Oxidative Stress, Defective Nucleoli Likely a Cause of Parkinson's Disease Parkinson’s disease may be caused by oxidative stress within cells due to defective nucleoli. Dopamine producing neurons are particularly sensitive to oxidative stress. The researchers present evidence showing defective nucleoli within dopamine producing neurons lead to oxidative stress and damage, resulting in symptoms mimicking those of Parkinson’s disease, such as palsy shaking. Genetically modified mice with dopamine-producing neurons only capable of forming defective nucleoli were studied by the researchers. The research further found that reduced mTOR enzyme activity was a likely cause of defective nucleoli and oxidative stress within cells. With a new model to study, cellular cues to monitor and promising new details revealed, the path to understanding and treating Parkinson’s disease is clearing. A lot of information important to those following Parkinson’s disease, neurodegenerative diseases, cellular neuroscience and neurology is presented in the release below. Research Notes:
Michael J. Fox Foundation Announces Collaboration With Shake It Up Foundation Australia -- NEW YORK, Aug. 13, 2011 Global effort will bring Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) Down Under NEW YORK, Aug. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) today announced a new collaboration with the Shake It Up Foundation Australia and its founder, businessman Clyde Campbell. Todd Sherer, Ph.D., MJFF CEO, said, "There is a strong base of promising Parkinson's research in Australia — since 2000, MJFF has invested $1.6 million (U.S.) in Australian research projects. The Michael J. All funds raised by the Shake It Up Foundation will be directed toward research efforts in Australia, with the help of Team Fox Australia, which supports individuals who raise funds and awareness for Parkinson's in their own communities. "Through Shake It Up and Team Fox, we want to fund strategic research that will help find a cure for a condition that not only affects patients but up to one million families and friends in Australia alone," said Clyde Campbell.
Home Stem Cells Delivered in Nasal Spray Ease Parkinson's Disease Symptoms in Rats Scientists have shown that stem cells delivered to rats via a nasal spray lead to an improvement of motor functions in rats with Parkinson’s disease like symptoms. Mesenchymal stem cells sprayed into the rat noses migrated to the brain and survived for at least 6 months. Dopamine levels increased in previously damaged areas and motor functions improved up to 68% of normal in the stem cell treated rats. A nasal spray delivery system for stem cells could help avoid problems related to surgical implantation of stem cells. This new method could also make repeated stem cell treatments much safer. The research article is available for free. More general information is provided in the release below. Dramatic Improvement in Parkinson Disease Symptoms Following Intranasal Delivery of Stem Cells to Rat Brains In this groundbreaking study, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) delivered via the nose preferentially migrated to the brain and were able to survive for at least 6 months.
Winning The Fight Against Motor Neuron Diseases The Official Site of Bill Gates - The Gates Notes Brain Cell Destruction Blocked in Parkinson's Disease Models with SR-3306 Major progress in Parkinson’s disease treatments has been accomplished based on evidence that the drug SR-3306 blocks neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease rat and mice models. Scientists show that SR-3306 delivered orally to mice and rat models of Parkinson’s disease was able to protect brain cells from neurodegeneration. SR-3306 inhibits the c-jun-N-terminal kinases (JNK) class of enzymes, previously shown to play large roles in neuron survival. Dysfuntional motor responses were reduced by nearly 90 percent in the Parkinson’s disease models. Though SR-3306 shouldn’t be considered a cure for Parkinson’s disease, it does look like it has the potential to slow, or even stop the progression of Parkinson’s disease. This news could be very promising for patients and researchers of Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders and diseases. The release below offers many more details about this Parkinson’s disease research. Findings may open door to first protective therapy
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