MedWorm: Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's cells 'made in lab'

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:57:01 +0100

Scientists in the US have successfully made human brain cells in the lab that are an exact replica of genetically caused Parkinson's disease. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

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Gene Research Offers Clues to Parkinson's Disease

MedlinePlus Health News — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:00:00 +0100

Key mutation in certain DNA is tied to a minority of cases of the illness, study says Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Genes and Gene Therapy, Parkinson's Disease (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Lauren Sciences LLC awarded MJFF grant to develop a V-SmartTM therapeutic for Parkinson's disease

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Lauren Sciences LLC) Lauren Sciences LLC, a privately held biotechnology company furthering development of its new V-SmartTM nanovesicle platform technology, announced today the award of a grant from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. The grant from MJFF will support development of the novel V-SmartTM nanovesicles for systemic, targeted delivery of GDNF (glial-derived naturetic factor) across the blood brain barrier (BBB) to the brain for treatment of Parkinson's disease. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Researchers increase understanding of gene's potentially protective role in Parkinson's

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa) University of Alabama researchers have identified how a specific gene protects dopamine-producing neurons from dying in both animal models and in cultures of human neurons, according to a scientific article publishing in the Feb. 8 edition of The Journal of Neuroscience. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

New dose strength launched for Parkinson's drug

Pharmacy Europe — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0100

Orion Pharma launches 175mg dose strength of gold standard treatment Stalevo (Source: Pharmacy Europe)

Assessment of dual tasking has no clinical value for fall prediction in Parkinson's disease. - Smulders K, Esselink RA, Weiss A, Kessels RP, Geurts AC, Bloem BR.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:54:53 +0100

The objective of this study is to investigate the value of dual-task performance for the prediction of falls in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Two hundred sixty-three patients with PD (H&Y 1-3, 65.2 ± 7.9 years) walked two times along a 10-m t... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

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Comment: Frontal lobes, executive dysfunction, gait and the fallacy of Pseudo-transitivity. - Montgomery EB.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:54:53 +0100

Freezing of gait (FOG) in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) is particularly vexing as it causes disability and yet is often treatment refractory. Further, gait disorders do not track with volitional motor control. For example, gait often worsens with hi... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Sarasota Memorial Hospital deploys new PD diagnosis technology

Hospital Management — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Sarasota Memorial Hospital in the US state of Florida has deployed what it claims to be the first and only FDA-approved test to diagnose Parkinson's disease (PD). (Source: Hospital Management)

Flupentixol/tetrabenazine: Unmasking and aggravation of Parkinson's disease in an elderly patient: case report

Reactions — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:29:54 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Research Finds Similar Gene Mutations in Early and Late Onset Alzheimer's

About Alzheimers Disease — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

When we consider early onset Alzheimer's disease (where symptoms appear before the age of 60) and late onset, there is a tendency to categorize early onset as familial, meaning that it has a strong hereditary component, and late onset as sporadic, meaning that it is much more random. However, based on what researchers are learning, we may need to rethink this. A recent study discovered similar gene mutations in cases of both early and late onset Alzheimer's disease. This indicates that there may be a higher amount of heredity in late onset Alzheimer's disease than we have traditionally thought. These researchers also point to evidence that people with Alzheimer's often have multiple relatives who have Alzheimer's, other kinds of dementia, or a neurological disorder such as Parkinson's. A...

DIY science: should you try this at home?

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:59:00 +0100

When Richard Handl was arrested for attempting to split the atom on his stove, he joined a growing band of home experimenters cooking up all kinds of trouble behind the kitchen doorÄngelholm is a pretty southern Swedish town, famed for its clay cuckoo manufacturing, a clay cuckoo being a kind of ocarina, which is a kind of flute. The crime rate here is practically zero. Except one of its residents was last year arrested for trying to split the atom in his kitchen. His name is Richard Handl and he buzzes me into his first-floor flat.I wanted to meet Richard because I keep seeing reports of home science experimenters clashing with the authorities. There's been a spate of them this past year or two.I glance into Richard's kitchen and recognise his cooker from the news. It was horrendously, a...

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Treatment Options for Tauopathies

Current Treatment Options in Neurology — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:11:02 +0100

Opinion statement To date, there are no approved and established pharmacologic treatment options for tauopathies, a very heterogenous group of neuropsychiatric diseases often leading to dementia and clinically diagnosed as atypical Parkinson syndromes. Among these so-called Parkinson plus syndromes are progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), also referred to as Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome; frontotemporal dementia (FTD); and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). Available treatment strategies are based mainly on small clinical trials, miscellaneous case reports, or small case-controlled studies. The results of these studies and conclusions about the efficacy of the medication used are often contradictory. Approved therapeutic agents for Alzheimer´s dementia, such as acet...

Treating Erectile Dysfunction and Central Neurological Diseases with Oral Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors. Review of the Literature

The Journal of Sexual Medicine — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. PDE5 represent first line ED therapy only for SCI patients, though treatment results through meta‐analysis were not possible. Encouraging results are reported for Parkinson's and MS patients. PDE5 use for other CND patients is limited for various reasons, such as ED and concomitant libido impairment caused by depression and/or sexual endocrinology dysfunctions, and because PDE5 may cause a worsening of neurological illness. Medical centers staffed by health professionals able to counsel patients on the possible use of PDE5 are needed. Lombardi G, Nelli F, Celso M, Mencarini M, and Del Popolo G. Treating erectile dysfunction and central neurological diseases with oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. Review of the literature. J Sex Med **;**:**–**. (Source: The Journ...

Contribution of germline mutations to PARK2 gene inactivation in lung adenocarcinoma

Genes, Chromosomes and Cancer — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractHomozygous germline mutations of the PARK2 gene are responsible for the development of early‐onset Parkinson's disease (PD). Homozygous PARK2 mutations have been also detected in lung adenocarcinoma (LADC). However, since heterozygous PARK2 germline mutations are present in a subset of non‐PD individuals, the timing for the occurrence of two‐hit PARK2 mutations in LADC progression is unclear. Therefore, we comprehensively analyzed mutations, expression and copy number variations of the PARK2 gene in 267 primary LADCs together with the corresponding noncancerous lung cells and 39 LADC cell lines. Heterozygous germline exonic deletions were detected in five patients with LADC, and loss of heterozygosity including the PARK2 locus was detected in 31/267 (11.6%) LADCs. However, ho...

Book Review: With Shaking Hands: Aging With Parkinson's Disease in America's Heartland

Qualitative Health Research — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Qualitative Health Research)

Deep-Brain Stimulation in Parkinson Disease: 10-Year OutcomesDeep-Brain Stimulation in Parkinson Disease: 10-Year Outcomes

Medscape Today Headlines — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:26:49 +0100

A blinded study seeks to determine whether the benefits of deep-brain stimulation in Parkinson disease are sustained over the long term. Medscape Neurology (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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The Development Of Parkinson's Cells Visualized By Researchers

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

In the US alone, at least 500,000 people suffer from Parkinson's disease, a neurological disorder that affects a person's ability to control his or her movement. New technology from the University of Bonn in Germany lets researchers observe the development of the brain cells responsible for the disease. Up until now, research into the brain cells responsible for Parkinson's disease has focused on the function and degeneration of these neurons in the adult and aging brain... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Disease Progress and Response to Treatment as Predictors of Survival, Disability, Cognitive Impairment, and Depression in Parkinson's Disease

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Our findings show that the time course of disease status based on UPDRS is a much better predictor of future clinical events than any baseline disease characteristic. Continued selegiline treatment appears to increase the hazard of death.© 2012 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology © 2012 The British Pharmacological Society (Source: British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology)

Nurr1 regulates Top IIbeta and functions in axon genesis of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons

BioMed Central — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Taken together, our findings suggest that Top IIbeta might be a down-stream target of Nurr1, which might influence the processes of axon genesis in dopaminergic neurons via the regulation of TOP IIbeta expression. The Nurr1-Top IIbeta interaction may shed light on the pathologic role of Nurr1 defect in the nigro-striatal pathway deficiency associated with PD. (Source: BioMed Central)

Stress, Allostatic Load, Catecholamines, and Other Neurotransmitters in Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Goldstein DS Abstract As populations age, the prevalence of geriatric neurodegenerative diseases will increase. These diseases generally are multifactorial, arising from complex interactions among genes, environment, concurrent morbidities, treatments, and time. This essay provides a concept for the pathogenesis of Lewy body diseases such as Parkinson disease, by considering them in the context of allostasis and allostatic load. Allostasis reflects active, adaptive processes that maintain apparent steady states, via multiple, interacting effectors regulated by homeostatic comparators-"homeostats." Stress can be defined as a condition or state in which a sensed discrepancy between afferent information and a setpoint for response leads to activation of effectors, reducing th...

A new "era" for ∝7- nAChR.

