Gene
therapy offers hope for easing
Parkinson's
Experimental
treatment shows 'unbelievable'
results for patients in study
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NPF Announces Three
New Centers of Excellence, Two New Care Centers, and One
Outreach Center
NPF’s Board of Directors, acting on the recommendation of
the independent NPF Centers Review Board, has approved three
new Centers of Excellence, a designation awarded by NPF to
healthcare institutions that meet criteria for excellence in
Parkinson-related research, comprehensive care, and
outreach. The new centers are:
-
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
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University of Chicago Center for Parkinson’s Disease
and Movement Disorders (Chicago, IL)
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Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Centre,
National Neuroscience Institute (Singapore)
“A Center of Excellence is chosen because it is a
regional hub and leader in the provision of innovative
models, setting a gold standard for care, outreach, and
research,” said Jose Garcia-Pedrosa, chief operating officer
of NPF. “Additionally, each Center must also share our
commitment to developing comprehensive interdisciplinary
teams that will interact holistically with each other.”
NPF has also designated two new Care Centers and one new
Outreach Center. The Booth Gardner Parkinson’s Care Center
in Kirkland, Wash., and the Winnipeg Regional Health
Authority in Winnipeg, Manitoba, will now serve as NPF Care
Centers, devoted to providing both comprehensive care and
outreach for Parkinson disease. The University of Buffalo in
Buffalo, NY has been designated as an NPF Outreach Center,
providing direct support and services to address the unique
challenges faced by the patients and families living in
communities within the surrounding areas.
Currently, NPF has a total of 36 Centers of Excellence,
10 Care Centers, and 8 Outreach Centers located at premier
medical and academic institutions throughout the world. This
year alone, NPF has awarded a total of 86 grants to its
Centers, accounting for over $5.1 million.
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Agent Protects Parkinson's Neurons from Rotenone Toxicity
Release Date
04/18/06
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Researchers at the University at Buffalo affiliated with
the
New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences have
identified a novel agent that can protect neurons involved in Parkinson's
disease from being destroyed by the pesticide rotenone.
The agent, called L-AP4, activates a critical group of receptors called group
III metabotropic glutamate receptors and may be a promising drug target.
Currently there is no known cure for Parkinson's disease.
Long-term studies have shown that environmental toxins play a critical
role in the development of Parkinson's disease, and it has been shown recently
in research with rats that administering rotenone, a naturally occurring
substance widely used as a pesticide, destroys dopamine-producing neurons and
causes symptoms of Parkinson's disease in this animal model.
In the April 19 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience, UB
researchers lead by Jian Feng, Ph.D., report that activation of group III
metabotropic glutamate receptors reverses a cascade of events triggered by
rotenone that destroysdopamine neurons. Feng, UB associate professor of
physiology and biophysics, and colleagues earlier demonstrated that
microtubules, the intracellular highways for transporting dopamine and many
vital cellular components, are critical for the survival of dopamine neurons,
which are responsible for controlling body movement. They showed that rotenone
kills dopamine neurons by destroying microtubules, and that stabilizing
microtubules greatly reduces the toxicity of rotenone.
In this new study, Feng's group has found that activation of
group III
metabotropic glutamate receptors by drugs such as L-AP4 triggers a chain of
events that leads to microtubule stabilization. This cascade, called the MAP
kinase pathway, activates several enzymes that regulate the stability of
microtubules. The primary symptoms of Parkinson's disease are tremors, slowness
in movements, and impaired balance and coordination. At least 500,000 people are
believed to suffer from Parkinson's disease in the United States, and about
50,000 new cases are reported annually, according to the National Institutes of
Health. These figures are expected to increase as the population ages: The
average age of onset is about 60. The disorder appears to be slightly more
common in men than women.
Additional authors on the paper are Qian Jiang, Ph.D., postdoctoral
associate, and Zhen Yan, Ph.D., associate professor, both in the UB
Department of Physiology and Biophysics. Feng and Yan are members of the
Neurodegenerative Disease Team with UB's New York State Center of Excellence in
Bioinformatics and Life Sciences. The research is funded by a grant to Feng from
the National Institutes of Health.
The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public
university,
the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New
York.
3/29/2006
Filed under:
— mnilsen @ 11:13 pm
Thank you for the positive response to last week’s blog about dental care.
