The nuclei of brain stem cells in some Parkinson's patients become misshapen with age. The discovery opens up new ways to target the disease.

Nubby nucleus: Brain cells from a deceased Parkinsons patient have deformed nuclei (bottom) compared with normal brain cells from an individual of a similar age. Merce Marti and Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte

Stem cells in the brains of some Parkinson's patients are increasingly damaged as they age, an effect that eventually diminishes their ability to replicate and differentiate into mature cell types. Researchers studied neural stem cells created from patients' own skin cells to identify the defects. The findings offer a new focus for therapeutics that target the cellular change.

The report, published today in Nature, takes advantage of the ability to model diseases in cell culture by turning patient's own cells first into so-called induced pluripotent stem cells and then into disease-relevant cell typesin this case, neural stem cells. The basis of these techniques was recognized with a Nobel Prize in medicine last week.

The authors studied cells taken from patients with a heritable form of Parkinson's that stems from mutations in a gene. After growing several generation of neural stem cells derived from patients with that mutation, they saw the cell nuclei start to develop abnormal shapes. Those abnormalities compromise the survival of the neural stem cells, says study coauthor Ignacio Sancho-Martinez of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California.

Today's study "brings to light a new avenue for trying to figure out the mechanism of Parkinson's," says Scott Noggle of the New York Stem Cell Foundation. It also provides a new set of therapeutic targets: "Drugs that target or modify the activity [of the gene] could be applicable to Parkinson's patients. This gives you a handle on what to start designing drug screens around."

The strange nuclei were also seen in patients who did not have a known genetic basis for Parkinson's disease. The authors suggest this indicates that dysfunctional neural stem cells could contribute to Parkinson's. While that conclusion is "highly speculative," says Ole Isacson, a neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School, the study demonstrates the "wealth of data and information that we now can gain from iPS cells."

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Parkinson's cells

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct.17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --NeuroPhage Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today positive data with NPT001 in an alpha-synuclein pre-clinical model for Parkinson's disease (PD). The study was funded by The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF). NPT001 is a first-in-class drug candidate with potential disease-modifying activity that disrupts and clears a variety of amyloid aggregates in the brain. In addition to reducing beta amyloid and tau aggregates in Alzheimer's disease (AD) preclinical studies, the new study demonstrates that NPT001 disrupts alpha-synuclein fibrils which are thought to play a critical role in PD.

The study was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Eliezer Masliah at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and demonstrated that a single NPT001 treatment produced significant reductions in neuropathology along with improved motor performance in the PD model. Specifically, NPT001 significantly reduced alpha-synuclein deposits in the brain and restored dopamine-producing cells to normal function. Deficits in dopamine production are responsible for many of the behavioral dysfunctions in PD. In addition, NPT001 was well-tolerated and produced no observable adverse effects.

The data will be presented at the upcoming 2013 ADPD meeting in Florence, Italy. "The effects produced by NPT001 are robust and impressive, and the treatment improved the critical functions that are impaired in the brain of Parkinson patients," said Dr. Franz Hefti, PD expert and Chairman of NeuroPhage's Scientific Advisory Board.

"We are excited by the results of this study showing dose-dependent amelioration of neuropathology and functional improvement in a Parkinson's disease pre-clinical model following treatment with NPT001. These results, taken together with our biochemical and cell data for alpha-synuclein, support the development of NPT001 for PD in addition to the ongoing clinical development for Alzheimer's disease," said Dr. Kimberley S. Gannon, NeuroPhage's Senior Vice President of Preclinical Research & Development.

NeuroPhage's technology platform permits the development of therapeutics that target multiple misfolded proteins involved in neurodegeneration such as beta amyloid and tau (involved in AD), as well as alpha-synuclein (involved in PD). In February 2012, NeuroPhage announced that it had received a grant from MJFF for PD research on NPT001.

About Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive disorder of the central nervous system and results from the loss of cells in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra. These cells produce dopamine, a chemical messenger responsible for transmitting signals within the brain. Loss of dopamine causes critical nerve cells in the brain, or neurons, to fire out of control, leaving patients unable to direct or control their movement in a normal manner. The symptoms of Parkinson's may include tremors, difficulty maintaining balance and gait, rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk, and general slowness of movement (also called bradykinesia). Patients may also eventually have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks. Symptoms often appear gradually yet with increasing severity, and the progression of the disease may vary widely from patient to patient. There is no cure for Parkinson's disease. Drugs have been developed that can help patients manage many of the symptoms; however they do not prevent disease progression.

About The Michael J. Fox Foundation

The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's today. The Foundation has funded over $304 million in research to date.

About NeuroPhage

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NeuroPhage Reports Beneficial Effects of its Drug Candidate in a Pre-clinical Study of Parkinson's Disease Funded by ...

Editor's Choice Academic Journal Main Category: Parkinson's Disease Also Included In: MRI / PET / Ultrasound Article Date: 05 Oct 2012 - 8:00 PDT

Current ratings for: Brain Scan Can Predict The Course Of Parkinson's Disease

4.25 (4 votes)

The authors explained that this brain scan can identify which Parkinson's patients are at risk of severe disease, thus enabling doctors to better manage and treat their symptoms.

Some specialists already use the DaTscan when confirming a Parkinson's diagnosis after a physical examination.

However, the DaTscan can only help in the diagnosis to a certain extent. It can point towards Parkinsonism, but cannot help the doctor distinguish between many similar disorders, of which classic Parkinson's disease is one.

GE Healthcare announced the availability of DaTscan (Ioflupane I 123 Injection) in June 2011.

When using the DaTscan, the patient is injected with a small quantity of a radioactive contrast agent which binds to dopamine transporters in the brain. Then, a scanner is used to measure how much of the contrast agent there is in the brain, and where exactly it is. People with Parkinson's have fewer neurons with dopamine transporters, thus, lower amounts of the radioactive agent appear in their brain scans, compared to "healthy" individuals.

Bernard Ravina, M.D., M.S.C.E., and team set out to determine whether the DaTscan might be used to predict the long-term progression of Parkinson's disease. They looked at the DaTscan images of 491 individuals who had just been diagnosed with Parkinson's - none of them had yet started on standard medications for the disease. All the patients were participants in the Longitudinal and Biomarker Study in PD (LABS-PD), a clinical trial funded in part by the Parkinson's Disease Foundation.

The LABS-PD study had been a long-term one, thus the team were able to compare participants' DaTscan results, which were taken just after diagnosis and then again 22 months later, with information from their yearly health assessments.

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Brain Scan Can Predict The Course Of Parkinson's Disease

Pig cells will be transplanted into the brains of New Zealanders with Parkinson's disease as part of an experimental treatment of the neurological disorder.

Kiwi scientists will undertake the clinical trial after Living Cell Technologies, which has its research and development based in this country, got the go-ahead to test the treatment in humans next year.

Government approval was given this week for the trial.

"Receiving regulatory approval to conduct clinical trials is a critical step in developing a treatment for this debilitating condition," said the company's chief executive Andrea Grant said in a statement.

She says pre-clinical trials suggest the treatment, known as NTCELL, can protect brain tissue which would otherwise die, potentially delaying or preventing the effects of Parkinson's.

Only those who have been diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease for at least four years will be part of the study, which will last for up to 60 weeks.

The trial will involve patients getting either the pig cells or the current gold standard of treatment - deep brain stimulation.

The leader of Auckland District Health Board's movement disorder clinic, Barry Snow, will oversee the trial.

"This represents an exciting new potential option for patients," Dr Snow said.

Pre-clinical studies had shown improvement in movement and neurological defects and a rise in dopamine-producing neurons within two weeks of treatment.

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Pig cell treatment for Parkinson's okayed

Pig cells will be transplanted into the brains of New Zealanders with Parkinson's disease as part of an experimental treatment of the neurological disorder.

