Parkinson's Disease: New Non-Surgical treatment. Watch Dr. Demerjian help improve his Parkinson's symptoms of Gait and Balance with a TMJ mouth piece.
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Parkinson's Disease: Balance, Gait (Walk) and Tremors Improve with New Non-Surgical Treatment - Video
What it means to be touched by Parkinson's disease. Find out more at http://www.parkinson.ca.
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Parkinson's Disease - The Lived Canadian Experience - Video
Scientists have discovered a new avenue for the treatment of vision loss, one of the complications of Parkinson's disease.
Gentle, non-invasive treatment with a soft infra-red light can potentially protect and heal the damage that occurs to the human retina in Parkinson's disease, says Professor Jonathan Stone from The Vision Centre and the University of Sydney.
"Near infra-red light treatment has long been known to promote the healing of wounds in soft tissues such as skin. Our recent studies are showing that it can also protect the retina of the eye from toxins which attack its nerve cells," Professor Stone said.
"We have been studying a mouse 'model' of Parkinson's disease, in which such a toxin is used to create a Parkinson-like condition. The toxin targets brain cells which use a particular signalling molecule called dopamine, and the infrared light - in the right dose and with the right timing - blocks the toxic effect."
The toxin also kills certain key retinal cells which are important in giving sharpness to the retina's coding of visual images. Infrared light also protects these retinal cells and reduces the damage.
The new results suggest that infra-red radiation will be effective in Parkinson's disease, Professor Stone said. Because the radiation is effective at low intensities, with no known toxicity, there are few barriers if any to trials in humans.
"As shown in these studies on mice, protection or rescue of neurons in the brain - and as we know now, in the retina - is better than the best established treatments for Parkinson's disease," Professor Stone said. "The challenge now is to translate these findings, made in mouse models, to human patients suffering from Parkinson's disease.
"Diseases such as Parkinson's are seriously debilitating; for the individual the need is immediate. There is every reason for clinical trials to be carried out as soon as possible."
As to the potential benefits for Parkinson's patients, he says: "Principally, we anticipate there would be a preservation of acuity, the clarity with which we can see detail and contours in the visual world. The same treatment should be protective for the brain as well, preventing or slowing the otherwise relentless progress of the disease. As always, we will need rigorous trials, to know what can be achieved."
It is no surprise, Professor Stone observed, that the same treatment works for both the brain and the retina. "The retina of the eye is really part of the brain - the only part outside the skull. It has to be outside the skull, so it can function as an eye. In many ways the retina is the most accessible part of the brain, and many discoveries about the brain have begun in the retina.
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New hope for eyes damaged by Parkinson's disease
Information about Parkinson's Disease from a Parkinson's Disease Patient
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Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease - Video
This second video of Neil's shows him doing baseline neurological tests (tapping of fingers and foot 64 times each etc - before and after exercise). This was requested by Prof.
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Parkinson's Disease - Vigorous Exercise. Neil Sligar June 2011 - Video
August 3, 2012
Connie K. Ho for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online
Coffee lovers take note: coffee may have health benefits related to Parkinsons disease. A new study examined the influence coffee has on the disorder. Based on the results, researchers believe that coffee can help control movement, easing the symptoms of Parkinsons. The findings are featured in the online issue of Neurology, a journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Studies have shown that people who use caffeine are less likely to develop Parkinsons disease, but this is one of the first studies in humans to show that caffeine can help with movement symptoms for people who already have the disease, explained study author Dr. Ronald Postuma, a member of the American Academy of Neurology and a researcher at the Researchers Institute of the McGill University Health Center, in a prepared statement.
In the study, 61 participants who showed symptoms of Parkinsons disease, such as daytime sleepiness, were split into two groups. One group took a placebo and the other group took a pill with 100 milligrams of caffeine twice a day for three weeks then 200 milligrams twice a day for three weeks. The second group consumed the equivalent of caffeine from two to four cups per day.
Following a six-week exam period, the group that was given caffeine supplements showed a five-point average in improvement in Parkinsons severity rating as compared to participants who were given the placebo.
This is a modest improvement, but may be enough to provide benefit to patients. On the other hand, it may not be sufficient to explain the relationship between caffeine non-use and Parkinsons, since studies of the progression of Parkinsons symptoms early in the disease suggest that a five-point reduction would delay diagnosis by only six months, noted Postuma in the statement.
