Saskatoon-based researcher sees growth in Parkinsons treatment

Watch above: a respected voice on Parkinsons disease says newly diagnosed patients are benefiting from treatment advancements

SASKATOON A University of Saskatchewan researcher says that a lot has changed about Parkinsons disease over the decades.

In the 1950s and 60s, patients were diagnosed with Parkinsons, they lived less than ten years after their [diagnosis], said Dr. Ali Rajput, whos been studying the disease for over 40 years.

People are now living close to a normal life span; maybe a couple years shorter, said Rajput.

Parkinsons disease is a degenerative, movement disorder. Rajput said there are five stages to the disease; patients can experience symptoms that range from only affecting one side of the body, to being bedridden or wheelchair bound.

The advancements in treatment of Parkinsons are good news for Elaine Gilbert, a newly diagnosed patient who learned the news on April Fools Day.

I said youre kidding, youre joking right, its April fools, said Gilbert, a retired elementary school teacher.

Elaine joins her husband, Malcolm, who has been battling the disease for around 15 years. Her Parkinsons is in its preliminary stages, which will allow doctors to properly formulate a plan of action.

If you treat [Parkinsons] too late, the life expectancy shortens; if you treat it too early you produce more complications for treatment, said Rajput, who said hes only seen a handful of couples that were both diagnosed with the disease.

Now that Elaine has the disease, she will be able to draw on the experiences of people like Rajput, as well as her husband.

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Saskatoon-based researcher sees growth in Parkinsons treatment