Who said what: QoTW 11.06.15

Perspectives

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 11 June 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

A weekly roundup of our favourite Parkinson’s quotes

“If you want to blame somebody, blame it on the Parkinson’s”

– Mitch Faile, the lyrics to a light-hearted song he wrote on everyday difficulties of living with Parkinson’s

“We’ll start small, think big, act fast. We’ll hopefully expand to the rest of Michigan, and why not the rest of the States?”

– Bas Bloem, after signing an agreement to bring innovative healthcare model to West Michigan

“The puppets will have the strings attached to the head, hands and feet which will be a metaphor for the disease itself”

– Susan Guy, an animator making a stop motion documentary about Parkinson’s

“The focus now is on being there for my parents because this doesn’t just affect the individual, it affects the whole family”

– Enzo Cilenti, ‘Yezzan’ in hit TV series Game of Thrones, whose father was diagnosed three years ago

Share this story

Comments

Supporting 100,000 Australians with Parkinson’s

We spoke to the CEO of Parkinson’s Australia

“I can draw again” – how a smart watch helped a graphic designer overcome her Parkinson’s tremor

Vibrating watch helps graphic designer draw again

Parkinson’s boost in €10bn EU funding round

EU announces investment in new treatments for Parkinson's

New enzyme discovery could “put the brakes” on Parkinson’s

Researchers at the University of Dundee, UK, have discovered an enzyme that could reverse mutations in a gene commonly associated with the development of Parkinson’s. The enzyme, called PPM1H, has been found to naturally prevent the biological activity of LRKK2 – it is hoped this discovery could slowdown the progression of the disease. The researchers are now working with the university’s Drug Discovery Unit to develop compounds that could activate the newly discovered enzyme. Professor Dario Alessi, one of the lead researchers, said: “Parkinson’s is like a runaway train – at present we have no way of putting the brakes on to slow it down, let alone stop it. This new enzyme we have found acts as the brakes in the pathway that causes Parkinson’s in humans. “This finding opens the door for a new chemical approach to the search for Parkinson’s treatments.” Lead image credit: University of Dundee

£2 million ballet and Parkinson’s study launched

A new study launched by English National Ballet and university King’s College London, UK, will assess the impact of ballet on Parkinson’s symptoms. Researchers hope that regular lessons – which include voice exercises and dance – will improve fluidity, gait and posture in people living with the condition. The study is part of a wider project, costing in the region of UK £2 million, researching how the arts impacts physical and mental health. Fleur Derbyshire-Fox, English National Ballet’s Engagement Director, said: “Since creating our Dance for Parkinson’s programme in 2010 we have seen first-hand the incredible effects dance can have on a person living with Parkinson’s. “We’re thrilled to be a part of this study, with the opportunity to embed the programme within secondary care, and in turn have a greater impact on the physical and emotional wellbeing of people living with Parkinson’s.”

Parkinson’s trial awarded £250,000 by UK Medical Research Council

Researchers from UK university Imperial College London have been awarded UK £250,000 to trial surgical implants that could reduce the number of falls in patients with Parkinson’s. The funding has been awarded by the Medical Research Council – the body responsible for co-ordinating research in the UK. As part of the trial, the implants will alter nerve activity by sending a low-voltage current to different areas of the spinal cord in five patients living with Parkinson’s disease. Dr Yen Tai, from the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London, said: “Frequent falls are a common and disabling problem in advanced Parkinson’s, and can lead to patient’s being housebound. “This grant will enable me to work in collaboration with the Brain and Vestibular Group at the College and the Trust, to trial a new treatment that could help improve outcomes for patients and how we deliver care.”

Who said what: QoTW 11.06.15

Perspectives

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 11 June 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

“If you want to blame somebody, blame it on the Parkinson’s”

“We’ll start small, think big, act fast. We’ll hopefully expand to the rest of Michigan, and why not the rest of the States?”

“The puppets will have the strings attached to the head, hands and feet which will be a metaphor for the disease itself”

“The focus now is on being there for my parents because this doesn’t just affect the individual, it affects the whole family”

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

In my country

Supporting 100,000 Australians with Parkinson’s

Advances

“I can draw again” – how a smart watch helped a graphic designer overcome her Parkinson’s tremor

Europe

Parkinson’s boost in €10bn EU funding round

New enzyme discovery could “put the brakes” on Parkinson’s

£2 million ballet and Parkinson’s study launched

Parkinson’s trial awarded £250,000 by UK Medical Research Council

{title}

Subscribe

Who said what: QoTW 11.06.15

Perspectives

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 11 June 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

“If you want to blame somebody, blame it on the Parkinson’s”

“We’ll start small, think big, act fast. We’ll hopefully expand to the rest of Michigan, and why not the rest of the States?”

“The puppets will have the strings attached to the head, hands and feet which will be a metaphor for the disease itself”

“The focus now is on being there for my parents because this doesn’t just affect the individual, it affects the whole family”

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

In my country

Supporting 100,000 Australians with Parkinson’s

Advances

“I can draw again” – how a smart watch helped a graphic designer overcome her Parkinson’s tremor

Europe

Parkinson’s boost in €10bn EU funding round

New enzyme discovery could “put the brakes” on Parkinson’s

£2 million ballet and Parkinson’s study launched

Parkinson’s trial awarded £250,000 by UK Medical Research Council

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in