Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Visual and Auditory Cues Help PD Patients Walk with Confidence

For PD patients, relaxed walking may be a luxury long forgotten. However, advances in the field of neurological rehabilitation recently revealed wonders of the human mind. By interacting with the external environment, and utilizing a few tricks internally, PD patients can make great strides in retaining motor skills.

Visual and auditory cues are used in rehabilitation to help individuals diagnosed with PD improve their walking movements. Visual cues include parallel lines on the ground, used as a guide for stepping. Auditory cues like high-pitched and low-pitched notes can be executed internally to remind one when to take steps.

Do you have any visual or auditory cues that have brought you success?

http://ping.fm/MkZkO

Monday, August 29, 2011

New Culture Method May Give Stem Cell Therapy a Boost

Parkinson’s patients are only one of several groups to benefit from an important new discovery in the world of stem cell therapy. Scientists at the University of Glasgow in Scotland have uncovered a new method for culturing adult stem cells.

Created by an injection-moulding process similar to the method used to produce Blu-ray discs, this new plastic culture medium could yield a large enough batch of stem cells to kick-start the process of cellular regeneration.

Dr. Matthew Dalby, from the University of Glasgow, said, "Our technology could be the first step on the road to developing large-scale stem cell culture factories which would allow for the creation of a wide range of therapies for many common diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease."

Visit our website to learn more about this exciting new stem cell culture method!

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Check out our new home page with interactive features. You asked and we listened. http://ping.fm/ENF8l

Friday, August 26, 2011

To Ease PD Symptoms, Try Walking in Water
Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can affect your gait making a difficult task out of even a short walk. You may begin to take quick, short shuffling steps and stiffen your arms as you walk.
How can you regain your relaxed stride? Try water walking.
http://ping.fm/2Up9J

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Scientists have only just begun to conclusively prove a genetic predisposition to Parkinson’s disease, lying to rest former theories that environmental factors such as exposure to chemicals were solely to blame.
http://ping.fm/mrnyX

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Consider This: The Nuances of Treating PD
Laxatives
Long-term laxative use can reduce your absorption rate of nutrients and dietary supplements, which may lead to increased consumption requirements of certain nutrients in order to absorb the amount you really need.
http://ping.fm/ANXnw
According to a small study conducted by Canadian researchers, the benefits of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in controlling tremors and improving motor function for those with Parkinson's disease appears to last at least 10 years.

http://ping.fm/zZXZe
Sam Fox’s Herculean Effort to Raise Parkinson Awareness

A new documentary in the works will chronicle one runner’s upcoming attempt to break the world record time for crossing the grueling 2650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, but that’s only the beginning. For nearly half his life, distance athlete Sam Fox has watched his mother battle Parkinson’s disease.

http://ping.fm/04qPO

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep Behavior Disorder Linked to Increased Risk of Developing Parkinson’s Disease

Studies published in the scientific journal Lancet Neurology report that a Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) diagnosis can be linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD).

http://ping.fm/PqRDD

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Magnesium and PD
A study published in the international scientific journal "Neurotoxicology," measured the levels of two chemicals in the brain and found that Parkinson's patients have higher levels of aluminum and lower levels of magnesium than the control group participants.

http://ping.fm/UMOtB

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Parkinson disease (PD) patients: Trouble sleeping? Tell Your Neurologist!
PD patients often complain of sleep troubles, and a new article published by Columbia University encourages patients to address the issue. An important feature of PD, sleep disturbances deserve clinical attention.

If you have PD and have trouble sleeping, keep a detailed history of your specific sleep problems, such as: excessive daytime sedation, difficulties with sleep onset, frequent awakenings, increased movements during sleep, acting out dreams, and abnormal breathing.

The more information you provide your PD clinician, the more successful your sleep therapy treatment will be!

http://ping.fm/QCrC4
Annual PD Awareness Concert Event in Geneva, Illinois

The Paul Ruby Foundation for Parkinson’s Research will host its annual event, Concert for a Cure, on Saturday August 27th at the Tanna Farms in Geneva, Illinois. Concert for a Cure is an afternoon of family friendly music featuring local bands from the greater Chicago area. Join the Paul Ruby Foundation for a Parkinson’s awareness event full of fun for the whole family!

http://ping.fm/vSFPr

Friday, August 5, 2011

Why Does Dance Therapy Work So Well for Parkinson Patients?