The group that took caffeine also showed an average of three-point improvement in body stiffness and body movement as compared to those who were in the placebo group.
The people who received caffeine supplements experienced an improvement in their motor symptoms (a five-point improvement on the Unified Parkinsons Disease Rating Scale, a rating scale used to measure the severity of the disease) over those who received the placebo, suggested Postuma in the statement. This was due to improvement in speed of movement and a reduction in stiffness.
However, caffeine did not positively improve daytime sleepiness, depression, or quality of life in the participants; its also important to take note that, as the study was done in a short amount of time, the influence of caffeine may decrease over time.
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Coffee May Help Control Symptoms Of Parkinson's Disease
Drinking coffee may help people with Parkinsons disease move with greater ease, although getting steady jolts of caffeine doesnt appear to alleviate the daytime sleepiness that affects certain patients, a study suggests.
In the Canadian-led study, researchers set out to see if caffeine could help overcome whats called daytime somnolence, a symptom that affects some patients with the progressive neurological disease.
While they didnt find an appreciable wake-up effect among subjects taking caffeine, the researchers were surprised to find that javas main ingredient appeared to enhance patients mobility.
What was significant was the movement improvement, said principal investigator Dr. Ronald Postuma, a neurologist at McGill University Health Centres research institute. And this was present both on motor symptoms, but also on the objective scoring in the motor exam.
To conduct the study, 61 people with Parkinsons disease who showed symptoms of daytime sleepiness and some motor impairment were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo pill or a caffeine tablet. Participants chosen for the study were not big coffee drinkers on average, they drank only about one cup per day.
Those in the treatment group took a pill containing 100 milligrams of caffeine twice daily for three weeks, then 200 milligrams twice daily for three weeks the equivalent of between two and four cups of coffee per day.
After six weeks, those getting caffeine supplements averaged a five-point improvement in Parkinsons severity ratings compared to those getting placebo, the researchers report in Wednesdays online issue of the journal Neurology.
The biggest problem with Parkinsons disease that affects peoples lives is the slowing of movements, Postuma said from Montreal. You move less, you have smaller movements and you do them more slowly. And then you also have some stiffness and rigidity.
And those were the things that improved, he said. So patients would move faster, their movements were more fluid, they can get dressed quicker, they can walk quicker. Their muscles are less stiff because their underlying disease is essentially improved.
The caffeine group averaged a three-point improvement in the speed of movement and amount of stiffness compared to the placebo group. However, there were no changes in reported quality of life, depression or sleep quality in participants.
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Caffeine helps Parkinson’s patients move: study
BOGOTA (Herald Malaysia): The testimony of a Colombian man who says he was miraculously cured of Parkinsons Disease through the intercession of Blessed John Paul II could allow for the canonization of the Polish pope.
According to the newspaper El Tiempo, the case involves Marco Fidel Rojas (pic), the former mayor of the town of Huila, whose testimony has been sent to the Vatican office heading the sainthood cause for the late pontiff.
Recounting his story to the Colombian paper, Fidel remembers experiencing the first symptoms of the disease in December of 2005. After a series of examinations, doctors determined he had suffered a stroke, which led to the development of Parkinsons.
Little by little the disease began to get worse. I felt like I could collapse at any moment. Various times I fell down outside on the street, he recalled, adding that once he was almost run over by a taxi.
As the years went by and his health continued to deteriorate, Fidel suddenly remembered on the evening of Dec. 27, 2010, that during a trip to Rome he had met Pope John Paul II after Mass and spoke with him for a few moments.
I have a friend up there, Fidel thought that night, amid his pain. And he had Parkinsons. Why didnt I pray to him before? Venerable Father John Paul II: come and heal me, put your hands on my head.
After praying, Fidel said he slept perfectly that night, and that the next morning he woke up with no symptoms of the illness.
Yes, John Paul II gave me the miracle of curing me, he said. My great promise to my healer is to spread devotion to him wherever I can.
El Tiempo reported that Dr. Antonio Schlesinger Piedrahita, a renowned neurologist in Colombia, has certified Fidels healing and says he is in good health.
The miraculous healing of a French nun, Sr Marie Simon-Pierre who also suffered from Parkinsons Disease paved the way for the beatification of Pope John Paul II, which took place in Rome in May 2011. --CNA
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A new, small study found people with Parkinson's disease who took caffeine pills saw slight but noticeable improvements in movement problems related to the condition.
