Blood pressure medication could prevent Parkinson’s

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Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 2 May 2019

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Scientists in the UK and China have found that a drug used to treat high blood pressure may be able to halt the development of Parkinson’s.

As part of the study – published in science journal ‘Nature Communications’ – zebrafish and mice were genetically altered to develop Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative conditions. The scientists then administered the animals with drug concentrations similar to those suitable for humans.

The results showed that the drug prompted autophagy, a process which removes toxic proteins from brain cells – it also helped to reduce the damage caused by the toxic proteins.

David C. Rubinsztein, professor of molecular neurogenetics at the University of Cambridge, UK, and study author, said: “This is the first time that we’re aware of that a study has shown that an approved drug can slow the build-up of harmful proteins in the brains of mice using doses aiming to mimic the concentrations of the drug seen in humans.”

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For more information on the latest Parkinson’s research please visit the EPDA website.

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Students develop wearable device to track Parkinson’s tremors

A wearable device has been developed to monitor Parkinson’s tremors and their severity through the tracking of body movements. The device – Tremor Tracker – was created by two students, Julie Gaudin and Elizabeth Hummel, at Louisiana Tech University, US, as part of a design class project. The students designed an algorithm using data recorded from volunteer participants at Rock Steady, a boxing programme for people with Parkinson’s. They then applied the algorithm to a GENEActiv, a wrist-worn device that has been scientifically validated for clinical research. Hummel, co-creator of the Tremor Tracker, said: “Through supervised machine learning, the device predicts whether a patient’s tremors are parkinsonian or non-parkinsonian, as well as the severity of these tremors. A quantitative analysis of parkinsonian tremors provides a more detailed disease state.”

Can awakening dormant neurons reverse Parkinson’s motor symptoms?

Reawakening dormant neurons could help reverse Parkinson’s motor symptoms, researchers in South Korea have found. While Parkinson’s is typically believed to be caused by neuronal death, a new study – published in ‘Current Biology’ journal – suggests that dormant neurons could be another cause. After completing an animal test – which treated the subjects with two compounds that block dopamine-producing neurons from becoming dormant – the researchers found these neurons to be “awakened”, allowing them to resume dopamine production. The researchers hope that this will lead to a disease-modifying treatment, especially for people in the early stages of Parkinson’s. Hoon Ryu, a senior author of the study and researcher at KIST Brain Science Institute, South Korea, said: “This research refutes the common belief that there is no disease-modifying treatment for Parkinson’s due to its basis on neuronal cell death.”

Parkinson’s could be present from birth, study finds

Parkinson’s may be present from birth in younger people with the condition, new research has found. The study – conducted by Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, US, and published in ‘Nature Medicine’ journal – used induced stem cells from people with young-onset Parkinson’s, to grow dopamine-producing neurons and observe them for early warning signs of the condition. An abnormal pile-up of protein was found during the neurons’ development, including alpha-synuclein; which occurs in Parkinson’s. The scientists conjecture that Parkinson’s symptoms appear when the pile-up continues over 20 or 30 years. The team also found that the drug PEP005 – currently used against skin precancers – could help treat the condition. Michele Tagliati, vice chair and professor at Cedars-Sinai’s Department of Neurology and the study’s co-author, said: “This exciting new research provides hope that one day we may be able to detect and take early action to prevent this disease in at-risk individuals.”…

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Blood pressure medication could prevent Parkinson’s

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 2 May 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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Debate: are people with Parkinson’s “sick”? (Part One)

Health & Fitness

Caring and sharing – the importance of learning to let it out

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Comedy stars unite for ‘Shake with Laughter’

Students develop wearable device to track Parkinson’s tremors

Can awakening dormant neurons reverse Parkinson’s motor symptoms?

Parkinson’s could be present from birth, study finds

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Blood pressure medication could prevent Parkinson’s

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 2 May 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

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Share this story

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Related articles

Perspectives

Debate: are people with Parkinson’s “sick”? (Part One)

Health & Fitness

Caring and sharing – the importance of learning to let it out

Perspectives

Comedy stars unite for ‘Shake with Laughter’

Students develop wearable device to track Parkinson’s tremors

Can awakening dormant neurons reverse Parkinson’s motor symptoms?

Parkinson’s could be present from birth, study finds

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