Memory loss could be an indication of Parkinson’s

News

Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 24 December 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Memory loss could be an early indication of Parkinson’s disease, according to a recent study by researchers in France.

The study, published in medical journal ‘Behavioural Brain Research’, suggests that neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra – a critical area of the brain involved in Parkinson’s – could lead to memory loss and the subsequent development of the condition.

As part of the study, a group of rats were administered with a toxin that damages neurons in the brain – while another group were injected with Parkinson’s medication over 10 consecutive days.

Various behavioural tests were then carried out on both groups to assess the animals’ movement, social interaction and motor function.

Results showed that the group of rats that had been given the toxin displayed significant memory loss compared to those who had been exposed to the Parkinson’s medication.

To read more on this topic click here.

To learn more about memory loss and Parkinson’s, please visit the EPDA website here.

Repurposed cancer drug shows promise for Parkinson’s

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

Advances

Can virtual reality help you control your brain?

Scientists look at how futuristic gaming tech can control brain signals

New Parkinson’s app tracks symptoms

A new app has been developed to track Parkinson’s symptoms

Podcast: What’s it like managing your working life with Parkinson’s?

Listen to our new episode on Parkinson’s and work

Take part in a global Parkinson’s carers survey

The European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA) is inviting carers from within the Parkinson’s community to take part in a survey aiming to shine a light on the physical, financial and emotional difficulties they face. The research – supported by French healthcare devices company Air Liquide – will be used to inform future campaigns and create valuable tools to help carers and the wider Parkinson’s community. Russell Patten, the secretary general of the EPDA, said: “Carers are such an important part of the Parkinson’s community – they provide the firm foundations that support their loved ones who are physically living with the condition. “However, carers’ needs and quality of life are sadly, all too often, overlooked; this can lead to devastating and lasting effects on the individual and the wider society.” The survey is open until 6 September 2019, and is available in English, French, German Italian, Danish, Dutch, Portuguese, Slovenian…

Scottish university reveals multimillion-pound Parkinson’s research partnership

The University of Dundee, UK, has announced a collaboration with South Korean pharmaceutical company Bukwang to develop a new treatment for Parkinson’s. Collaborating with researchers at the University of Oxford, UK, the university’s drug discovery unit (DDU) has found molecules that may reduce levels of a protein closely connected to the development of the condition. The new partnership will build on this existing relationship between the universities – and facilitate a further three-year Parkinson’s research programme which will move the molecules towards clinical development. Professor Paul Wyatt, head of the DDU, said: “Drug discovery for neurological disorders is especially challenging and an area where academia and industry need to be working together. “This project brings together the clinical and translational research expertise in Oxford with Dundee’s professional drug-discovery capabilities, allowing us to move one stage further towards a treatment.”

Parkinson’s may originate in the gut, says new study

A new study, published in medical journal ‘Neuron’, has found evidence to suggest that Parkinson’s may originate in the gut. As part of the study, researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, US, injected abnormally folded alpha-synuclein – a protein closely connected to the development of Parkinson’s – into the gut of over 100 mice. After one month the misfolded protein had spread to areas of the brain, with researchers saying the animals’ symptoms closely mirrored the condition in humans. The results follow on from a study in Sweden in 2017, when a team of researchers at the Karolinska Institutet found similar results. Ted Dawson, professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins University and co-author of the research said: “It supports and really provides the first experimental evidence that Parkinson’s disease can start in the gut and go up the vagus nerve.”

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.

Memory loss could be an indication of Parkinson’s

News

Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 24 December 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Advances

Can virtual reality help you control your brain?

Resources & Tools

New Parkinson’s app tracks symptoms

Resources & Tools

Podcast: What’s it like managing your working life with Parkinson’s?

Take part in a global Parkinson’s carers survey

Scottish university reveals multimillion-pound Parkinson’s research partnership

Parkinson’s may originate in the gut, says new study

{title}

Subscribe

Memory loss could be an indication of Parkinson’s

News

Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 24 December 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Advances

Can virtual reality help you control your brain?

Resources & Tools

New Parkinson’s app tracks symptoms

Resources & Tools

Podcast: What’s it like managing your working life with Parkinson’s?

Take part in a global Parkinson’s carers survey

Scottish university reveals multimillion-pound Parkinson’s research partnership

Parkinson’s may originate in the gut, says new study

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in