#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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Researchers in Denmark have shared insights on a cause of up to 95% of Parkinson’s disease cases. Using data on gene patterns and three mouse models, scientists at the University of Copenhagen found that a blockage to a pathway regulating mitochondria (‘powerhouses’ that generate energy for reactions in cells) causes a form of the condition known as ‘sporadic Parkinson’s disease’. When the pathway becomes blocked by a protein, damaged mitochondria accumulate, unable to produce enough energy – which in turn causes nerve cells to die. “Just like when people eat, cells take what they need and get rid of … waste products,” explained corresponding study author Professor Shohreh Issazadeh-Navikas. “But if our brain cells have this specific kind of signalling blockage, it means that the powerhouse of the cell – mitochondria – cannot get cleaned up after being damaged.” The team now plan to investigate the pathway’s role in neuronal…

Could dance help to treat Parkinson’s disease?

Dance training with music could help slow the progression of mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease, researchers at York University in Canada have found. As part of the study, the researchers followed 16 participants with Parkinson’s disease who attended weekly dance classes between 2014 and 2017. The research team compared them to 16 people with Parkinson’s who did not take part in the classes. The research team found that the motor and non-motor symptoms of those who took part in the dance classes improved or did not progress over time – while those who did not participate showed a continual decline. “Dance is so complex,” said study author, PhD candidate Karolina Bearss. “It’s a multi-sensory type of environment. It incorporates and stimulates your auditory, tactile, visual and kinaesthetic senses and adds an interactive social aspect. Regular exercise does not offer these aspects. There’s so much more to dance.”

Vineyard pesticides may be linked to Parkinson’s disease

Exposure to pesticides used in vineyards could be linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to researchers in France. As part of their study, the team used a health insurance database to identify farmers in France who had been diagnosed with the condition. They then compared these records with data combining an agriculture census and pesticide expenditures across regions of varying farming types, including vineyards. They found that areas with vineyards that lacked designation of origin, and spent the most on pesticides, were associated with a 16% higher incidence of Parkinson’s. “This result suggests that agricultural practices and pesticides used in these vineyards may play a role in Parkinson’s disease,” the researchers concluded, “and that farmers in these farms should benefit from preventive measures aiming at reducing exposure.”

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#UniteForParkinsons around the world

Global update

Author: Aurore GroultPublished: 2 May 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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“People out there want to help”

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Watch: an animated story of Parkinson’s

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“I do not let the Parkinson’s diagnosis define who I am”

Research offers new insights on a cause of Parkinson’s disease

Could dance help to treat Parkinson’s disease?

Vineyard pesticides may be linked to Parkinson’s disease

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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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Interviews

“People out there want to help”

Interviews

Watch: an animated story of Parkinson’s

Interviews

“I do not let the Parkinson’s diagnosis define who I am”

Research offers new insights on a cause of Parkinson’s disease

Could dance help to treat Parkinson’s disease?

Vineyard pesticides may be linked to Parkinson’s disease

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