Queen Elizabeth II honours UK university for Parkinson’s research

News

Author: Roisin McCormackPublished: 5 December 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Queen Elizabeth II visiting a research centre

A neuroscience research centre at the University of Sheffield, UK, has been recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for improving the lives of patients living with neurodegenerative conditions, including Parkinson’s.

The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, which is based at the university, uses emerging developments in neuroscience to create innovative new approaches to treating brain conditions.

The prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize was awarded at St James’s Palace, London. The institute was commended for its development of Parkinson’s drug discovery programmes.

The honour is awarded to UK universities who exhibit groundbreaking and innovative approaches to research – with beneficial results at local, national and global levels.

Professor Koen Lamberts, president and vice-chancellor for the University of Sheffield, said: “As well as making life-changing discoveries today, The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience is nurturing the next generation of talented neuroscience students, whose research will lead to pioneering treatments for those living with neurological diseases.”

New Parkinson’s health app to track symptoms more accurately

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

Global update

“Sometimes, art can communicate what words cannot”

We spoke to the artist portraying Parkinson’s symptoms

Sign up for the World Parkinson Boot Camp this April

Take the Parkinson’s Life survey for a chance to win!

Parkinson’s Life 2016 Survey: tell us what you think

Osteoarthritis may increase risk of Parkinson’s disease, researchers find

Researchers in Taiwan have found that osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition, may significantly increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease for older adults. As part of the study, the researchers analysed the health records of 33,360 people living with osteoarthritis, aged between 50 and 64. They compared the records with data from a second group of 33,360 people, in the same age range, without osteoarthritis. The results suggested that those with osteoarthritis have a 41% higher risk of being diagnosed with Parkinson’s – and that individuals with knee or hip osteoarthritis are more at risk than those with joint pain in other areas. Shin-Liang Pan, senior author of the study, said: “Coexisting osteoarthritis and Parkinson’s disease can additively increase the risk of falling. Moreover, osteoarthritis-related mobility impairments may mask early motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Health professionals need to be alert to the potential link between these two diseases.”

Could virtual studies support Parkinson’s disease research?

Parkinson’s research is “hampered by inefficient recruitment and burdensome in-person assessments”, according to researchers in the US and Canada. But could virtual research have the potential to help solve some of these problems? Recruiting 203 participants from Fox Insight – an online clinical study sponsored by The Michael J Fox Foundation – the team assessed the validity of the participants’ self-reported Parkinson’s health information, and their willingness to take part in video-based research. Participants completed online questionnaires and attended two virtual visits, with a movement disorder specialist determining the likely diagnosis compared to the self-reported diagnosis. The study revealed that the participants’ self-reported diagnosis of Parkinson’s was accurate – and that 98.5% of participants would consider participating in a future study with virtual visits. The researchers concluded: “Our study demonstrates the promise of a much-needed novel model for conducting Parkinson’s research and highlights the potential of such a model for ……

Gait and tremor may be the best early predictors of Parkinson’s disease

Gait and tremor may be the most identifiable early signs of Parkinson’s disease, according to researchers from the US, France and Germany. The researchers analysed data from two large health-record databases, including an insurance company’s de-identified administrative claims. Selecting 8,382 participants with Parkinson’s disease, the scientists evaluated individual occurrences of reported symptoms over time – and how these corresponded to their Parkinson’s diagnosis. The analysis revealed a “pre-diagnostic window” in which symptoms were reported but no diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease was made. The most dominant symptoms in this pre-diagnostic window were abnormal gait and tremor, highlighting “the existence of a population of [Parkinson’s] patients whose diagnoses can be accelerated”. The researchers concluded: “Accurate, prospective identification of high-risk individuals would allow for earlier diagnosis, intervention and more effective large-scale evaluation of potential therapeutics.”

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.

Queen Elizabeth II honours UK university for Parkinson’s research

News

Author: Roisin McCormackPublished: 5 December 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Global update

“Sometimes, art can communicate what words cannot”

Health & Fitness

Sign up for the World Parkinson Boot Camp this April

Global update

Take the Parkinson’s Life survey for a chance to win!

Osteoarthritis may increase risk of Parkinson’s disease, researchers find

Could virtual studies support Parkinson’s disease research?

Gait and tremor may be the best early predictors of Parkinson’s disease

{title}

Subscribe

Queen Elizabeth II honours UK university for Parkinson’s research

News

Author: Roisin McCormackPublished: 5 December 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Global update

“Sometimes, art can communicate what words cannot”

Health & Fitness

Sign up for the World Parkinson Boot Camp this April

Global update

Take the Parkinson’s Life survey for a chance to win!

Osteoarthritis may increase risk of Parkinson’s disease, researchers find

Could virtual studies support Parkinson’s disease research?

Gait and tremor may be the best early predictors of Parkinson’s disease

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in