Kiwi scientists will undertake the clinical trial after Living Cell Technologies, which has its research and development based in this country, got the go-ahead to test the treatment in humans next year.

Government approval was given this week for the trial.

'Receiving regulatory approval to conduct clinical trials is a critical step in developing a treatment for this debilitating condition,' said the company's chief executive Andrea Grant said in a statement.

She says pre-clinical trials suggest the treatment, known as NTCELL, can protect brain tissue which would otherwise die, potentially delaying or preventing the effects of Parkinson's.

Only those who have been diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease for at least four years will be part of the study, which will last for up to 60 weeks.

The trial will involve patients getting either the pig cells or the current gold standard of treatment - deep brain stimulation.

The leader of Auckland District Health Board's movement disorder clinic, Barry Snow, will oversee the trial.

'This represents an exciting new potential option for patients,' Dr Snow said.

Pre-clinical studies had shown improvement in movement and neurological defects and a rise in dopamine-producing neurons within two weeks of treatment.

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Pig cell Parkinson's treatment okayed

Washington, October 6 (ANI): Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) investigators have conducted the first genome-wide evaluation of genetic variants associated with Parkinson's disease (PD).

The study points to the involvement of specific genes and alterations in their expression as influencing the risk for developing PD.

Jeanne Latourelle, DSc, assistant professor of neurology at BUSM, served as the study's lead author and Richard H. Myers, PhD, professor of neurology at BUSM, served as the study's principal investigator and senior author.

A recent paper by the PD Genome Wide Association Study Consortium (PDGC) confirmed that an increased risk for PD was seen in individuals with genetic variants in or near the genes SNCA, MAPT, GAK/DGKQ, HLA and RIT2, but the mechanism behind the increased risk was not determined.

"One possible effect of the variants would be to change the manner in which a gene is expressed in the brains, leading to increased risk of PD," said Latourelle.

To investigate the theory, the researchers examined the relationship between PD-associated genetic variants and levels of gene expression in brain samples from the frontal cortex of 26 samples with known PD and 24 neurologically healthy control samples.

Gene expression was determined using a microarray that screened effects of genetic variants on the expression of genes located very close to the variant, called cis-effects, and genes that are far from the variant, such as those on a completely different chromosome, called trans-effects.

An analysis of the cis-effects showed that several genetic variants in the MAPT region showed a significant association to the expression of multiple nearby genes, including gene LOC644246, the duplicated genes LRRC37A and LRRC37A2 and the gene DCAKD.

Significant cis-effects were also observed between variants in the HLA region on chromosome 6 and two nearby genes HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQA1. An examination of trans-effects revealed 23 DNA sequence variations that reached statistical significance involving variants from the SNCA, MAPT and RIT2 genes.

"The identification of the specific altered genes in PD opens opportunities to further study them in model organisms or cell lines with the goal of identifying drugs which may rectify the defects as treatment for PD," said Myers.

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Genes behind Parkinson's disease identified

Editor's Choice Main Category: Parkinson's Disease Also Included In: Stem Cell Research Article Date: 04 Oct 2012 - 11:00 PDT

Current ratings for: Parkinson's Disease Cure May Be In Stem Cell Research, But..

3.67 (3 votes)

An advanced stem cell growth solution that may potentially lead to a search for a Parkinson's cure, according to a communiqu released today by Rainbow Biosciences. The company is working towards having such technology on the market as soon as possible.

Scientists say that ethical dilemmas and government restrictions have made stem cell research breakthrough much more difficult to achieve. Add to this the difficulty in controlling stem cell behavior in the lab, and the task seems even harder.

Rainbow Biosciences says that one way to accelerate research projects and make them advance more efficiently is to increase the availability of top-quality adult stem cells for research.

Rainbow says it is working on this. It is in discussions with Regenetech regarding acquiring a license to perform cell expansion using its Rotary Cell Culture System, which was originally developed by NASA.

Rainbow Biosciences wrote:

The company would like to bring the bioreactor to "emerging research markets" which do not face as many regulatory roadblocks. They say this will help activate "billions of dollars' worth of research" into potential cures for Parkinson's disease, as well as some the disorders of the nervous system.

