Horse tranquilliser trial is awarded $750,000 grant for Parkinson’s research

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 26 July 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Researchers at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, US, will be trialling ketamine – a recreational drug previously used to medicate people with depression – as a treatment for Parkinson’s.

The research – led by Dr Scott Sherman – is being supported with a three-year grant of $750,000 from the Arizona Biomedical Research Commission.

The initial clinical trial will test the effect of ketamine for treating dyskinesia in 10 patients. In addition, the researchers will carry out a separate rodent study to examine how the drug affects the brain.

Dr Scott Sherman, a neurologist at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, said: “Ketamine has been long overlooked. Now it could prove very useful for Parkinson’s patients.”

For information on the latest Parkinson’s research please visit the European Parkinson’s Disease Association website.

For more information on this article click here.

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

Global update

Judas Priest guitarist raises $150,000 for Parkinson’s

Rock guitarist Glenn Tipton thanks fans for their generosity

‘My album was an excuse to talk to my mother about Parkinson’s’

Canadian musician Joseph Shabason tells us about his album on Parkinson’s

Emma Lawton launches crowdfunding campaign for Parkinson’s video website

Help fund peer-led support websites ‘threesixfives’

Researchers “stunned” by study that raises hopes for Parkinson’s treatment

A new study reprogramming cells to replace reduced dopamine neurons in the brain could be used to reverse symptoms of Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions. As part of the study – conducted by the University of California San Diego (UCSD) – researchers found a way to convert star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes into cells producing dopamine. The team used the method to treat mouse models of Parkinson’s, administering the treatment into the areas of the brain that typically lose dopamine producing neurons. This restored reduced dopamine production to normal levels and reversed the symptoms of Parkinson’s. The researchers will continue to optimise the therapy in other mouse models of Parkinson’s before testing it on people with the condition. William Mobley, a neurosciences professor at UCSD, said: “I was stunned at what I saw. This whole new strategy for treating neurodegeneration gives hope that it may be possible to help even…

Could a magnetically powered implant treat Parkinson’s tremors?

A tiny surgical implant about the size of a grain of rice that can be implanted with minimally invasive surgery may be used to treat tremors in people with Parkinson’s. Developed by a team of researchers at Rice University, US, the implant uses a thin film of magnetoelectric material to convert acoustic waves from the brain’s magnetic field into electrical voltage. The device produces the same high-frequency signals as clinically approved implants used to treat Parkinson’s, epilepsy and other conditions – and eliminates the need for battery or wired power supply. In an initial study, the researchers showed that the implants worked in rodents. Professor Jacob Robinson, corresponding author of the study, said: “Our results suggest that using magnetoelectric materials for wireless power delivery is more than a novel idea. These materials are excellent candidates for clinical-grade, wireless bioelectronics.”

What do you think of Parkinson’s Life? Take part in our reader survey

We’re always looking to improve our readers’ experience of the Parkinson’s Life magazine, newsletter and podcast. That’s why we’ve launched a new survey to give our international community of readers a chance to share their views and influence what we do. The survey takes just 10 minutes to complete – and, as a little ‘thank you’ for taking part, readers will be entered into a competition to win a £50 Amazon voucher. Readers will also have the chance to share interest in joining our future reader panel and take part in regular surveys and discussions to help us to deliver the best content to our international community. Ready to tell us what you think of Parkinson’s Life? Take part in the reader survey here.

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

Horse tranquilliser trial is awarded $750,000 grant for Parkinson’s research

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 26 July 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Global update

Judas Priest guitarist raises $150,000 for Parkinson’s

Interviews

‘My album was an excuse to talk to my mother about Parkinson’s’

Resources & Tools

Emma Lawton launches crowdfunding campaign for Parkinson’s video website

Researchers “stunned” by study that raises hopes for Parkinson’s treatment

Could a magnetically powered implant treat Parkinson’s tremors?

What do you think of Parkinson’s Life? Take part in our reader survey

{title}

Subscribe

Horse tranquilliser trial is awarded $750,000 grant for Parkinson’s research

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 26 July 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Global update

Judas Priest guitarist raises $150,000 for Parkinson’s

Interviews

‘My album was an excuse to talk to my mother about Parkinson’s’

Resources & Tools

Emma Lawton launches crowdfunding campaign for Parkinson’s video website

Researchers “stunned” by study that raises hopes for Parkinson’s treatment

Could a magnetically powered implant treat Parkinson’s tremors?

What do you think of Parkinson’s Life? Take part in our reader survey

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in