Embracing The Power Of Gratitude
Most of us have heard about the power of gratitude. According to research, expressing a sense of gratitude can contribute to stronger relationships and heightened levels of happiness. And those who regularly express it are more likely to be optimistic about life than those who dont.
While many of us practice gratitude by giving thanks, it actually is an emotion, and its recognition and expression can foster a greater sense of positivity.
Are Scientists Homing In On A Cure For Parkinsons Disease
Researchers optimise a peptide known to prevent the protein error that gives rise to Parkinsonâs disease.
A molecule that shows promise in preventing Parkinsonâs disease has been refined by scientists at the University of Bath and has the potential to be developed into a drug to treat the incurable neurodegenerative disease.
Professor Jody Mason, who led the research from the Department of Biology and Biochemistry, said: âA lot of work still needs to happen, but this molecule has the potential to be a precursor to a drug. Today there are only medicines to treat the symptoms of Parkinsonâs â we hope to develop a drug that can return people to good health even before symptoms develop.â
Parkinsonâs disease is characterised by a specific protein in human cells âmisfoldingâ, where it becomes aggregated and malfunctions. The protein â alpha-synuclein â is abundant in all human brains. After misfolding, it accumulates in large masses, known as Lewy bodies. These masses consist of αS aggregates that are toxic to dopamine-producing brain cells, causing them to die. It is this drop in dopamine signalling that triggers the symptoms of Parkinsonâs, as the signals transmitting from the brain to the body become noisy, leading to the distinctive tremors seen in sufferers.
This research was funded by BRACE, Alzheimerâs Research UK, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
Cbd Trial To Treat Hallucinations In Parkinsons
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Charles Ogilvie-Forbes is a volunteer in a clinical trial at Kings College Hospital, London.
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by American Academy of Neurology
The American Academy of Neurology has issued a guideline providing recommendations for treating movement symptoms, called motor symptoms, in people with early Parkinsons disease. The guideline is published in the November 15, 2021, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the AAN, and is endorsed by the Parkinsons Foundation. This guideline updates recommendations on dopaminergic medications that were published in the 2002 AAN guideline on the initiation of treatment for Parkinsons disease.
Parkinsons disease can progressively affect all movement including manual dexterity, speech, walking and balance due to a gradual reduction of a chemical in the brain called dopamine, a substance that helps control movement. Motor symptoms in the early stages of Parkinsons disease include tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia, which is slowness of movement. To relieve these early symptoms, treatment options include dopaminergic medications, drugs that increase dopamine levels or mimic dopamine effects.
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How Long Do Parkinson Patients Live
Individuals with PD may have a slightly shorter life span compared to healthy individuals of the same age group. According to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, patients usually begin developing Parkinson’s symptoms around age 60 and many live between 10 and 20 years after being diagnosed.
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What Are Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Stem cells are the body’s raw materials â cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are created. Mesenchymal stem cells are adult stem cells that have self-renewal, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, signaling, and differentiation properties. Mesenchymal stem cells , self renewal capacity is characterized by their ability to divide and develop into multiple specialized cell types present in a specific tissue or organ.
Mesenchymal stem cells can be sourced from a variety of tissue including adipose tissue , bone marrow, umbilical cord tissue, blood, liver, dental pulp, and skin.
MSCs are widely used in the treatment of various diseases due to their self-renewable, differentiation, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. In-vitro and in-vivo studies have supported the understanding mechanisms, safety, and efficacy of MSC therapy in clinical applications.
Researchers Are Getting Closer To A Drug That Is Truly A Parkinsons Treatmentone That Can Halt Or Cure The Disease Instead Of Just Fighting Symptoms
As the incidence of Parkinsons growsan estimated 50,000 new cases per yearso do the options being offered by drug manufacturers.
Todays Parkinsons treatment options address the symptoms of tremors, stiffness, and slow movement to improve quality of life. However, they do little to slow the progression of this disease. Fortunately, research is helping us better understand Parkinsons. While early signs of Parkinsons disease can be overlooked, once its diagnosed, treatment options are expanding beyond the current drugs. So one day we may find a Parkinsons treatment that makes the disease less of a life sentence.
If you have Parkinsons disease, there arent any treatments that can slow, reverse, or stop the conditions progression, says Kara J. Wyant, M.D., in a Michigan Health blog on Parkinsons treatment. But, although there is no cure, more than a dozen medications can help patients manage symptoms. Our goals when prescribing medications for Parkinsons disease are twofold: to improve day-to-day functioning and quality of life and to keep people functioning as long as possible.
