Is Parkinson’s Disease Treatable

Box 1 Diagnostic Criteria For Psychosis In Parkinsons Disease

• Presence of any of the following:

• hallucinations

Once PD psychosis is diagnosed, the next step is to prune the list of antiparkinsonian medications. I generally remove them in the following sequence: anticholinergics, amantadine, and then dopamine agonists. Some clinicians also stop monoamine oxidase inhibitors and catechol-O-methyl transferase inhibitors. Parkinsonian symptoms often will increase as a result of these medication changes, requiring increases in levodopa dosage. If psychosis persists after thus simplifying antiparkinsonian treatment, levodopa dosage can be reduced if possible, but often patients already are at the minimum dose tolerated for motor function.

Risk Factors And Causes

There isnt one single cause of Parkinsons that has been proven at this time. Researchers believe a loss of the neurotransmitter dopamine, neurological damage, inflammation and brain cell deterioration are among the primary factors that trigger Parkinsons development. But why exactly patients develop these problems is a complex issue that remains up for debate.

What is known is that certain risk factors can make someone more susceptible to developing Parkinsons disease, which can include:

• Being a man, especially during older age. Research suggests that men in their 50s and 60s are most likely to develop Parkinsons.
• Genetic susceptibility: Studies have now identified several gene mutations that can put someone at a greater risk. Parkinsons has also been found to run in families, and having a sibling or parent increases someones risk.
• Damage to the area of the brain called the substantia nigra, which produces brain cells that are responsible for making dopamine.
• Toxicity and exposure to chemicals, including pesticides present on produce from non-organic farming. Living in a rural area and drinking well-water that might contain chemicals is another environmental risk factor.
• Poor diet, nutrient deficiencies, food allergies and an unhealthy lifestyle.
• Hormonal imbalances and other medical conditions that affect cognitive health and increase inflammation.

Strategies For The Treatment Of Parkinsons Disease: Beyond Dopamine

• 1Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile
• 2Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
• 3Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
• 4Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
• 5Research & Development Service, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, Bay Pines, FL, United States

Parkinsons disease is the second-leading cause of dementia and is characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra alongside the presence of intraneuronal -synuclein-positive inclusions. Therapies to date have been directed to the restoration of the dopaminergic system, and the prevention of dopaminergic neuronal cell death in the midbrain. This review discusses the physiological mechanisms involved in PD as well as new and prospective therapies for the disease. The current data suggest that prevention or early treatment of PD may be the most effective therapeutic strategy. New advances in the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of PD predict the development of more personalized and integral therapies in the years to come. Thus, the development of more reliable biomarkers at asymptomatic stages of the disease, and the use of genetic profiling of patients will surely permit a more effective treatment of PD.

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How Will The Disease Affect My Life

Most people who have Parkinsonâs live a normal to a nearly normal lifespan, but the disease can be life changing.

For some people, treatment keeps the symptoms at bay, and they’re mostly mild. For others, the disease is much more serious and really limits what you’re able to do.

As it gets worse, it makes it harder and harder to do daily activities like getting out of bed, driving, or going to work. Even writing can seem like a tough task. And in later stages, it can cause dementia.

Even though Parkinson’s can have a big impact on your life, with the right treatment and help from your health care team, you can still enjoy the things you love. It’s important to reach out to family and friends for support. Learning to live with Parkinson’s means making sure you get the backing you need.

Anatomy Morphology And Functional Organization Of The Midbrain Da System

The complexity of the dopaminergic system seems to coincide with evolutionary development given that the number, size, and distribution, as well as receptor subtypes of dopaminergic neurons in the brain, increases alongside phylogenetic complexity . For example, dopaminergic terminal fields arising from midbrain clusters are more prominent and less segregated in the neocortex of primates than in rodents .

Dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain are mainly located in the SNc and VTA, although some smaller clusters have been found elsewhere, for instance, the dorsal and median raphe nuclei . In a classic article by Dahlstroem and Fuxe , SNc and VTA DA neurons were characterized based on their organization and projection patterns, which, in rat, can be found discrete clusters . SNc neurons innervate the dorsal and lateral striatum, thus forming a nigrostriatal pathway , and are necessary for the initiation and control of motor movements. Accordingly, the degeneration of this pathway is considered to be responsible for much of the motor dysfunction associated with PD. The VTA innervates the ventral striatum, nucleus accumbens, and limbic and cortical areas, and this way forms the mesolimbic and mesocortical pathways .

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Managing Depression In Parkinsons Disease

People with Parkinsons, family members and caregivers may not always recognize the signs of depression and anxiety. If you are experiencing depression as a symptom of Parkinsons, it is important to know it can be treated.

Here are some suggestions:

• For information and support on living well with Parkinsons disease, contact our Information and Referral line.
• As much as possible, remain socially engaged and physically active. Resist the urge to isolate yourself.
• You may want to consult a psychologist and there are medications that help relieve depression in people with Parkinsons, including nortriptyline and citalopram .

