Category Archives: Parkinson’s Treatment

What is the treatment for Parkinson's disease? There is currently no treatment to cure Parkinson's disease. Several therapies are available to delay the onset of motor symptoms and to ameliorate motor symptoms. All of these therapies are designed to increase the amount of dopamine in the brain either by replacing dopamine, mimicking dopamine, or prolonging the effect of dopamine by inhibiting its breakdown. Studies have shown that early therapy in the non-motor stage can delay the onset of motor symptoms, thereby extending quality of life. The most effective therapy for Parkinson's disease is levodopa (Sinemet), which is converted to dopamine in the brain. However, because long-term treatment with levodopa can lead to unpleasant side effects (a shortened response to each dose, painful cramps, and involuntary movements), its use is often delayed until motor impairment is more severe. Levodopa is frequently prescribed together with carbidopa (Sinemet), which prevents levodopa from being broken down before it reaches the brain. Co-treatment with carbidopa allows for a lower levodopa dose, thereby reducing side effects. In earlier stages of Parkinson's disease, substances that mimic the action of dopamine (dopamine agonists), and substances that reduce the breakdown of dopamine (monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitors) can … Continue reading →

Malayalam playback singer KP Udayabhanu, who had been undergoing treatment for Parkinson's disease for several months, passed away here Sunday. He was 77. "For nearly a year he had been undergoing treatment for Parkinson's disease. He breathed his last this evening at his residence at around 9 p.m.," a family source told IANS. Born to NS Varma and Ammu Nethyaramma at Tharur in Palakkad on June 6, 1936, Bhanu's passion for music was passed on to him by his uncle KP Appukutta Menon, a scholar in music. At the age of seven, he learnt music from legends such as Palghat TS Mani Iyer, MD Ramanathan, Palghat Rama Bhagavathar and Flute Krishna Iyer. He started his career as an announcer in All India Radio in 1955. Three years later, music director K Raghavan offered him the opportunity to sing in Malayalam film "Nair Pidicha Pulival". Udayabhanu had since then crooned over 50 songs. Some of his evergreen hits include "Ponvalayillenkilum", "Thamara Thumbi Vava" and "Vellinakshathrame". He had also composed music for films such as "Samasya" and "Mayilpeeli". In 2009, Udayabhanu was conferred with the Padmashri award. His last song was "Kaatu Paranjadum" from the 2010 film "Thanthonni". He is survived by … Continue reading →

Thiruvananthapuram: Malayalam playback singer KP Udayabhanu, who had been undergoing treatment for Parkinson's disease for several months, passed away here Sunday. He was 77. "For nearly a year he had been undergoing treatment for Parkinson's disease. He breathed his last this evening at his residence at around 9 p.m.," a family source told IANS. Born to NS Varma and Ammu Nethyaramma at Tharur in Palakkad on June 6, 1936, Bhanu's passion for music was passed on to him by his uncle KP Appukutta Menon, a scholar in music. At the age of seven, he learnt music from legends such as Palghat TS Mani Iyer, MD Ramanathan, Palghat Rama Bhagavathar and Flute Krishna Iyer. He started his career as an announcer in All India Radio in 1955. Three years later, music director K. Raghavan offered him the opportunity to sing in Malayalam film 'Nair Pidicha Pulival'. Udayabhanu had since then crooned over 50 songs. Some of his evergreen hits include 'Ponvalayillenkilum', 'Thamara Thumbi Vava' and 'Vellinakshathrame'. He had also composed music for films such as 'Samasya' and 'Mayilpeeli'. In 2009, Udayabhanu was conferred with the Padmashri award. His last song was 'Kaatu Paranjadum' from the 2010 film 'Thanthonni'. He is survived … Continue reading →

Over the years we have noticed that Parkinsons disease patients commonly present with constipation. We always recommend as much daily vigorous exercise as is possible, and drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day. If that doesnt work, we have over the last ten years handed people this formula, which has been a secret that has been refined by Janet Romrell, P.A.-C in our practice. Constipation is an alteration in stool frequency, consistency, and/or passage of stool. The normal pattern of bowel movements can and will vary by 1 to 3 days. A stool-voiding pattern of every day or every other day is encouraged. Note that the daily recommended fiber intake: 20 30 grams Millers (unprocessed wheat) Bran* 1 cup Applesauce cup Prune Juice cup Mix these ingredients together and refrigerate. Replace the mixture each week. Take 1 2 Tablespoons daily for one week for desired results. If needed, you may increase dose by 1 Tablespoon each week. Stool frequency and gas may increase the first few weeks but will usually adjust after one month. *Millers Bran is unprocessed wheat bran. This may be purchased at most large grocery stores and is found with either the hot cereals or flours and … Continue reading →

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 3-Jan-2014 Contact: Kim Menard kim.menard@uphs.upenn.edu 215-662-6183 University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine PHILADELPHIA -- Among Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, female, black, and Asian patients are substantially less likely to receive proven deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery to improve tremors and motor symptoms, according to a new report by a Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania researcher who identified considerable disparities among Medicare recipients receiving DBS for Parkinson's disease. The study, published in Neurology, found that patients from neighborhoods of lower socioeconomic status were less likely to receive DBS, regardless of race or sex. And patients of minority-serving physician practices were also less likely to receive DBS, irrespective of race. The study demonstrates a need to adjust policy and incentives to provide state of the art care for all Parkinson's patients. Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, affects more than 2 million Americans and cannot be prevented or halted. DBS is often prescribed for PD patients when pharmacologic treatments are unable to control involuntary movements or decrease effectiveness over time. While DBS is effective, it requires extensive pre-operative testing, is contraindicated for PD patients who have evidence of cognitive impairment or dementia, and includes out-of-pocket … Continue reading →