Rainbow Biosciences says that this new addition to the stem cell research world will compete alongside industry giants, such as Amgen Inc., Celgene Corporation, Gilead Sciences Inc., and Gynzyme Corp.

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Parkinson's Disease Cure May Be In Stem Cell Research, But..

SEATTLE, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Laughter and joy are classroom staples at a popular dance class that combines live music and dance instruction from world-class professional dancers. Dance for Parkinson's inspires those living with Parkinson's disease (PD) to explore the benefits of dance and movement with others who share some of the challenging symptoms of the disease.

Dance for Parkinson's was initiated in the Northwest by Seattle Theatre Group in partnership with EvergreenHealth and Spectrum Dance Theater, later expanding to include Northwest Parkinson's Foundation and Des Moines Senior Center. Classes are offered in Kirkland (Peter Kirk Community Center), Seattle (Garfield Community Center) and Des Moines (Des Moines Senior Center).

EvergreenHealth is one of the first healthcare organizations in the nation to provide this program, hosting a quarterly series of classes each year since 2009.

Classes are free of charge, are led by professional dancers, and engage students in dance styles such as ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap and world dance to address PD-specific concerns such as balance, flexibility, coordination, isolation and depression. No dance experience is required, and the fun, uplifting classes are a welcome respite from the stress of Parkinson's on participants and caregivers.

"The ability to help Parkinson's patients reclaim independent movement through creative dance is effective therapy not just physically, but emotionally," said Dr. Juan Aragon, Director of Medical Specialties and Medical Staff at EvergreenHealth. "Dancers leave the class glowing and truly inspired, which is beautiful to see in our patients."

A new 8-week fall season will kick-off with a special visit from David Leventhal, former principal dancer for Mark Morris Dance Group from 1997-2011 and Program Manager for Dance for PD in New York City.

Dance for PD was born of collaboration between Mark Morris Dance Group and Brooklyn Parkinson's Group Executive Director Olie Westheimer in 2001, with global expansion taking off in 2005. Today, classes are held across the United States and the world, including Tel Aviv and Auckland. A Seattle native, Mark Morris is the Artistic Director of the internationally renowned Mark Morris Dance Group in Brooklyn, New York.

"Although participants from all over the world tell us they find elements of the class therapeutic, the primary goal of our program is for people to enjoy dance for dancing's sake in a group settingand to explore the range of physical and creative possibilities that are still very much open to them," said David Leventhal.

Leventhal is visiting Seattle to host a seminar for health professionals, physical therapists, social workers, senior program professionals and any member of the public who is interested in learning more about the unique approach of this community arts and health program. The seminar will be held at Garfield Community Center on Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and will incorporate a live class to demonstrate the benefits of the program for participants.

"We're so pleased to see the Mark Morris Dance Group's initial partnership with Seattle Theatre Group, EvergreenHealth and Spectrum Dance Theater blossom into such a strong, high-quality program with multiple sites reaching multiple districts in the Seattle area," said Leventhal. "The success of the Seattle program shows just how effective arts and health programs can be when organizations that share an innovative vision work together collaboratively."

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Dance for Parkinson's kicks off its fourth year with visit from Mark Morris Dance Group

New technology being developed in America analyses tremors, breathiness and other weaknesses in people's voices which are believed to be one of the condition's earliest symptoms.

Experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology claim that their computer programme can pick out Parkinson's sufferers with 99 per cent accuracy simply by analysing their speech.

Dr Max Little, a British researcher who is leading the initiative at MIT, now hopes to determine whether the same results could be produced from a patient speaking over the telephone.

By recruiting Parkinson's patients and health volunteers to take part in a three-minute telephone call where they will say "ah", speak some sentences and answer a few questions, he said the system could be programmed to diagnose people remotely, allowing earlier treatment.

He said: "Science tells us voice impairment might be an early sign of Parkinson's. It sounds counterintuitive as Parkinson's is a movement disorder but the voice is a form of movement.

