New pump is “huge step forward” for treatment of advanced Parkinson’s

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Author: AdminPublished: 8 April 2015

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Campaigners in the US have welcomed the approval of a new dopamine pump as “a huge step forward” for treatment of people with advanced Parkinson’s disease.

The technology, named DUOPA, promises a significant reduction in ‘off’ time.

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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.”

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New pump is “huge step forward” for treatment of advanced Parkinson’s

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Author: AdminPublished: 8 April 2015

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Vineyard pesticides may be linked to Parkinson’s disease

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New pump is “huge step forward” for treatment of advanced Parkinson’s

News

Author: AdminPublished: 8 April 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

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Share this story

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Advances

Why are people with Parkinson’s more creative?

Carers' Corner

New survey highlights challenges facing Parkinson’s carers

In my country

Could physical therapy be the future of specialised Parkinson’s care in Brazil?

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

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