Keeping step with Parkinson’s: balance, posture and gait

News

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 20 September 2017

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Gait and balance dysfunction can cause serious injury or a loss of independence. In this episode of the Third Thursday webinar series, the Michael J Fox Foundation assesses the best way to manage these symptoms

As part of the Third Thursday webinar series, the Michael J Fox Foundation will be replaying a popular episode that focuses on managing gait and balance dysfunction. The podcast is free to listen to and will air on 21 September at 12:00 EST.

In this instalment, which was originally aired in November 2015, experienced video broadcaster and person with Parkinson’s Dave Iverson hosts a panel discussing balance issues and the most practical ways to protect yourself from falls.

Throughout the hour-long webinar, experts will be available to answer your questions via the live chat function.

It’s free to listen to the discussion – just register here up to 15 minutes before it starts. If you miss the broadcast, you can catch up via the recording in the library archive here.

Drug repurposing: testing a drug approved for one disease for its efficacy in another

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

Global update

Sign up to be part of ‘world-first’ global health study into Parkinson’s disease

Innovative smartphone app to gather data for global health study

5 TED Talks for people with Parkinson’s

TED Talks – an online series where expert speakers share their knowledge

Straight Talk: answering your questions about Parkinson’s disease

A series of webinars for people with the condition

Could a sea sponge support the search for Parkinson’s disease treatments?

How could a molecule in a sea sponge help treat Parkinson’s and similar conditions? Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), in the US, recently explored this question. Their findings were published in the journal ‘Science’. The team examined a molecule known as lissodendoric acid A, which appears to counteract other molecules that damage DNA, proteins and whole cells – and was recently discovered in a sea sponge. The research team used an oft-neglected compound called a cyclic allene to control a step in the chain of chemical reactions, which enabled them to create a version of the molecule in a lab. Scientists believe that the ability to synthetically produce lissodendoric acid A will help them assess whether it can inform future therapies for conditions like Parkinson’s. UCLA’s Professor Neil Garg, the corresponding author of the study, said: “We hope others will also be able to use cyclic…

Study finds just six minutes of daily exercise might delay onset of Parkinson’s disease

Regular exercise is a common therapeutic strategy for people with Parkinson’s. Now, a study from New Zealand has suggested that daily physical activity might even delay the onset of this condition. Published in ‘The Physiological Society’, the study focused on a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – which has previously been shown to boost cognitive performance. The researchers assessed the impact of fasting and physical activity on BDNF production in 12 people aged 18 to 56. The tests involved fasting and completing exercises of varying intensity, such as cycling for six minutes, as well as combinations of both fasting and physical activity. The results showed that brief, intense exercise was the best option for increasing the production of BDNF – with the protein increasing by a factor of four to five times compared to light exercise or fasting. Because BDNF can protect the brain from cognitive decline, the findings could…

Machine learning may help predict risk of freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease

Difficulty taking steps forward, often referred to as the freezing of gait (FOG), is a common symptom experienced by people with Parkinson’s and one that can be difficult to predict. China-based researchers suggest that machine learning – artificial intelligence (AI) that uses algorithms to analyse data – could help predict the risk of freezing of gait developing in the early stages of the condition. Their study, published in ‘npj Parkinson’s Disease’, gave laboratory and clinical data to a machine learning model brain. This information was collected from 158 adults with untreated early-stage Parkinson’s and 73 healthy adults over a five-year period. They found that the risk of FOG could be predicted with an accuracy rate of up to 78%. The study authors suggested that machine learning methods “have the potential to help predict future FOG in patients with early Parkinson’s at an individual level”.

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.

Keeping step with Parkinson’s: balance, posture and gait

News

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 20 September 2017

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Global update

Sign up to be part of ‘world-first’ global health study into Parkinson’s disease

Resources & Tools

5 TED Talks for people with Parkinson’s

Resources & Tools

Straight Talk: answering your questions about Parkinson’s disease

Could a sea sponge support the search for Parkinson’s disease treatments?

Study finds just six minutes of daily exercise might delay onset of Parkinson’s disease

Machine learning may help predict risk of freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease

{title}

Subscribe

Keeping step with Parkinson’s: balance, posture and gait

News

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 20 September 2017

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Global update

Sign up to be part of ‘world-first’ global health study into Parkinson’s disease

Resources & Tools

5 TED Talks for people with Parkinson’s

Resources & Tools

Straight Talk: answering your questions about Parkinson’s disease

Could a sea sponge support the search for Parkinson’s disease treatments?

Study finds just six minutes of daily exercise might delay onset of Parkinson’s disease

Machine learning may help predict risk of freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in