Goldman SM, Ellenberg J, Chan P, Mayeux R, et al. Parkinson disease in twins: an etiologic study. JAMA. 1999 Jan 27. 281(4):341-6. [Medline]. Polymeropoulos MH, Lavedan C, Leroy E, Ide SE, Dehejia A, Dutra A, et al. Mutation in the alpha-synuclein gene identified in families with Parkinson's disease. Science. 1997 Jun 27. … Continue reading →

HOME UNDERSTANDING PARKINSON'S Living with Parkinson's A number of medications are available for the management of both motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). All of them are directed at easing symptoms and improving quality of life. At this time, no cure or disease-modifying therapy -- one that stops or slows disease progression -- has been proven. Significant work is ongoing in this area, though, as well as in the development of improved medications for motor symptoms and expanded options for non-motor symptoms. (Read more on the Therapies in Development page and visit the Recently Approved Therapies page to see which drugs have reached market in the last few years.) Drugs for motor symptoms primarily target tremor, stiffness and slowness while those for non-motor symptoms focus on the associated symptoms (such as depression, sleep disturbances and low blood pressure) that may arise throughout the course of disease. To learn more about specific medications for motor and non-motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease, click on the tabs below. Medication treatments are tailored to each person's unique symptoms so there is no "one-size-fits all" approach. Most often, drug therapy is started when symptoms interfere with a person's ability to do what … Continue reading →

Articles OnParkinson's Disease Parkinson's Disease Parkinson's Disease No known treatment can stop or reverse the breakdown of nerve cells that causes Parkinson's disease. But there are many treatments that can help your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Your age, work status, family, and living situation can all affect decisions about when to begin treatment, what types of treatment to use, and when to make changes in treatment. As your medical condition changes, you may need regular changes in your treatment to balance quality-of-life issues, side effects of treatment, and treatment costs. You'll need to see members of your health care team regularly (every 3 to 6 months, or as directed) for adjustments in your treatment as your condition changes. Treatments for Parkinson's include: Depression is common in people with Parkinson's disease. Recognizing and dealing with depression is important. There are medicines that can help the symptoms of depression in people with Parkinson's. Your doctor, other health professionals, or Parkinson's support groups can help you get emotional support and education about the illness. This is important both early and throughout the course of the disease. Palliative care is a kind of care for people who have a serious illness. … Continue reading →

Although there is no cure for Parkinson's Disease, there are several measures that can be taken to improve a patient's quality of life. These measure include drug and surgical therapy. The other options available include making lifestyle changes, and employing physical and speech therapy. One of the very first options suggested by doctors is medication. There are several drugs available. All with different roles. Most people manage Parkinson's Disease with medication. But in some cases severe symptoms can heavily reduce one's quality of life and sometimes the medications side effects are difficult to deal with. In situations like these, a surgical alternative may be sought. There are several surgical options available, these include: Just like any other surgery, there are risks. The major risk is bleeding in the brain that would cause a stroke. A stroke usually occurs during the surgery or a few hours after. The effect of the stroke can range anywhere from permanent brain damage to mild or permanent weakness and even death. When an electrode is implanted it can become dislodged but it is relatively easy to locate using MRI or CT scans. Additional surgery will be required to replace the electrode, increasing the risk of … Continue reading →

Indications: MirapexER (pramipexoledihydrochloride) extended-release tablets and Mirapex (pramipexoledihydrochloride) tablets are prescription medicines to treat the signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). MIRAPEXER is a prescription medicine used to treat the signs and symptoms of Parkinsons disease. MIRAPEX is a prescription medicine used to treat: Tell your doctor right away if you fall asleep while you are doing activities such as talking, eating, driving, or if you feel sleepier than normal for you. Dont drive or do other dangerous activity until you know how MIRAPEX ER / MIRAPEX affects you. Sit and stand up slowly after you have been sitting or lying down. If you or your family members notice that you are developing unusual urges or behaviors, talk to your doctor. If you have hallucinations or other psychotic-like changes, talk with your doctor right away. Avoid alcohol when taking MIRAPEX ER or MIRAPEX. It can increase your chances of having serious side effects. The most common side effects in people taking MIRAPEX ER for Parkinsons disease are: The most common side effects in people taking MIRAPEX for Parkinsons disease are: These are not all the possible side effects you could experience. Tell your doctor if you have any side … Continue reading →