Depression May Be An Early Symptom Of Parkinsons

Depression is one of the most common, and most disabling, non-motor symptoms of Parkinsons disease. As many as 50 per cent of people with Parkinsons experience the symptoms of clinical depression at some stage of the disease. Some people experience depression up to a decade or more before experiencing any motor symptoms of Parkinsons.

Clinical depression and anxiety are underdiagnosed symptoms of Parkinsons. Researchers believe that depression and anxiety in Parkinsons disease may be due to chemical and physical changes in the area of the brain that affect mood as well as movement. These changes are caused by the disease itself.

Here are some suggestions to help identify depression in Parkinsons:

• Mention changes in mood to your physician if they do not ask you about these conditions.
• Complete our Geriatric Depression Scale-15 to record your feelings so you can discuss symptoms with your doctor. Download the answer key and compare your responses.

• delusions and impulse control disorders

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Naturaltreatment For Parkinsons #9 Exercise And Other Alternative Therapies:

Regular exercise has been shown to help Parkinsonssufferers by reducing muscle stiffness, increasing mobility, and enhancing postureand balance. Exercise also increases oxygen levels and neurotransmitters, alongwith releasing potent mood elevating chemicals called endorphins.

The type of exercise performed for PD is crucial. Aqua orwater aerobics can be particularly useful as traditional exercise is usuallyquite difficult for many Parkinsons sufferers. Muscle decline, loss of strength,stiffness and loss of balance can make conventional exercises difficult toperform. The great thing about aqua aerobics is it still has the same benefits as other exercise regimens,but the risk of falling is eliminated.

Other types of exercises that can be beneficial for PDsufferers include Tai Chi, Yoga, dancing, walking, aerobic/jazzercise classes,and general stretching.

For more information on the different exercise programsavailable for Parkinsons patients, you can check out this website Exercise and Physical Therapy for ParkinsonsDisease

What Are The Early Signs And Symptoms Of Parkinsons

Since it is a slow-developing condition, it may be difficult to catch and confirm if a person is suffering from PD.

However, there are signs that a person should look after, which may lead to an early onset of the disease.

1. Tremor

Fingers, hands, or faces that are trembling without the influence of any physical stress or muscle injury can be an early sign that a person has PD.

2. Loss of Smell

Although this early sign can be confused with other conditions such as a cold or flu, having a permanent loss in smell could signify PD.

3. Restlessness

Difficulty in sleeping or sudden movements during sleep could be an early sign of Parkinsons. This may seem normal for others, especially after having a physically draining day but experiencing this must be checked immediately.

4. Smaller Handwriting

Also known as micrographia, this condition is often related to PD and affects how a person writes as their handwriting progressively decreases in size.

5. Difficulty in Walking

Since PD directly affects the movement of a person, an early sign of having this disease is difficulty in walking or moving, especially when a person feels like their feet are stuck on the floor for no reason.

6. Hoarse voice

An early sign of PD involves having a softer voice. A person may think he/she has difficulty hearing, but it can be because the speaking voice decreases.

7. Facial Masking

8. Stooping

9. Dizziness

10. Constipation

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Risk Factors For Parkinson’s Disease

While a primary cause for PD is not yet known, certain risk factors can increase a persons likelihood of developing the disease:

• Age: PD is rare in young people. People who develop the disease are usually around 60 or older, and the risk increases with age.
• Exposure to environmental toxins: Exposure to certain herbicides and pesticides can increase risk.
• Gender: Men are more likely to develop PD than women. On average, three men will develop the disease for every two women.
• Heredity: Having a close relative with PD increases the chances of developing the disease. However, that risk is still small unless family members develop the disease at a young age.

Naturalremedy For Parkinsons #10 Foods You Must Avoid

There are certain foods that are known to worsen thesymptoms of Parkinsons and certain foods that are known to help. Healthadvocate, Dr Joseph Mercola, says that Parkinsons disease is primarily relatedto poor lifestyle choices, particularly poor dietary habits. Increasing yourbodys natural dopamine levels is also extremely important in your fight againstPD.

The foods and liquids you should be eating and drinkingmore of to help you along include:

· Clean Filtered Water Clean filtered water helpsto flush toxins from the body and hydrate the cells .Try and aim to drink at least two liters of water every day, and under nocircumstances drink tap water! Tap water is laced with toxic fluoride and otherchemicals and heavy metals so NEVER drink it. Buy yourself a good quality waterfilter. Its worth the investment.

· Whole Foods and Raw Foods Eat plenty oforganic mixed berries, green leafy vegetables, liver , fish,eggs, nuts and seeds such as chia and flaxseeds, along with plenty of herbs andspices. When it comes to buying any of these remember fresh is alwaysbest.

· Consume Lots of Probiotics Good gutbacteria are needed for strong immunity and healthy digestive function, whichin turn produces healthy brain and nerve function. You can learn how to makeyour own probiotic rich foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, kombucha and yogurt hereCultures for Health.