Current Drug Targets — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

A new "era" for ∝7- nAChR. Curr Drug Targets. 2012 Feb 2; Authors: Russo P, Cardinale A, Shuller H Abstract The role played by a7-nAChR is critical in nature, but it strictly dependent on the organism and/or cellular type and cellular function. In this special issue different Authors have been contributed to clarify the different roles played by a7-nAChR. Post-translational process such as receptor "underactivation" or "overactivation" are associated in the central nervous system with brain disorders including neurodegeneration, as well as in non-neuronal cells in cancer. Current advances in the knowledge of a7-nAChR biology encourage the exploitation of a7-nAChR as a target for different diseases (i.e. Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, cognitive decline, pain and canc...

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∝7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor mediated neuroprotection in Parkinson's Disease.

Current Drug Targets — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kawamata J, Suzuki S, Shimohama S Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by relatively selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and loss of dopamine in the striatum. More than 50 epidemiological studies confirmed the low incidence of PD in smokers. Examining the distribution of subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in dopaminergic neurons of nigrostriatal system and its change in PD patients is quite important to elucidate possible neuroprotective cascade triggered by nicotine. Evidences of nAChR-mediated protection against neurotoxicity induced by rotenone, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) are briefly reviewed. In rotenone- and 6-OHDA-induced PD models, nAChR-medi...

∝7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors: an old actor for new different roles.

Current Drug Targets — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, α7-nAChR in roughly 100 years of life, instead to be an old actor it became an important player in regulating cell signalling. PMID: 22300022 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Drug Targets)

Canadian Original: A doctor with a patient's perspective

CTV Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:18:13 +0100

A Canadian doctor who is being hailed for his work in medical ethics comes by his knowledge honestly -- as a Parkinson's disease patient whose experience with the health-care system hasn't always been positive. (Source: CTV Health)

Concussion Is a Serious Problem for Child Athletes

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0100

The dangers of life in the National Football League made headlines in 2009, when a study commissioned by the NFL found that retired players were 19 times more likely than other men of similar ages to develop severe memory problems. The obvious culprit: continued play after repeated head injuries. Indeed, head injury can imitate many types of neurodegenerative disease, including Parkinson’s disease and, as journalist Jeffrey Bartholet reports in “The Collision Syndrome,” on page 66, perhaps even amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. [More] (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)

Deep brain stimulation: What can patients expect from it?

Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Deep brain stimulation has largely replaced ablative procedures for the treatment of advanced Parkinson disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. It is also approved for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Although not curative, it improves symptoms and quality of life. (Source: Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine)

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Hydrocarbon solvent exposure and parkinson's disease

Annals of Neurology — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Annals of Neurology)

Making personalized cancer medicine a reality: challenges and opportunities in the development of biomarkers and companion diagnostics.

Clinical Cancer Research — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This article synthesizes the opinions and issues considered at that meeting, and discusses many of the important events that have since occurred in the field of personalized cancer medicine. Although investigators continue to make progress in better linking individual patient biology with risk determination, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment selection, the pace of this progress continues to be limited by many of the issues identified in the meeting. Clin Cancer Res; 18(3); 619-24. ©2012 AACR. PMID: 22298894 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical Cancer Research)

Knotting of Percutaneous Endoscopic Jejunostomy Feeding Tubes in Two Patients with Parkinson's Disease and Continuous Duodopa® treatment.

Zeitschrift fur Gastroenterologie — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Krones E, Zollner G, Petritsch W Abstract Continuous intraduodenal infusion of levodopa/carbidopa (Duodopa®) via PEJ tubes is increasingly used in patients with advanced stages of Parkinson's disease. Tube-related complications such as kinking or coiling have been frequently reported. We herein describe two cases of tube dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease and continuous Duodopa® treatment due to knotting of the distal end of the tube. The mechanisms of knotting are unclear although a causative role of impaired gastrointestinal motility either by Parkinson's disease itself or Duodopa® treatment might be suspected. PMID: 22298101 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Zeitschrift fur Gastroenterologie)

Structural Basis for Telomeric G-Quadruplex Targeting by Naphthalene Diimide Ligands

Journal of the American Chemical Society — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:33:31 +0100

Journal of the American Chemical SocietyDOI: 10.1021/ja2102423 (Source: Journal of the American Chemical Society)

Researchers visualize the development of Parkinson's cells

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(The Journal of Visualized Experiments) In the US alone, at least 500,000 people suffer from Parkinson's disease, a neurological disorder that affects a person's ability to control his or her movement. New technology from the University of Bonn in Germany lets researchers observe the development of the brain cells responsible for the disease. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

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Longitudinal and parallel monitoring of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in a 6‐hydroxydopamine rat model of Parkinson's disease

Synapse — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractAs neuroinflammatory processes are involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), we achieved the longitudinal evaluation of them in parallel with the modifications of dopaminergic function at several time‐points after 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) lesion in the rat mimicking an early stage of PD. After unilateral intra‐striatal 6‐OHDA administration, we quantified the temporal evolution of the 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO), TH‐immunoreactivity and dopamine transporters in the striatum and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) from 3 to 56 days post‐lesion (dpl). Increased binding of TSPO ligands used, i.e. [3H]PK11195 and [125I]CLINDE, was observed in the lesioned striatum at 3, 7 and 14 dpl, followed by a progressive return to the basal level at 56 dpl. ...

Assessment of Substantia Nigra Echogenicity in German and Filipino Populations Using a Portable Ultrasound System

Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions— The frequency of substantia nigra hyperechogenicity appears to be homogeneous in white and Asian populations. Screening for this feature may well be performed with a present-day portable ultrasound system. (Source: Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine)

Gaucher disease and the synucleinopathies: refining the relationship

Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Gaucher disease (OMIM 230800, 230900, 231000), the most common lysosomal storage disorder, is due to a deficiency in the enzyme glucocerebrosidase. Gaucher patients display a wide spectrum of clinical presentation, with hepatosplenomegaly, haematological changes, and orthopaedic complications being the predominant symptoms. Gaucher disease is classified into three broad phenotypes based upon the presence or absence of neurological involvement: Type 1 (non-neuronopathic), Type 2 (acute neuronopathic), and Type 3 (subacute neuronopathic). Nearly 300 mutations have been identified in Gaucher patients, with the majority being missense mutations. Though studies of genotype-to-phenotype correlations have revealed significant heterogeneity, some consistent patterns have emerged to inform prognost...

Rivastigmine as alternative treatment for refractory REM behavior disorder in Parkinson's disease

Movement Disorders — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Brain iron deposition fingerprints in Parkinson's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy

Movement Disorders — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We report that an abnormal brain iron accumulation is a marker for ongoing neurodegeneration in both conditions, but the conditions differ with respect to the anatomical distribution of these accumulations. We analyzed quantitative T2′ maps as markers of regional brain iron content from PD and progressive supranuclear palsy patients and compared them to age‐matched control subjects. T2‐weighted and T2*‐weighted images were acquired in 30 PD patients, 12 progressive supranuclear palsy patients, and 24 control subjects at 1.5 Tesla. Mean T2′ values were determined in regions‐of‐interest in the basal ganglia, thalamus, and white matter within each hemisphere. The main findings were shortened T2′ values in the caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, and putamen in progressive supranu...

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Role of the external oblique muscle in upper camptocormia for patients with Parkinson's disease

Movement Disorders — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Movement Disorders)

Translation and validation of the Swedish version of the mini-BESTest in subjects with Parkinson's disease or stroke: A pilot study.

Physiotherapy Theory and Practice — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study aimed to translate the mini-BESTest to Swedish, adapt it and investigate its validity in subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD) or stroke. The Mini-BESTest was translated and back-translated in accordance with Guillemin's guidelines. Discrepancies were discussed and solved by a panel and the test was culturally adapted. Concurrent validity of the final version was explored by correlating well-known clinical tests - the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES(s)) - with the new mini-BESTest in nine subjects with mild-to-moderate PD (60 years, range 46-85) and nine with chronic stroke (78 years, range 66-90). A high-to-very-high correlation was shown between the mini-BESTest and the BBS (PD: r(s) = 0.94, stroke: r(s) = 0.8...

Progression of Motor and Non‐Motor Features of Parkinson's Disease and Their Response to Treatment

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:20:41 +0100

Conclusions: This analysis indicates tremor progresses more slowly than other cardinal features and that PIGD is less treatment responsive in early PD patients. There was no evidence of baseline PD subtypes as a clinically useful predictor of disease progression rate. Anti‐parkinsonian treatments have symptomatic and disease‐modifying effects on all major features of PD.© 2012 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology © 2012 The British Pharmacological Society (Source: British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology)

Cloning scientists create human brain cells

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:07:00 +0100

Scientists in Edinburgh who pioneered cloning have made a technological breakthrough that could pave the way for better medical treatment of mental illnesses and nerve diseasesThe news that Edinburgh scientists had created the world's first cloned mammal, Dolly the sheep, at the university's Roslin Institute made headlines around the world 16 years ago. Her birth raised hopes of the creation of a new generation of medicines – with a host of these breakthroughs occurring at laboratories in the university over the following decade.And now one of the most spectacular has taken place at Edinburgh's Centre for Regenerative Medicine, where scientists have continued to develop the technology used to make Dolly. In a series of remarkable experiments, they have created brain tissue from patients ...