No known treatment can stop or reverse the breakdown of nerve cells that causes Parkinson's disease. But there are many treatments that can help your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Your age, work status, family, and living situation can all affect decisions about when to begin treatment, what types of treatment to use, and when to make changes in treatment. As your medical condition changes, you may need regular changes in your treatment to balance quality-of-life issues, side effects of treatment, and treatment costs. You'll need to see members of your health care team regularly (every 3 to 6 months, or as directed) for adjustments in your treatment as your condition changes. Treatments for Parkinson's include: Depression is common in people with Parkinson's disease. Recognizing and dealing with depression is important. There are medicines that can help the symptoms of depression in people with Parkinson's. Your doctor, other health professionals, or Parkinson's support groups can help you get emotional support and education about the illness. This is important both early and throughout the course of the disease. Palliative care is a kind of care for people who have a serious illness. It's different from care to cure your … Continue reading →

Breakthrough ideas and therapies in Parkinsons disease stretch far beyond a single drug or stem cell. There is, in fact, a broader and more exciting picture and portfolio of breakthroughs spanning drug, cell, vaccine, device, genetics, care, and behavior. Patients and families with personal investments in Parkinsons disease should be informed and updated about all of the potential breakthrough therapies. Every challenge you encounter in life is a fork in the road. You have the choice to choose which way to go: backward, forward, breakdown or breakthrough. Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha There are several potential breakthroughs that should be on every patient and family members radar screen. Here is a TOP TEN LIST OF PARKINSON'S THERAPIESfor patients and families watching in 2015-2016 http://parkinsonbreakthrough.com: Disease Modifying Drugs and Biomarkers- these are drugs that may slow Parkinsons disease progression; also imaging and fluid (e.g. blood, spinal fluid) markers that can track the effects of Parkinsons drugs are needed and under development Coffee, Tea, Exercise, Interdisciplinary Teams and Caregivers- there is mounting evidence that these approaches have symptomatic and perhaps even other benefits in Parkinsons disease Extended Release/Novel Delivery Systems for Parkinsons Disease Drug and When to Start Drug Therapy- Parkinsons disease desperately needs … Continue reading →

I dont have Parkinsons when Im on my bike, says Larry Smith. Apparently even advanced Parkinsons patients can cycle. The bike gives Larry independence and makes him feel good. With all the antagonism and negativity about whether or not cyclists have a right to share the road, or deserve infrastructure safety improvements, it pleases me to be able to share stories like this. On New Years Day I rode my bike 35 miles to a friends party in Bellevue, WA. It was there I had the good fortune to meet a guy who told me about a program he was volunteering for in which Parkinsons patients were paired with cyclists on stationary tandem bikes for a study on the benefits of forced exercise. Forced exercise doesnt mean the person doesnt want to exercise. Its that their body is unable to move at a particular pace without being forced by their tandem partner. The film clip below will show you what thats about. Cycling and Parkinsons Disease: Whats the link? In the past few years, several studies have begun to show a beneficial relationship between cycling and Parkinsons in both disease diagnosis and in potential neuroprotective benefit. An important research trial … Continue reading →

Researchers have found evidence that an antidepressant drug could slow progression of Parkinsons disease. A study by Michigan State University discovered that a drug - nortriptyline - can stop the growth of abnormal proteins that can build up in the brain. The drug has been around for more than 50 years and is used to treat depression and nerve pain. However, scientists believe it could have a new purpose. Depression is a very frequent condition associated with Parkinson's, so we became interested in whether an antidepressant could modify how the disease progresses," said Tim Collier, lead study author of the research published in the journal Neurobiology of Disease. Scientists looked at whether patients who had been on antidepressants needed to go on standard Parkinsons treatment later than people who hadnt used antidepressants. Parkinsons sufferers are commonly prescribed a therapy called levodopa. It increases levels of dopamine, which is a natural chemical in the body that sends signals to other nerve cells. The disease can cause levels of dopamine to significantly decrease. "We found that those on a certain class of antidepressant, called tricyclics, didn't need the levodopa therapy until much later compared to those who weren't on that type of … Continue reading →

The brain chemical missing in Parkinsons disease may have a hand in its own death. Dopamine, the neurotransmitter that helps keep body movements fluid, can kick off a toxic chain reaction that ultimately kills the nerve cells that make it, a new study suggests. By studying lab dishes of human nerve cells, or neurons, derived from Parkinsons patients, researchers found that a harmful form of dopamine can inflict damage on cells in multiple ways. The result, published online September 7 in Science, brings multiple pieces of the puzzle together, says neuroscientist Teresa Hastings of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The finding also hints at a potential treatment for the estimated 10 million people worldwide with Parkinsons: Less cellular damage occurred when some of the neurons were treated early on with antioxidants, molecules that can scoop up harmful chemicals inside cells. Study coauthor Dimitri Krainc, a neurologist and neuroscientist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, and colleagues took skin biopsies from healthy people and people with one of two types of Parkinsons disease, inherited or spontaneously arising. The researchers then coaxed these skin cells into becoming dopamine-producing neurons. These cells were similar to those found in … Continue reading →