My Dads Parkinsons Progression Reminds Me Of Benjamin Button
Nerve cell damage in Parkinsons disease is caused by the buildup of toxic forms of the protein alpha-synuclein. The nerve cells most affected are those that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine, a chemical messenger essential for muscle control.
Genetic errors, such as in the mutations in GBA1 gene, lead to the buildup of toxic alpha-synuclein, among other proteins, inside nerve cells, which can drive Parkinsons development.
KM-819 is a molecule given by mouth that inhibits FAF1, a protein found at higher levels in Parkinsons patients. It works by promoting apoptosis, or regulated cell death.
In preclinical studies, KM-819 showed superior effectiveness in neuroprotection in cell models and in protecting dopaminergic neurons in animal models of Parkinsons disease. The therapy also has been shown to improve behavioral tests given the animals.
In a previous Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers, the medication showed a strong safety profile.
The goal of the Phase 2 trial is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics the way medication is processed within the body and preliminary efficacy of KM-819 at differing doses.
It will be placebo-controlled and divided into two parts. Part 1 will assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of escalating doses of KM-819. This will be followed by part 2, a two-year treatment of patients at the selected doses to evaluate the therapys safety and early efficacy.
What Are The Different Stages Of Parkinsons Disease
Each person with Parkinsons disease experiences symptoms in in their own unique way. Not everyone experiences all symptoms of Parkinsons disease. You may not experience symptoms in the same order as others. Some people may have mild symptoms others may have intense symptoms. How quickly symptoms worsen also varies from individual to individual and is difficult to impossible to predict at the outset.
In general, the disease progresses from early stage to mid-stage to mid-late-stage to advanced stage. This is what typically occurs during each of these stages:
Early stage
Early symptoms of Parkinsons disease are usually mild and typically occur slowly and do not interfere with daily activities. Sometimes early symptoms are not easy to detect or you may think early symptoms are simply normal signs of aging. You may have fatigue or a general sense of uneasiness. You may feel a slight tremor or have difficulty standing.
Often, a family member or friend notices some of the subtle signs before you do. They may notice things like body stiffness or lack of normal movement slow or small handwriting, lack of expression in your face, or difficulty getting out of a chair.
Mid stage
Mid-late stage
Standing and walking are becoming more difficult and may require assistance with a walker. You may need full time help to continue to live at home.
Advanced stage
How Is Parkinsons Disease Diagnosed
Diagnosing Parkinsons disease is sometimes difficult, since early symptoms can mimic other disorders and there are no specific blood or other laboratory tests to diagnose the disease. Imaging tests, such as CT or MRI scans, may be used to rule out other disorders that cause similar symptoms.
To diagnose Parkinsons disease, you will be asked about your medical history and family history of neurologic disorders as well as your current symptoms, medications and possible exposure to toxins. Your doctor will look for signs of tremor and muscle rigidity, watch you walk, check your posture and coordination and look for slowness of movement.
If you think you may have Parkinsons disease, you should probably see a neurologist, preferably a movement disorders-trained neurologist. The treatment decisions made early in the illness can affect the long-term success of the treatment.
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How The Ketogenic Diet Changes Brains With Parkinsons Disease
One of the first studies that provided validity to the idea that the ketogenic diet can help with Parkinsons disease was a study conducted on mice treated with MPTP. MPTP is a toxin that specifically targets the neurons involved in Parkinsons disease, leading to neuronal damage and symptoms that mimic the disease.
To test the effects of the ketogenic diet, the scientists fed the mice with Parkinsons disease the ketogenic diet and looked at what it did to their brains. They found that the ketogenic diet was protective against the damage done by MPTP and reduced inflammation in the relevant areas of the brain.
To confirm that these positive effects are transferable to humans, the scientists decided to put the diet to the test in Parkinsons disease patients. In this study, seven patients with the disease volunteered to follow a ketogenic diet for 28 days at home.
Only 5 out of the 7 completed the 28 days, but the results showed a positive impact on many common Parkinsons disease symptoms. This included a reduction in resting tremors and rigidity and improved balance, gait, mood, and energy levels.
Although this is a very promising study, it is too small of a sample size to assume that everyone affected by the disease will get the same benefits.
However, the ketone levels didnt seem to matter as long as the subjects were in ketosis.
Excessive Salivation May Be Related To Other Non
According to the Parkinson’s Alliance, excessive salivation often occurs in conjunction with several other non-motor symptoms of PD. These include excessive sweating, low blood pressure, and constipation. If you notice these symptoms occurring at the same time as sialorrhea, reach out to your medical provider for a PD assessment.