[Editorial] Neurological diseases remain neglected and ignored

LANCET — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this week's Perspectives section, Hilary and Steven Rose describe the moving film Playing Against Time. This film describes the life and music of Barbara Thompson, a jazz saxophonist, and her efforts to continue with her music despite the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in 1996, including her struggle to obtain care and treatment. The diagnosis of a neurological disorder, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, or motor neuron disease, is a devastating one. Not only is there no cure—treatment will at best delay progression—there is also the predicament of a continuing decline in health, functioning, and quality of life, and a long-term reliance on professionals within the health and social care system. (Source: LANCET)

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[Perspectives] Beats and the brain

LANCET — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The Wellcome Trust has a long track record of fostering science-art collaborations, but Playing Against Time must be one of the best. It focuses on the life and music of Barbara Thompson, one of Europe's finest jazz saxophonists, who in 1996 was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Since then she has continued composing and performing with the constant support of her partner, jazz/rock drummer Jon Hiseman. Film maker Mike Dibb describes Playing Against Time as “a film about Parkinson's disease seen through the prism of music”, and central to his film is Barbara and Jon's collaboration as wife and husband, patient and carer, saxophonist and drummer. (Source: LANCET)

Defective dentate nucleus GABA receptors in essential tremor

Brain — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The development of new treatments for essential tremor, the most frequent movement disorder, is limited by a poor understanding of its pathophysiology and the relative paucity of clinicopathological studies. Here, we report a post-mortem decrease in GABAA (35% reduction) and GABAB (22–31% reduction) receptors in the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum from individuals with essential tremor, compared with controls or individuals with Parkinson's disease, as assessed by receptor-binding autoradiography. Concentrations of GABAB receptors in the dentate nucleus were inversely correlated with the duration of essential tremor symptoms (r2 = 0.44, P < 0.05), suggesting that the loss of GABAB receptors follows the progression of the disease. In situ hybridization experiments also revealed a...

Dopaminergic neuroprotection of hormonal replacement therapy in young and aged menopausal rats: role of the brain angiotensin system

Brain — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

There is a lack of consensus about the effects of the type of menopause (surgical or natural) and of oestrogen replacement therapy on Parkinson's disease. The effects of the timing of replacement therapy and the female's age may explain the observed differences in such effects. However, the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. The renin-angiotensin system mediates the beneficial effects of oestrogen in several tissues, and we have previously shown that dopaminergic cell loss is enhanced by angiotensin via type 1 receptors, which is activated by ageing. In rats, we compared the effects of oestrogen replacement therapy on 6-hydroxydopamine-induced dopaminergic degeneration, nigral renin-angiotensin system activity, activation of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase c...

Subthalamic nucleus stimulation reverses spinal motoneuron activity in parkinsonian patients

Brain — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Although a cardinal symptom of Parkinsonian disease, up to now, rigidity has been investigated much less than spasticity in hemiplegic patients. Many pathophysiological mechanisms may at least theoretically contribute to Parkinsonian rigidity, from altered viscoelastic muscle properties to inability of parkinsonian patients to relax. However, as demonstrated many years ago, motoneuron responses to muscle afferent volleys are involved in rigidity since afferent volleys are suppressed after dorsal root section. To our knowledge, homosynaptic depression (i.e. the fact that motoneuron responses to Ia afferent volleys exhibit a frequency-related depression) has not been studied in parkinsonian disease, despite the fact that in spastic patients, changes in homosynaptic depression are significant...

Alpha oscillations in the pedunculopontine nucleus correlate with gait performance in parkinsonism

Brain — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The pedunculopontine nucleus, a component of the reticular formation, is topographically organized in animal models and implicated in locomotor control. In Parkinson's disease, pedunculopontine nucleus stimulation is an emerging treatment for gait freezing. Local field potentials recorded from pedunculopontine nucleus electrodes in such patients have demonstrated oscillations in the alpha and beta frequency bands, reactive to self-paced movement. Whether these oscillations are topographically organized or relevant to locomotion is unknown. Here, we recorded local field potentials from the pedunculopontine nucleus in parkinsonian patients during rest and unconstrained walking. Relative gait speed was assessed with trunk accelerometry. Peaks of alpha power were present at rest and during gai...

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Severe olfactory dysfunction is a prodromal symptom of dementia associated with Parkinson's disease: a 3 year longitudinal study

Brain — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we investigated the possible associations between olfactory dysfunction and the risk of developing dementia within a 3-year observation period. Forty-four patients with Parkinson's disease without dementia underwent the odour stick identification test for Japanese, memory and visuoperceptual assessments, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging scans at baseline and 3 years later. A subgroup of patients with Parkinson's disease who exhibited severe hyposmia at baseline showed more pronounced cognitive decline at the follow-up survey. By the end of the study, 10 of 44 patients with Parkinson's disease had developed dementia, all of whom had severe hyposmia at baseline. The multivariate logistic analysis identified severe hyposmi...

Alzheimer's disease pattern of brain atrophy predicts cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease

Brain — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Research suggests overlap in brain regions undergoing neurodegeneration in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. To assess the clinical significance of this, we applied a validated Alzheimer's disease-spatial pattern of brain atrophy to patients with Parkinson's disease with a range of cognitive abilities to determine its association with cognitive performance and decline. At baseline, 84 subjects received structural magnetic resonance imaging brain scans and completed the Dementia Rating Scale-2, and new robust and expanded Dementia Rating Scale-2 norms were applied to cognitively classify participants. Fifty-nine non-demented subjects were assessed annually with the Dementia Rating Scale-2 for two additional years. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were quantified using both a region of in...

Zebrafish Synucleins [Molecular Bases of Disease]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

α-Synuclein is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease. However, the normal functions of synucleins and how these relate to disease pathogenesis are uncertain. We characterized endogenous zebrafish synucleins in order to develop tractable models to elucidate the physiological roles of synucleins in neurons in vivo. Three zebrafish genes, sncb, sncg1, and sncg2 (encoding β-, γ1-, and γ2-synucleins respectively), show extensive phylogenetic conservation with respect to their human paralogues. A zebrafish α-synuclein orthologue was not found. Abundant 1.45-kb sncb and 2.7-kb sncg1 mRNAs were detected in the CNS from early development through adulthood and showed overlapping but distinct expression patterns. Both transcripts were detected in catecholaminergic neurons ...

Interaction of CYP3A4 with Bromoergocryptine [Protein Structure and Folding]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Cytochrome P4503A4 (CYP3A4), a major human drug-metabolizing enzyme, is responsible for the oxidation and clearance of the majority of administered drugs. One of the CYP3A4 substrates is bromoergocryptine (BEC), a dopamine receptor agonist prescribed for the inhibition of prolactin secretion and treatment of Parkinson disease, type 2 diabetes, and several other pathological conditions. Here we present a 2.15 Å crystal structure of the CYP3A4-BEC complex in which the drug, a type I heme ligand, is bound in a productive mode. The manner of BEC binding is consistent with the in vivo metabolite analysis and identifies the 8′ and 9′ carbons of the proline ring as the primary sites of oxidation. The crystal structure predicts the importance of Arg212 and Thr224 for binding of the tripeptide...

Age Patterns of Incidence of Geriatric Disease in the U.S. Elderly Population: Medicare‐Based Analysis

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionThe developed computational approaches applied to the nationally representative Medicare‐based data sets allow reconstruction of age patterns of disease incidence in the U.S. elderly population at the national level with unprecedented statistical accuracy and stability with respect to systematic biases. (Source: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society)

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Assessment of cognitive fluctuation in dementia: a systematic review of the literature

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:51:29 +0100

ConclusionsWe conclude that further research is warranted into the assessment of CF, and this is timely given the increasing recognition of the clinical importance of CF as a dementia symptom, particularly in the Lewy body dementias. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry)

Design and Characterization of Optimized Adenosine A2A/A1 Receptor Antagonists for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Journal of Medicinal Chemistry — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:41:21 +0100

Journal of Medicinal ChemistryDOI: 10.1021/jm201640m (Source: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry)

Chelsea Therapeutics Joins With Advocates, Patients and Experts to Raise Awareness of Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension (NOH)

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:45:00 +0100

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 26, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Patients with Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy (MSA) and other neurological disorders can be greatly affected by the symptoms of their disease such as neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (NOH) that result from autonomic dysfunction. To give a voice to patients and their family caregivers who are impacted by the symptoms of NOH, Chelsea Therapeutics (Nasdaq:CHTP) announced today the formation of a partnership with leading medical and patient experts called the Alliance for NOH Awareness and the launch of an educational web site, www.SignsofNOH.com. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

Malignant melanoma, breast cancer and other cancers in patients with parkinson disease

International Journal of Cancer — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:06:48 +0100

This study confirms a lower cancer risk among people with Parkinson disease. Increased risks for malignant melanoma, non‐melanoma skin cancer and breast cancer might be due to shared risk factors with Parkinson disease. (Source: International Journal of Cancer)

Protein Identified That Contributes To Symptoms Of Parkinson's Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0100

Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes, an independent and nonprofit biomedical-research organization, have identified a protein that exacerbates symptoms of Parkinson's disease - a discovery that could one day lead to new treatments for people who suffer from this devastating neurodegenerative illness... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Interventions for fatigue and weight loss in adults with advanced progressive illness.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:18:08 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of robust evidence for interventions to manage fatigue and/or unintentional weight loss in the advanced stage of progressive illnesses such as advanced cancer, heart failure, lung failure, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia and AIDS. The evidence contained within this overview provides some insight into interventions which may prove of benefit within this population such as exercise, some pharmacological treatments and support for self management.Researchers could improve the methodological quality of future studies by blinding of outcome assessors. Adopting uniform reporting mechanisms for fatigue and weight loss outcome measures would also allow the opportunity for meta-analysis of small studies.Researcher...