The findings warrant further study, Canadian researchers said. And there are still questions - such as if patients would develop a caffeine tolerance, eventually blunting the benefits of coffee or caffeine pills.
"It's a bit too early to say, Everybody should be drinking coffee,'" said lead researcher Dr. Ronald Postuma, from McGill University in Montreal.
"Does it really make a difference over years of Parkinson's disease? I don't think we know."
Still, he said, caffeine is generally safe, so it could be worth trying for some patients with Parkinson's who aren't doing great and also have trouble with sleepiness.
About 50,000 to 60,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease every year, according to the National Parkinson Foundation. Typical symptoms include shaking and trouble with movement and coordination.
There's no cure for the disease, but some medications can make symptoms less severe.
As much as four cups of coffee
For the new study, Postuma and his colleagues randomly assigned 61 people with Parkinson's and in their mid-60s, on average, to six weeks of caffeine pills or identical drug-free placebo pills.
Participants in the caffeine group took 100 milligrams when they woke up and again after lunch for the first three weeks, then were bumped up to 200 milligrams twice a day for the rest of the study.
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Caffeine may provide some Parkinson's relief
By Serena Gordon HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Caffeine has previously been linked to a lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease, but now new research says the ubiquitous stimulant may also help treat disease symptoms.
In a small study of 61 people with Parkinson's disease, Canadian researchers found that giving the caffeine equivalent of about three cups of coffee per day improved motor symptoms, such as slow movement and stiffness. Interestingly, caffeine didn't significantly improve daytime sleepiness, a common symptom in Parkinson's disease.
"Caffeine treats Parkinson's disease," said the study's lead author, Dr. Ronald Postuma, an associate professor in the department of neurology at McGill University in Montreal.
"There was a modest effect on sleepiness that didn't reach statistical significance, but I think it was clear that it helps patients," he said. "Where we saw the most potential benefit from caffeine was on motor aspects and symptoms. People felt better and were more energetic. You could see on the exam that they were better."
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder that causes shaking, stiffness, slow movements and difficulty with balance. More than one million Americans have Parkinson's disease, and more than 50,000 people are diagnosed with the disease each year, according to the National Parkinson Foundation.
In the current study, published in the Aug. 1 online edition of the journal Neurology, half of the group of Parkinson's patients was randomly assigned to receive caffeine treatment, while the other half received an inactive placebo.
To be included in the study, the volunteers had to consume less than 200 milligrams (mg) of caffeine daily -- about two cups of coffee -- and they couldn't have any heart rhythm problems, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or an active ulcer.
For the first three weeks of the study, those receiving caffeine were given 100 mg of caffeine twice daily -- once when they got up and again at lunchtime.
During the second three weeks, the dose was increased to 200 mg twice daily.
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Caffeine May Help Treat Parkinson's Disease
Public release date: 2-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: George Hunka ghunka@aftau.org 212-742-9070 American Friends of Tel Aviv University
Parkinson's disease, a disorder which affects movement and cognition, affects over a million Americans, including actor Michael J. Fox, who first brought it to the attention of many TV-watching Americans. It's characterized by a gradual loss of neurons that produce dopamine. Mutations in the gene known as DJ-1 lead to accelerated loss of dopaminergic neurons and result in the onset of Parkinson's symptoms at a young age.
The ability to modify the activity of DJ-1 could change the progress of the disease, says Dr. Nirit Lev, a researcher at Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine and a movement disorders specialist at Rabin Medical Center. Working in collaboration with Profs. Dani Offen and Eldad Melamed, Dr. Lev has now developed a peptide which mimics DJ-1's normal function, thereby protecting dopamine- producing neurons. What's more, the peptide can be easily delivered by daily injections or absorbed into the skin through an adhesive patch.
Based on a short protein derived from DJ-1 itself, the peptide has been shown to freeze neurodegeneration in its tracks, reducing problems with mobility and leading to greater protection of neurons and higher dopamine levels in the brain. Dr. Lev says that this method, which has been published in a number of journals including the Journal of Neural Transmission, could be developed as a preventative therapy.
Guarding dopamine levels
As we age, we naturally lose dopamine-producing neurons. Parkinson's patients experience a rapid loss of these neurons from the onset of the disease, leading to much more drastic deficiencies in dopamine than the average person. Preserving dopamine-producing neurons can mean the difference between living life as a Parkinson's patient or aging normally, says Dr. Lev.
