Parkinson’s disease – The Neurodegenerative Diseases Initiative (HD) | A film by the Wellcome Trust

20.08.10 / parkinson disease / Author: Alex
Tags: Disease, diseases, film, Initiative, Neurodegenerative, parkinsons, Trust, Wellcome

Three bold new research programmes focusing on devastating neurodegenerative diseases – Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and motor neurone disease – have received major funding from the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council. In this short interview, we meet Professors Nicholas Wood, John Hardy and Anthony Schapira at the Institute of Neurology, London, as they outline the changing face of Parkinson’s disease research and their hopes to fully understand its causes and effects at the genetic level.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Avoid Parkinson’S Drug Disaster

If you’re a regular reader, you know that I prefer natural solutions to medical problems whenever possible. That being said, I also know that there are times when pharmaceutical treatments are useful, even lifesaving.
 
For most people with Parkinson’s disease, prescription drugs hold the best promise for control of their symptoms. When you’re faced with a debilitating disease like Parkinson’s, the last thing you need is a drug meant to treat your condition that actually brings more heartache into your life.
 
Recent research reveals that some of the common prescription drugs for Parkinson’s create more problems than they solve. Fortunately, this isn’t the case for all the possible treatments. When it comes to treating Parkinson’s some drugs provide a solution to symptoms, while others can lead to disaster.(1)

Drugs that Hurt Instead of Help

Parkinson’s disease affects your brain. Specifically it inhibits the production of dopamine and causes the basal ganglia area of the brain to degenerate. When you have Parkinson’s, it affects your coordination. It makes your hands tremble, it weakens your muscles, and it makes it difficult to control your movements.(2)
 
Drugs that restore dopamine production can help. But depending on how the drugs work, they can cause some alarming side affects. One type of drug that has researchers particularly concerned is dopamine agonists. Pramiexole and ropinirole are two such drugs that doctors commonly prescribe for Parkinson’s.(3)
 
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic found that one in six patients taking these types of drugs develop destructive behaviors. They often become compulsive gamblers or experience hyper-sexuality. The drugs interfere with judgment and stimulate the area of the brain that responds to pleasure, risk, and reward.(4)
 
I’m sure you can imagine what these side affects do to families. You may be giving time and effort to support a loved one with Parkinson’s disease. You share in their struggle and it hurts you to see them going through the pain of this devastating disease. And then, the promised treatment changes their behavior, turns them into someone they’re not, and makes them behave in ways that are hurtful.
 
Fortunately, there are other options. The gold standard for treating Parkinson’s disease is Levodopa. It works differently, and does not trigger destructive behaviors.(5)

Natural Support for Parkinson’s Patients

Prescription drugs do play a role in treating the symptoms of Parkinson disease, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t natural remedies that can help, too.
 
Because Parkinson’s disease weakens your muscles and attacks your coordination, the importance of exercise takes on new meaning. Exercise can help strengthen your muscles. It can also improve your flexibility and balance, which will help you to better control your movements. Exercises that focus on core strength and flexibility will provide the most benefit. Try strength training, yoga, and tai chi for the best results.(6)

Research shows that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), folate, and vitamin B12 are all important supplements if you’re dealing with Parkinson’s disease.
 
Researchers have found that damage to the mitochondria within your brain cells contributes to the progression of Parkinson’s disease. The antioxidant properties of CoQ10 can help to protect your mitochondria and your cells from damage. In most Parkinson’s patients the levels of CoQ10 in the brain are very low. Supplementing with CoQ10 can help restore levels and protect your cells. (7)

Parkinson’s patients taking Levodopa also typically have low levels of folate and vitamin B12. Researchers have found a link between low folate levels and depression in Parkinson’s patients. Additionally, they’ve linked low levels of B12 with cognitive impairment. Supplementing with folate and B12 may help to improve overall function, mood, and quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s.(8)
 
 
Parkinson’s disease is a difficult condition to live with. The last thing you need are drugs that make your life more difficult instead of helping. If you notice any behavior changes after beginning a dopamine agonist prescription, talk to your doctor about switching to Levodopa or an equivalent drug. It can help you feel like yourself again.
 
 Remember to discuss any changes you have planned for your diet, exercise routine, or supplements with your doctor first. Until next time… 

“Parkinson’s Disease Medication Triggers Destructive Behaviors,” Bayho.com. 4/17/2009
“Parkinson’s Disease Medication Triggers Destructive Behaviors,” Bayho.com. 4/27/2009
“Parkinson’s Disease Medication Triggers Destructive Behaviors,” Bayho.com. 4/17/2009
“Parkinson’s Disease Medication Triggers Destructive Behaviors,” Bayho.com. 4/8/2009
“Parkinson’s Disease Medication Triggers Destructive Behaviors: Mayo Clinic Case Study Identifies At-Risk Patients,” MayoClinic.org. 4/8/2009
“Parkinson’s Disease,” MedicineNet.com. Viewed 4/27/2009
 Hargreaves IP, et al. “The coenzyme Q10 status of the brain regions of Parkinson’s disease patients,” Neurosci Lett 2008; 447(1): 17-19
Triantafyilou NI, et al. “Folate and vitamin B12 levels in levodopa-treated Parkinson’s disease patients: their relationship to clinical manifestations, mood and cognition,” Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2008; 14(4): 321-25

‘The Good Wife’: Michael J. Fox gets the sympathy vote
Fall TV just got a little more awesome. Five-time Emmy Award winner Michael J. Fox shows no sign of slowing down as he makes plans to follow up his critically acclaimed guest-starring role on “Rescue Me” with a one-shot appearance on CBS’s “The Good Wife.”Fox stepped down from his role on “Spin City” in 2001 when symptoms of his Parkinson’s Disease became too difficult to conceal on-screen (and …
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Question by I’m in pieces…baby fix me: How long do people live after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease?
My grandfather is 80 years old, very tall and thin. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease about a year ago. He is on medication but it seems to have stopped working now. My grandparents live in a very desolate area and I doubt he will be able to get new medication.

How long does he have? On average?

Best answer:

Answer by Marielle
I am so sorry to hear of this. Parkinson’s disease as you know is not curable and hard to even treat. I wish I could give you an exact time frame but, not even a doctor knows. Some people I have taken care of had it for 20 yr before passing away. Other people have it for 6 mon. and pass away. Not to minimize your grandfather but only to help you understand…. he is 80 years old. He is at life expectancy. He has accomplished a lot in those 80 years and will leave a great legacy. So please start focusing on all that he has done. Start collecting pictures, awards, certificates, newspaper clippings, etc. Talk to family members and ask them questions and write down all that you can remember. Look forward to making a book that can be put together in a nice hard covered journal. If he served in any foreign wars find out if he has metals.
What a great memorial book you can make about your grandfather. You have a lot of work to do in a short time.
So the key thing is to focus on what he accomplished and done and let nature take its course in how much time he has left

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Dog at Parkinson’s 5k Walk & Fun Run 2008


Image by gebl
(C)Gebl 2008