More than $1.7 million raised by US Unity Walk

News

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 2 July 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

The total amount of donations raised as a result of the 21st Parkinson’s Unity Walk has been announced as more than US$1.7 million. All the proceeds will go to research to find a cure.

On 25 April, 11,000 people took part in the event in Central Park, New York, raising funds and awareness for Parkinson’s.

Carol Walton, executive director of the US Unity Walk, said: “One hundred per cent of the donations will support critical research that will help people living with Parkinson’s disease – research that brings us closer to a cure.

“As optimistic as we are that we will see a cure for Parkinson’s within our lifetimes, we cannot stop the relentless pursuit of treatments and help for those living with the disease. But together we can accomplish incredible things.”

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

Advances

New brain chemical pump is “huge step forward” for advanced Parkinson’s

Approval of new dopamine pump welcomed by campaigners

Raise your glass to ‘Parkies’ – the new beer that’s raising funds for nurses

Ex-Pink Floyd tour manager launches own ‘Parkies’ beer

28 daily prompts to help you “live well” with Parkinson’s disease

Find out about the Davis Phinney Foundation’s 2022 calendar

Study suggests why neurons die in Parkinson’s disease

Researchers at the University of Córdoba, Spain, have discovered how a certain protein may be linked to death of dopamine-producing neurons associated with Parkinson’s. Using animal models of the condition to conduct their study, the team focused on the protein DJ-1 – whose link to Parkinson’s has previously been established, though its exact function was uncertain. The researchers compared neurons in the brains of mice that possessed the gene expressing DJ-1 with those that did not. The findings revealed that dysfunction or absence of the gene expressing the DJ-1 protein could trigger the ‘cell cycle’ (the process by which cells divide), which should not occur under normal conditions. Because neurons lack the capacity to divide, this causes them die – leading to the onset of symptoms linked with Parkinson’s. It is hoped that uncovering these details about the relationship between DJ-1’s absence and Parkinson’s may lead to the development of…

Researchers have finally identified brain cells linked to Parkinson’s disease

For decades, scientists have known that Parkinson’s is associated with the death of dopamine-producing cells in the brain. Now, researchers from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, US, have discovered the specific subtype of brain cells that die in Parkinson’s disease. Using a technique called single-cell RNA signalling, which enables the individual analysis of cells within a tissue for activity and protein production, researchers identified 10 subtypes of dopamine-producing cells within the donated brains of people who died from causes unrelated to Parkinson’s. The team carried out the same investigation on people who had died with Parkinson’s or a condition with similar symptoms called Lewy body dementia. They discovered that only one subtype of the cells had reduced in number – which suggests many of these cells had died while the people were living. It is hoped that the findings could lead to better understanding of Parkinson’s causes and…

Tiny DBS implant shows potential to advance Parkinson’s disease treatment

In an innovative trial by North Bristol NHS Trust, UK, surgeons have succeeded in implanting a tiny deep brain stimulation (DBS) device into a person’s skull. Their aim? To address symptoms of Parkinson’s. Designed with a tiny battery system that is inserted into the skull, the DBS device delivers electric impulses to targeted areas of the brain through electric probes. In doing so, it works to address abnormal brain cell activity associated with Parkinson’s – and may help to ease symptoms. One of around 25 patients selected for the year-long trial has described the device’s impact as “amazing”. Commenting on the results of the trial so far, consultant neurologist Dr Alan Whone of North Bristol NHS Trust said: “We are hopeful that if these findings hold up, we will have a significant technical advance by which to improve Parkinson’s care across the world.”

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.

More than $1.7 million raised by US Unity Walk

News

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 2 July 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Advances

New brain chemical pump is “huge step forward” for advanced Parkinson’s

Europe

Raise your glass to ‘Parkies’ – the new beer that’s raising funds for nurses

Resources & Tools

28 daily prompts to help you “live well” with Parkinson’s disease

Study suggests why neurons die in Parkinson’s disease

Researchers have finally identified brain cells linked to Parkinson’s disease

Tiny DBS implant shows potential to advance Parkinson’s disease treatment

{title}

Subscribe

More than $1.7 million raised by US Unity Walk

News

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 2 July 2015

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Advances

New brain chemical pump is “huge step forward” for advanced Parkinson’s

Europe

Raise your glass to ‘Parkies’ – the new beer that’s raising funds for nurses

Resources & Tools

28 daily prompts to help you “live well” with Parkinson’s disease

Study suggests why neurons die in Parkinson’s disease

Researchers have finally identified brain cells linked to Parkinson’s disease

Tiny DBS implant shows potential to advance Parkinson’s disease treatment

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in