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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Ireland survey aims to uncover link between pesticides and Parkinson’s disease

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Is there a link between Parkinson’s disease and blood vessel dysfunction?

Scientists in Slovakia have investigated the link between blood vessel dysfunction and Parkinson’s – and found that dopamine agonists may have an impact. The team studied the function of the endothelium – a membrane which lines the heart and blood vessels and helps control blood fluidity – in 41 people with the condition and 41 people without. Endothelial function was then measured through a parameter that assessed how easily blood could flow through the vessels. The results showed that while more people with Parkinson’s had endothelial dysfunction compared to those without, the difference did not reach statistical significance. However, the researchers noted that the findings suggested “an association between smoking, dopamine agonists, and impaired endothelial function” in those with the condition. Outlining the study’s limitations, the team noted that more research is needed to explore this potential link.

New swab test may help with Parkinson’s disease diagnosis

Researchers at the University of Manchester, UK, have drawn on one woman’s sense of smell to develop a swab test that may be used to detect Parkinson’s. The scientists used the test to analyse sebum (a type of oily substance on the skin) in 79 people with Parkinson’s and a control group of 71 healthy individuals. The team identified more than 4,000 different compounds in the participant samples – including 500 that were unique to those living with the condition. The test was developed with the help of Joy Milne from Perth, Scotland, whose unique sense of smell meant that she noticed a change in her late husband Les’s odour twelve years before he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Speaking to the BBC, Professor Perdita Barran, who led the research, described the test as potentially “transformative” – and said that the team hopes to roll the test out to people in…

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Breakthrough in search for Parkinson’s ‘vaccine’?

News

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 14 May 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

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In my country

How New York inspired Copenhagen to walk for Parkinson’s

Europe

“The world needs to know about Parkinson’s”

Interviews

“Parkinson’s doesn’t know when it’s Christmas”

Ireland survey aims to uncover link between pesticides and Parkinson’s disease

Is there a link between Parkinson’s disease and blood vessel dysfunction?

New swab test may help with Parkinson’s disease diagnosis

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Breakthrough in search for Parkinson’s ‘vaccine’?

News

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 14 May 2015

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

In my country

How New York inspired Copenhagen to walk for Parkinson’s

Europe

“The world needs to know about Parkinson’s”

Interviews

“Parkinson’s doesn’t know when it’s Christmas”

Ireland survey aims to uncover link between pesticides and Parkinson’s disease

Is there a link between Parkinson’s disease and blood vessel dysfunction?

New swab test may help with Parkinson’s disease diagnosis

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