Category Archives: Parkinson’s Treatment

RHR: New Research and Treatments for Parkinsons Disease In this episode of Revolution Health Radio (RHR) we discuss New Research and Treatments for Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's is obviously a neurological, n... By: Chris Kresser, L.Ac … Continue reading →

Theodore (Ted) Lionel Sourkes worked to solve the riddle of chemicals within the body like a detective in the mystery novels he enjoyed. He was both a biochemist and a neuropsychopharmacologist, a specialist who makes connections between different chemicals in the brain in order to understand and develop new medications for mental and neurological disorders. In this pursuit he was highly successful. Dr. Sourkes was one of the pioneers behind the concept of todays most effective treatment against symptoms of Parkinsons disease. The Montreal scientist also studied the metabolism of brain neurotransmitters and the role of vitamins in the nervous system. Long before the notion became widely accepted, he recognized that mental illnesses might be caused by biochemical alterations in specific regions of the brain. Dr. Sourkes died of pneumonia on Jan. 17 at Montreal General Hospital. He was 95. Dr. Sourkes had a reputation worldwide as one of Canadas great scholars. He published hundreds of papers, and wrote books, one on the biochemistry of mental disease (with the same title), and another on the history of Nobel Prize winners in medicine and physiology. Although the Nobel Prize eluded him, he received numerous honours including the first Heinz-Lehmann Award in … Continue reading →

(Bloomberg) -- Two of Roche Holding AGs experimental drugs for Parkinsons disease caused lung toxicity in monkeys, researchers said, delivering a setback to one of the most promising pathways to a new type of treatment. The findings will be a disappointment to advocates of Parkinsons research. The LRRK2 gene mutation gained attention after Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google Inc., disclosed in 2008 that his genetic code carries the flaw, which is associated with increased risk of Parkinsons. Brin has donated more than $100 million to find a cure for the disease. Inhibition of the LRRK2 protein resulted in abnormal accumulation of compounds in specific cells that play a key role in many lung functions, including helping the organs inflate and deflate during breathing, according to the study run by Roches Genentech unit and published Wednesday in the journal Science Translational Medicine. The compounds were trapped inside the cells instead of being released into the lining of the lungs. Were in a big bind, said Ryan Watts, director of neuroscience at Genentech. We want to make sure in patient populations that you have a safe drug to go into studies. A link between mutations in the LRRK2 gene and Parkinsons disease … Continue reading →

Ten years ago, retired teacher Don Woodley was reluctant to eat at restaurants for fear of spilling things. His hands would shake and it was hard to hold utensils or a cup. When it came to writing, for him to scrawl anything legible, the 77-year-old would need to use his left hand to steady his right. Even walking was sometimes a struggle. His Parkinsons disease was taking a toll and he was anxious to find a solution so he turned to Dr. Quincy Almeida and the Movement Disorders Research and Rehabilitation Centre at Wilfrid Laurier University. Within months, Woodley was confident enough to eat out, his handwriting was no longer shaky and he was running on a treadmill with assistance. His diagnosis changed from Parkinsons disease to a cousin ailment essential tremor. But that progress is being threatened by the university, say Woodley and Parkinsons sufferers who claim the school has redistributed some funding for their treatment, and access Parkinsons researchers have to some laboratories and equipment. They say they do not know why the university unexpectedly gave some of the Parkinsons resources to other centre scientists studying soccer ball dribbling and dance, rather than neurodegenerative movement disorders. The decision, … Continue reading →

Sacramento, California (PRWEB) February 04, 2015 Most people have heard of Alzheimers, but few had heard of Lewy Body Dementia until Robin Williams death put Lewy Body in the news. Top dementia expert Teepa Snow said Williams loss highlighted the need for further education about Lewy Body Dementia. Snow and her organization, Positive Approach, provide dementia care training and education to organizations and caregivers throughout the U.S. and Canada. We want to raise awareness about Lewy Body Dementia, because its so poorly understood, yet around 20 to 25% of everybody with dementia has some Lewy Body involvement, said Snow, speaking to Frank Samson, host of The Aging Boomers and owner of Senior Care Authority. Lewy Body dementia is the second most common form of dementia, affecting an estimated 1.3 million Americans, Snow said. Its also the most frequently missed as a diagnosis and misdiagnosed type of dementia, since it shares symptoms with Alzheimers and Parkinsons. Snow described some of the key symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), saying, "if you have five of these behavioral symptoms, on autopsy, 90 to 95 percent of the time well find that sure enough, you had some Lewy Body. The symptoms: Early Diagnosis is … Continue reading →

