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

Resources & Tools

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

Advances

“A big step forward” – introducing next generation deep brain stimulation

How Medtronic is pioneering greater personalisation in DBS therapy

An emotional new poem for World Parkinson’s Day

World Parkinson’s Day: Poet pens poignant poem to raise awareness

Awareness-raising Parkinson’s initiatives awarded €3,000 grants

Find out what the awardees hope they achieve

Turmeric oil may offer new ways of treating Parkinson’s disease

Turmeric oil may be beneficial in treating Parkinson’s disease, according to researchers from Kumamoto University in Japan. Their findings support the known properties of aromatic turmerone (ar-turmerone), a compound found in turmeric essential oil, which reduces inflammatory responses caused by cells associated with Parkinson’s-related neurodegeneration. Using midbrain slice cultures – laboratory cellular models that mimic brain activity – the team analysed the effects of a natural form of aromatic turmerone and eight structurally similar derivatives. They tested the derivatives’ anti-inflammatory effects, as well as their ability to protect dopamine-producing neurons. Those with the strongest anti-inflammatory effects were found to prevent the loss of dopamine-producing neurons. Among these were aromatic turmerone and its derivatives, suggesting their role as a “potential candidate for treating Parkinson’s disease”. In a press release, lead author Takahiro Seki said: “Our study elucidated a new mechanism by which ar-turmerone and its derivatives directly protect … [dopamine-producing] neurons.”

Research offers new insights on a cause of Parkinson’s disease

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.”

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.

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

Resources & Tools

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 20 September 2017

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

sponsored article

Advances

“A big step forward” – introducing next generation deep brain stimulation

Carers' Corner

An emotional new poem for World Parkinson’s Day

Europe

Awareness-raising Parkinson’s initiatives awarded €3,000 grants

Turmeric oil may offer new ways of treating Parkinson’s disease

Research offers new insights on a cause of Parkinson’s disease

Could dance help to treat Parkinson’s disease?

{title}

Subscribe

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

Resources & Tools

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 20 September 2017

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

sponsored article

Advances

“A big step forward” – introducing next generation deep brain stimulation

Carers' Corner

An emotional new poem for World Parkinson’s Day

Europe

Awareness-raising Parkinson’s initiatives awarded €3,000 grants

Turmeric oil may offer new ways of treating Parkinson’s disease

Research offers new insights on a cause of Parkinson’s disease

Could dance help to treat Parkinson’s disease?

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in