Contact Information Available for logged-in reporters only Newswise PHILADELPHIA -- Among Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, female, black, and Asian patients are substantially less likely to receive proven deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery to improve tremors and motor symptoms, according to a new report by a Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania researcher who identified considerable disparities among Medicare recipients receiving DBS for Parkinson's disease. The study, published in Neurology, found that patients from neighborhoods of lower socioeconomic status were less likely to receive DBS, regardless of race or sex. And patients of minority-serving physician practices were also less likely to receive DBS, irrespective of race. The study demonstrates a need to adjust policy and incentives to provide state of the art care for all Parkinson's patients. Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, affects more than 2 million Americans and cannot be prevented or halted. DBS is often prescribed for PD patients when pharmacologic treatments are unable to control involuntary movements or decrease effectiveness over time. While DBS is effective, it requires extensive pre-operative testing, is contraindicated for PD patients who have evidence of cognitive impairment or dementia, and includes out-of-pocket costs that may not be covered by … Continue reading →

PHILADELPHIA Among Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, female, black, and Asian patients are substantially less likely to receive proven deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery to improve tremors and motor symptoms, according to a new report by a Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania researcher who identified considerable disparities among Medicare recipients receiving DBS for Parkinson's disease. The study, published in Neurology, found that patients from neighborhoods of lower socioeconomic status were less likely to receive DBS, regardless of race or sex. And patients of minority-serving physician practices were also less likely to receive DBS, irrespective of race. The study demonstrates a need to adjust policy and incentives to provide state of the art care for all Parkinson's patients. Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, affects more than 2 million Americans and cannot be prevented or halted. DBS is often prescribed for PD patients when pharmacologic treatments are unable to control involuntary movements or decrease effectiveness over time. While DBS is effective, it requires extensive pre-operative testing, is contraindicated for PD patients who have evidence of cognitive impairment or dementia, and includes out-of-pocket costs that may not be covered by Medicare. DBS out-of-pocket costs average around $2,200 (2007 dollars) … Continue reading →

Ann Arbor, MI (PRWEB) January 03, 2014 The Natural-Med Therapy clinic for CranioSacral integrated therapy is a therapy center for Parkinson's, Cancer and more. Located in the heart of Ann Arbor, (2 minutes from U of M central campus). The clinic is also a registered research facility for Parkinson's disease. Authorized by the Dept. Of Health and Human Services for the clinical research study for Parkinson's disease (clinical trials-National Institutes Of Health- Govt ID # NCT-0198901). Link to NIH official clinical research registry The center is currently seeking patients suffering from Parkinson's disease for a February 2014 clinical trial. The qualified patients will receive treatment without incurring any cost, bi-monthly (twice a month) therapy sessions for 3 months visit website AND ALSO... To fight & beat cancer therapist Al R. Zia & the center is initiating no cost therapy sessions for cancer sufferers: Therapist Zia said,"Based on the Dept of Health and NIH research results. The oncology patients have seen drastic improvement in their health and recovery due to the induction of the integrative medicine that we offer. So we want to provide this service to as many people in our community: we have started a complimentary therapy clinic for … Continue reading →

BOSTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The drug inosine may be a safe and effective way to raise levels of urate -- a metabolism byproduct -- in patients with early Parkinson's, U.S. researchers say. Lead investigator Dr. Michael Schwarzschild of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and colleagues said the findings suggest the drug might be a potential strategy to slow the disability progression of the degenerative neurological disorder. Animal experiments suggest that urate may protect against Parkinson's disease, and higher blood urate levels are associated with reduced risk and slower progression of Parkinson's disease, Schwarzschild said. Inosine is a drug that raises urate levels and therefore may be useful for Parkinson's disease, he said. Previous research showed that higher levels of the antioxidant urate were associated with lower risk and slower progression of Parkinson's disease. Inosine is a drug that raises urate levels and therefore may be useful for Parkinson's disease. Researchers in the Parkinson Disease Study Group Safety of Urate Elevation in Parkinson's disease, trial randomized 75 patients with early Parkinson's disease, -- average age 62 and not yet requiring treatment for their symptoms -- to placebo or doses of inosine to produce mild or moderate elevation in blood urate … Continue reading →

By Janice Wood Associate News Editor Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on December 29, 2013 A two-year clinical trial conducted by a consortium led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard School of Public Health, and the University of Rochester has found that the nutritional supplement inosine successfully raised levels of the antioxidant urate without producing serious side effects. Several previous studies have suggested that urate elevation may reduce the risk of Parkinsons disease or slow its progression, according to researchers. This study provided clear evidence that, in people with early Parkinson disease, inosine treatment can safely elevate urate levels in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid for months or years, says Michael Schwarzschild, MD, PhD, principal investigator and a neurologist. We know that urate has neuroprotective properties in animal models, and an unusual convergence of human studies suggested its possible use as a disease-modifying strategy in Parkinsons; so the positive results of this trial are very encouraging. Characterized by tremors, rigidity, difficulty walking and other symptoms, Parkinson disease is caused by the destruction of brain cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine. While current treatments can partially relieve symptoms, no therapy has been shown to alleviate the underlying loss of … Continue reading →