Randy Dotinga HealthDay Reporter Posted: Tuesday, February 3, 2015, 12:00 PM TUESDAY, Feb. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers have developed a blood test that they say could help neurologists detect Parkinson's disease and track the illness as it progresses. "If successful, we expect our findings will translate into a valuable diagnostic tool for Parkinson's disease," said study co-author Judith Potashkin, professor of cellular and molecular pharmacology at Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. An estimated 60,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year, according to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. There is no cure for the disease, which can cause tremors and severely hamper movement. While medications can be helpful, the illness gets worse over time, and medications do not stop its progression. Physicians traditionally diagnosed Parkinson's by analyzing symptoms. Now, brain scans are available that provide insight, but scan images can still leave room for doubt, Potashkin said. In their new study, researchers say they've found two genetic markers that are 90 percent effective at indicating the presence of Parkinson's disease. The markers are related to how the body processes glucose (blood sugar) and insulin, said study lead author Jose … Continue reading →

A device that measures movement and balance can effectively help assess and track the progression of Parkinson's disease, even when medications are used to reduce Parkinson's symptoms, UT Southwestern Medical Center research found. Researchers found that the APDM Mobility Lab -- a portable set of sensors that track gait, balance and other movement -- can effectively help clinicians estimate the depth and severity of the neurological disorder in affected individuals, even while patients are taking medications to control trembling and other symptoms. The findings appear in the Journal of the Neurological Sciences. "Objective assessment tools for Parkinson's disease are needed to accelerate progress in developing effective therapies," said Dr. Richard Dewey, Jr., Professor of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, Clinical Director of the Clinical Center for Movement Disorders at UT Southwestern, and senior author of the study. "We might be able to actually measure the patient's progress or regression thoroughly and objectively." Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by trembling in the hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity or stiffness; and balance and coordination difficulties. According to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, more than 10 million people worldwide and more than 1 million in the U.S. live with the disease. … Continue reading →

February 3, 2015 8:03 pm by Meghana Keshavan | 0 Comments MedCity News Cambridge biotech Lysosomal Therapeutics just raised a whopping $20 million Series A for its small molecule Parkinsons disease treatment, with backing from the venture arms of several big pharma Sanofi, Lilly and Roche. The company will use the proceeds of this round to optimize its main compound, and preclinically develop a glucocerebrosidase lysosomal enzyme activator to treat Parkinsons. The funding is also supporting a biomarker initiative, which already has funding from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research, that will helpselect patients for clinical trials and patient selection. This biomarker project will help researchers find the geneticlinks between other lysosomal storage disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, the company said in a statement. The round includes Atlas Venture, Hatteras Venture Partners, Lilly Ventures, Sanofi-Genzyme BIoVentures, Roche Venture Fund, Partners Innovation Fund and several of the original angels such as Orion Equity Partners, and LTI co-founders Henri Termeer and Bob Carpenter.The company brought in a $4.8 million seed round just last May, indicative of some serious interest in this approach to neurological drugs. Get our daily newsletter or follow us. Please enter your email below: Originally posted here: Lysosomal … Continue reading →

New Treatment for Dystonia, Migraines, Tourettes, Parkinson's Symptoms FB many more disorders! After a 4.5 year long battle with Sydenham's Chorea and Paroxysmal Dystonia (Moving to Generalised Dystonia) I have finally found a treatment that has cured ... By: Sara Parkinson-Altman … Continue reading →

- stiff and inflexible muscles A person with Parkinson's disease can also experience a wide range of other physical and psychological symptoms, including depression, constipation, problems sleeping (insomnia), loss of sense of smell (anosmia) and memory problems. Seeking medical advice See your GP if you are concerned that you may have symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Your GP will ask about the problems you are experiencing and may refer you to a specialist for further tests. What causes Parkinson's disease? Parkinson's disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in part of the brain called the substantia nigra. This leads to a reduction in the amount of a chemical called dopamine in the brain. Dopamine plays a vital role in regulating the movement of the body and a reduction in dopamine is responsible for many of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Exactly what causes the loss of nerve cells is unclear. Most experts think that a combination of genetic and environmental factors is responsible. Who is affected The rest is here: Telegraph health advice: Parkinson's disease … Continue reading →