Breakthrough in search for Parkinson’s ‘vaccine’?

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Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 14 May 2015

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Scientists in the UK have reported a possible breakthrough in the treatment of Parkinson’s, in the form of a vaccine to block toxins causing the disease.

Researchers say they have found evidence that an abnormal protein may trigger the condition. If that is the case, they suggest that a special vaccine could potentially help a person’s immune system to attack this protein and combat damaging effects – such as the destruction of the cells that create dopamine.

Roger Barker, professor of clinical neurosciences at Cambridge University told the Guardian: “It has transformed the way we see Parkinson’s.”

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How Parkinson’s disease could impact the way you see art

A new study from a team at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, US, has indicated that Parkinson’s disease could affect the way people experience art. The researchers asked 43 people with the condition and 40 controls to make judgements about 10 paintings by American artist Jackson Pollock and 10 by Dutch painter Piet Mondrian, rating them according to factors including liking, beauty, motion, complexity and colour-saturation. The participants with Parkinson’s showed more of a preference for ‘high-motion’ art. They also showed a lower recognition of movement compared to controls, suggesting that the brain’s motor system may help interpret movement from static visual cues. However, the research team noted that many of the participants were on their usual medication, and that the impact of dopamine agonists on the experience of art would also need to be considered.

Neuroticism may increase risk of Parkinson’s disease, research finds

Researchers at Florida State University, US, have found that neuroticism – a personality trait that affects how people experience negative emotions – is associated with a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The scientists analysed data collected by biomedical database UK Biobank on nearly 500,000 participants aged 40 to 69. Using health records to determine the incidence of Parkinson’s disease in these participants, they found that those who scored in the top quartile of neuroticism were 80% more at risk of developing Parkinson’s than those who scored lower. Antonio Terracciano, lead researcher of the study, said: “Our findings suggest that some emotional vulnerability is present early in life, years before the development of Parkinson’s disease. It kind of gives you a better understanding of the risk factors for the disease and what could be a contributing cause […] The evidence is convincing.”

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Breakthrough in search for Parkinson’s ‘vaccine’?

News

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 14 May 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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Helping people with Parkinson’s “take back control of their brain and body”

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Tom Isaacs president of The Cure Parkinson’s Trust has died

Women and Parkinson's

“Parkinson’s disease feels like an ally of sexism”

Stay tuned for series two of the Parkinson’s Life podcast

How Parkinson’s disease could impact the way you see art

Neuroticism may increase risk of Parkinson’s disease, research finds

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Breakthrough in search for Parkinson’s ‘vaccine’?

News

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 14 May 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

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Resources & Tools

Helping people with Parkinson’s “take back control of their brain and body”

Perspectives

Tom Isaacs president of The Cure Parkinson’s Trust has died

Women and Parkinson's

“Parkinson’s disease feels like an ally of sexism”

Stay tuned for series two of the Parkinson’s Life podcast

How Parkinson’s disease could impact the way you see art

Neuroticism may increase risk of Parkinson’s disease, research finds

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