What do you think of Parkinson’s Life? Take part in our reader survey

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Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 18 June 2020

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We’re always looking to improve our readers’ experience of the Parkinson’s Life magazine, newsletter and podcast. That’s why we’ve launched a new survey to give our international community of readers a chance to share their views and influence what we do.

The survey takes just 10 minutes to complete – and, as a little ‘thank you’ for taking part, readers will be entered into a competition to win a £50 Amazon voucher.

Readers will also have the chance to share interest in joining our future reader panel and take part in regular surveys and discussions to help us to deliver the best content to our international community.

Ready to tell us what you think of Parkinson’s Life? Take part in the reader survey here.

We always appreciate feedback from our readers, so feel free to get in touch with us at any time at editor@parkinsonslife.eu and keep in touch by signing up to our weekly newsletter here.

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Ireland survey aims to uncover link between pesticides and Parkinson’s disease

Previous studies of vineyard and agricultural workers in France and the US highlight potential correlations between pesticide exposure and Parkinson’s risk. Now, a team is conducting the first study in Ireland to investigate this potential link. Last week, researchers from University College Cork, Ireland, took to the country’s National Ploughing Championships – a three-day country show, agricultural trade fair and ploughing competition. Their goal? To “gather information on the environmental risks associated with Parkinson’s in Ireland”, according to Professor Aideen Sullivan of the university’s Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience. “Our survey is a broad-stroke approach. We are going to ask people what categories of pesticides they’ve used,” said Sullivan’s colleague, Dr Lucy Collins-Stack. “We are going into this thinking there may be a stronger link with rural settings rather than towns, but we still want to look at both.” The survey can be completed online.

Is there a link between Parkinson’s disease and blood vessel dysfunction?

Scientists in Slovakia have investigated the link between blood vessel dysfunction and Parkinson’s – and found that dopamine agonists may have an impact. The team studied the function of the endothelium – a membrane which lines the heart and blood vessels and helps control blood fluidity – in 41 people with the condition and 41 people without. Endothelial function was then measured through a parameter that assessed how easily blood could flow through the vessels. The results showed that while more people with Parkinson’s had endothelial dysfunction compared to those without, the difference did not reach statistical significance. However, the researchers noted that the findings suggested “an association between smoking, dopamine agonists, and impaired endothelial function” in those with the condition. Outlining the study’s limitations, the team noted that more research is needed to explore this potential link.

New swab test may help with Parkinson’s disease diagnosis

Researchers at the University of Manchester, UK, have drawn on one woman’s sense of smell to develop a swab test that may be used to detect Parkinson’s. The scientists used the test to analyse sebum (a type of oily substance on the skin) in 79 people with Parkinson’s and a control group of 71 healthy individuals. The team identified more than 4,000 different compounds in the participant samples – including 500 that were unique to those living with the condition. The test was developed with the help of Joy Milne from Perth, Scotland, whose unique sense of smell meant that she noticed a change in her late husband Les’s odour twelve years before he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Speaking to the BBC, Professor Perdita Barran, who led the research, described the test as potentially “transformative” – and said that the team hopes to roll the test out to people in…

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What do you think of Parkinson’s Life? Take part in our reader survey

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 18 June 2020

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

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Share this story

Comments

Advances

“I can draw again” – how a smart watch helped a graphic designer overcome her Parkinson’s tremor

Global update

Dave Clark marches for a Parkinson’s cure

Interviews

Jessica Mann: writing with Parkinson’s

Ireland survey aims to uncover link between pesticides and Parkinson’s disease

Is there a link between Parkinson’s disease and blood vessel dysfunction?

New swab test may help with Parkinson’s disease diagnosis

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What do you think of Parkinson’s Life? Take part in our reader survey

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 18 June 2020

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Advances

“I can draw again” – how a smart watch helped a graphic designer overcome her Parkinson’s tremor

Global update

Dave Clark marches for a Parkinson’s cure

Interviews

Jessica Mann: writing with Parkinson’s

Ireland survey aims to uncover link between pesticides and Parkinson’s disease

Is there a link between Parkinson’s disease and blood vessel dysfunction?

New swab test may help with Parkinson’s disease diagnosis

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