You should also keep an eye out for more traditionally recognized symptoms of Parkinson’s. These include tremors, balance problems, a shortened gait, muscle stiffness, facial masking, and changes in handwriting, among others.
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Learn Everything You Can About The Disease
Parkinsons disease is a movement disorder. If youre a caregiver for someone living with Parkinsons, youre likely familiar with some of the symptoms of the disease. But do you know what causes its symptoms, how the condition progresses, or what treatments can help manage it? Also, Parkinsons doesnt manifest the same way in everyone.
To be the best ally for your loved one, learn as much as you can about Parkinsons disease. Do research on reputable websites like the Parkinsons Foundation, or read books about the condition. Tag along for medical appointments and ask the doctor questions. If youre well informed, youll have a better idea of what to expect and how to be the most help.
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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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
Medications For People With Parkinsons Disease
Symptoms of Parkinsons disease result from the progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the brain and other organs such as the gut, which produce a neurotransmitter called dopamine. This causes a deficiency in the availability of dopamine, which is necessary for smooth and controlled movements. Medication therapy focuses on maximising the availability of dopamine in the brain. Medication regimes are individually tailored to your specific need. Parkinsons medications fit into one of the following broad categories:
- levodopa dopamine replacement therapy
- dopamine agonists mimic the action of dopamine
- COMT inhibitors used along with levodopa. This medication blocks an enzyme known as COMT to prevent levodopa breaking down in the intestine, allowing more of it to reach the brain
- anticholinergics block the effect of another brain chemical to rebalance its levels with dopamine
- amantadine has anticholinergic properties and improves dopamine transmission
- MAO type B inhibitors prevent the metabolism of dopamine within the brain.
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What Will A Cure For Parkinson’s Look Like
Because Parkinson’s varies so much from person to person, there may not be a single ‘cure’.
Instead we may need a range of different therapies to meet the needs of the individual and their specific form of the condition.
This mix may include treatments, therapies and strategies that can:
- slow or stop the progression of the condition
- replace or repair lost or damaged brain cells
- control and manage particular symptoms
- diagnose Parkinson’s at the earliest possible stage.
And this could involve medical treatments, such as drugs and surgical approaches, as well as lifestyle changes, for example to diet and exercise.
Garlic Provides Several Effects To Protect Brain Cells
The research evidence is clear that garlic contains a host of compounds that work synergistically to protect and even prevent the brain cell damage that results in the devastation of Parkinsons disease. Weve discussed several compounds in garlic in this article, including S-methyl-L-cysteine, S-allyl-cysteine, deoxy-D-fructos-1-yl)-L-arginine and thiacremonone.
Other medicinal garlic compounds include alliin , allicin and various other sulfur compounds like thiosulfinates and ajoenes, S-allylmercaptocysteine, L-cysteine sulfoxides, -glutamyl-L-cysteine, S-trityl-l-cysteine, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids and phenols. Garlic is a complex plant with many medicinal properties.
All these constituents work together to produce a combination of healing effects on the body. These include reducing free radical damage and oxidative stress.
Effects of garlic also include inhibiting brain cells from developing Lewy bodies. Effects include boosting levels of thiols and glutathione. And garlics effects also include boosting levels of hydrogen sulfide within the body and brain tissues.
This synergy of effects from garlic results in what may become one of the biggest breakthroughs in the treatment of Parkinsons disease. No, there has yet to be any large-scale clinical studies treating Parkinsons patients with garlic. But this is likely the result of the fact that garlic or aged garlic is easily purchased at any supermarket or health food store.
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Comparing Cbd With Levodopa For Parkinsons
Levodopa is an established treatment for Parkinsons disease. Although its not perfect, its currently the most effective treatment for PD. It helps boost the level of dopamine in the brain.
Levodopa is effective at targeting the motor symptoms of the condition, such as tremors or muscle stiffness.
However, this medicine does little to combat the nonmotor symptoms of Parkinsons disease. These are the problems that can significantly affect a persons daily life. They include anxiety, sleep disturbance, fatigue, irritation, and depression.
Furthermore, prolonged use of levodopa may result in side effects like elevated anxiety, agitation, confusion, and nausea. It may also trigger tremors that result from the medication itself, not PD.
CBD appears to help with those nonmotor symptoms and potential side effects, rather than physical problems. A study with more than 200 participants found that regular use of cannabis was highly effective on non-motor symptoms of Parkinsons Disease. However, this study included a combination of THC with CBD, not CBD oil alone.