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Drug Delivery Systems For Neurotrophic Factor Therapy
Besides GDNF, other neurotrophic factor such as basic fibroblast growth factor have been evaluated. One example involves gelatin nanostructured lipid carriers encapsulating bFGF that can be targeted to the brain via nasal administration . Overall, the nanoformulation stimulated dopaminergic function in surviving synapses and played a neuroprotective role in 6-OHDA hemiparkinsonian rats. A very recent study took advantage of the neuroprotective properties of Activin B, which was administered in a parkinsonian mice using a thermosensitive injectable HG . The biomaterial allowed a sustained protein release over 5 weeks and contributed to substantial cellular protection and behavioral improvement.
How Were Speeding Up The Search For A Cure
We believe that new and better treatments are possible in years, not decades. We have a clear strategy for making this happen. This includes:
- backing the best and brightest minds to unlock scientific discoveries that will lead to new treatments and a cure
- accelerating the development and testing of new treatments through our Virtual Biotech
- collaborating internationally to make clinical trials faster, cheaper and more likely to succeed through the Critical Path for Parkinsons
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Innovative Gel Offers New Hope To Defeat Parkinsons Disease
When we introduced the gel technology with the stem cells we saw huge improvement in the animals coordinated paw movement and overall motor function recovery.
Researchers from The Australian National University , in collaboration with The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, have developed a new type of hydrogel that could radically transform how we treat Parkinsons disease. The gel also offers hope for patients who have suffered from other neurological conditions such as strokes.
The new material is made from natural amino acids the building blocks of proteins and acts as a gateway to facilitate the safe transfer of stem cells into the brain and restore damaged tissue by releasing a growth-enabling protein called GDNF.
The research has been published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
Spirulina & Parkinson`s Prevention
The Spirulina superfood, which we understand might play a helpful role in mitigating or reducing Alzheimer/dementia symptoms*. Spirulina might also be helpful with regards to preventing or reducing the risk of Parkinson´s too* The gut brain connection is certainly real, with doctors now starting to better understood the link, related to inflammation in the body, so it felt logical to us that it might also help with the prevention or mitigation of Parkinson´s symptoms. We decided to look into it further.
As if you didn´t already have numerous reasons already for taking the spirulina superfood, here is yet another one! Learn more
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Irlab Celon Target Parkinsons Disease Motor Symptoms
While levodopa can reduce PD symptoms by increasing dopamine levels in the brain, prolonged use can cause increased bouts of dyskinesia during OFF time when the drug has reduced effects. IRLAB Therapeutics and Celon Pharma have Phase II trials aiming to reduce levodopa-induced dyskinesia using two different approaches.
IRLABs mesdopetam, which targets the dopamine D3 receptor, has placebo-controlled Phase II trial results expected the second half of this year. Mesdopetam has estimated peak sales of $226 million in 2026, according to GlobalDatas consensus forecast. GlobalData is the parent company of Clinical Trials Arena.
As a primary endpoint, the Phase II mesdopetam trial assesses change in ON time, defined as hours in the day where patients experience the positive effects of levodopa without the negative effects of dyskinesia. Before and after 12 weeks of treatment, patients record their hours of ON time over the course of 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Celons CPL500036, which targets phosphodiesterase 10A , also has placebo-controlled Phase II results expected this year. The four-week study uses a primary endpoint of the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale , which measures the severity of dyskinesia side effects.
Of the two primary endpoints, change in ON time is a better measure than the UDyRS, Kordower says. My understanding is that patients would much rather have less time spent in dyskinesias than decreased magnitude of dyskinesia, he explains.
Can You Live With Parkinson’s Without Medication
Medication aside, there are many ways people living with Parkinson’s disease can improve their health and well-being, preserve physical function, ease symptoms and enhance quality of life. Chief among these are getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated and getting an adequate amount of sleep.
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When To Contact A Doctor
If you have a family history of Parkinsons disease, you may wish to talk with a doctor about your potential risks or even explore genetic testing. However, its important to remember that not all people with a family history of Parkinsons disease will be affected.
Signs of Parkinsons disease can be different for every person. Parkinsons is usually separated into premotor, motor, and cognitive stages. These dont necessarily occur in a particular order, and not everyone will experience them all.
As explained by the Parkinsons Foundation, common early symptoms include:
- tremor, or involuntary shaking of the hands
What New Treatments Are Being Developed
Thanks to the progress weve already made, new treatments are being tested in clinical trials that have the potential to slow, stop or even reverse Parkinsons.
These include:
- stem cell therapies, which aim to use healthy, living cells to replace or repair the damage in the brains of people with Parkinsons
- 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 were developing treatments that aim to improve life with the condition, including new drugs that can reduce dyskinesia.
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New Treatment Provides Freedom For Patient
Two advocates of Duopa are Parkinsons patient George Connors and his wife, Kay, of Randleman, North Carolina.
Among the first participants in the clinical trial at Wake Forest Baptist, he has been taking Duopa for more than 5 years now.
Its been a lifesaver, his wife said. It has made it easier for him to get up and do things.
