Parkinson's Research

[Gregory Matthews]

SDA, Dr. Ann Liebert has won an award for her research into Parkinson’s Disease, see:

https://record.adventistchurch.com/2022/08/29/sydney-adventist-hospital-researcher-wins-prestigious-award/

[phkrause]

Breaking News: Parkinson's Disease Biomarker Found

In an enormous leap forward in the understanding of Parkinson’s disease (PD), researchers have discovered a new tool that can reveal a key pathology of the disease: abnormal alpha-synuclein — known as the “Parkinson’s protein” — in brain and body cells. The breakthrough, announced last night as it was published in the scientific journal The Lancet Neurology, opens a new chapter for research, with the promise of a future where every person living with Parkinson’s can expect improved care and treatments — and newly diagnosed individuals may never advance to full-blown symptoms.   

https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/breaking-news-parkinsons-disease-biomarker-found?

[phkrause]

Playing football linked with higher odds of Parkinson's disease

Men who play organized football have higher odds of developing Parkinson's disease or Parkinson's-like symptoms, researchers wrote Friday in the journal JAMA Network Open.

https://www.axios.com/2023/08/11/football-risk-parkinsons-disease?

[phkrause]

A man with Parkinson's who was unable to walk without falling is enjoying Sunday strolls again thanks to a spine implant

A man diagnosed with Parkinson's disease almost 30 years ago who could barely walk on his own can now climb stairs and go out independently again thanks to a potentially revolutionary device implanted in his spinal cord.

https://www.insider.com/spine-stimulator-implant-helps-parkinsons-disease-walk-2023-11

Spinal implant helps man with advanced Parkinson’s to walk without falling

Electrical stimulation improved his mobility, although researchers say that a larger study is needed to assess the device.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03452-1

Parkinson's 101

There is no simple way to deal with the life-changing event of a Parkinson’s diagnosis. The good news: Most people find acceptance and quality of life after the initial adjustment period.

https://www.michaeljfox.org/parkinsons-101

Understanding Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a neurological condition that affects the brain and other parts of the nervous system. The gradual loss of nerve cells leads to a suite of characteristic motor and non-motor symptoms. What causes these cells to die and how the pathology develops in the nervous system are not yet clear but multiple lines of investigation are being pursued to answer these questions. In this animation, we explore some of the latest in Parkinson's disease research.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

[phkrause]

? Brain pacemaker for Parkinson's

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

An implant that responds to brain signals in real time was shown to ease symptoms of Parkinson's disease instantaneously in a limited trial of whether the technology can help patients as they go about their daily lives, Axios' Maya Goldman writes. Why it matters: It's an example of how deep brain stimulation combined with artificial intelligence can track a patient's brain activity for tremors, limb stiffness and other features of a condition diagnosed in almost 90,000 people in the U.S. each year. How it works: The approach developed by UC San Francisco researchers differs from conventional deep brain stimulation treatments that deliver constant electric currents and can lead to unwanted side effects. It uses algorithms that sense motor symptoms and produce a personally tailored level of brain stimulation to prevent them. The new technology reduced involuntary movements and other symptoms by 50% in four patients who had Parkinson's for at least 10 years, researchers wrote yesterday in Nature. Reality check: The technology doesn't change the trajectory of the underlying disease.

[phkrause]

Retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre says he has Parkinson’s disease

WASHINGTON (AP) — Retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, he told a congressional committee Tuesday.

https://apnews.com/article/brett-favre-parkinsons-congress-mississippi-welfare-fraud-4d1635ac54ee5ab156fd2825fcd29430?

[phkrause]

Parkinson's Disease May Soon Outpace Dementia: What to Know

April 11, 2025 – Two incurable diseases loom over our aging populace: Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Right now, Alzheimer's is more common and seems a more widespread concern than the relatively narrow shadow cast by Parkinson's.

https://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/news/20250411/parkinsons-disease-may-soon-outpace-dementia-what-to-know?