"Neurologists look at changes in the ability to move, which is done with the limbs, but we are looking in the vocal organs the sounds that come out of the mouth. We are fairly confident we can detect the disease over the telephone."

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Parkinson's could be detected by telephone call

Editor's Choice Academic Journal Main Category: Parkinson's Disease Also Included In: Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy Article Date: 05 Oct 2012 - 4:00 PDT

Current ratings for: Parkinson's Patients Benefit From Physical Therapy

3.5 (6 votes)

In the USA, the term is Physical Therapy. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australasia people say Physiotherapy.

Parkinson's disease management has traditionally been centered on drug therapy. Recently, however, doctors have been progressively embracing rehabilitation therapies, including physical therapy as a supplement to medications and neurosurgical treatment.

Dr Claire Tomlinson and team set out to determine what effect rehabilitation therapies might have on patients with Parkinson's disease. They gathered data from 39 randomized trials involving 1,827 people. Within those studies they assessed a wide range of physical therapy methods that were used to treat patients, including dance, treadmill training, exercises and physical therapy.

The researchers assessed 18 physical therapy outcomes, which showed clear improvements in nine areas.

They detected three especially positive outcomes from physical therapy treatment in the following areas:

Parkinson's patients demonstrated that they were able to walk faster or maintain their balance more effectively, and without intervention, after undergoing physical therapy sessions.

Dr Tomlinson, said:

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Parkinson's Patients Benefit From Physical Therapy

Written by Karen Kovacs Dydzuhn Friday, 21 September 2012 10:30

Although people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease face many physical challenges, this oft debilitating illness cannot rob its victims of the joy of dancing. Moreover, when patients engage in creative movements set to music on a regular basis, there are inevitably great improvements to their overall physicality and brain functions.

Recent research has shown a strong correlation between dancing and short- and long- improvements in the range of motion, gait, balance, hand movements and rigidity in facial muscles for those diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, said Dr. J. Antonelle de Marcaida of Eastern Connecticut Neurology Specialists.

Marcaida led a discussion about the relationship between dance and Parkinson's disease during the Mark Morris Dance Group's Dance for PD program at Fairfield University.

Led by David Leventhal of the Mark Morris Dance Group, more than 50 individuals with Parkinson's and their care partners participated in two dance sessions at Fairfield's Quick Center for the Arts. A company dancer for 14 years, Leventhal is pleased to devote himself full time to this program since his retirement last year. Since 2011, Dance for PD classes have been held in the United States and abroad.

"The dancers in the class are so eager to learn, so open and so courageous to the way they approach the movements," Leventhal explained.

After the Mark Morris Dance Group performed to an enthusiastic crowd at the Quick Center Saturday, the company's founder, Mark Morris, answered questions from the audience. About Dance for PD, Morris said those with Parkinson's disease do not leave the dance class feeling the way they did when they first walked in the doors of the Brooklyn studio.

"It's a 'fix' in that they want more of it," Morris said.

Accompanied by a pianist playing an eclectic mix of music show tunes, standards and classical participants begin the class in a seated position. Leventhal said that if they chose, they could experience the entire class in the chair.

"This is a dance class and we are here to have fun," he said. "And, you know your bodies best. So, if something doesn't feel right, don't do it, or modify it."

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Dancing through Parkinson's

CAMARILLO

Parkinson's disease lecture to be offered

A presentation on Parkinson's disease will provide individuals with information about current opportunities for clinical trials in Ventura County. This free presentation will be offered Tuesday 1-3 p.m. at the Camarillo Health Care District, 3639 E. Las Posas Road.

A question and answer period will follow the lecture.

For more information or to register, call 388-1952, ext. 100.

Speaker to discuss family harmony

Caroline Prijatel-Sutton will speak at the Soroptimist International of Camarillo meeting from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Thursday at Ric's Restaurant, 2500 Las Posas Road.

Prijatel-Sutton is the executive director of the Coalition of Family Harmony.

