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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Antioxidants could reduce risk of Parkinson’s disease by 32%, study finds

Antioxidant vitamins, found in foods like almonds, avocados and broccoli, could reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease, researchers in Sweden have reported. The scientists analysed data from a study of 43,865 men and women, aged between 18 and 94. Participants were asked to share information about their diets when the study began and were then monitored through health records over an average of almost 18 years. The researchers found that those who had reported high levels of vitamins C and E – which help prevent cell damage and inflammation – had a 32% lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. “Our findings suggest that dietary vitamin E and C intake might be inversely associated with the risk of Parkinson disease,” the scientists concluded.

Weight, sleep and depression linked to risk of cognitive problems in Parkinson’s

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, US, have found that people with early Parkinson’s disease are at higher risk of developing cognitive impairments if they are overweight, have disruptive sleep behaviours or experience symptoms of depression. Evaluating data from 405 people, the researchers used statistical analysis to identify relationships between certain characteristics and changes in patient cognition over time. Their findings suggest that factors such as high body mass index (BMI) or excessive sleepiness are associated with a faster rate of cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease. The researchers wrote: “Despite its common and devastating occurrence, treatment of [cognitive impairments] in [Parkinson’s disease] is limited and no medications slow its onset or progression. However, identification of treatable or modifiable comorbidities that affect the rate of progression of [cognitive impairments] in [Parkinson’s disease] could provide opportunities for early intervention and improved prognosis.”

Gene screening technique could offer insights on Parkinson’s disease

Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), US, will investigate genes that could protect cells in the brain against Parkinson’s disease. An award from US non-profit G Harold and Leila Y Mathers Foundation will allow scientists to use a mouse model screening technique to find out more about the condition. Individually deleting each of the 22,000 genes present in mice neurons will help identify which genes are linked to neuron survival – and offer insights that could lead to new treatments for the condition. Dr Myriam Heiman, an Associate Professor at MIT, said: “There is currently no molecular explanation for the brain cell loss seen in Parkinson’s disease or a cure for this devastating disease. I’m extremely grateful for this generous support and recognition of our work from the Mathers Foundation, and hope that our study will elucidate new therapeutic targets for the treatment and even prevention of Parkinson’s…

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

News

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 17 November 2015

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Antioxidants could reduce risk of Parkinson’s disease by 32%, study finds

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Gene screening technique could offer insights on Parkinson’s disease

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

News

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 17 November 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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