Digital entrepreneur becomes face of Australian charity

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Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 17 June 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

After being diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s at just 35, self-confessed digital media guru Kate Matheson has been appointed National Ambassador for Australian charity, Shake It Up.

Kate, managing director of GLOSS magazine, is keen to raise awareness for young Australians also living with the disease and getting involved with the charity is her way of inspiring others to help find a cure.

She said: “We aren’t victims, we’re strong, amazing people who happen to have a crummy disease, and we want a cure. Young onset Parkinson’s is real and it’s common. It’s not just a disease of older people.

“Parkinson’s is not a disease you choose. It chooses you. And it doesn’t care if you’re trying to raise a family. It cares about what you choose to do after you’re diagnosed.

“What you choose to do with Parkinson’s is going to shape the future of the disease.”

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Researchers at Purdue University, US, are studying a World War II chemical weapon antidote that they believe could be used to treat Parkinson’s. It is believed the antidote, called dimercaprol, may be able to remove acrolein – a toxin that poisons neurons and can lead to the development of Parkinson’s disease. In addition to this, researchers believe dimercaprol can increase the survival rate of brain cells, improve mobility and reduce symptoms of pain. Riyi Shi, professor of neuroscience and biomedical engineering at Purdue University, said: “Our studies show that by removing the toxin (acrolein) from the brain, we are not just reducing the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease but also significantly reversing the damage of Parkinson’s disease. This could actually provide a new treatment for Parkinson’s patients.”

Repurposed cancer drug shows promise for Parkinson’s

Researchers at the Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre, UK, have repurposed an experimental cancer drug – called tasquinimod – as a potential treatment for Parkinson’s. The study – funded by Parkinson’s UK and published in science journal ‘Cell Stem Cell’ – has been tested on a total of 10 patients so far. As part of the research, the study grew brain cells from donated skin cell samples of people living with a rare genetic form of Parkinson’s – this process was then repeated on people with a common non-genetic form of the condition. Researchers found that tasquinimod can block HDAC4, a protein that causes Parkinson’s genes to become inactive. Professor Richard Wade-Martins, co-lead author of the study, said: “We think that switching off these genes in brain cells may play a vital role in the cell damage and death that occurs in Parkinson’s.”

Research survey assesses impact of holidays on Parkinson’s symptoms

The Radboud University Medical Center, Netherlands, is seeking participants for an online survey assessing the effects of a holiday on Parkinson’s. The study will assess whether a vacation can have physical and mental benefits for people living with the condition. It will also look at which specific factors, such as temperature and physical activity, can alleviate or increase symptoms. The Michael J Fox Foundation has approved the study’s protocol. Participants can sign up to complete the 20-minute survey online. The survey is open to anyone over 18 who has Parkinson’s and has been on vacation once or more between 1 June 2016 and 30 September 2018. Marjan Faber, the study’s daily supervisor, said: “If the study is able to identify decisive factors, those can act as a starting point for novel approaches in care for people with Parkinson’s disease.” To apply please visit research platform ParkinsonNEXT.

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Digital entrepreneur becomes face of Australian charity

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Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 17 June 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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EU approval for Medtronic DBS systems improves access to full-body MRI scans

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World War II weapon antidote could treat Parkinson’s

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Digital entrepreneur becomes face of Australian charity

News

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 17 June 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

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sponsored article

Advances

EU approval for Medtronic DBS systems improves access to full-body MRI scans

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Global update

Women worldwide pose in their heels for Parkinson’s awareness

World War II weapon antidote could treat Parkinson’s

Repurposed cancer drug shows promise for Parkinson’s

Research survey assesses impact of holidays on Parkinson’s symptoms

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