Some readers also lament their skin problems. The majority of people with
Parkinson’s deal with itchy patches of skin, often accompanied with a
combination of rashes and scales. These patches are either dry on one extreme,
or greasy on the other. Physicians refer to the condition as seborrhea. They
call the more severe cases seborrhea dermatitis. Dandruff is a form of
seborrhea, as is a common infant condition, cradle cap. However, if this were as
inconvenient as dandruff, we would not be writing about it.
Fortunately, there are a few things that your physician can recommend to
relieve symptoms and improve your skin’s health. Antifungal soaps, creams
containing steroids, and exposing the affected skin to the sun (in moderation)
usually clear up the problem for the time being. Stress often inflames
seborrhea. Naturally, decreasing stress often relieves many of the symptoms.
Furthermore, Parkinson’s-related skin irritation is recurring, and it will
likely come back from time to time. Recognizing and treating it early can keep
it from getting out of control.
Links for more helpful information:
This website is a patient education site that may help you.
Click here to review an overview of seborrhea from the American Academy of
Dermatology.
Important note: This educational material only prepares you for a
conversation with your physician. Always consult with your physician before you
pursue any new treatment.
3/28/2006
Filed under:
— mnilsen @ 6:44 pm
Charlene Lustig lives with her husband in the desert oasis community of
Mesquite, Nevada. Last night, approximately 6 million “Miracle
Workers” viewers experienced her struggle with Parkinson’s disease in every
day life. During the program, viewers met her family and friends. The audience
also walked with Charlene and her loved ones as they considered the risks and
doubts associated with brain surgery. My Parkinson’s Info was impressed that the
producers did not gloss over the risks. The neurosurgeons discussed them frankly
on camera. Charlene herself stated, “This is very frightening,” as her time in
the OR approached.
After the hospital staff wheeled Charlene away to surgery, her daughter
expressed, “I’m scared, I’m very, very scared. Because we don’t know what’s
going to happen to her.”
“Miracle Workers” used special effects to explain the surgery. Viewers spent
time with Charlene, and saw parts of the surgery, while avoiding graphic scenes.
Toward the end of the surgery it was obvious that her tremors decreased.
Millions of people watching from their homes sensed her relief, even shorrtly
after the surgery. The moment was a sample of the improvement she would
experience over the next few weeks, and a hint that her surgery was going to be
successful.
We received a number of emails from My Parkinson’s Info readers. Over 75% of
the respondents found the program favorable. Some of their comments include:
“I have PD and thought the program was informative and gave insight to daily
living with the disease. Showing the surgery was equally as informative and
uplifting.” Lila F.
“I thought this was an interesting plus informing production. This helped my
husband and I to determine if he should have surgery at this time.” Linda W.
“The program was done tastefully. I have Parkinson’s disease and wasn’t a bit
offended.” Jim R.
“I found the program very interesting and very realistic. I thought it was
well done, and I received a lot of information from the program. The patients
circumstances are different from mine. She didn’t seem to have to face other
obstacles that I or others have to face; and, that may have helped her to cope.”
Myra M.
Some viewers did not have a positive experience with the program. Thank you
for your valuable and insightful dissenting voice. You express a genuine reality
for countless people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones.
“I was disappointed in the show. It seemed that it was done to appeal to the
compassionate side of people. My wife has PD and afterwards she was depressed
and scared thinking she might have her family experience what was depicted. I
was hoping that they would explain more of the cause and treatments for the
people who have PD. ” Name withheld
By following these links, you can read
Charlene’s bio and see a
photo gallery of her experience. You can also
click here to see Charlene’s audition tape for the program. (You need to
select “Miracle Workers Audition Tape: Charlene Lustig.”)
The program concludes with the backdrop of a celebration in Charlene’s home
town. A few weeks have passed since the surgery, and family and friends surround
her. They are celebrating her successful return home. She is elated that she was
able to drive herself to an appointment that day. More importantly they are
celebrating the fact that she can now hold a glass, and comfortably toast to the
health of all of those present.
The deep brain stimulation surgery that improved Charlene Lustig’s life is
called Activa® therapy. There are a few cutting-edge neurosurgeons in the US
that have the experience and expertise to perform deep brain stimulation
surgery. Not all people with Parkinson’s are good candidates for deep brain
stimulation. You and your physician ultimately decide if Activa® therapy is
right for you.
If you would like
to receive more information about Activa® therapy and deep brain stimulation,
click here. |
