New research at Van Andel Research Institute may uncover origins of PD

News

Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 10 December 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

The Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) in Michigan, US, has expanded into new areas of research in molecular biology, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and epigenetics in relation to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

The centre claims that the new approach of ‘neuroepigenetics’ offers insights into uncovering the origins of Parkinson’s disease, and could be a key step in developing better ways to diagnose and treat the disease.

Peter Jones, VARI’s research director, said: “There is great potential for epigenetics to revolutionise our understanding of how neurodegenerative diseases occur and progress.”

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

Women and Parkinson's

“Incompetence, racism and prejudice delayed my diagnosis”

Manon Day on being a young black woman with Parkinson’s

Judas Priest guitarist opens up about Parkinson’s diagnosis

The heavy metal guitarist released a message on social media

Denmark walks for Parkinson’s

The 4th Copenhagen Unity walk takes place at the end of May

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”.

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

New research at Van Andel Research Institute may uncover origins of PD

News

Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 10 December 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Women and Parkinson's

“Incompetence, racism and prejudice delayed my diagnosis”

Perspectives

Judas Priest guitarist opens up about Parkinson’s diagnosis

Europe

Denmark walks for 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

{title}

Subscribe

New research at Van Andel Research Institute may uncover origins of PD

News

Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 10 December 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Women and Parkinson's

“Incompetence, racism and prejudice delayed my diagnosis”

Perspectives

Judas Priest guitarist opens up about Parkinson’s diagnosis

Europe

Denmark walks for 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

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in