[phkrause]

What to Know About Parkinson’s Symptoms in Adults

Parkinson’s disease starts in the brain. Certain nerve cells break down or die. As a result, the levels of dopamine, a chemical in your brain, begin to fall. When your dopamine levels decrease, it causes your brain to act in unusual ways and leads to impaired movement, among other things.

https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/what-to-know-about-parkinsons-symptoms-in-adults?

[phkrause]

Processed food & Parkinson's

A hot dog with ketchup, a side of chips and a soda — sounds delicious, right? Too much ultraprocessed food like this could more than double your risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study. It’s another sign that what you eat may influence the development of neurodegenerative diseases.

[phkrause]

Parkinson's Disease Has a Smell That Some Dogs Can Detect

Dogs really can be trained to smell Parkinson's disease, according to new research from the United Kingdom.

https://www.sciencealert.com/parkinsons-disease-has-a-smell-that-some-dogs-can-detect?

[phkrause]

What Is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease is an illness that affects the part of your brain that controls how you move your body. It can come on so slowly that you don't even notice it at first. But over time, what starts as a little shakiness in your hand can have an impact on how you walk, talk, sleep, and think.

https://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/parkinsons-disease-overview?

[phkrause]

Parkinson’s Disease: What to Know

Written by Kendall K. Morgan

Medically Reviewed by Carol DerSarkissian, MD on January 17, 2022

https://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/ss/slideshow-parkinsons-overview?

[phkrause]

Carrying on a Father's Legacy

The daughter of a Parkinson's disease activist helps others realize they're not alone.

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/carrying-on-fathers-legacy?

Staying Active Can Slow Cognitive Decline in Parkinson’s Disease

If you have Parkinson’s disease (PD) and are staying active, you’re likely doing yourself a big favor.

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/staying-active-slow-cognitive-decline-parkinsons-disease?

Smartphone Apps Can Help Manage Parkinson’s, Migraines, Epilepsy, and More

Stacee Hawkins credits a health-changing aha moment to a smartphone app. Linked to her smartwatch, StrivePD, from Rune Labs, automatically detects and records tremors and muscle spasms called dyskinesia in addition to tracking her diet, physical activity, sleep, medications, stress, and more.

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/smartphone-apps-manage-parkinsons-migraine-epilepsy-more?

[phkrause]

Fighting Parkinson's with ping-pong

Parkinson's patients take to the ping-pong tables on a recent Tuesday in Southeast Portland. GIF: Kale Williams/Axios In Portland, Ore., some Parkinson's patients have found an unlikely ally in their battle against the disease: ping-pong paddles. Why it matters: Table tennis is emerging as a surprising source of therapy and community for those with Parkinson's disease — boosting balance, easing tremors and creating meaningful connection, Axios Portland's Kale Williams reports. ? The big picture: Ping Pong Parkinson, an international nonprofit propelling the movement, says playing can stimulate brain activity, improve motor control and sharpen reflexes in people with Parkinson's. Some studies suggest these benefits can spill into daily life. Zoom in: Each Tuesday morning, about a dozen players rally at the Portland Table Tennis Club, where guided by coaches they serve, slam and laugh their way through fast-paced games. Sharon Bergman — who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2019 — says she feels like a different person when she steps up to the ping-pong table. "When I play ping-pong, I forget I have Parkinson's. ... It brings a lot of joy." "You have to move fast, deciding what kind of shot to hit, whether it's forehand or backhand," says Phil Bernstein, who was diagnosed in 2023. "That's something that Parkinson's takes from you." ? At Parkinson's Resources of Oregon in Beaverton, coach Rob Solomon has seen the shift firsthand. "Some of their tremors are incredibly sad, and then they get up to the table and their hand is just solid," he says. Beyond the physical, Solomon adds: "I've never seen the kind of cohesion among the players that we have here. It's because they're all doing it together." ps:I've heard about this before!!