The nonprofit provides direct services to victims of domestic violence, helps prevent the cycle of violence and sexual assault and educates the community on violence against women, children and men.

For information on the coalition, visit http://www.thecoalition.org. For more information, visit http://www.soroptimistcamarillo.org. Breakfast is $15. Call 987-4053 to make a reservation.

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West county community briefs: Parkinson's disease lecture to be offered

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Van Andel Institute (VAI) hosts a scientific symposium September 19-20 that gathers some of the world's most noted experts in Parkinson's disease and reinforces the region's growing reputation in the field of Parkinson's research.

Grand Challenges in Parkinson's Disease features experts from a dozen nations including Australia, Malaysia and Sweden. The purpose of the event is to showcase the latest research in the field and to honor Andrew B. Singleton, Ph.D., of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with the first Jay Van Andel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Parkinson's Disease Research.

"This is truly a gathering of some of the world's greatest minds in Parkinson's disease research," said chief event organizer Patrik Brundin, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the Jay Van Andel Translational Parkinson's Disease Research Laboratory and Director of Van Andel Institute's Center for Neurodegenerative Science. "We will be sharing the results of recent and ongoing research that will become the building blocks for therapies that may be commonplace a decade from now."

The event features keynote addresses by noted Parkinson's experts Ted Dawson, M.D., Ph.D., of The Johns Hopkins University, who will speak on the topic of Looking Forward to Tomorrow's Therapies for Parkinson's Disease, and Roger Barker, Ph.D., of University of Cambridge, who will speak on Matching Therapies to Patients: The Complexities of Disease Heterogeneity in Parkinson's Disease.

Dr. Andrew Singleton is best known for his work aimed at understanding the genetic causes of Parkinson's disease work that is opening entire new fields of research.

His first well-known work described the discovery of a duplication and triplication of the alpha-synuclein gene that causes a severe, early-onset form of Parkinson's disease. Scientists already knew that a few extremely rare mutant forms of the protein were bad, but Dr. Singleton showed that too much of the normal protein also has ramifications.

One year later he led the group that was the first to identify mutations in the LRRK2 gene as a cause of familial Parkinson's disease. Occasionally new mutations arise in this gene, which can explain some of the cases of the more common, sporadic Parkinson's disease.

For more information, please visit http://www.vai.org

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Van Andel Institute Research Symposium Showcases Latest Developments In Parkinson's Research

Editor's Choice Academic Journal Main Category: Parkinson's Disease Also Included In: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine Article Date: 20 Sep 2012 - 11:00 PDT

Current ratings for: Acupuncture May Benefit Parkinson's Patients

4.75 (4 votes)

The scientists explained that several studies had shown that acupuncture treatment relieved symptoms of patients with Parkinson's disease in human and animal subjects. Some studies using fMRI had found that neural responses in extensive brain regions were much lower among Parkinson's patients compared to healthy individuals. Brain areas particularly affected by Parkinson's include the thalamus, putamen, and the supplementary motor area.

Scientists have been carrying out more and more studies on the possible therapeutic benefits of acupuncture. An article published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) in September 2012 found that acupuncture may help in the treatment of chronic pain.

Yeo, S., Lim and team used fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) to measure what the specific effects of needling acupuncture point GB34 (Yanglinqquan) were on parts of the brain that are affected by Parkinson's Disease.

Certain brain centers become too inactive in people with Parkinson's disease. The authors explained that acupuncture seems to reactivate them.

The authors divided the participants into two groups:

Acupuncture reactivated neural activity in the basal ganglia, substiantia nigra, thalamus, putamen (not shown) and caudate (not shown).

The authors wrote:

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Acupuncture May Benefit Parkinson's Patients

Editor's Choice Main Category: Parkinson's Disease Article Date: 21 Sep 2012 - 0:00 PDT

Current ratings for: Parkinson's Patients Benefit From Walking To The Beat

4 (3 votes)

Parkinson's Disease is a brain disorder characterized by tremors and difficulty walking. Eventually stiffness becomes prominent, muscles become weaker, and posture is affected. Many studies have recommended certain rehabilitation paths, acupuncture being one of them..

