Support us

A message from the editorial team

Since our launch in mid-2015, we have been dedicated to publishing high-quality content for the international Parkinson’s community. To all our readers and supporters who have helped us in our journey so far, thank you. We are truly grateful for your support.

Parkinson’s Life has been a big success, and we want to continue growing and improving the experience for our readers. Our aim is to be a leading platform for the global community. However, our work relies on the support of others. So, if you read us, if you’ve shared one of our stories, if you value what we do – then please make a donation that will help us carry on delivering Parkinson’s Life to the world.

Share this story

Better balanced immune system could prevent Parkinson’s

A study, published in the journal ‘Nature’, has suggested that it may be possible to prevent Parkinson’s disease by balancing the immune system. The research, which studied 103 participants, found that Parkinson’s could be an autoimmune disease – a condition which leads the body’s immune system to attack healthy cells. David Sulzer, a professor at the Columbia University Medical Center, New York, US, who led the study, said: “The idea that a malfunctioning immune system contributes to Parkinson’s dates back almost 100 years. But until now, no one has been able to connect the dots. Our findings show that two fragments of alpha-synuclein, a protein that accumulates in the brain cells of people with Parkinson’s, can activate the T cells involved in autoimmune attacks”. The team believe that neurons in those with Parkinson’s are not able to get rid of alpha-synuclein, leading to their proteins being mistaken for a virus…

Scottish Parkinson’s support group awarded £60,000 from Big Lottery Fund

The Big Lottery Fund has donated £60,000 to a Parkinson’s self-help group in Airdrie, Scotland. The organisation will use the funds to support local residents who are living with Parkinson’s. A Lottery spokesperson commented: “By offering a central meeting space and a programme of activities, the organisation will support people, families and carers to feel less isolated and encourage them to support each other, to better cope with the effects of the illness and the impact it has on their lives.” A Parkinson’s self-help spokesperson said: “Among other things, these funds will help us secure staff salaries as well as costs for therapists. “We will be working very closely with the Big Lottery Fund over the next year to help secure the group for years to come. We want to thank members for all of their support and hard work.” Image credit: Tom Dick/Media Scotland

Indian university launches first Parkinson’s programme

India’s first multidisciplinary movement disorder programme, specifically for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, has been launched. The programme, which is based at the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Andhra Pradesh, India will bring together neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals to treat those living with the condition. Dr T S Ravi Kumar, vice chancellor at the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, said: “To date, the state did not have a dedicated programme to attack this problem in a comprehensive way. In order to mitigate this disabling set of conditions, we have launched the programme.” The programme will offer a range of Parkinson’s treatments including complementary therapies and yoga classes to help manage symptoms. Last month, the institute performed its first deep brain stimulation procedure on a patient with Parkinson’s.

All fields required

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Country of residence*
About me*
- I have Parkinson's disease
- I am a partner / carer / family / friend of someone who has Parkinson's
- I am a healthcare professional with an interest in Parkinson's
- I work for a Parkinson's disease organisation
- Other
Captcha
*
- By proceeding you agree to our
Comments
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Support us

Share this story

Better balanced immune system could prevent Parkinson’s

Scottish Parkinson’s support group awarded £60,000 from Big Lottery Fund

Indian university launches first Parkinson’s programme

{title}

Subscribe

Support us

Share this story

Better balanced immune system could prevent Parkinson’s

Scottish Parkinson’s support group awarded £60,000 from Big Lottery Fund

Indian university launches first Parkinson’s programme

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in