MJ Fox Foundation gala raises US$5 million for Parkinson’s disease research

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Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 17 November 2015

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David Letterman, Denis Leary and John Fogerty along with 1,000 supporters of the Michael J Fox Foundation gathered on Saturday (14 November) for the charity’s annual benefit gala held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York.

Raising more than US$5 million for Parkinson’s research, guests of the A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson’s gala were treated to a Marty McFly-themed opening number from host Denis Leary and performances from the likes of Lenny Clarke, Jeff Ross and John Fogerty.

Letterman spoke fondly of Michael and his bravery as a Parkinson’s advocate: “To go out in front of a crowd of strangers without Parkinson’s disease takes gut. You do it with that diagnosis, that’s courage beyond human limits.”

To date, the gala has raised more than US$65 million to fund Parkinson’s disease research.

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Scottish comedian, actor and musician Sir Billy Connolly has recently discussed his experience of Parkinson’s disease while promoting his new autobiography, ‘Windswept & Interesting’. In an appearance on UK talk show, ‘The Graham Norton Show’, the comedian explained that he had lost the ability to write. He said: “It breaks my heart as I used to love writing letters to people.” Speaking to UK newspaper The Guardian, Connolly added that he thinks the condition is “like a strange animal. One that sits beside you and says, ‘How will you get on without this?’ – before it takes away something else.” Despite these adjustments, Connolly told Norton he has “good days and bad days” with the condition. “It’s creeping up on me and it never lets go,” he said. “I walk like a drunk man and have to have help. So, life is different, but it is good.” Lead image credit:…

New insights on immune cell process and Parkinson’s disease

Insoluble clumps of the protein alpha-synuclein, which can cause damage to brain cells, have been previously linked to Parkinson’s. Now, scientists in Germany, France and the US have uncovered new details on how brain cells respond to these clusters. The researchers discovered that the brain’s immune cells may be able to join together to break down the protein clumps. According to a press release, this was previously unknown. They also found that these neighbouring cells share mitochondria – structures that generate energy for chemical reactions – to help one another. In certain mutations associated with Parkinson’s, this process may be impaired. The researchers hope this insight could inform the development of new therapies. “We have opened the door to a field that will certainly engage researchers for many years to come,” said Professor Dr Michael Heneka, director of the Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Geriatric Psychiatry at the University Hospital…

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Parkinson’s disease patients tend to have high levels of oil, known as sebum, on their skin’s surface. Now, a study has suggested that analysing this substance may help when diagnosing the condition. The study revealed that sebum contains significant amounts of genetic material, specifically the molecule ribonucleic acid (RNA). Analysis of RNA contained in sebum – that is, skin surface lipids RNA, or SSL-RNA – could offer insights into a person’s health. Researchers in Japan examined SSL-RNA in men and women with and without Parkinson’s. The results suggested that the SSL-RNA profiles of those with Parkinson’s had “different characteristics” than those without. The researchers then tested whether examining these profiles with machine learning could reveal those who had Parkinson’s – and who didn’t. The team’s algorithm indicated a “relatively robust discriminatory ability,” supporting the further use of SSL-RNA as part of a future “non-invasive” method for diagnosis.

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MJ Fox Foundation gala raises US$5 million for Parkinson’s disease research

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Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 17 November 2015

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MJ Fox Foundation gala raises US$5 million for Parkinson’s disease research

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Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 17 November 2015

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sponsored article

PD in Practice

VIDEO: From diagnosis to treatment in Parkinson’s disease

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Who said what: QoTW 25.06.15

Health & Fitness

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