Who said what: QoTW 28.05.15

Perspectives

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 28 May 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

A weekly roundup of our favourite Parkinson’s quotes, as selected by the Parkinson’s Life editorial team

“You’ve got Parkinson’s disease. But I’ve got to prove to NASA that it’s not something worse”

– What a doctor told then-NASA astronaut, Rich Clifford, after his second flight into space, condemning him to early retirement – or so he thought

“In the best cases, patients who had the treatment pretty much went back to normal”

– Professor Roger Barker, who is leading attempts to ‘revive’ foetal implants – a treatment pioneered almost 30 years ago – as a potential ‘cure’ for Parkinson’s disease

“All I want people to do is ask me, ask me am I okay rather than just presuming I am drunk”

– Susan Harbot, a mother-of-four with Parkinson’s, interviewed on local radio in Bolton, England, expresses frustration at the public’s lack of understanding about the disease

“Depression may be a very early symptom of Parkinson’s disease or a risk factor for the disease”

– Peter Nordström, PhD, at Umeå University in Umeå, Sweden, author of a new study showing that people with depression may be more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease

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Study suggests why neurons die in Parkinson’s disease

Researchers at the University of Córdoba, Spain, have discovered how a certain protein may be linked to death of dopamine-producing neurons associated with Parkinson’s. Using animal models of the condition to conduct their study, the team focused on the protein DJ-1 – whose link to Parkinson’s has previously been established, though its exact function was uncertain. The researchers compared neurons in the brains of mice that possessed the gene expressing DJ-1 with those that did not. The findings revealed that dysfunction or absence of the gene expressing the DJ-1 protein could trigger the ‘cell cycle’ (the process by which cells divide), which should not occur under normal conditions. Because neurons lack the capacity to divide, this causes them die – leading to the onset of symptoms linked with Parkinson’s. It is hoped that uncovering these details about the relationship between DJ-1’s absence and Parkinson’s may lead to the development of…

Researchers have finally identified brain cells linked to Parkinson’s disease

For decades, scientists have known that Parkinson’s is associated with the death of dopamine-producing cells in the brain. Now, researchers from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, US, have discovered the specific subtype of brain cells that die in Parkinson’s disease. Using a technique called single-cell RNA signalling, which enables the individual analysis of cells within a tissue for activity and protein production, researchers identified 10 subtypes of dopamine-producing cells within the donated brains of people who died from causes unrelated to Parkinson’s. The team carried out the same investigation on people who had died with Parkinson’s or a condition with similar symptoms called Lewy body dementia. They discovered that only one subtype of the cells had reduced in number – which suggests many of these cells had died while the people were living. It is hoped that the findings could lead to better understanding of Parkinson’s causes and…

Tiny DBS implant shows potential to advance Parkinson’s disease treatment

In an innovative trial by North Bristol NHS Trust, UK, surgeons have succeeded in implanting a tiny deep brain stimulation (DBS) device into a person’s skull. Their aim? To address symptoms of Parkinson’s. Designed with a tiny battery system that is inserted into the skull, the DBS device delivers electric impulses to targeted areas of the brain through electric probes. In doing so, it works to address abnormal brain cell activity associated with Parkinson’s – and may help to ease symptoms. One of around 25 patients selected for the year-long trial has described the device’s impact as “amazing”. Commenting on the results of the trial so far, consultant neurologist Dr Alan Whone of North Bristol NHS Trust said: “We are hopeful that if these findings hold up, we will have a significant technical advance by which to improve Parkinson’s care across the world.”

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Who said what: QoTW 28.05.15

Perspectives

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 28 May 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

“You’ve got Parkinson’s disease. But I’ve got to prove to NASA that it’s not something worse”

“In the best cases, patients who had the treatment pretty much went back to normal”

“All I want people to do is ask me, ask me am I okay rather than just presuming I am drunk”

“Depression may be a very early symptom of Parkinson’s disease or a risk factor for the disease”

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Who said what: QoTW 28.05.15

Perspectives

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 28 May 2015

“You’ve got Parkinson’s disease. But I’ve got to prove to NASA that it’s not something worse”

“In the best cases, patients who had the treatment pretty much went back to normal”

“All I want people to do is ask me, ask me am I okay rather than just presuming I am drunk”

“Depression may be a very early symptom of Parkinson’s disease or a risk factor for the disease”

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Interviews

Pro cyclist to non-profit founder: Davis Phinney on life with Parkinson’s

Special reports

How close are we to a Parkinson’s breakthrough? Three experts have their say

Interviews

“It’s so rewarding to help people improve their communication”

Study suggests why neurons die in Parkinson’s disease

Researchers have finally identified brain cells linked to Parkinson’s disease

Tiny DBS implant shows potential to advance Parkinson’s disease treatment

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