Baseball legend announces he has Parkinson’s

News

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 14 May 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Former American baseball star, Kirk Gibson, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but vows to fight back. The ex-player and manager, who made a name for himself with the Detroit Tigers team, has taken time off from his commentating duties and explained in a statement the diagnosis.

“I will meet this challenge with the same determination and unwavering intensity that I have displayed in all my endeavours in life. I look forward to being back at the ballpark as soon as possible.”

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

Global update

‘Why Google must change its image of Parkinson’s disease’

Campaign to replace the image of an old, frail Parkinson’s patient

Sir Roger Bannister, runner, neurologist and person with Parkinson’s, has died

A tribute to Sir Roger Bannister’s service to sport and neurology

Denmark walks for Parkinson’s

The 4th Copenhagen Unity walk takes place at the end of May

Heart problems linked to dementia risk in Parkinson’s disease, say researchers

Researchers at the University of Turin, Italy, have identified that Parkinson’s-related cardiovascular problems may increase a patient’s risk of developing dementia within five years. According to the study, it is estimated that more than half of people with Parkinson’s experience an impairment of the autonomic nervous system – which helps to regulate bodily functions such as blood pressure, body temperature, respiration and heart rate. The researchers investigated the effects of this impairment on key functional Parkinson’s outcomes – including dementia, falls and postural instability – by observing 65 patients at the university’s movement disorders centre and following up after five years. Evaluations throughout the study assessed patients’ cognitive function, automatic symptoms and other motor and non-motor features. In the findings, which were published in the ‘Journal of Neurology’, the researchers noted that worse cardiovascular assessment scores were “associated with a sevenfold higher risk of developing dementia”.

A “revolutionary” step in stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease?

Scientists in China have developed a method to help improve stem cell research in mice models of Parkinson’s – which could potentially lead to promising new treatments. The researchers, based at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, identified two cell surface markers of dopamine neurons, which are reduced in Parkinson’s. They injected cells with these markers into the brains of the mice and found that this resulted in “higher therapeutic potency” for improving motor symptoms of the condition. As part of their research, the team also worked to control the variability of donor cells, to help improve therapeutic outcomes for Parkinson’s cell therapy. The researchers, whose study was published in ‘The Journal of Clinical Investigation’, described the findings as a “revolutionary step on the road towards more effective and safer stem cell therapies”.

Could frequent nightmares be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease?

A new study has suggested that experiencing recurrent nightmares and bad dreams could be an early symptom of Parkinson’s disease. Researchers from the University of Birmingham, UK, used data from an existing US study that followed 3818 men, aged 67 or older, over a period of 12 years. Participants who reported experiencing bad dreams at least once a week were followed up. During the follow up, 91 people were diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The results suggested that participants who had frequent bad dreams were twice as likely to develop the condition as those who did not. Commenting on the study, lead author Dr Abidemi Otaiku said: “While we need to carry out further research, identifying the significance of bad dreams and nightmares could indicate that individuals who experience changes to their dreams in older age – without any obvious trigger – should seek medical advice.”

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
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Baseball legend announces he has Parkinson’s

News

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 14 May 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Global update

‘Why Google must change its image of Parkinson’s disease’

Perspectives

Sir Roger Bannister, runner, neurologist and person with Parkinson’s, has died

Europe

Denmark walks for Parkinson’s

Heart problems linked to dementia risk in Parkinson’s disease, say researchers

A “revolutionary” step in stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease?

Could frequent nightmares be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease?

{title}

Subscribe

Baseball legend announces he has Parkinson’s

News

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 14 May 2015

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Global update

‘Why Google must change its image of Parkinson’s disease’

Perspectives

Sir Roger Bannister, runner, neurologist and person with Parkinson’s, has died

Europe

Denmark walks for Parkinson’s

Heart problems linked to dementia risk in Parkinson’s disease, say researchers

A “revolutionary” step in stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease?

Could frequent nightmares be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease?

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in