In her academic paper “Dance as Therapy for Individuals with Parkinson Disease,” published in the “European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine,” Gammon M. Earhart, an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at Washington University’s School of Medicine, finds that Parkinson’s disease patients have much to gain in a dance program.

http://ping.fm/Onx6T

Thursday, August 4, 2011

SHARE YOUR STORY: Clinical Trials

When diagnosed with a disease not yet curable, patients, caregivers and loved ones are faced with a colossal decision: whether or not to participate in experimental treatments and clinical trials.

http://ping.fm/XqusY

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

CoQ10: Larger Studies Still Needed
Researchers continue to explore the efficacy of Co-Enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in aiding Parkinson’s treatments. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is produced by the human body and is necessary for the basic functioning of cells.

http://ping.fm/I2vdn
CoQ10: Larger Studies Still Needed
Researchers continue to explore the efficacy of Co-Enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in aiding Parkinson’s treatments. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is produced by the human body and is necessary for the basic functioning of cells.

CoQ10 levels are reported to decrease with age. In many patients with chronic diseases, including PD, low levels of CoQ10 are often reported. Supplemental forms of CoQ10 are available by traditional vitamin distributors, and can even be found at the grocery store.

Unfortunately, research has yet to confirm whether taking CoQ10 as a supplement offers any relief from PD. Larger studies with human subjects are still needed to offer conclusive evidence either way.

What are your thoughts on CoQ10? Do you take the supplement?


http://ping.fm/VpciQ

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Cannabis as a Treatment for PD?
According to a new study published in the scientific journal British Journal of Pharmacology, cannabis’ active components show promise in slowing the progression of Parkinson’s symptoms .

An international team of researchers from Spain and Israel assessed the potential of cannabinoids to slow the progression of both Huntington’s disease (HD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), both of which are considered inadequately managed by conventional treatment therapies.

Researchers noted that both THC and cannabidiol (CBD) were observed to “protect nigral or striatal neurons in experimental models of both disorders.” Investigators added that the separate “activation of CB(2) [cannabinoid] receptors leads to a slower progression of neurodegeneration in both disorders.”

Authors concluded, “Evidence reported so far supports that those cannabinoids having antioxidant properties and/or capability to activate CB(2) receptors may represent promising therapeutic agents in HD and PD, thus deserving a prompt clinical evaluation.”

http://ping.fm/mVhOb

Monday, August 1, 2011

Drug Concerns for Parkinson’s Patients

According to an article recently published in the Wall Street Journal, powerful anti-psychotic drugs are routinely prescribed to elderly people with Parkinson's disease, despite warnings about the associated risks of using this type of medication when treating aging populations.
Most well known for affecting motor function, symptoms of Parkinson’s disease extend past the physical realm. Documented occurrences of psychological disturbances are often reported in patients during the later stages of PD, compounding the typical changes that occur in the aging mind.
There are currently no PD-specific anti-psychotic drugs, leaving doctors with a guessing game as to which drugs best treat Parkinson-induced psychotic symptoms. Many doctors are turning to a family of drugs with approved uses for schizophrenia and other psychotic conditions; drugs which contain little or no clinical basis for efficacy in treating PD symptoms.
The article urges clinicians to become more educated on what they are prescribing, but stresses that it is ultimately up to the patient and caregiver to be passionately engaged in their care.

http://ping.fm/Oeppa
Drug Concerns for Parkinson’s Patients

According to an article recently published in the Wall Street Journal, powerful anti-psychotic drugs are routinely prescribed to elderly people with Parkinson's disease, despite warnings about the associated risks of using this type of medication when treating aging populations.
Most well known for affecting motor function, symptoms of Parkinson’s disease extend past the physical realm. Documented occurrences of psychological disturbances are often reported in patients during the later stages of PD, compounding the typical changes that occur in the aging mind.
There are currently no PD-specific anti-psychotic drugs, leaving doctors with a guessing game as to which drugs best treat Parkinson-induced psychotic symptoms. Many doctors are turning to a family of drugs with approved uses for schizophrenia and other psychotic conditions; drugs which contain little or no clinical basis for efficacy in treating PD symptoms.
The article urges clinicians to become more educated on what they are prescribing, but stresses that it is ultimately up to the patient and caregiver to be passionately engaged in their care.

http://ping.fm/WMKnd