The researchers set out to develop a therapy based on the protective effects of DJ-1, using a short peptide based on the healthy version of DJ-1 itself as a vehicle. "We attached the DJ-1-related peptide to another peptide that would allow it to enter the cells, and be carried to the brain," explains Dr. Lev.
In pre-clinical trials, the treatment was tested on mice utilizing well-established toxic and genetic models for Parkinson's disease. From both a behavioral and biochemical standpoint, the mice that received the peptide treatment showed remarkable improvement. Symptoms such as mobility dysfunctions were reduced significantly, and researchers noted the preservation of dopamine-producing neurons and higher dopamine levels in the brain.
Preliminary tests indicate that the peptide is a viable treatment option. Though many peptides have a short life span and degrade quickly, this peptide does not. Additionally, it provides a safe treatment option because peptides are organic to the body itself.
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Freezing Parkinson's in its tracks
WAPELLO, Iowa Riding a motorcycle takes a steady hand. Although Jeff Weikert doesnt have that luxury anymore, that wont stop him from riding.
In 2009, Weikert, 51, of Wapello, was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. The disease hasnt stopped him from riding, though.
The career motorcycle and stock car racer signed up to participate in the 90th edition of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, also known as the Race to the Clouds, in Colorado Springs, Colo.
To participate, one has to submit a resume of personal racing history. After Weikert submitted his on Dec. 1, 2011, his wife, Angie, 46, said they were invited to participate in the race.
Its fine with me, and hes been racing since Ive known him, Angie said. Its one more race that was on his bucket list.
Angie said the last race that her husband participated in was in 2010 for District 17, an American Motorcycle Association organization that competes in Illinois. She described that race as featuring specialty made cycles through an obstacle course.
Its timed, but slow and about balancing, Angie said. His Parkinsons prevented him from competing again after he was diagnosed.
For the race in Colorado, Weikert will ride a 1974 Honda 250cc motorcycle. The cycle was built and is owned by Paynes Cycle Center in Rock Island. He is only one of two riders from Iowa to compete in the 200-man race.
Heading to Colorado with Jeff and his wife for the race on July 8 are their two sons, Jonathan and Jacob and Jacobs wife, Jessica. Others include members of Paynes Cycle Center and other friends and family to help with their fundraising.
After Jeff was diagnosed, he and his wife sought information about the disease through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research. For the race, the Weikerts have teamed up with the foundation to help raise awareness and money.
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Man's 'Race to the Clouds' will help fight Parkinson’s disease
14-11-2011 22:38 Documentary on bilateral pallidotomy showing the dramatic difference it made in the life of Don Berns
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Don Berns New Hope for Parkinson's Disease Video - Video
It's a staggering number. More than 1 million Americans are living with Parkinson's disease.
Right now, doctors diagnose it by conducting a physical exam that's often unreliable.
But, that's about to change.
William Hill used to be a professional welterweight fighter. Today, he's fighting a different yet powerful opponent, Parkinson's disease.
Debora Bergstrom is also battling the condition that causes tremors, balance problems and speech issues. The mom of three was diagnosed four years ago by a neurologist. "She told me to stand up, walk," Bergstrom said. "She rotated my arms and hands, and she said, 'Yes, you have Parkinson's.'"
But, many people wait years before getting that diagnosis. Doctors physically examine patients for the tell-tale symptoms to formulate their conclusion. However, their observations aren't always accurate. 40 percent of Parkinson's patients are undiagnosed, and at least 10 percent who are diagnosed don't really have it.
Dr. Louise Thomson says a new imaging test called DAT-scan is giving doctors a glimpse inside the Parkinson's brain. First, doctors inject patients with a tracer. Then, they scan the brain for dopamine, a chemical that Parkinson's patients lack.
Thomson says the test can tell doctors if the patient has Parkinson's or just a tremor disorder, which is treated differently. "This is a game changer," she said. "It's going to lead to earlier diagnosis and clearer diagnosis for patients with tremor."
An earlier diagnosis means patients can start treatments sooner, potentially slowing symptom development of this devastating disease.
For William and Debora, every symptom-free day matters. Now, doctors are one step closer to figuring that out.
DAT-scan is the first FDA approved diagnostic imaging test for the assessment of movement disorders such as Parkinson's.