Risks And Benefits For People With Pd
There are risks and benefits associated with the use of cannabis for people with PD. Benefits include a possible improvement in anxiety, pain management, sleep dysfunction, weight loss and nausea. Potential adverse effects include: impaired cognition , dizziness, blurred vision, mood and behavioral changes, loss of balance and hallucinations. Chronic use of marijuana can increase risk of mood disorders and lung cancer.
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Diagnosis Of Parkinsons Disease
A number of disorders can cause symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease. People with Parkinson’s-like symptoms that result from other causes are sometimes said to have parkinsonism. While these disorders initially may be misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s, certain medical tests, as well as response to drug treatment, may help to distinguish them from Parkinson’s. Since many other diseases have similar features but require different treatments, it is important to make an exact diagnosis as soon as possible.
There are currently no blood or laboratory tests to diagnose nongenetic cases of Parkinson’s disease. Diagnosis is based on a person’s medical history and a neurological examination. Improvement after initiating medication is another important hallmark of Parkinson’s disease.
How To Get Palliative Care
If you or a loved one is facing Parkinsons disease, ask your doctor for a referral to palliative carethe earlier the better.
Although living with Parkinsons disease is difficult, your burden may be easier when palliative care is involved. You can receive palliative care in the hospital, at an outpatient clinic and sometimes at home.
Be informed about your condition, its treatment and what you can expect. And if you have received a Parkinsons diagnosis, or if the burden of illness is growing, dont hesitate to ask for a palliative care referral to help you make sense of the situation. With the support of palliative care, you can help ensure that you achieve and sustain the highest quality of life possible.
For more information, visit GetPalliativeCare.org. Take our quiz to find out if palliative care is right for you. And find providers in your area by visiting our Palliative Care Provider Directory.
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Final Thoughts On Using Cbd Oil For Parkinsons
There is no cure for Parkinsons disease. Once diagnosed, patients can only slow its progression.
However, there are ways to manage its pesky symptoms. One of them is using CBD oil. If youre planning to try it out, remember to make an appointment with your doctor first. This is to make sure that you dont experience any side effects of potential drug interactions. In addition, your doctor can also give you professional advice on finding the right dose.
Although more research is needed to confirm the benefits of CBD oil for Parkinsons disease, the best product that may support official treatment is Royal CBD oil. Made from organic hemp and using supercritical CO2, this product is pure, safe, and available in a wide range of potencies to suit different CBD needs.
Do you know anyone who takes CBD oil to cope with the symptoms of Parkinsons disease? Does it help? Let us know in the comment section below!
What Medications Are Used To Treat Parkinsons Disease
Medications are the main treatment method for patients with Parkinsons disease. Your doctor will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan best suited for you based on the severity of your disease at the time of diagnosis, side effects of the drug class and success or failure of symptom control of the medications you try.
Medications combat Parkinsons disease by:
- Helping nerve cells in the brain make dopamine.
- Mimicking the effects of dopamine in the brain.
- Blocking an enzyme that breaks down dopamine in the brain.
- Reducing some specific symptoms of Parkinsons disease.
Levodopa: Levodopa is a main treatment for the slowness of movement, tremor, and stiffness symptoms of Parkinsons disease. Nerve cells use levodopa to make dopamine, which replenishes the low amount found in the brain of persons with Parkinsons disease. Levodopa is usually taken with carbidopa to allow more levodopa to reach the brain and to prevent or reduce the nausea and vomiting, low blood pressure and other side effects of levodopa. Sinemet® is available in an immediate release formula and a long-acting, controlled release formula. Rytary® is a newer version of levodopa/carbidopa that is a longer-acting capsule. The newest addition is Inbrija®, which is inhaled levodopa. It is used by people already taking regular carbidopa/levodopa for when they have off episodes .
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Overall Quality Of Life
Researchers have suggested that the many potential benefits of CBD can translate to improved quality of ones life. This is a major concern for people diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease, as the condition affects various both physical and mental health.
One study found that people with Parkinsons disease and no psychiatric symptoms or conditions experienced an improved quality of life while taking CBD. However, this study was conducted in a very small group of people, so further research is needed to draw further conclusions on these findings.
Hydrogen Sulfide And Parkinsons
One of the more notable findings of the past couple of years of research is the reality that the health of these dopamine-producing brain cells is related to hydrogen sulfide availability. The mechanics arent well understood, but the availability of hydrogen sulfide appears to help product these dopamine-producing brain cells from free radical damage.
Multiple Parkinsons studies have found that hydrogen sulfide not only protects these neurons from damage. It also helps reverse the loss of nerve control that leads to the motor problems associated with Parkinsons disease.
Direct research found that Parkinsons disease in rats was significantly improved, with symptoms improved with the addition of hydrogen sulfide.
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