In a new study published in PLOS One, findings suggest further studies should be completed to investigate visual, auditory, and tactile signals and their role in rehabilitation.

A team of collaborators led by Ervin Sejdic, an assistant professor of engineering at the University of Pittsburgh studied the effects of a mechanically produced beat using different stimuli, on 15 healthy adults ages 18 to 30. Participants took part in two separate sessions of five 15-minute trials in which they walked with different cues.

During the first session, participants walked at their own pace. Then, in later trials, the patients walked to a metronomic beat made by either visuals, touch or sound. Lastly, they walked with all three signals simultaneously with the pace that was set by the first trial.

Sejdic commented:

Regarding Parkinson's Disease, there is a big question whether researchers can become better informed about changes that come with this deterioration. This study suggests visual signals could be considered as a substitute approach in rehabilitation and need to be explored additionally in the laboratory.

Sejdic explains that a large limitation to their studies is the confinement of the laboratory. With Parkinson's Disease, patients can complete a walking test easily, and shortly thereafter, fall down in an outside environment. A real-life space will need to be created to account for sidewalks, streetlights, and noises such as cars honking, in order to obtain a more accurate gait measure (manner of walking).

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Parkinson's Patients Benefit From Walking To The Beat

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/6lkdr4/global) has announced the addition of the "Global Parkinson's Disease Drug Pipeline Capsule - 2012 Update" report to their offering.

Fore Pharma's latest report 'Global Parkinson's Disease Drug Pipeline Capsule - 2012 Update' provides most up-to-date information on key Research and Development activities (R&D) in the global Parkinson's Disease market. It covers active Parkinson's Disease pipeline molecules in various stages of clinical trials, preclinical research, and drug discovery.

This report helps executives track competitors pipeline molecules. The information presented in this report can be used for identifying partners, evaluating opportunities, formulating business development strategies, executing in-licensing and out-licensing deals.

The report provides information on pipeline molecules by company and mechanism of action across the R&D stages. It also provides information on pipeline molecules developed in leading geographies (North America and Europe). Licensing activities are thoroughly captured in this report.

Key Features of the Report:

- Parkinson's Disease: Overview

- Parkinson's Disease Pipeline Overview

- Parkinson's Disease Phase 3 Clinical Trial Pipeline Insights

- Parkinson's Disease Phase 2 Clinical Trial Pipeline Insights

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Research and Markets: Global Parkinson's Disease Drug Pipeline Capsule - 2012 Update

Parkinsons Disease and Restless Legs Syndrome Drug Under Review for Heart Failure Risk

Sept. 19, 2012 -- The FDA is investigating a possible risk of heart failure linked to Mirapex, a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome.

Officials say recent studies suggest a potential raised risk of heart failure with the use of Mirapex, but further review of research is needed.

The FDAs safety alert stops short of an official warning announcement for the drug. The agency has not concluded that Mirapex raises the risk of heart failure.

Instead, the FDA says it is working with Mirapexs manufacturer to clarify the risk of heart failure and will update the public when more information is available.

Meanwhile, officials say people taking Mirapex should continue to take the drug as prescribed and contact their health care provider with any questions or concerns.

The alert comes after the FDA pooled results from clinical trials, and analysis suggests heart failure was more common among people taking Mirapex than those taking a placebo.

They also evaluated two population studies that suggested a higher risk of new cases of heart failure among Mirapex users. However, officials say limitations of the studies make it difficult for them to determine whether the risk was related to Mirapex or other factors.

The FDA is continuing to review safety data on Mirapex.

Officials recommend people taking the drug contact a health care professional if they experience any symptoms of heart failure while taking Mirapex, such as:

Excerpt from:
Parkinson's Drug Mirapex Under Safety Review

GRAND RAPIDS, MI A National Institutes of Health researcher who has uncovered genetic causes of Parkinsons disease today became the first to receive an honor named after Amway co-founder Jay Van Andel.