But, there is some debate about its effectiveness.
Some doctors say a negative test doesn't provide enough evidence to rule out Parkinson's completely, and they believe the cost of the scan is much more expensive than a consultation and follow-ups with a movement disorders expert.
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Picturing Parkinson's
09-11-2011 17:09 David Eidelberg, MD, Director of the Leonard and Susan Feinstein Center for Neurosciences at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, discusses new, innovative and non-invasive methods to capture better images of a patients' brain circuitry, eventually leading to earlier and better diagnoses, and the development of effective treatments for Parkinson's and other diseases. Topics include: The Feinstein Institute's endowment as one of the select Morris K. Udall Centers of Excellence in Parkinson's Disease Research, the affiliation agreement between the Feinstein Institute and the Thomas Hartman Foundation for Parkinson's Research to better understand Parkinson's, comparisons of MRI, PetScan and other testing methods, the ability to measure side effects from levodopa, and the ability to scan the brain throughout the course of the disease to identify damaged brain circuits at the earliest stage.
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Medical Update: Parkinson's Disease Research - Video
02-01-2012 20:21 new year's day 2012....exercise and
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parkinson's disease symptoms #18.MP4 - Video
22-12-2011 14:04 In the spring and fall of 2011, BIDMC brought a modified form of the fitness craze ZUMBA to Parkinson's patients and their family members. Co-developer of the Zumba Gold Program, Josie Gardiner, inspired participants to step and sway to a driving Latin beat. The results were, well, moving! The Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center will be running a winter Zumba Gold class beginning in January 2012. Visit bidmc.org/pdcenter to learn more.
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Zumba for Parkinson's Disease patients - Video
CLEVELAND, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to study the interactions between genomics and Parkinson's disease, Cleveland Clinic has joined the ongoing efforts of 23andMe, a leading personal genetics company, to recruit Parkinson's patients to participate in research by contributing their DNA to a research database and completing online surveys about their health.
Currently, little is known about how genes relate to Parkinson's disease, the effectiveness of treatments, or the natural course of the disease. The goal of this collaborative research effort – which also has support from the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the National Parkinson Foundation and the Parkinson's Institute – is to discover how genes and the environment influence Parkinson's disease.
"We are aware of the limitations of today's treatments, so we are always thinking about what we can do to advance the care of this incurable disease," said Andre Machado, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Cleveland Clinic's Center for Neurological Restoration. "This collaboration will help us to learn more about the genomics of Parkinson's disease and how it may impact individualized care in the future."
The project is part of Cleveland Clinic's personalized healthcare initiative, which aims to drive discoveries that allow medical professionals to better predict risk for disease and response to therapies, with the ultimate goal to improve patient care.
"We are offering this opportunity to our patients because as part of our 'Patients First' mission, we feel it is an important collaboration that could lead to improvements in our ability to predict and treat Parkinson's disease," said Kathryn Teng, M.D., Director of the Center for Personalized Healthcare at Cleveland Clinic. "Donating saliva, blood or tissue for research is a form of 'Patient Philanthropy.' It empowers our patients to participate in medical research and discoveries that can improve healthcare for themselves and others."
Patients who volunteer for the study will be asked to provide a saliva sample for DNA analysis and agree to participate in online surveys about their experience with Parkinson's. 23andMe hopes to enroll 10,000 participants total; Cleveland Clinic expects to enroll about 1,000 patients toward this goal.
"The quality of the research will depend heavily on sample size. Patient enrollment and participation is critical to the success of the project," said Ryan Walsh, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Program at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas.
Patients who take part in the study will be enrolled in 23andMe's Parkinson's Disease Research Community, which will allow them to engage online with other Parkinson's patients and provides full access to 23andMe's Personal Genome Service.
23andMe first assembled its Parkinson's disease research initiative in June 2009. Within an 18-month period, 23andMe assembled and analyzed genetic data from more than 3,400 Parkinson's patients and successfully replicated the top 20 previously known genetic associations with Parkinson's disease in addition to determining new genetic associations for Parkinson's. Those findings were published in PLOS Genetics in June 2011. That study identified two novel loci, rs6812193 near SCARB2 and rs11868035 near SREBF1/RA11 and replicated those loci in an independent data cohort from the National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke (NINDS) database.