Astragaloside IV prevents MPP(+)-induced SH-SY5Y cell death via the inhibition of Bax-mediated pathways and ROS production.

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we investigated whether AS-IV protect against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridnium ion (MPP(+))-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells and determined the mechanism of AS-IV neuroprotection. We found that pretreatment with AS-IV significantly reversed the loss of cell viability, nuclear condensation, the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the increase in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and the activity of caspase-3 induced by MPP(+). Our study suggests that the neuroprotective effect of AS-IV is related to mechanisms including ROS production and the inhibition of Bax-mediated pathway. The present study supports the notion that AS-IV may be a promising neuroprotective agent for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as PD. PMID: 22278385 [PubMed -...

Insilico study of the A(2A)R-D (2)R kinetics and interfacial contact surface for heteromerization.

Amino Acids — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Insilico study of the A(2A)R-D (2)R kinetics and interfacial contact surface for heteromerization. Amino Acids. 2012 Jan 26; Authors: Prakash A, Luthra PM Abstract G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are cell surface receptors. The dynamic property of receptor-receptor interactions in GPCRs modulates the kinetics of G-protein signaling and stability. In the present work, the structural and dynamic study of A(2A)R-D(2)R interactions was carried to acquire the understanding of the A(2A)R-D(2)R receptor activation and deactivation process, facilitating the design of novel drugs and therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease. The structure-based features (Alpha, Beta, SurfAlpha, and SurfBeta; GapIndex, Leakiness and Gap Volume) and slow mode model (ENM) facilitated the pred...

NADPH Oxidase 1-Mediated Oxidative Stress Leads to Dopamine Neuron Death in Parkinson's Disease

Antioxidants and Redox Signaling — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:02:41 +0100

Antioxidants & Redox Signaling , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Antioxidants and Redox Signaling)

Protein That Controls Movement Does the Opposite in Parkinson's

MedlinePlus Health News — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0100

Study with mice suggests it may be a new drug target Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Page: Parkinson's Disease (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

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Neddylation positively regulates the ubiquitin E3 ligase activity of parkin

Journal of Neuroscience Research — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:06:45 +0100

AbstractMutations in the parkin gene underlie a familial form of Parkinson's disease known as autosomal recessive juvenile Parkinsonism (AR‐JP). Dysfunction of parkin, a ubiquitin E3 ligase, has been implicated in the accumulation of ubiquitin proteasome system‐destined substrates and eventually leads to cell death. However, regulation of parkin enzymatic activity is incompletely understood. Here we investigated whether the ubiquitin E3 ligase activity of parkin could be regulated by neddylation. We found that parkin could be a target of covalent modification with NEDD8, a ubiquitin‐like posttranslational modifier. In addition, NEDD8 attachment caused an increase of parkin activity through the increased binding affinity for ubiquitin‐conjugating E2 enzyme as well as the enhanced fo...

First Step In Strategy For Cell Replacement Therapy In Parkinson's Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0100

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) are a promising avenue for cell replacement therapy in neurologic diseases. For example, mouse and human iPSCs have been used to generate dopaminergic (DA) neurons that improve symptoms in rat Parkinson's disease models. Reporting in the current issue of the Journal of Parkinson's Disease, a group of scientists from Japan evaluated the growth, differentiation, and function of human-derived iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in a primate model, elucidating their therapeutic potential... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

How Cells Dispose Of Their Waste

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Defective proteins that are not disposed of by the body can cause diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute (MPI) of Biochemistry recently succeeded in revealing the structure of the cellular protein degradation machinery (26S proteasome) by combining different methods of structural biology. The results of collaboration with colleagues from the University of California, San Francisco and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) represent an important step forward in the investigation of the 26S proteasome... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

[Autonomic nervous system as a source of biomarkers in Parkinson's disease.]

Presse Medicale — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Pouclet H, Lebouvier T, Flamant M, Coron E, Neunlist M, Derkinderen P, Rouaud T Abstract No validated biomarker is yet available for Parkinson's disease (PD). Clinical PD symptoms include dopa-responsive motor symptoms and dopa-resistant non motor symptoms. Some of the non motor symptoms begin during the premotor stage, like constipation, hyposmia or REM-sleep disorders. Dementia, gait disorders and dysarthria occur in later stages of the disease. PD pathology extends well beyond the substantia nigra. It affects autonomic and non autonomic nuclei in the brainstem and in the medulla, the olfactory bulb and the peripheral autonomic nervous system. Alpha-synuclein aggregates, called Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, are detectable in these structures at early stages. The study o...

Depomed Announces Initiation of Phase 2 Clinical Study in Parkinson's Disease

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:05:00 +0100

MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 24, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Depomed, Inc. (Nasdaq:DEPO) today announced that it has initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial of DM-1992, Depomed's novel gastric-retentive, extended-release formulation of carbidopa/levodopa, in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease with motor fluctuations. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

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Inability To Express Emotion May Be An Early Symptom Of Parkinson's Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0100

Alexithymia, a person's state of deficiency in understanding, processing, or describing emotions, has been strongly linked to depression in both clinical and general populations, and even though symptoms of alexithymia and depression can be partially overlapping, they are not all related to depressive symptoms and therefore highlight the relative independence of the two disorders. For instance, Parkinson's disease (PD) is a clinical condition that is often indicated by depression and an altered emotional processing. About 21% of medicated PD patients have alexithymia related to depression... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Significance of apparent diffusion coefficient measurement for the differential diagnosis of multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, and Parkinson's disease: evaluation by 3.0-T MR imaging

Neuroradiology — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:25:54 +0100

Conclusion Evaluation of rADC values in characteristic lesions in MSA, PSP, and PD by placing ROIs using 3-T systems can provide useful additional information for differentiating these disorders. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Diagnostic NeuroradiologyPages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s00234-012-1009-9Authors Kazumichi Tsukamoto, Division of Radiology, Department of Pathophysiological and Therapeutic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 36-1 Nishicho, Yonago, 683-8504 Tottori, JapanEiji Matsusue, Department of Radiology, Tottori Prefectural Central Hospital, Tottori, JapanYoshiko Kanasaki, Division of Radiology, Department of Pathophysiological and Therapeutic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 36-1 Nishicho, Yonago, 683-8504 Tottori, JapanSuguru...

Movement disorders: role of imaging in diagnosis

Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:15:38 +0100

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI and single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) have a considerable role in the diagnosis of the single patient with movement disorders. Conventional MRI demonstrates symptomatic causes of parkinsonism but does not show any specific finding in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, SPECT using tracers of the dopamine transporter (DAT) demonstrates an asymmetric decrease of the uptake in the putamen and caudate from the earliest clinical stages. In other degenerative forms of parkinsonism, including progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multisystem atrophy (MSA), and corticobasal degeneration (CBD), MRI reveals characteristic patterns of regional atrophy combined with signal changes or microstructural changes in the basal ganglia, pons, middle an...

Targeting the brain: considerations in 332 consecutive patients treated by deep brain stimulation (DBS) for severe neurological diseases

Neurological Sciences — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:34:35 +0100

Abstract Deep brain stimulation (DBS) extends the treatment of some severe neurological diseases beyond pharmacological and conservative therapy. Our experience extends the field of DBS beyond the treatment of Parkinson disease and dystonia, including several other diseases such as cluster headache and disruptive behavior. Since 1993, at the Istituto Nazionale Neurologico “Carlo Besta” in Milan, 580 deep brain electrodes were implanted in 332 patients. The DBS targets include Stn, GPi, Voa, Vop, Vim, CM–pf, pHyp, cZi, Nacc, IC, PPN, and Brodmann areas 24 and 25. Three hundred patients are still available for follow-up and therapeutic considerations. DBS gave a new therapeutic chance to these patients affected by severe neurological diseases and in some cases controll...