[phkrause]

Parkinson’s disease

The progressive movement disorder that affects your muscles and balance is on the rise. An estimated 25 million people worldwide will be living with it by 2050. Experts offer advice on how to reduce your risk.

[phkrause]

Gifts from a debilitating disease

Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photo: Carrick O'Reilly. Book cover: Courtesy of Jim O'Connell No one wants to hear that a friend, colleague or loved one has a progressive, degenerative disease like Parkinson's. It was especially tough when we learned the disease affected Jim O'Connell — a fellow journalist known for his innovative ideas, sharp wit and gruff wisdom, Axios' Eileen Drage O'Reilly writes. ❤️‍🩹 When someone shares news like this, our job isn't to fix it. It's to be present, to listen and to support their priorities for living a great life, as Atul Gawande advises in his book "Being Mortal." It's not about you — it's about them. So, ignore the instinct to fix the disease, to assign meaning to everything, or to reach out with pity or forced cheer. Zoom in: Diagnosed more than 18 years ago with early-onset Parkinson's, Jim took aggressive steps to slow the disease. He kept working at Bloomberg News until he decided he could no longer type fast enough for its lightning-quick demands. Jim has since endured brain surgery, multiple chest surgeries, Botox injections, toe surgery, bone-weary exhaustion, depression and worsening balance. ✍️ But Jim didn't retreat. He's become a bedrock for others newly diagnosed — and eventually put his experiences into words, publishing a book of intimate essays in "Incurable Gifts." It's a great collection of vignettes from Jim's life interspersed with nothing-held-back looks at how Parkinson's has changed his life, shares Axios Publisher Nicholas Johnston, who was edited by Jim years ago as a young congressional reporter at Bloomberg. And it perfectly captures Jim's witheringly blunt — and effective! — voice as an editor and mentor, Nick adds. 🇮🇪 Case in point: Jim uses his Irish storytelling talents to great effect, Eileen writes. Those skills shine through in anecdotes about his spirited mother, who raised five kids with practical wisdom ("everybody keep one hand on the cart") and humor. When his sister, a flight attendant, invited her fellow crew members for dinner, their mom separated them into first class with fancy china and coach with mac and cheese on paper plates. Zoom out: Parkinson's is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disease in the world. 🧭 Every six minutes, someone is diagnosed. More than 10 million people worldwide are living with it, according to the American Parkinson Disease Association. 🖼️ The big picture: At his recent book launch, Jim stressed that the story of his journey with Parkinson's isn't just on the "incurable" part. He also talks about the unexpected gifts he's gained. 💬 "Because Parkinson's slowed my walking, I began to learn patience. Because it frequently leaves me exhausted, I had to increase my determination. Because I live in almost constant pain, I am more empathetic," Jim writes. "So, thank you, Parkinson's, you bastard," he adds. "You've given me what everyone wants, a chance to step away from earning a living and just live. I'd offer a salute, but I can't lift my arms right now." Learn more about "Incurable Gifts" and what to do if you're newly diagnosed.

[phkrause]

Can You Treat Parkinson’s Disease Naturally?

Some natural remedies and alternative therapies, such as music therapy and supplements, may complement medical treatments for Parkinson’s disease (PD) and improve overall health.

https://www.healthline.com/health/parkinsons/natural-remedies-for-parkinsons?

[phkrause]

Oral vs. Infusion Medications for Parkinson’s Disease: What You Need to Know

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition that affects how the brain controls movement. It develops when changes in the brain disrupt the nerve cells that help coordinate motion.

https://www.healthline.com/health/parkinsons/oral-vs-infusion-medications-for-parkinsons?

[phkrause]

What To Know About Research on Curing and Preventing Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive disorder that causes you to experience certain physical and cognitive symptoms. These changes can weaken your ability to control your movements, speak, and complete daily tasks.

https://www.healthline.com/health/parkinsons-disease-curable?