"We are very excited to be partnering with Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Machado. Integrating their clinical care with our online research model creates the opportunity for a new paradigm of medical research, that will ultimately benefit individuals with Parkinson's Disease," said Anne Wojcicki, CEO of 23andMe. "Participants enrolled through the Cleveland Clinic will join the more than 6,500 individuals with Parkinson's disease already in our research community – the largest cohort of Parkinson's patients in the world."
Participation is free and voluntary. Those who take part in the study will be identified by a unique code, not by their names, in order to protect their privacy. Participants can choose to receive a report summarizing the genes identified in their DNA, though these findings will not be placed in their medical record.
"Patients volunteering for the study are unlikely to benefit directly, but they can have a sizable role in improving care for future patients. That's what this partnership is all about for us," said Hubert Fernandez, M.D., Section Head, Movement Disorders at Cleveland Clinic's Center for Neurological Restoration.
To facilitate participation in the registry, Cleveland Clinic has detailed information and dedicated computer portals set up at locations where Parkinson's patients are most likely to be visiting, including main campus in Cleveland and the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas. Two additional locations, Cleveland Clinic's Lakewood Hospital (Lakewood, Ohio) and Cleveland Clinic Florida (Weston, Fla.), will be enrolling patients as well. Patients can also email Cleveland Clinic at parkinsons@ccf.org or 23andMe at pd-help@23andme.com for more details or to sign up.
For more information about the research study, visit https://www.23andme.com/pd/.
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S.News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation's best hospitals in its annual "America's Best Hospitals" survey. About 2,800 full-time salaried physicians and researchers and 11,000 nurses represent 120 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic Health System includes a main campus near downtown Cleveland, eight community hospitals and 18 Family Health Centers in Northeast Ohio, Cleveland Clinic Florida, the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, Cleveland Clinic Canada, and opening in 2013, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. In 2010, there were 4 million visits throughout the Cleveland Clinic health system and 167,000 hospital admissions. Patients came for treatment from every state and from more than 100 countries. Visit us at http://www.clevelandclinic.org/. Follow us at http://www.twitter.com/ClevelandClinic.
About 23andMe
23andMe, Inc. is a leading personal genetics company dedicated to helping individuals understand their own genetic information through DNA analysis technologies and web-based interactive tools. The company's Personal Genome Service® enables individuals to gain deeper insights into their ancestry and inherited traits. The vision for 23andMe is to personalize healthcare by making and supporting meaningful discoveries through genetic research. 23andMe, Inc., was founded in 2006, and the company is advised by a group of renowned experts in the fields of human genetics, bioinformatics and computer science. More information is available at http://www.23andme.com.
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Cleveland Clinic Joins 23andMe in the Search for Genetic Clues to Parkinson's Disease
By a GenomeWeb staff reporter
NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Cleveland Clinic today said that it will recruit Parkinson's disease patients for 23andMe and the consumer genetics firm's ongoing research efforts in that area.
The patients will be recruited to contribute their DNA to 23andMe's research database and complete online surveys regarding their health. Participants will be enrolled in 23andMe's Parkinson's Disease Research Community, enabling them to engage with other Parkinson's patients while getting full access to 23andMe's Personal Genome Service.
Cleveland Clinic said the project is part of its own personalized healthcare initiative, which seeks to better predict risk for disease and response to therapies.
"We are offering this opportunity to our patients because as part of our 'Patients First' mission, we feel it is an important collaboration that could lead to improvements in our ability to predict and treat Parkinson's disease," Kathryn Teng, director of the Center for Personalized Healthcare at Cleveland Clinic, said in a statement.
23andMe began a research collaboration in March 2009 with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, and the Parkinson's Institute and Clinical Center aimed at enrolling 10,000 people to be part of its Parkinson's Disease Research Community.
That collaboration led to a study published last year in PLoS Genetics that identified two new loci contributing to Parkinson's disease risk. The genome-wide association study involved 3,426 individuals with Parkinson's disease enrolled over an 18-month period.
23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki said that the firm already has more than 6,500 individuals with Parkinson's disease in its research community, which she said is the largest cohort of Parkinson's disease patients in the world. Cleveland Clinic said that it expects to add about 1,000 patients to the program.
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Cleveland Clinic to Recruit Parkinson's Patients for 23andMe
09-01-2012 16:18 This video shows Michael J. Fox with his disease, Parkinson. It also demonstrates how Parkinson Disease effects are sad.
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Micheal J. Fox Parkinson Disease - Video