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Scientists report first step in strategy for cell replacement therapy in Parkinson's disease

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(IOS Press) Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) are a promising avenue for cell replacement therapy in neurologic diseases. For example, mouse and human iPSCs have been used to generate dopaminergic neurons that improve symptoms in rat Parkinson's disease models. Reporting in the current issue of the Journal of Parkinson's Disease, a group of scientists from Japan evaluated the growth, differentiation, and function of human-derived iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells in a primate model, elucidating their therapeutic potential. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Diagnostic criteria for mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease: Movement Disorder Society Task Force guidelines

Movement Disorders — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This article provides guidelines to characterize the clinical syndrome and methods for its diagnosis. The criteria will require validation, and possibly refinement, as additional research improves our understanding of the epidemiology, presentation, neurobiology, assessment, and long‐term course of this clinical syndrome. These diagnostic criteria will support future research efforts to identify at the earliest stage those PD patients at increased risk of progressive cognitive decline and dementia who may benefit from clinical interventions at a predementia stage. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society (Source: Movement Disorders)

Role of PINK1 Binding to the TOM Complex and Alternate Intracellular Membranes in Recruitment and Activation of the E3 Ligase Parkin.

Developmental Cell — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lazarou M, Jin SM, Kane LA, Youle RJ Abstract Mutations in the mitochondrial kinase PINK1 and the cytosolic E3 ligase Parkin can cause Parkinson's disease. Damaged mitochondria accumulate PINK1 on the outer membrane where, dependent on kinase activity, it recruits and activates Parkin to induce mitophagy, potentially maintaining organelle fidelity. How PINK1 recruits Parkin is unknown. We show that endogenous PINK1 forms a 700 kDa complex with the translocase of the outer membrane (TOM) selectively on depolarized mitochondria whereas PINK1 ectopically targeted to the outer membrane retains association with TOM on polarized mitochondria. Inducibly targeting PINK1 to peroxisomes or lysosomes, which lack a TOM complex, recruits Parkin and activates ubiquitin ligase activity ...

[Psychosis in Parkinson's disease].

Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We describe the prevalence, form, causes and treatment of psychosis in Parkinson's disease. Material and method. The article is based on a literature search in PubMed for controlled pharmacological treatment studies and a discretionary selection of articles based on the authors' clinical and research experience. Results. About 1 % of patients with newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease have psychotic symptoms. In later stages, complicated by dementia, these symptoms occur in about half of the patients. A false sense of presence, optical illusions and visual hallucinations occur most frequently, but delusions and hallucinations involving other senses have been reported. Various theories to explain the underlying etiology and pathology are explored. A further medical assessment is recommended ...

LRRK2 and Human Disease: A Complicated Question or a Question of Complexes?

Science Signaling — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:18:02 +0100

Authors: Lewis PA, Manzoni C Abstract Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is linked to various diseases, including Parkinson's disease, cancer, and leprosy. Data from LRRK2 knockout mice has highlighted a possible role for LRRK2 in regulating signaling pathways that are linked to the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease. Here, we examine how LRRK2's role as a signaling hub in the cell could lead to diverse pathologies. PMID: 22253261 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Science Signaling)

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Dealing with Parkinson's Disease

NaturalNews.com — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

Today I begin to introduce my Batman and Robin Medicine for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Magnesium is Batman and Cannabis is Robin and they do make for a holy medical combination. In Multiple Sclerosis marijuana can limit the muscle pain and spasticity caused... (Source: NaturalNews.com)

Using partial decision trees to predict Parkinson’s symptoms: A new approach for diagnosis and therapy in patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease

Computers in Biology and Medicine — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:06:38 +0100

Abstract: In this work we present a method based on partial decision trees and association rules for the prediction of Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms. The proposed method is part of the PERFORM system. PERFORM is used for the treatment of PD patients and even advocate specific combinations of medications. The approach presented in this paper is included in the data miner module of PERFORM. A patient performs some initial examinations and the module predicts the future occurrence of the symptoms based on the initial examinations and medications taken. Using the method, the expert can prescribe specific medications that will not cause, or postpone the appearance of specific symptoms to the patient. The approach employed is able to provide interpretation for the predictions made, by provid...

Gait assessment in Parkinson's disease patients through a network of wearable accelerometers in unsupervised environments. - Cancela J, Pastorino M, Arredondo MT, Pansera M, Pastor-Sanz L, Villagra F, Pastor MA, Gonzalez AP.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:05:52 +0100

Parkinson's disease (PD) predominantly alters the motor performance of the affected individuals. In particular, the loss of dopaminergic neurons compromises the speed, the automaticity and fluidity of movements. As the disease evolves, PD patient's motion ... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

How Alpha-Synuclein Interacts With Cell Membranes In Parkinson's Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

The accumulation of Î±-synuclein, a small, negatively charged protein, in neural cells, is one of the hallmarks of Parkinson's disease. It has been suggested that oligomeric Î±-synuclein causes membranes to become permeable, or to form channels on the outer cell membrane. Now, a group of scientists from Sweden has found a way to reliably replicate Î±-synuclein aggregation on cell membranes to investigate how different forms of Î±-synuclein interact with membranes under different conditions and to learn if any of the Î±-synuclein species can penetrate these membranes... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Genetics of Parkinson's Disease

Seminars in Neurology — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Semin Neurol 2011; 31: 433-440DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1299782ABSTRACTThe identification of genes contributing to Parkinson's disease (PD) has allowed for an improved understanding of the underlying pathogenesis of the disorder. The authors review the rapidly growing field of PD genetics, with a focus on the clinical, genetic, and pathophysiologic features of well-validated monogenic forms of PD caused by mutations in the SNCA, LRRK2, Parkin, PINK1, DJ-1, and ATP13A2 genes. In addition, they discuss mutations in the GBA gene, which increase susceptibility for PD. The authors also evaluate the implications of genome-wide association studies and stem cell-derived disease models and give recommendations for genetic testing.[...]© Thieme Medical PublishersArticle in Thieme eJournals:Table of conte...

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Towards Unveiling the Genetics of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Seminars in Neurology — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Semin Neurol 2011; 31: 531-541DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1299791ABSTRACTIn addition to sharing several clinical, pathologic, and molecular characteristics, many neurodegenerative disorders show extensive familial histories suggesting a substantial contribution of genetic factors to disease causation and progression. In this review, the authors provide overviews of the status of current genetics research in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Across these four disorders alone, nearly 60 different loci can now be considered as established to be involved in pathogenesis for both Mendelian and non-Mendelian disease forms. In addition to reviewing the most compelling of these loci based on current data from genome-wide association studi...

A Pilot Study Examining Associations between DYRK1A and α-Synuclein Dementias.

Neuro-Degenerative Diseases — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: DYRK1A could prove to be an important therapeutic target as it interacts with several proteins associated with the development of pathology in dementia. PMID: 22269890 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Neuro-Degenerative Diseases)

Default Mode Network and Extrastriate Visual Resting State Network in Patients with Parkinson's Disease Dementia.

Neuro-Degenerative Diseases — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Differences in functional connectivity patterns between PDD and PD/HC were observed in areas known to be engaged in stimulus-driven reorienting of attention and in visual processing. PMID: 22269223 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Neuro-Degenerative Diseases)

[Comment] Deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease: opening up the race towards better technology

Lancet Neurology — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:16:38 +0100

In this issue of The Lancet Neurology, Michael Okun and colleagues report on a randomised controlled trial of subthalamic neurostimulation for the treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease. The study confirms the marked benefit that deep brain stimulation (DBS) exerts on parkinsonian motor symptoms, and also offers interesting and novel findings about this surgical therapy. (Source: Lancet Neurology)

[Articles] Subthalamic deep brain stimulation with a constant-current device in Parkinson's disease: an open-label randomised controlled trial

Lancet Neurology — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:16:38 +0100

SummaryBackgroundThe effects of constant-current deep brain stimulation (DBS) have not been studied in controlled trials in patients with Parkinson's disease. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of bilateral constant-current DBS of the subthalamic nucleus.MethodsThis prospective, randomised, multicentre controlled trial was done between Sept 26, 2005, and Aug 13, 2010, at 15 clinical sites specialising in movement disorders in the USA. Patients were eligible if they were aged 18–80 years, had Parkinson's disease for 5 years or more, and had either 6 h or more daily off time reported in a patient diary of moderate to severe dyskinesia during waking hours. (Source: Lancet Neurology)

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Risk of Cardiac Valve Regurgitation with Dopamine Agonist use in Parkinsons Disease and Hyperprolactinaemia: A Multi-Country, Nested Case-Control Study

Drug Safety — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:33:10 +0100

(Source: Drug Safety)

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome and Concentric Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in a Teenager: Danon Disease

Journal of the American College of Cardiology — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:57:13 +0100

A 14-year-old boy complained of intermittent palpitations and syncope. He also had mild mental retardation. His electrocardiogram showed type B Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (A). He underwent successful ablation, and his echocardiography (B, Online Videos 1, 3, and 4) and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (C, Online Video 2) confirmed the concentric LVH; the thickness of the left ventricular posterior wall and septum were 15 mm and 14 mm, respectively. Serum creatine kinase was 2,301 U/l (normal range (Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology)

Subchronic Polychlorinated Biphenyl (Aroclor 1254) Exposure Produces Oxidative Damage and Neuronal Death of Ventral Midbrain Dopaminergic Systems

Toxicological Sciences — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that oral PCB exposure, via food ingestion, impairs dopamine systems in the adult murine brain. We determined whether PCB exposure was associated with OS in dopaminergic neurons, a population of cells that selectively degenerate in PD. After 4 weeks of oral exposure to the PCB mixture Aroclor 1254, several congeners, mostly ortho substituted, accumulated throughout the brain. Significant increases in locomotor activity were observed within 2 weeks, which persisted after cessation of PCB exposure. Stereologic analyses revealed a significant loss of dopaminergic neurons within the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. However, striatal dopamine levels were elevated, suggesting that compensatory mechanisms exist to maintain dopamine homeostasis, ...

