#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.

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.

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.

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.

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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New insights on immune cell process and Parkinson’s disease

Insoluble clumps of the protein alpha-synuclein, which can cause damage to brain cells, have been previously linked to Parkinson’s. Now, scientists in Germany, France and the US have uncovered new details on how brain cells respond to these clusters. The researchers discovered that the brain’s immune cells may be able to join together to break down the protein clumps. According to a press release, this was previously unknown. They also found that these neighbouring cells share mitochondria – structures that generate energy for chemical reactions – to help one another. In certain mutations associated with Parkinson’s, this process may be impaired. The researchers hope this insight could inform the development of new therapies. “We have opened the door to a field that will certainly engage researchers for many years to come,” said Professor Dr Michael Heneka, director of the Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Geriatric Psychiatry at the University Hospital…

Could analysing skin oil help diagnose Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease patients tend to have high levels of oil, known as sebum, on their skin’s surface. Now, a study has suggested that analysing this substance may help when diagnosing the condition. The study revealed that sebum contains significant amounts of genetic material, specifically the molecule ribonucleic acid (RNA). Analysis of RNA contained in sebum – that is, skin surface lipids RNA, or SSL-RNA – could offer insights into a person’s health. Researchers in Japan examined SSL-RNA in men and women with and without Parkinson’s. The results suggested that the SSL-RNA profiles of those with Parkinson’s had “different characteristics” than those without. The researchers then tested whether examining these profiles with machine learning could reveal those who had Parkinson’s – and who didn’t. The team’s algorithm indicated a “relatively robust discriminatory ability,” supporting the further use of SSL-RNA as part of a future “non-invasive” method for diagnosis.

‘Sonic hedgehog’ protein could impact Parkinson’s disease dyskinesia

Dyskinesia is often caused by extended use of the common Parkinson’s medication levodopa – and can be debilitating for those with the condition. Now, researchers in the US may have found a way to suppress these involuntary movements through a protein called ‘sonic hedgehog’. To conduct their study, the team administered levodopa and sonic hedgehog agonists to rodent and non-human primate models of the condition. The results revealed that dopamine neurons use the protein to communicate with other neurons thought to play a role in levodopa-induced dyskinesia. Increased signalling of sonic hedgehog pathways was found to reduce this dyskinesia – providing “novel insight” into its formation and a “potential therapeutic solution”. “What we find,” wrote corresponding study author Professor Andreas Kottmann, “is that in several animal models, by replacing … dopamine together with agonists that mimic the effects of sonic hedgehog, these dyskinesias can be very much suppressed.”

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#UniteForParkinsons around the world

Global update

Author: Aurore GroultPublished: 2 May 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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Are pesticides the cause of Parkinson’s disease? Find out in this free podcast

Global update

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Health & Fitness

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‘Sonic hedgehog’ protein could impact Parkinson’s disease dyskinesia

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#UniteForParkinsons around the world

Global update

Author: Aurore GroultPublished: 2 May 2018

Last Month

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Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Resources & Tools

Are pesticides the cause of Parkinson’s disease? Find out in this free podcast

Global update

Survey: would you take part in a Parkinson’s disease ‘Olympics’?

Health & Fitness

From Nordic walking to boxing: six sports for Parkinson’s disease

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Could analysing skin oil help diagnose Parkinson’s disease?

‘Sonic hedgehog’ protein could impact Parkinson’s disease dyskinesia

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