Over a quarter of people living with Parkinson’s were initially misdiagnosed, study finds

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Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 2 January 2020

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More than a quarter of people living with Parkinson’s were initially misdiagnosed, according to new research from charity Parkinson’s UK.

As part of the study, 2,000 people with Parkinson’s were asked a series of questions about their diagnosis. According to results, 26% of the participants were originally told they did not have Parkinson’s – with almost half of them being treated for a different condition.

The poll also found that women were more likely to be misdiagnosed than men.

Katie Goates, professional engagement manager at Parkinson’s UK, said: “One of the biggest challenges for Parkinson’s research is that there is no definitive test for Parkinson’s, and as a result we’ve heard of people being misdiagnosed with anything from a frozen shoulder or anxiety to a stroke.

“Our survey has shown that because of this people are being left in limbo and seeing their health deteriorate, which is unacceptable.”

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Researchers at UK biotech startup NRG Therapeutics are developing potential treatments that may help slow the progression of Parkinson’s by protecting the mitochondria – a part of every human cell that works to power chemical reactions. The company has now received a £2.68m award from government-backed agency Innovate UK to continue its research. Their research built upon previous findings that damage to mitochondria in the substantia nigra – an area of the brain associated with dopamine – may be linked to Parkinson’s. The scientists developed molecules that keep a ‘pore’ in the mitochondria closed, which stops calcium flowing into it, preventing a process that eventually ruptures the powerhouse of the cell and leads to its death. The new funding award follows previous investment from Parkinson’s UK and the Michael J Fox Foundation.

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Over a quarter of people living with Parkinson’s were initially misdiagnosed, study finds

News

Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 2 January 2020

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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Radio DJ releases charity album to raise money for Parkinson’s research

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Billy Connolly “doing really well, funny as ever,” says wife

A “revolutionary” step in stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease?

Could frequent nightmares be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease?

More than £2m awarded to research on mitochondria and Parkinson’s disease

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Over a quarter of people living with Parkinson’s were initially misdiagnosed, study finds

News

Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 2 January 2020

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Interviews

Radio DJ releases charity album to raise money for Parkinson’s research

Europe

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

Perspectives

Billy Connolly “doing really well, funny as ever,” says wife

A “revolutionary” step in stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease?

Could frequent nightmares be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease?

More than £2m awarded to research on mitochondria and Parkinson’s disease

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