EPDA signs new charter on workplace rights

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Author: Roisin McCormackPublished: 6 February 2019

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Rory Palmer MEP and Russell Patten, secretary general at the EPDA.

The European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA) has signed the Dying to Work Charter – a pledge protecting the workplace rights of people with serious conditions.

The charter – part of the Trade Union Congress’ wider Dying to Work campaign – has so far protected over half a million workers in the UK.

The Dying to Work campaign group, chaired by MEP Rory Palmer, is calling on the European Union to amend its current legislation.

The campaign is asking for serious conditions to be identified as a ‘protected characteristic’ – meaning employees would enjoy a protected period after diagnosis which would ensure the couldn’t be unfairly dismissed.

Russell Patten, secretary general at the EPDA, said: “At the EPDA, we are committed to improving employment conditions, reducing stigma and ensuring accessibility to essential services for all people with Parkinson’s disease.”

Image: Rory Palmer MEP (left) and Russell Patten, secretary general at the EPDA (right).

To support the charter, please click here.

For more information on working with Parkinson’s please visit the EPDA website.

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Acupuncture may alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms

A study conducted by researchers in South Korea has found that acupuncture may help alleviate motor symptoms of Parkinson’s. The study – published in science journal ‘Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience’ – collected data from 42 existing trials testing the effects of acupuncture on different mouse models of Parkinson’s disease. A total of 40 studies showed that acupuncture increased levels of tyrosine hydroxylase – an enzyme in the brain which is part of the dopamine-producing process. Although there was no evidence to suggest acupuncture can induce changes in dopamine levels, results suggested that acupuncture may help alleviate motor symptoms in mice. Discussing their findings, the researchers commented: “Acupuncture treatment potentially protected [dopamine] neurons through various beneficial mechanisms. “Nevertheless, resolving the low quality of studies and further research investigating the efficacy of different acupuncture treatment methods in Parkinson’s disease rodent models will be needed.”

Could insulin be used to treat Parkinson’s symptoms?

A US study has found that intranasal insulin, which is commonly used to treat diabetes, may be able to improve Parkinson’s symptoms. As part of the study, published in scientific journal ‘PLOS ONE’, 14 people with Parkinson’s were administered a daily dose of intranasal insulin for four weeks. After the four week period, researchers – made up staff from Harvard Medical School, US, and the University of Massachusetts, US – saw an improvement in both the participants motor skills and verbal fluency. Discussing the trial, the researchers said: “Our study provided preliminary data that suggested an improvement of functional skills after four weeks of daily INI [intranasal insulin] treatment. That paves the way toward a larger cohort study to evaluate long-term safety and potential efficacy of intranasal insulin administration for potential treatment and prevention of functional decline in patients with Parkinson disease”.

Can drinking milk increase the risk of Parkinson’s?

Researchers at Uppsala University, Sweden, have found that drinking more than 40 millilitres of milk per day may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s. As part of the study, 81,889 participants between the ages of 45 and 83 who do not live with the condition completed a survey detailing their milk, soured milk and yoghurt consumption. After an average follow up of 14 years, a total of 1,251 participants reported a Parkinson’s diagnosis. The dietary patterns of the participants showed that individuals who drank 40 to 159 millilitres of milk per day were 30% more likely to develop the condition. The researchers – who presented their study at the 2019 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases in Lisbon, Portugal – concluded: “Findings from this cohort study indicate that consumption of milk, but not soured milk and yogurt, is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.”

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EPDA signs new charter on workplace rights

News

Author: Roisin McCormackPublished: 6 February 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Image: Rory Palmer MEP (left) and Russell Patten, secretary general at the EPDA (right).

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World Parkinson Congress 2019 Bloggers: Natasha McCarthy

Acupuncture may alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms

Could insulin be used to treat Parkinson’s symptoms?

Can drinking milk increase the risk of Parkinson’s?

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EPDA signs new charter on workplace rights

News

Author: Roisin McCormackPublished: 6 February 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Image: Rory Palmer MEP (left) and Russell Patten, secretary general at the EPDA (right).

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

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Resources & Tools

Drug repurposing: testing a drug approved for one disease for its efficacy in another

Interviews

“We want the world to walk with us,” says Parkinson’s Unity Walk leader

Perspectives

World Parkinson Congress 2019 Bloggers: Natasha McCarthy

Acupuncture may alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms

Could insulin be used to treat Parkinson’s symptoms?

Can drinking milk increase the risk of Parkinson’s?

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