Janet Reno “showed the world that Parkinson’s does not have to define you”

Perspectives

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 8 November 2016

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Campaigners celebrate the life of Janet Reno, former US Attorney General, who died after living with Parkinson’s for more than 20 years

Janet Reno, former US Attorney General under President Bill Clinton, died on Monday at the age of 78 after complications with Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s campaigners paid tribute to her as a “legend” for her contribution the Parkinson’s community. She was honorary chair of Moving Day Miami, the National Parkinson Foundation’s fundraising walk, from 2012-2015, and a prominent advocate of Parkinson’s research and awareness.

As the first female Attorney General of the US, Reno served in the Clinton administration from 1993 to 2001. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1995 after noticing a tremor in her left hand, but continued in her government role.

John Kozyak, chairman of the Parkinson’s Foundation, praised the example she set for others living with the condition: “She set an example for people living with Parkinson’s and she set an example for so many more to live life to the fullest, to be humble and to do the right thing. I will never forget how Janet comforted me when my parents were diagnosed with Parkinson’s. She is a legend to me and many.”

Dr Michael Okun, national medical director of the Parkinson’s Foundation and professor and chairman of neurology at the University of Florida, paid tribute to Reno’s determination to not let the disease define her.

“Janet Reno lived two decades with Parkinson’s and was an amazing example to everyone suffering with this disease, showing that it is possible to live a happy life. She showed the world that Parkinson’s does not have to define you,” said Dr Okun.

Janet Reno at the National Parkinson Foundation event, Moving Day Miami

Image credit: National Parkinson Foundation

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rempat

While Parkinson’s doesn’t define us, we cannot ignore it either. I’m glad that Reno sought to comfort others about it, as illustrated in this article. I look at it as an opportunity to gain further experience with it that I can use together with my other skills to help others.
Mary Spremulli,MA,CCC-SLP

When to share the diagnosis has been a topic of discussion with my LOUD Crowd members lately. Saying the PD word out loud let’s the steam out for some people, and others keep it private for longer. Treating PD like a chronic disease, much the way we think of diabetes, can keep it in perspective. Something to be managed, but also only one aspect of all that you are.

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Acupuncture may alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms

A study conducted by researchers in South Korea has found that acupuncture may help alleviate motor symptoms of Parkinson’s. The study – published in science journal ‘Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience’ – collected data from 42 existing trials testing the effects of acupuncture on different mouse models of Parkinson’s disease. A total of 40 studies showed that acupuncture increased levels of tyrosine hydroxylase – an enzyme in the brain which is part of the dopamine-producing process. Although there was no evidence to suggest acupuncture can induce changes in dopamine levels, results suggested that acupuncture may help alleviate motor symptoms in mice. Discussing their findings, the researchers commented: “Acupuncture treatment potentially protected [dopamine] neurons through various beneficial mechanisms. “Nevertheless, resolving the low quality of studies and further research investigating the efficacy of different acupuncture treatment methods in Parkinson’s disease rodent models will be needed.”

Could insulin be used to treat Parkinson’s symptoms?

A US study has found that intranasal insulin, which is commonly used to treat diabetes, may be able to improve Parkinson’s symptoms. As part of the study, published in scientific journal ‘PLOS ONE’, 14 people with Parkinson’s were administered a daily dose of intranasal insulin for four weeks. After the four week period, researchers – made up staff from Harvard Medical School, US, and the University of Massachusetts, US – saw an improvement in both the participants motor skills and verbal fluency. Discussing the trial, the researchers said: “Our study provided preliminary data that suggested an improvement of functional skills after four weeks of daily INI [intranasal insulin] treatment. That paves the way toward a larger cohort study to evaluate long-term safety and potential efficacy of intranasal insulin administration for potential treatment and prevention of functional decline in patients with Parkinson disease”.

Can drinking milk increase the risk of Parkinson’s?

Researchers at Uppsala University, Sweden, have found that drinking more than 40 millilitres of milk per day may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s. As part of the study, 81,889 participants between the ages of 45 and 83 who do not live with the condition completed a survey detailing their milk, soured milk and yoghurt consumption. After an average follow up of 14 years, a total of 1,251 participants reported a Parkinson’s diagnosis. The dietary patterns of the participants showed that individuals who drank 40 to 159 millilitres of milk per day were 30% more likely to develop the condition. The researchers – who presented their study at the 2019 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases in Lisbon, Portugal – concluded: “Findings from this cohort study indicate that consumption of milk, but not soured milk and yogurt, is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.”

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Janet Reno “showed the world that Parkinson’s does not have to define you”

Perspectives

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 8 November 2016

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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Meet the neurologist who unearthed ‘lost’ 1963 video of first Parkinson’s treatments

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February 2019

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Janet Reno “showed the world that Parkinson’s does not have to define you”

Perspectives

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 8 November 2016

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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Meet the neurologist who unearthed ‘lost’ 1963 video of first Parkinson’s treatments

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