Dr. Andrew Singleton was honored with the Jay Van Andel Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in Parkinsons Disease Research during a research symposium at Van Andel Institute.

Jay Van Andel, who died of the effects of Parkinsons in 2004, would have been pleased with the first recipient of the award named after him, said his son, David Van Andel, VAI chairman and chief executive officer.

Dr. Andrew Singleton is the type of scientist he would have envisioned honoring bold, pioneering and working to make a difference in human lives, David Van Andel said.

Singletons accomplishments include the discovery of a duplication and triplication of a gene that causes a severe, early-onset form of Parkinsons.

Scientists already knew that a few extremely rare mutant forms of the protein were bad, but Dr. Singleton showed us that too much of the normal protein also has ramifications, Van Andel said.

Singleton also led a group of researchers that identified mutations in a gene as a cause of familial Parkinsons disease.

His discoveries opened new fields of Parkinsons research, Van Andel said. Singletons lab has research programs investigating genetic diversity and the consequences of genetic alterations.

VAI today began a two-day symposium bringing together experts in Parkinsons disease research to showcase the latest developments.

This is truly a gathering of some of the worlds greatest minds in Parkinsons disease research, said Dr. Patrik Brundin, the chair of the Jay Van Andel Translational Parkinsons Disease Research Laboratory. The research shared at the conference will become the building blocks for therapies that may be commonplace a decade from now.

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Parkinson's researcher at NIH is first honored with award named for Jay Van Andel

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- Four indicators, or "biomarkers," found in cerebrospinal fluid can help differentiate patients with Alzheimer's disease from those with other forms of dementia, and a different biomarker can distinguish patients with Parkinson's disease from those with parkinsonian disorders, researchers say.

Overlapping symptoms, especially in the early stages, can make it difficult to distinguish between regular Parkinson's disease and atypical Parkinsonism, and also between Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, the study authors explained.

The investigators identified the five biomarkers by analyzing cerebrospinal fluid samples from 453 patients with Parkinson's, Parkinson's disease with dementia, Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

"Together with earlier published data, our results indicate that these five [cerebrospinal fluid] biomarkers might have clinical value in the differential diagnosis of dementia and/or parkinsonism," concluded Dr. Sara Hall, of Skane University Hospital in Sweden, and colleagues.

The study was published online Aug. 27 in the journal Archives of Neurology.

The findings represent "a significant step forward, demonstrating how a relatively modest panel of robust [cerebrospinal fluid] protein biomarkers can categorize dementias and parkinsonian syndromes on the basis of pathology rather than clinical/behavioral changes," Dr. Richard Perrin, of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, wrote in an accompanying editorial.

The use of these indicators in cerebrospinal fluid could improve the efficiency of clinical trials and speed up the development and evaluation of new treatments for neurological diseases, Perrin concluded.

-- Robert Preidt

Copyright 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

SOURCE: Archives of Neurology, news release, Aug. 27, 2012

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Discovery May Improve Diagnosis of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's

Tom and Carol Reid, of Plum, have been living with Parkinsons disease for 17 years, but its how they are helping others with the disorder that has earned them a big honor.

They will be awarded with the Local Hero award Saturday from the Davis Phinney Foundation.

Carol Reid remembers when she started noticing a change in her husband.

He was losing facial expression. I didn't know what that meant. I just felt like you know, you're not responding to me, she said. He was drooling. His eyes were watering. He was falling often.

Tom Reid went to the family doctor and was given Claritin for his watery eyes.

It took two years to get a second opinion and a diagnosis of Parkinsons, a neurodegenerative disease.

I was in a classical case of denial, said Tom.

Symptoms involve loss of motor control, affecting speech and movement.

Tom was a captain in the Army before becoming a corporate attorney. He enjoyed public speaking and using what he and his wife called his command voice.

Parkinsons has changed that.

Original post:
Pittsburgh-area couple awarded for work with Parkinson's disease patients