#UniteForParkinsons around the world

Global update

Author: Aurore GroultPublished: 2 May 2018

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The 11 April marked World Parkinson’s Day and the second #UniteForParkinsons campaign. From Africa to Asia, we take a look at how campaigners around the world marked the events

On World Parkinson’s Day the world came together to join the second ever #UniteForParkinsons campaign.

The campaign – launched by the European Parkinson’s Disease Association and Parkinson’s UK – was a huge success, connecting with 199 different countries across the globe. The special #UniteForParkinsons hashtag was also used over 17,000 times – more than double last year’s figure – and the campaign reached a total of 8 million people.

#UniteForParkinsons also received support from key policy makers around the world – including UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, Maltese president Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and European Union commissioner for research, science and innovation Carlos Moedas.

To support #UniteForParkinsons, and mark the day in general, campaigners from all corners of the world teamed up to raise awareness.

Dinner in Rome

The Parkinson’s Centre at the San Raffaele Pisana hospital in Rome, Italy, supported the campaign with a charity gala dinner. The event was attended by a variety of famous faces – such as actress Tosca D’Aquino and TV presenter Massimo Boldi – who enjoyed a charity auction with prizes including a football shirt signed by former Italian footballer Francesco Totti.

Unite for Parkinson's dinner in Rome

Dancing in Malaysia

The Malaysian Parkinson’s Disease Association and the University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre supported the campaign with a dance performance at a “Pause for Parkinson’s” themed event held at the hospital.

Exercise in Victoria

In Victoria, Australia, the Donvale Rehabilitation Hospital encouraged all staff to take part in an intensive exercise regime to support World Parkinson’s Day and #UniteForParkinsons.

Don vale Rehabilitation Hospital

Raising awareness in Pakistan

The Neurology Awareness and Research Foundation, Pakistan, and the Movement Disorder Society of Pakistan held a special walk on World Parkinson’s Day to raise awareness about the condition.

WPD Pakistan walk

Cricket in Dubai

In honour of World Parkinson’s Awareness Month, campaigners in Dubai participated in the VFS Tasheel and Movement Mantra Hold Indoor Cricket Tournament.

Dubai Cricket tournament

Education in Egypt

The Neurology Department at the Kasr Al Ainy University, Cairo, Egypt celebrated #UniteForParkinsons with an educational event.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=NSjaGwSSgIA&app=desktop

For more information on the #UniteForParkinsons campaign please visit the EPDA website.

#UniteForParkinsons: the story so far

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Acupuncture may alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms

A study conducted by researchers in South Korea has found that acupuncture may help alleviate motor symptoms of Parkinson’s. The study – published in science journal ‘Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience’ – collected data from 42 existing trials testing the effects of acupuncture on different mouse models of Parkinson’s disease. A total of 40 studies showed that acupuncture increased levels of tyrosine hydroxylase – an enzyme in the brain which is part of the dopamine-producing process. Although there was no evidence to suggest acupuncture can induce changes in dopamine levels, results suggested that acupuncture may help alleviate motor symptoms in mice. Discussing their findings, the researchers commented: “Acupuncture treatment potentially protected [dopamine] neurons through various beneficial mechanisms. “Nevertheless, resolving the low quality of studies and further research investigating the efficacy of different acupuncture treatment methods in Parkinson’s disease rodent models will be needed.”

Could insulin be used to treat Parkinson’s symptoms?

A US study has found that intranasal insulin, which is commonly used to treat diabetes, may be able to improve Parkinson’s symptoms. As part of the study, published in scientific journal ‘PLOS ONE’, 14 people with Parkinson’s were administered a daily dose of intranasal insulin for four weeks. After the four week period, researchers – made up staff from Harvard Medical School, US, and the University of Massachusetts, US – saw an improvement in both the participants motor skills and verbal fluency. Discussing the trial, the researchers said: “Our study provided preliminary data that suggested an improvement of functional skills after four weeks of daily INI [intranasal insulin] treatment. That paves the way toward a larger cohort study to evaluate long-term safety and potential efficacy of intranasal insulin administration for potential treatment and prevention of functional decline in patients with Parkinson disease”.

Can drinking milk increase the risk of Parkinson’s?

Researchers at Uppsala University, Sweden, have found that drinking more than 40 millilitres of milk per day may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s. As part of the study, 81,889 participants between the ages of 45 and 83 who do not live with the condition completed a survey detailing their milk, soured milk and yoghurt consumption. After an average follow up of 14 years, a total of 1,251 participants reported a Parkinson’s diagnosis. The dietary patterns of the participants showed that individuals who drank 40 to 159 millilitres of milk per day were 30% more likely to develop the condition. The researchers – who presented their study at the 2019 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases in Lisbon, Portugal – concluded: “Findings from this cohort study indicate that consumption of milk, but not soured milk and yogurt, is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.”

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#UniteForParkinsons around the world

Global update

Author: Aurore GroultPublished: 2 May 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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Tom Isaacs president of The Cure Parkinson’s Trust has died

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An emotional new poem for World Parkinson’s Day

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Who said what: 4 powerful Parkinson’s quotes we loved this week

Acupuncture may alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms

Could insulin be used to treat Parkinson’s symptoms?

Can drinking milk increase the risk of Parkinson’s?

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#UniteForParkinsons around the world

Global update

Author: Aurore GroultPublished: 2 May 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

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Share this story

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Related articles

Perspectives

Tom Isaacs president of The Cure Parkinson’s Trust has died

Carers' Corner

An emotional new poem for World Parkinson’s Day

Perspectives

Who said what: 4 powerful Parkinson’s quotes we loved this week

Acupuncture may alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms

Could insulin be used to treat Parkinson’s symptoms?

Can drinking milk increase the risk of Parkinson’s?

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