Kay said the unreliable action of levodopa pills made it difficult for her husband to pursue activities he loved. But with Duopa, she said, he goes fishing, mows the yard and does outside work, all without having to remember when to take the pills.
George gave one example of how Duopa works better for him than pills. He said it used to take him as much as an hour each morning to stand up properly because his toes would cramp overnight and the levodopa pills were slow to work. With the Duopa pump system, he said, his toe cramps are gone within minutes.
Siddiqui said that new drugs and new delivery methods for existing drugs can relieve many of the symptoms experienced by people with Parkinsons and that ongoing research holds hope for the future.
Out of all the neurological diseases, we are finding Parkinsons to have more and more treatments available, he said.
How Is Diet And Parkinson Interrelated
Parkinsons and diet are interrelated. The diet in Parkinsons plays an essential role in treating Parkinsons symptoms as there are many dopamine foods for Parkinsons disease to get the nourishing diet for the same.
It is recommended that the people with Parkinsons illness should keep up a healthy diet regime, including the variety of whole grains, vegetables, milk, and dairy items, fresh vegetables, and protein-rich nourishments, for example, meat and beans. Additionally, consider including nuts, olive oil, fish, and eggs to your eating regime.
Thus, the right nourishments will likewise optimize your Parkinsons medication, which helps in keeping your bones healthy and helps to fight against constipation and maintain your overall general wellbeing.
Eating an assortment of nourishments will assist you with getting the vitality, protein, nutrients, minerals, and fiber you require in Parkinsons.
You should pick an eating regime with a lot of grains, vegetables, and organic products, which gives nutrients, minerals, fiber, and complex starches and can assist, you in bringing down your intake of fats in the body. In addition to this, reduce your sugar, salt and sodium intake, which helps in maintaining your BP levels.
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Why Scientists Believe Theyve Made New Breakthrough In Parkinsons Disease Treatment By Building On Gdnf Research
The Finnish researchers are now working to improve the properties of BT13 to make it more effective as a potential treatment that could benefit many people living with the disease.
The study, which was published online yesterday in the journal Movement Disorders, builds on previous research on another molecule that targets the same receptors in the brain.
GDNF or glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor is an experimental treatment for Parkinsons discovered in 1993 that has been shown to bring dying brain cells back to life and particularly effective in dopamine neurons.
It was the subject of a BBC documentary in February 2019 that followed a phase two trial in Bristol involving 42 patients. While the results werent clear cut, GDNF has shown promise to restore damaged cells in people with Parkinsons.
However, the GDNF protein requires complex robot-assisted surgery to deliver the treatment to the brain because its a large molecule that cant cross the blood-brain barrier a protective wall that prevents some drugs from getting into the brain.
BT13 is a smaller molecule that is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and therefore could be more easily administered as a treatment if shown to be beneficial in further clinical trials.
Dr Yulia Sidorova, lead researcher on the study, said: We are constantly working on improving the effectiveness of BT13.
Our ultimate goal is to progress these compounds to clinical trials in a few coming years.
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Medical Treatment Of Parkinsons Disease
Enormous progress has been made in the treatment of Parkinsons disease over the past half century, but levodopa remains the most potent drug for controlling PD symptoms . Prior to instituting medical therapy, a correct diagnosis of PD must be established and the level of impairment determined . Each patients therapy is to be individualized, and diverse drugs other than levodopa are presently available. Among these are the dopamine agonists , catechol-o-methyl-transferase inhibitors and nondopaminergic agents . Head-to-head comparisons of drugs within classes are rare, and the differences that have emerged are related to the effects on motor fluctuations, dyskinesias, on/off times and adverse effects of the specific agents within each class .
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Medical Moment: A New Treatment For Parkinsons
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Around one million people in the U.S. live with Parkinsons disease.
Levodopa is the most effective drug available, but the drug can cause side effects, and after several years, the effectiveness of Levodopa can wane and higher dose patients may develop dyskinesia, or involuntary, erratic movements.
Now, a new drug, currently in clinical trials, may reduce these unpleasant side effects while lengthening the time patients have relief of their symptoms.
70-year-old Wayne Holt has been living with Parkinsons disease for 21 years.
I used to be a racquetball player and I couldnt keep up with the ball anymore, Holt said. I decided I needed to find a sport where the ball sits still until I hit it.
Holt first noticed his Parkinsons symptoms when he was at lunch with a friend.
When I lift my drinking glass, my hand really had a tremor to it, Holt recalled.
Parkinsonian tremors are due to too much brake and not enough gas. When people try to do personal movement, they get shaking because the brake is being applied as theyre trying to apply the gas, said Craig Lindsley, PhD, a director at the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery.
But researchers are testing a new drug called AP472.
This is really different because its not dopamine replacement therapy, Dr. Lindsley said. Were targeting this overactive synapse and bringing that gas and brake back into balance.
For Holt, who suffers with dyskinesia, a drug like this can be a game-changer.