Heparin-induced GAPDH Amyloid Aggregation [Molecular Bases of Disease]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, neuropathological hallmarks of several neurological diseases, are mainly made of filamentous assemblies of α-synuclein. However, other macromolecules including Tau, ubiquitin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and glycosaminoglycans are routinely found associated with these amyloid deposits. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is a glycolytic enzyme that can form fibrillar aggregates in the presence of acidic membranes, but its role in Parkinson disease is still unknown. In this work, the ability of heparin to trigger the amyloid aggregation of this protein at physiological conditions of pH and temperature is demonstrated by infrared and fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, small angle x-ray scattering, circular dichroism, and fl...

ATP13A2 (PARK9) polymorphisms influence the neurotoxic effects of manganese.

Neurotoxicology — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: ATP13A2 variation may be a risk marker for neurotoxic effects of Mn in humans. PMID: 22285144 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Neurotoxicology)

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Compulsive use of dopamine replacement therapy among parkinson's disease patients: if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck . . .

Addiction — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:42:41 +0100

(Source: Addiction)

Compulsive use of dopamine replacement therapy in parkinson's disease: insights into the neurobiology of addiction

Addiction — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:42:39 +0100

(Source: Addiction)

Addiction as aberrant learning—evidence from parkinson's disease

Addiction — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:42:37 +0100

(Source: Addiction)

Prevalence and relation of dementia to various factors in Parkinson's disease

Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:22:45 +0100

Conclusions: As age increases, the chances of developing dementia increase. Dementia, contrarily, is not selective between genders. The likelihood of developing dementia increases as the stage of disease advances. Further research is required in order to understand underlying mechanisms of dementia in Parkinson's disease. (Source: Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences)

No evidence for differential methylation of α‐synuclein in leukocyte DNA of Parkinson's Disease patients

Movement Disorders — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Movement Disorders)

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Changes in neuronal firing rate in the subthalamic nucleus with Parkinson's disease

Movement Disorders — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Movement Disorders)

Neuronal Autophagy and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

exp Mol Med — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Son JH, Shim JH, Kim KH, Ha JY, Han JY Abstract Autophagy is a dynamic cellular pathway involved in the turnover of proteins, protein complexes, and organelles through lysosomal degradation. The integrity of postmitotic neurons is heavily dependent on high basal autophagy compared to non-neuronal cells as misfolded proteins and damaged organelles cannot be diluted through cell division. Moreover, neurons contain the specialized structures for intercellular communication, such as axons, dendrites and synapses, which require the reciprocal transport of proteins, organelles and autophagosomes over significant distances from the soma. Defects in autophagy affect the intercellular communication and subsequently, contributing to neurodegeneration. The presence of abnormal autoph...

[Perspective] LRRK2 and Human Disease: A Complicated Question or a Question of Complexes?

Signal Transduction Knowledge Environment — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:25:02 +0100

The kinase LRRK2 is genetically linked to diverse pathologies, including Parkinson's and Crohn's diseases. (Source: Signal Transduction Knowledge Environment)

Mediterranean diet 'halves risk of Parkinson's disease'

the Mail online | Health — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:40:06 +0100

A study from the University of Tokyo revealed healthy eating habits slashed the risk of the incurable brain disorder by up to 46 per cent. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Solving The Parkinson's Conundrum: Biologists A Step Closer

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0100

Research by a team in the University's Department of Biology found evidence that movement disorders, including tremor and slowness of movement (bradykinesia), associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) may be due to a defect in energy production in the nervous system. The advance may help to identify young adults who may be susceptible to the disease. Parkinson's, the second most common form of neurodegenerative disease, principally affects people aged over 60, but some forms - known as juvenile PD - usually start in the 30-40 age group... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Researchers Identify Path To Treat Parkinson's Disease At Its Inception

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0100

Imagine if doctors could spot Parkinson's disease at its inception and treat the protein that triggers it before the disease can sicken the patient. A team of researchers led by Basir Ahmad, a postdoctoral researcher at Michigan State University, has demonstrated that slow-wriggling alpha-synuclein proteins are the cause of aggregation, or clumping together, which is the first step of Parkinson's. The results are published in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

New research reveals how alpha-synuclein interacts with cell membranes in Parkinson's disease

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(IOS Press) Accumulation of α-synuclein is one of the hallmarks of Parkinson's disease. It has been suggested that oligomeric α-synuclein causes membranes to become permeable, or to form channels on the outer cell membrane. Now, a group of scientists from Sweden has found a way to reliably replicate α-synuclein aggregation on cell membranes to investigate how different forms of α-synuclein interact with membranes under different conditions and to learn if any of the α-synuclein species can penetrate these membranes. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Pramipexole-Induced Increased Probabilistic Discounting: Comparison Between a Rodent Model of Parkinson's Disease and Controls

Neuropsychopharmacology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sandra L Rokosik & T Celeste Napier Keywords: animal models; dopamine; addiction & substance abuse; movement disorders; pramipexole; probability discounting; 6-OHDA; gambling; rat (Source: Neuropsychopharmacology)

Home-based treadmill training for individuals with Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled pilot trial.

Clinical Rehabilitation — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Semi-supervised home-based treadmill training is a feasible and safe form of exercise for cognitively intact people with mild Parkinson's disease. Further investigation regarding the effectiveness of home-based treadmill training is warranted. PMID: 22257506 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Rehabilitation)

Contralateral Retinal Dopamine Decrease and Melatonin Increase in Progression of Hemiparkinsonium Rat.

Neurochemical Research — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Meng T, Zheng ZH, Liu TT, Lin L Abstract Both dopamine (DA) and melatonin (MLT) are abundant neuromodulators located in vertebrate retina. The retinal DA deficiency and variations in MLT levels have been linked to Parkinson's disease (PD). No studies have investigated the ipsilateral and contralateral DA and MLT in retina and their relationships in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) induced hemiparkinsonian rats. We established PD rat model by unilateral injection of 6-OHDA into the right substantia nigra and the right medial forebrain bundle. Eye tissue was collected and the levels of MLT and DA were measured twice daily at 10:00 and 22:00. The concentrations of DA and its metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), as well as MLT were determined b...

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A Mechanistic Study of Proteasome Inhibition-Induced Iron Misregulation in Dopamine Neuron Degeneration.

Neuro-Signals — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Li XP, Xie WJ, Zhang Z, Kansara S, Jankovic J, Le WD Abstract Ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) impairment and iron misregulation have been implicated in dopamine (DA) neuron degeneration in Parkinson's disease. As previously shown, proteasome inhibition in a rodent model can cause nigral neuron degeneration accompanied by iron accumulation. To investigate the involvement of iron in DA neuron degeneration, we generated an in vitro model by applying proteasome inhibitor lactacystin in DAergic cell line MES23.5 culture. We found that lactacystin caused marked increase in labile iron, reactive oxygen species and ubiquitin-conjugated protein aggregation prior to cell injury. These effects were attenuated by iron chelators or antioxidants. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the ...

Axon degeneration in Parkinson's disease.

Experimental Neurology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, we propose that a new focus on the neurobiology of axons, their molecular pathways of degeneration and growth, will offer novel opportunities for neuroprotection and restoration in the treatment of PD and other neurodegenerative diseases. PMID: 22285449 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Experimental Neurology)

Microarray genomic profile of mitochondrial and oxidant response in manganese chloride treated PC12 cells.

Neurotoxicology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we evaluate the primary toxicological events associated with MnCl(2) toxicity in rat PC12 cells using whole genome cDNA microarray, RT-PCR, Western blot and functional studies. The results show that a sub-lethal dose range (38-300μM MnCl(2)) initiated slight metabolic stress evidenced by heightened glycolytic rate and induction of enolase/aldolase - gene expression. The largest shift observed in the transcriptome was MnCl(2) induction of heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1) [7.7 fold, p<0.001], which was further corroborated by RT-PCR and Western blot studies. Concentrations in excess of 300μM corresponded to dose dependent loss of cell viability which was associated with enhanced production of H(2)O(2) concomitant to elevation of gene expression for diverse antioxidant enzymes; bil...

