Freezing Parkinson's in its Tracks. Freezing Parkinson's in its TracksWednesday, May 2, 2012 TAU researcher developing therapy to halt symptoms in Parkinson's patients Parkinson's disease, a disorder which affects movement and cognition, affects over a million Americans, including actor Michael J. Fox, who first brought it to the attention of many TV-watching Americans. It's characterized by a gradual loss of neurons that produce dopamine. Mutations in the gene known as DJ-1 lead to accelerated loss of dopaminergic neurons and result in the onset of Parkinson's symptoms at a young age. The ability to modify the activity of DJ-1 could change the progress of the disease, says Dr. Based on a short protein derived from DJ-1 itself, the peptide has been shown to freeze neurodegeneration in its tracks, reducing problems with mobility and leading to greater protection of neurons and higher dopamine levels in the brain.
Guarding dopamine levels As we age, we naturally lose dopamine-producing neurons. Filling an urgent need. Novel Gel Formulation of Parkinson’s Drug May Limit “On/Off” Roller Coaster Ride. One-Time Monthly In Tribute Team Fox Tweet HOME › Our Role & Impact › FoxFeed Blog The latest reporting and analysis on breakthroughs in Parkinson's research and issues that matter most to you. National Institutes of Health Receives $3 Billion Spending Boost March 22, 2018 The spending deal was released last night and the bill must be passed by this Friday, March 23.
New $6 Million Program Looks at Causes of Parkinson's The Michael J. Ask the MD: Parkinson's Diagnosis and Biomarkers In the latest "Ask the MD" video, Dr. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) Tells PD Advocates: 'What You Do Matters' March 21, 2018 Senator Booker gave a keynote speech to nearly 300 advocates in Washington, D.C. for the 2018 Parkinson's Policy Forum.
Collaboration Most Ambitious Initiative toward a Cure March 20, 2018 The Lancet Neurology calls the AMP PD program the "most ambitious initiative so far to find a cure for Parkinson's. " Pharma Company Buys Up MJFF-funded Biotech and Motor Symptom Therapy March 19, 2018 March 14, 2018 Dr. Metformin can substantially reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease in diabetes, study suggests.
A major 12-year study based on a Taiwanese population cohort has demonstrated that not only does diabetes increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease more than 2-fold, the use of sulfonylureas, commonly used as treatment for diabetes, increases the risk further by about 57%. This study also found that by including metformin in the therapy, no increased risk in developing Parkinson's disease was recorded.
Metformin, found in the French lilac, "Galega officinalis," was originally used in traditional European medicine, and introduced into France and Britain in the 1950s for the treatment of diabetes. It has a long and relatively safe record, is off patent and relatively inexpensive. Professor Mark Wahlqvist, lead author of the study commented, "An exciting aspect of the finding is that metformin seems to be working to protect the brain against neurodegeneration which contributes to Parkinsonismin. Ocular Tremors Parkinson's Disease Link. Eating flavonoids protects men against Parkinson’s disease. Men who eat flavonoid-rich foods such as berries, tea, apples and red wine significantly reduce their risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to new research by Harvard University and the University of East Anglia.
Published today in the journal Neurology ®, the findings add to the growing body of evidence that regular consumption of some flavonoids can have a marked effect on human health. Recent studies have shown that these compounds can offer protection against a wide range of diseases including heart disease, hypertension, some cancers and dementia.
This latest study is the first study in humans to show that flavonoids can protect neurons against diseases of the brain such as Parkinson’s. Around 130,000 men and women took part in the research. The research was led by Dr Xiang Gao of Harvard School of Public Health in collaboration with Prof Aedin Cassidy of the Department of Nutrition, Norwich Medical School at UEA. Photo: UEA/Tristan Conor Holden.