Funding boost for Parkinson’s research projects in New Zealand

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Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 30 December 2015

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Researchers at the University of Otago, Christchurch, have been awarded a grant to study the suppression of voluntary tremors in Parkinson’s disease.

The grant is part of a NZ$1.1m research fund from the Neurological Foundation, which is the primary non-governmental sponsor of neurological research in New Zealand.

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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.”…

Testing saliva can help diagnose Parkinson’s, study finds

A saliva test carried out by doctors may be able to both diagnose Parkinson’s and detect the severity of the condition, according to a recent study published in medical journal ‘Neurological Sciences’. Several indicators of the development of Parkinson’s, including problems in the production of energy, can be easily detected in saliva. As part of the study, carried out by a team from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, saliva samples were collected from 76 patients living with Parkinson’s, and 37 participants with good general health. They found that the saliva of those with Parkinson’s reflected evidence of alteration in neurotransmitters – chemical messengers that allow nerve cells to communicate. The researchers said the test “may highlight the characteristic changes in metabolite levels during the onset of Parkinson’s”.

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Funding boost for Parkinson’s research projects in New Zealand

News

Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 30 December 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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How the drug-addicted William Burroughs inspired a world-renowned Parkinson’s professor

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Testing saliva can help diagnose Parkinson’s, study finds

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Funding boost for Parkinson’s research projects in New Zealand

News

Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 30 December 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Perspectives

How the drug-addicted William Burroughs inspired a world-renowned Parkinson’s professor

PD in Practice

Early Parkinson’s intervention could “save governments millions”

Europe

A better way to assess the impact of Parkinson’s

Can awakening dormant neurons reverse Parkinson’s motor symptoms?

Parkinson’s could be present from birth, study finds

Testing saliva can help diagnose Parkinson’s, study finds

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