Foreword

Disease a Month — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:33:36 +0100

Methamphetamine has a typical history of an illicit drug in that it actually was initially developed several decades ago to treat a variety of maladies ranging from weight loss to asthma to Parkinson's disease. As a sympathomimetic amine related to ephedrine and amphetamine with central nervous system stimulant properties, the illegal manufacture and use of methamphetamine exploded (first in the Midwestern USA, due to easy access to anhydrous ammonia) by the mid-1990s. Today, methamphetamine abuse is no longer a regional issue (confined by socioeconomic demographics), but an international problem with increasing potency (and availability) and has become a major concern that every primary care physician (whether urban or rural) must address. Dr. David Vearrier and colleagues from Drexel Uni...

Muhammad Ali's endurance in face of Parkinson's

Health News: CBSNews.com — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:02:05 +0100

A look at the famed boxer's 40-year battle with the disease and how the condition is recognized and treated (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

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NHS facing 'neurology time bomb'

Telegraph Health — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 07:00:20 +0100

The NHS is facing a "neurology time bomb" as the number of people with conditions such as Parkinson's and motor neurone disease (MND) increases, charities are warning. (Source: Telegraph Health)

Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinsons

Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Ivanhoe Newswire)- Those suffering from Parkinson's disease have hope for improved quality of life according to results from St. Jude Medical, Inc. which showed that patients treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) experienced better motor function. (Source: Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com)

Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs in the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Journal of Pharmacy Practice — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients often develop psychotic symptoms that severely affect quality of life and limit the use of medications to ameliorate motor symptoms. Psychotic symptoms are a major cause for nursing home placement. While these symptoms do not always require treatment, they often do but antipsychotic drugs all share the common pharmacological mechanism of blocking dopamine D2 receptors which may worsen motor problems in this very vulnerable population. Double blind, placebo controlled trials (DBPCT) have shown that clozapine is effective at controlling the psychotic symptoms at doses far below those used in schizophrenia, without worsening motor function, even improving tremor. DBPCT have demonstrated that olanzapine worsens motor function without improving psychosis....

Randomized Controlled Trial of Community-Based Dancing to Modify Disease Progression in Parkinson Disease

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. Improvements in the Tango group were apparent off medication, suggesting that long-term participation in tango may modify progression of disability in PD. (Source: Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair)

Effectiveness of Intensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Treatment on Disease Progression in Parkinsonian Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial With 1-Year Follow-up

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion. These findings suggest that the natural worsening of symptoms associated with PD can be effectively counteracted by a properly designed IRT. (Source: Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair)

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Differential Diagnosis in Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies via VMAT2 and Amyloid Imaging.

Neuro-Degenerative Diseases — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: [(18)F]AV-133 allows assessment of nigrostriatal degeneration in Lewy body diseases. In contrast to amyloid imaging, VMAT2 imaging with [(18)F]AV-133 can robustly detect reductions of dopaminergic nigrostriatal afferents in DLB patients, assisting in the differential diagnosis from AD. PMID: 22261520 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Neuro-Degenerative Diseases)

Effects of Exercise and B Vitamins on Homocysteine and Glutathione in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Trial.

Neuro-Degenerative Diseases — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Positive results were realized with each intervention; however, the expected relationship between glutathione and homocysteine was not found in this sample of subjects with PD. Homocysteine and glutathione levels can be improved independently in individuals with PD with exercise or vitamins B(6), B(12) and folic acid supplementation. PMID: 22261439 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Neuro-Degenerative Diseases)

Update on Genetics of Parkinsonism.

Neuro-Degenerative Diseases — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The current genetic classification of PD/parkinsonism genes is not ideal. The pathological classification based on the accumulation of particular proteins/inclusions is also misleading since there are kindred with a single mutation but pleomorphic pathology. A better classification of neurodegenerative conditions is needed. It is hoped that the genetic studies will lead to better therapies. PMID: 22261420 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Neuro-Degenerative Diseases)

Comparative platelet proteome analysis reveals an increase of monoamine oxidase-B protein expression in Alzheimer's disease but not in non-demented Parkinson's disease patients.

Journal of Proteomics — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Zellner M, Baureder M, Rappold E, Bugert P, Kotzailias N, Babeluk R, Baumgartner R, Attems J, Gerner C, Jellinger K, Roth E, Oehler R, Umlauf E Abstract Monoamine oxidase-B (Mao-B) catalysing the breakdown of the neurotransmitter dopamine, is known to be involved in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Increased brain Mao-B activity is associated with AD. This alteration can also be seen in platelets, albeit the cause has hitherto remained elusive. To gain a deeper understanding of the etiology of AD, the platelet proteome was characterised, (2D DIGE pH6-9, including Mao-B) from 150 individuals: 34AD, 13 vascular dementia, 15 non-demented PD patients, 49 matched controls, 18 oldest old and 21 young individuals. One significant change was no...

Transient striatal GLT-1 blockade increases EAAC1 expression, glutamate reuptake, and decreases tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation at ser(19).

Experimental Neurology — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Salvatore MF, Davis RW, Arnold JC, Chotibut T Abstract Three glutamate transporters, GLT-1, GLAST, and EAAC1, are expressed in striatum. GLT-1 and, to a lesser extent, GLAST are thought to play a primary role in glutamate reuptake and mitigate excitoxicity. Progressive tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) loss seen in Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with increased extracellular glutamate. Glutamate receptor antagonists reduce nigrostriatal loss in PD models. These observations suggest that excess synaptic glutamate contributes to nigrostriatal neuron loss seen in PD. Decreased GLT-1 expression occurs in neurodegenerative disease and PD models, suggesting decreased GLT-1-mediated glutamate reuptake contributes to excitotoxicity. To determine how transient GLT-1 blockade affects...

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Lithium and valproate prevent olfactory discrimination and short-term memory impairments in the intranasal 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Behavioural Brain Research — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Castro AA, Ghisoni K, Latini A, Quevedo J, Tasca CI, Prediger RD Abstract We have recently demonstrated that rodents treated intranasally with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) display time-dependent impairments in olfactory, emotional, cognitive and motor functions associated with disruption of dopaminergic neurotransmission in different brain structures conceivably analogous to those observed during different stages of Parkinson's disease (PD). On the other hand, lithium (Li) and valproate (VPA) are two primary drugs used to treat bipolar mood disorder that have recently emerged as promising neuroprotective agents. The present data indicates that the pretreatment with Li (47.5mg/kg) or VPA (200mg/kg) by intraperitoneal route during 7 consecutive days wa...

Wiring the Brain to Treat Disorders

WSJ.com: Health — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 01:41:33 +0100

Deep brain stimulation has helped halt tremors in patients with Parkinson's disease. Now, researchers are using the procedure to treat depression and other psychiatric conditions. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

Charities warn of NHS crisis over Parkinson's 'timebomb' as number of cases is set to rise

the Mail online | Health — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:48:34 +0100

Services are already struggling to cope and patients are frequently ‘shunted into hospital’ against their will when they could be far better cared for at home, it says. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

NHS 'facing neurology time bomb'

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:45:21 +0100

The NHS is facing a time bomb if it does not get to grips with neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, campaigners say. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

'Neurology disease time bomb' facing the NHS says Neurological Alliance

Multiple Sclerosis Trust — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The Neurological Alliance is an umbrella organisation representing 70 local and national charities who support people living with a neurological condition and includes the MS Trust, Parkinson's UK, Epilepsy Action and the Motor Neurone Disease Association. The comments follow publication of the report Services for people with neurological conditions by the National Audit Office last month. (Source: Multiple Sclerosis Trust)

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Neurology timebomb

Multiple Sclerosis Trust — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The Neurological Alliance, which represents more than 70 charities, has warned the NHS that neurological problems will cause increasing strain to the NHS unless action to support people is taken now. They cite the increasing incidence of Parkinson's and MND and that 50 people a week are diagnosed with MS. Guardian BBC Daily Mail Daily Telegraph MS Trust news item on neurological services - 16 December 2011 (Source: Multiple Sclerosis Trust)

Wiring the Brain, Literally, to Treat Stubborn Disorders

WSJ.com: Health — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:56:41 +0100

Biologists a step nearer to solving the Parkinson's conundrum

ScienceDaily Headlines — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:43:43 +0100

Scientists have made a significant step forward in isolating the cause of Parkinson’s disease in younger adults. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

January 2012 Newsletter and Updates from The Hysterectomy Association

The Hysterectomy Association — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:46:53 +0100

Welcome to 2012 and we will shortly be entering the Chinese Year of the Dragon – it will arrive with a roar on 23rd January and symbolises luck. Here in the Hysterectomy Association office we hope that all our lovely subscribers receive the luck they want and need for their ongoing health. January is famously the time to get colds and bugs too (when you are in the Western Hemisphere at least) so it’s essential to wrap up warm if you go out and to avoid anyone who happens to be suffering – especially if you are recovering from surgery. Perhaps now is the time to think about catching up on all those books you were planning to read or the films you wanted to watch. Our Latest News DHEA Hormone may help to ease menopause symptoms and improve sex lives - Researchers in Ita...

