European Union announces new programme to improve Parkinson’s diagnosis

News

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 17 January 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

The European Union has announced the launch of the Magnetic Diagnostic Assay for Neurodegenerative Diseases (MADIA) – a project with the ultimate goal of improving diagnosis for those living with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

The project, which is in partnership with a range of international universities and institutions, will focus on the development of a novel device that will help clinicians perform a simple click and analysis to diagnose both conditions.

Dr Francisco Campos, of the Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory, said: “An early diagnosis is crucial to maximise the effectiveness of the treatments in order to mitigate the devastating effects of these illnesses and slow disease progression.

“MADIA is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, and consists of a multitasking team with more than 50 professionals in the fields of biology, physics and engineering.”

For comprehensive information about Parkinson’s diagnosis please visit the EPDA website.

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

Resources & Tools

Perspectives on relationships, intimacy and Parkinson’s disease

Four women share insights in a Davis Phinney Foundation webinar

Heinz Becker MEP: “Europe must take action for people with Parkinson’s”

My PD Journey will remove hurdles to optimal Parkinson's treatment

Meet the filmmaker documenting his father’s Parkinson’s journey

Robert Cochrane tells us about his documentary series on Parkinson’s

Research offers new insights on a cause of Parkinson’s disease

Researchers in Denmark have shared insights on a cause of up to 95% of Parkinson’s disease cases. Using data on gene patterns and three mouse models, scientists at the University of Copenhagen found that a blockage to a pathway regulating mitochondria (‘powerhouses’ that generate energy for reactions in cells) causes a form of the condition known as ‘sporadic Parkinson’s disease’. When the pathway becomes blocked by a protein, damaged mitochondria accumulate, unable to produce enough energy – which in turn causes nerve cells to die. “Just like when people eat, cells take what they need and get rid of … waste products,” explained corresponding study author Professor Shohreh Issazadeh-Navikas. “But if our brain cells have this specific kind of signalling blockage, it means that the powerhouse of the cell – mitochondria – cannot get cleaned up after being damaged.” The team now plan to investigate the pathway’s role in neuronal…

Could dance help to treat Parkinson’s disease?

Dance training with music could help slow the progression of mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease, researchers at York University in Canada have found. As part of the study, the researchers followed 16 participants with Parkinson’s disease who attended weekly dance classes between 2014 and 2017. The research team compared them to 16 people with Parkinson’s who did not take part in the classes. The research team found that the motor and non-motor symptoms of those who took part in the dance classes improved or did not progress over time – while those who did not participate showed a continual decline. “Dance is so complex,” said study author, PhD candidate Karolina Bearss. “It’s a multi-sensory type of environment. It incorporates and stimulates your auditory, tactile, visual and kinaesthetic senses and adds an interactive social aspect. Regular exercise does not offer these aspects. There’s so much more to dance.”

Vineyard pesticides may be linked to Parkinson’s disease

Exposure to pesticides used in vineyards could be linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to researchers in France. As part of their study, the team used a health insurance database to identify farmers in France who had been diagnosed with the condition. They then compared these records with data combining an agriculture census and pesticide expenditures across regions of varying farming types, including vineyards. They found that areas with vineyards that lacked designation of origin, and spent the most on pesticides, were associated with a 16% higher incidence of Parkinson’s. “This result suggests that agricultural practices and pesticides used in these vineyards may play a role in Parkinson’s disease,” the researchers concluded, “and that farmers in these farms should benefit from preventive measures aiming at reducing exposure.”

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

European Union announces new programme to improve Parkinson’s diagnosis

News

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 17 January 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Resources & Tools

Perspectives on relationships, intimacy and Parkinson’s disease

Europe

Heinz Becker MEP: “Europe must take action for people with Parkinson’s”

Interviews

Meet the filmmaker documenting his father’s Parkinson’s journey

Research offers new insights on a cause of Parkinson’s disease

Could dance help to treat Parkinson’s disease?

Vineyard pesticides may be linked to Parkinson’s disease

{title}

Subscribe

European Union announces new programme to improve Parkinson’s diagnosis

News

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 17 January 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Resources & Tools

Perspectives on relationships, intimacy and Parkinson’s disease

Europe

Heinz Becker MEP: “Europe must take action for people with Parkinson’s”

Interviews

Meet the filmmaker documenting his father’s Parkinson’s journey

Research offers new insights on a cause of Parkinson’s disease

Could dance help to treat Parkinson’s disease?

Vineyard pesticides may be linked to Parkinson’s disease

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in