Parkinson’s podcast: stopping disease progression

Resources & Tools

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 9 July 2015

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In the second episode of the Portland Countdown podcast series, Dr Patrik Brundin and Dr Kimberley Gannon discuss how to stop ‘bad’ proteins attacking brain cells

Stopping disease progression: alpha synuclein

Special Guests: Patrik Brundin, MD, PhD and Kimberley Gannon, PhD

Basic researchers are hard at work trying to understand the pathology of Parkinson’s and discover new drug targets. One likely bad actor is a protein called alpha-synuclein.

Hosted by Dave Iverson and Jon Palfreman, Emmy award-winning journalists living with Parkinson’s disease, this episode looks into what we know about how alpha-synuclein kills brain cells and what might be done to stop it, with Dr Patrik Brundin and Dr Kimberley Gannon on hand to offer their expert opinions.

The aim of the Portland Countdown series is to give listeners new perspectives on the latest advances in Parkinson’s research and treatment.

The shows, developed by the World Parkinson Coalition, are aired online on the first Tuesday of every month from June 2015 to September 2016 – when the 4th World Parkinson Congress takes place in Portland, Oregon, USA. The entire series of podcasts will also be downloadable for free.

The full schedule of show topics and guest speaker profiles is available here

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EPDA signs new charter on workplace rights

The European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA) has signed the Dying to Work Charter – a pledge protecting the workplace rights of people with serious conditions. The charter – part of the Trade Union Congress’ wider Dying to Work campaign – has so far protected over half a million workers in the UK. The Dying to Work campaign group, chaired by MEP Rory Palmer, is calling on the European Union to amend its current legislation. The campaign is asking for serious conditions to be identified as a ‘protected characteristic’ – meaning employees would enjoy a protected period after diagnosis which would ensure the couldn’t be unfairly dismissed. Russell Patten, secretary general at the EPDA, said: “At the EPDA, we are committed to improving employment conditions, reducing stigma and ensuring accessibility to essential services for all people with Parkinson’s disease.” Image: Rory Palmer MEP (left) and Russell Patten, secretary general at the EPDA…

New wearable device could counteract gait

Scientists at the National University of Ireland Galway have created a wearable device that they believe will help people with Parkinson’s to walk more easily. The device, named cueStim, is worn around the waist and delivers fixed rhythmic sensory stimulation to the wearer. This will counteract ‘freezing of gait’ symptoms that are often experienced by people living with the condition. The scientists collaborated with professionals from UK medical board NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to test the device, and found that it significantly reduced the time taken for a person with Parkinson’s to complete walking tasks. Gearóid Ó Laighin, professor of electrical engineering at NUI Galway, said: “We are now seeking additional clinical partners to work with NUI Galway in carrying out a comprehensive long-term clinical evaluation of cueStim in enhancing the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s disease through a funded programme of research.”

Could robots replace animals in Parkinson’s medical trials?

Researchers at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK, are testing new treatments for Parkinson’s disease on robots. Academics at the university – who are collaborating with the International Institute for Neurosciences of Natal, Brazil – will use computer models of the human brain to simulate the effect medication has on people living with Parkinson’s. The study – which is the first of its kind – could lead to a major shift in the way that Parkinson’s treatments are tested in the future, and potentially put an end to animal testing. Dr Patricia A Vargas, the lead collaborator of the study said: “Our hope is two-fold – to reduce and replace animals in research, and to help and inform new therapies, treatments and even the cure for this debilitating disease.”

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Parkinson’s podcast: stopping disease progression

Resources & Tools

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 9 July 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Perspectives

On the road to Santiago – with just my Parkinson’s for company

Advances

83-year-old invents Parkinson’s ‘retainer’ to deliver oral levodopa via the mouth

Perspectives

Tonya’s trends: step-by-step guide to festive footwear with Parkinson’s

EPDA signs new charter on workplace rights

New wearable device could counteract gait

Could robots replace animals in Parkinson’s medical trials?

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Parkinson’s podcast: stopping disease progression

Resources & Tools

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 9 July 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Perspectives

On the road to Santiago – with just my Parkinson’s for company

Advances

83-year-old invents Parkinson’s ‘retainer’ to deliver oral levodopa via the mouth

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Tonya’s trends: step-by-step guide to festive footwear with Parkinson’s

EPDA signs new charter on workplace rights

New wearable device could counteract gait

Could robots replace animals in Parkinson’s medical trials?

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