Could a transplant lower the risk of Parkinson’s?

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 14 March 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine, US, have found that having a heart, kidney, lung or bone marrow transplant could reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s.

As part of the study, published in medical journal ‘Parkinsonism & Related Disorders’, the team assessed data of just under 200,000 patients – 89,790 of whom had Parkinson’s.

The results revealed that individuals who had a transplant were 37% less likely to develop Parkinson’s. This could be due to the immunosuppressant medication patients receive before undergoing a transplant, which researchers believe may help slow neurodegeneration as it reduces inflammation in the brain.

The study said: “This study provides evidence that tissue transplant may be associated with a lower PD [Parkinson’s disease] risk, warranting further investigation to identify factors that mediate this relationship.”

To read more on this topic click here.

For more information on the latest Parkinson’s research please visit the EPDA website.

Course for Parkinson’s nurses launches in Slovenia

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

Perspectives

“There is hope for turning this condition around”

Sheila Roy charts the 'life-changing' effects of new gene therapy

Indian Ocean Row 2018: The ‘Parky’ perspective

A look at how Robin fared crossing the ocean

Fox Foundation’s new public policy unit will be “unified voice” for Parkinson’s

New merger deal to “advance key public policy priorities”

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.

Could a transplant lower the risk of Parkinson’s?

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 14 March 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Perspectives

“There is hope for turning this condition around”

Global update

Indian Ocean Row 2018: The ‘Parky’ perspective

Global update

Fox Foundation’s new public policy unit will be “unified voice” for Parkinson’s

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

Could a transplant lower the risk of Parkinson’s?

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 14 March 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Perspectives

“There is hope for turning this condition around”

Global update

Indian Ocean Row 2018: The ‘Parky’ perspective

Global update

Fox Foundation’s new public policy unit will be “unified voice” for Parkinson’s

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