VIDEO: Ballet helps Parkinson's victims

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:34:30 +0100

Scientists from London's Roehampton University are studying the effects of ballet on people with Parkinson's Disease. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

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VIDEO: Ballet helps Parkinson's patients

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:34:30 +0100

Scientists from London's Roehampton University are studying the effects of ballet on people with Parkinson's Disease. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

How A Motor Protein 'Steps Out'

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Just like people, some proteins have characteristic ways of "walking," which (also like human gaits) are not so easy to describe. But now scientists have discovered the unique "drunken sailor" gait of dynein, a protein that is critical for the function of every cell in the body and whose malfunction has been associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Lou Gehrig's disease and Parkinson's disease... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Biologists a step nearer to solving the Parkinson's conundrum

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(University of York) Scientists at the University of York have made a significant step forward in isolating the cause of Parkinson's disease in younger adults. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

A novel neuroprotective therapy for Parkinson's disease using a viral noncoding RNA that protects mitochondrial Complex I activity

The Journal of Experimental Medicine — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we have demonstrated that the administration of a novel noncoding p137 RNA, derived from the human cytomegaloviral β2.7 transcript, can prevent and rescue dopaminergic cell death in vitro and in animal models of PD by protecting mitochondrial Complex I activity. Furthermore, as this p137 RNA is fused to a rabies virus glycoprotein peptide that facilitates delivery of RNA across the blood–brain barrier, such protection can be achieved through a peripheral intravenous administration of this agent after the initiation of a dopaminergic lesion. This approach has major implications for the potential treatment of PD, especially given that this novel agent could have the same protective effect on all diseased neurons affected as part of this disease process, not just the...

Suicide without depression after withdrawal of a dopamine agonist in a patient with Parkinson's disease. - Flament M, Loas G, Godefroy O, Krystkowiak P.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:37:58 +0100

[Abstract unavailable] Language: Eng... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

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Clinical Drug Entacapone for Parkinson's Disease Has More Potent Antioxidant Activities than Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Journal of Surgical Research — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 22:30:18 +0100

(Source: Journal of Surgical Research)

Walk this way: Scientists and physiology students describe how a motor protein 'steps out'

ScienceDaily Headlines — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 02:06:06 +0100

Scientists have discovered the unique "drunken sailor" gait of dynein, a protein that is critical for the function of every cell in the body and whose malfunction has been associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Lou Gehrig's disease and Parkinson's disease. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Constant Electrical Brain Stimulation Safe in Parkinson's (CME/CE)

MedPage Today State Required CME — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:52:20 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- Constant-current deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease patients increased symptom control and decreased medication use in Parkinson's disease, a study has found. (Source: MedPage Today State Required CME)

Constant-Current Neurostimulation Effective in Parkinson'sConstant-Current Neurostimulation Effective in Parkinson's

Medscape Today Headlines — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:05:32 +0100

A study finds that constant-current DBS is safe and effective for parkinsonian motor symptoms and provides "interesting and novel" data on the effects of the implantation procedure itself. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Walk this way: Scientists and MBL physiology students describe how a motor protein 'steps out'

EurekAlert! - Biology — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Marine Biological Laboratory) Scientists at Harvard Medical School and from the MBL Physiology Course have discovered the unique "drunken sailor" gait of dynein, a protein that is critical for the function of every cell in the body and whose malfunction has been associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Lou Gehrig's disease and Parkinson's disease. (Source: EurekAlert! - Biology)

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A neuroprotective role of the human uncoupling protein 2 (hUCP2) in a Drosophila Parkinson's Disease model.

Neurobiology of Disease — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Islam R, Yang L, Sah M, Kannan K, Anamani D, Vijayan C, Kwok J, Cantino ME, Beal MF, Fridell YW Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD), caused by selective loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, is the most common movement disorder. While its etiology remains unknown, mitochondrial dysfunction is recognized as one of the major cellular defects contributing to PD pathogenesis. Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) has been implicated in neuroprotection in several neuronal injury models. Here we show that hucp2 expression in Drosophila DA neurons under the control of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoter protects those flies against the mitochondrial toxin rotenone-induced DA neuron death, head dopamine depletion, impaired locomotor activity...

External Cueing Improves Motor Imagery Quality in Patients With Parkinson Disease

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. Visual cueing optimizes MI quality for PD patients and is a potential tool to increase the efficacy of MI practice in PD rehabilitation. (Source: Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair)

Mutations in PRRT2 result in paroxysmal dyskinesias with marked variability in clinical expression

Journal of Medical Genetics — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion This study shows that PKD, ICCA and some other PD-related phenotypes are part of the same phenotypic spectrum, caused by mutations in PRRT2. This underscores the complexity of the phenotypic consequences of PRRT2 mutations. (Source: Journal of Medical Genetics)

Law and ethics of deep brain stimulation.

International Journal of Law and Psychiatry — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Schmitz-Luhn B, Katzenmeier C, Woopen C Abstract Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a non-destructive, adjustable, and mainly reversible method of continuously giving electrical impulses into a small area of the brain via implanted electrodes. It has been established as a standard form of treatment for specific cases of Parkinson's disease, essential tremor and dystonia. It is currently being evaluated for several mental disorders, dementia and even alcoholism. In spite of its growing practical importance, the legal issues have so far undergone almost no analysis. The article outlines both the essential legal questions of DBS from the perspective of German Law as well as major issues of the current ethical debate, and the correlation of both fields. PMID: 22244083 [PubMed...

Parasitic fungus Claviceps as a source for biotechnological production of ergot alkaloids.

Biotechnology Advances — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hulvová H, Galuszka P, Frébortová J, Frébort I Abstract Ergot alkaloids produced by the fungus Claviceps parasitizing on cereals, include three major groups: clavine alkaloids, d-lysergic acid and its derivatives and ergopeptines. These alkaloids are important substances for the pharmatech industry, where they are used for production of anti-migraine drugs, uterotonics, prolactin inhibitors, anti-Parkinson agents, etc. Production of ergot alkaloids is based either on traditional field cultivation of ergot-infected rye or on submerged cultures of the fungus in industrial fermentation plants. In 2010, the total production of these alkaloids in the world was about 20,000kg, of which field cultivation contributed about 50%. This review covers the recent advances in underst...

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Iron dysregulation in movement disorders.

Neurobiology of Disease — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Dusek P, Jankovic J, Le W Abstract Iron is an essential element necessary for energy production, DNA and neurotransmitter synthesis, myelination and phospholipid metabolism. Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) involves several genetic disorders, two of which, aceruloplasminemia and neuroferritinopathy, are caused by mutations in genes directly involved in iron metabolic pathway, and others, such as pantothenate-kinase 2, phospholipase-A2 and fatty acid 2-hydroxylase associated neurodegeneration, are caused by mutations in genes coding for proteins involved in phospholipid metabolism. Phospholipids are major constituents of myelin and iron accumulation has been linked to myelin derangements. Another group of NBIAs is caused by mutations in lysosomal enzyme...

Brain monoamine systems in multiple system atrophy: A positron emission tomography study.

Neurobiology of Disease — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, (18)F-dopa PET showed more widespread basal ganglia dysfunction in MSA than in PD with similar disease duration, and extrastriatal loss of monoaminergic innervation could be detected in the red nucleus and locus coeruleus. In contrast to PD, there was no evidence of early compensatory increases in regional (18)F-dopa uptake. PMID: 22266105 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Neurobiology of Disease)

Diet counts: Iron intake in teen years can impact brain in later life

UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:08:00 +0100

Iron is a popular topic in health news. Doctors prescribe it for medical reasons, and it's available over the counter as a dietary supplement. And while it's known that too little iron can result in cognitive problems, it's also known that too much promotes neurodegenerative diseases. Now, researchers at UCLA have found that in addition to causing cognitive problems, a lack of iron early in life can affect the brain's physical structure as well. UCLA neurology professor Paul Thompson and his colleagues measured levels of transferrin, a protein that transports iron throughout the body and brain, in adolescents and discovered that these transferrin levels were related to detectable differences in both the brain's macro-structure and micro-structure when the adolescents reached ...

Deep Brain Stimulation Shows Positive Results for Parkinson's Treatment

Disabled World — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:00:58 +0100

Researchers from the University of Florida and 14 additional medical centers reported results today in the online version of The Lancet Neurology journal indicating that deep brain stimulation - also known as DBS - is effective at improving motor symptoms and quality of life in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. (Source: Disabled World)