The foods you should be avoiding or not eating at allinclude:

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How Is Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosed

Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and your past health and will do a neurological exam. This exam includes questions and tests that show how well your nerves are working. For example, your doctor will watch how you move, check your muscle strength and reflexes, and check your vision.

Your doctor will also ask questions about your mood.

In some cases, your doctor may have you try a medicine. How this medicine works may help your doctor know if you have Parkinson’s disease.

There are no lab or blood tests that can help your doctor know whether you have Parkinson’s. But you may have tests to help your doctor rule out other diseases that could be causing your symptoms. For example, you might have an to look for signs of a or .

Symptoms And Warning Signs

Symptoms of Parkinsons fall into two major categories: those related to motor functions, and those related to changes in someones mood. The four most common signs and symptoms of Parkinsons disease include:

• Trembling: This usually presents itself in the arms, jaw, legs and face.
• Rigidity: Most patients experience stiffness of the bodys core as well as their arms and legs.
• Bradykinesia: This is the term for slowness of movement. Some patients pause or freeze when moving without being able to start again, and others begin to shuffle when trying to walk.
• Postural instability : This results in loss of strength, loss of balance and problems with moving muscles or coordinating body parts.

Other symptoms that can also occur, which often impact someones moods and other behaviors, include:

• Sexual dysfunction

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What Causes Parkinson’s

Doctors aren’t sure why all those brain cells start dying. They think it’s a mix of your genes and something in the environment, but the reason is not straightforward.

Someone could have a change in a gene tied to Parkinson’s, but never get the disease. That happens a lot. And a bunch of people could work side by side in a place with chemicals linked to Parkinson’s, but only a few of them end up with it.

It’s a complex puzzle, and scientists are still trying to put all the pieces together.

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What Diseases And Conditions Resemble Parkinsons Disease

PD is the most common form of parkinsonism, in which disorders of other causes produce features and symptoms that closely resemble Parkinsons disease. Many disorders can cause symptoms similar to those of PD, including:

Several diseases, including MSA, CBD, and PSP, are sometimes referred to as Parkinsons-plus diseases because they have the symptoms of PD plus additional features.

In very rare cases, parkinsonian symptoms may appear in people before the age of 20. This condition is called juvenile parkinsonism. It often begins with dystonia and bradykinesia, and the symptoms often improve with levodopa medication.

What New Treatments Are Being Developed

Thanks to the progress we’ve already made, new treatments are being tested in clinical trials that have the potential to slow, stop or even reverse Parkinson’s.

These include:

• stem cell therapies, which aim to use healthy, living cells to replace or repair the damage in the brains of people with Parkinson’s
• gene therapies, which use the power of genetics to reprogramme cells and change their behaviour to help them stay healthy and work better for longer
• growth factors , which are naturally occurring molecules that support the growth, development and survival of brain cells.

And we’re developing treatments that aim to improve life with the condition, including new drugs that can reduce dyskinesia.

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The Future Of Parkinsons Disease: What We Know

In the past 50 years, researchers have made vital discoveries about Parkinsons medications and treatments, and we now have a better understanding of what causes Parkinsons disease including its genetic component. With the right investment, researchers predict we will be able to find a Parkinsons disease cure in a matter of years, not decades.

Researchers also recognize that, as the disease presents so differently in each patient, there may not be a single “cure” for Parkinson’s disease. However, scientists believe that the right combination of treatments, therapies and strategies could stop the progression of the disease entirely.

Clinical trials are taking place in the following areas:

• Stem cell treatment: This approach will use healthy, live cells to replace or repair the damage in the brains of Parkinsons patients .
• Gene therapies: This treatment will use genetics to reprogram cells in the brain and change their behavior, helping them stay healthy for longer.
• Growth and development of brain cells: This approach will use naturally-occurring molecules to help brain cells survive.
• Medications: Scientists are testing existing medicines that are used to treat other conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer, to see if they pose any benefits for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Is Parkinsons Disease Inherited

Scientists have discovered gene mutations that are associated with Parkinsons disease.

There is some belief that some cases of early-onset Parkinsons disease disease starting before age 50 may be inherited. Scientists identified a gene mutation in people with Parkinsons disease whose brains contain Lewy bodies, which are clumps of the protein alpha-synuclein. Scientists are trying to understand the function of this protein and its relationship to genetic mutations that are sometimes seen in Parkinsons disease and in people with a type of dementia called Lewy body dementia.

Several other gene mutations have been found to play a role in Parkinsons disease. Mutations in these genes cause abnormal cell functioning, which affects the nerve cells ability to release dopamine and causes nerve cell death. Researchers are still trying to discover what causes these genes to mutate in order to understand how gene mutations influence the development of Parkinsons disease.

Scientists think that about 10% to 15% of persons with Parkinsons disease may have a genetic mutation that predisposes them to development of the disease. There are also environmental factors involved that are not fully understood.

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