Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease, paralysis agitans, is a neurodegenerative disease of the substantia nigra of the brain. The disease was first discovered and its symptoms documented in 1817-Essay on the Shaking Palsy, by the British physician Dr. James Parkinson; the associated biochemical changes in the brain of patients were identified in the 1960s.

Parkinson’s disease risk for people exposed to pesticides near workplace

High risk of Parkinson’s disease for people exposed to pesticides near workplace — Study first to implicate pesticide ziram as possible cause for disease – In April 2009, researchers at UCLA announced they had discovered a link between Parkinson’s disease and two chemicals commonly sprayed on crops to fight pests. That epidemiological study didn’t examine farmers who constantly work with pesticides but people who simply lived near where farm fields were sprayed with the fungicide maneb and the herbicide paraquat.

Eating berries may lower Parkinson’s disease risk

Eating berries may lower risk of Parkinson’s – New research shows men and women who regularly eat berries may have a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, while men may also further lower their risk by regularly eating apples, oranges and other sources rich in dietary components called flavonoids.

New Parkinson’s gene is linked to immune system

New Parkinson’s gene is linked to immune system – A hunt throughout the human genome for variants associated with common, late-onset Parkinson’s disease has revealed a new genetic link that implicates the immune system and offers new targets for drug development.

Researchers discover genetic link between immune system, Parkinson’s disease

Researchers discover genetic link between immune system, Parkinson’s disease – A team of researchers has discovered new evidence that Parkinson’s disease may have an infectious or autoimmune origin. “Common genetic variation in the HLA region is associated with late-onset sporadic Parkinson’s disease” appears online in Nature Genetics.

Molecular mechanism triggering Parkinson’s disease identified

Molecular mechanism triggering Parkinson’s disease identified in Stanford study – Scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a molecular pathway responsible for the death of key nerve cells whose loss causes Parkinson’s disease. This discovery not only may explain how a genetic mutation linked to Parkinson’s causes the cells’ death, but could also open the door to new therapeutic approaches for the malady.

Tests can predict falls in Parkinson’s disease

Tests help predict falls in Parkinson’s disease – A group of tests may help predict which people with Parkinson’s disease are more likely to fall, according to a study published in the June 23, 2010, online issue of Neurology?, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Genes and Pesticide Exposure increases Parkinson’s Disease risk

Genes and Pesticide Exposure Interact to Increase Men’s Risk for Parkinson’s Disease – Genetic mutations and workplace exposure to some insecticides together appear to be associated with an increased risk for Parkinson’s disease among men, according to a report in the June issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Parkinson’s disease treatments linked to compulsive behaviors

Parkinson’s Disease Treatments Associated With Compulsive Behaviors – Pathological gambling, compulsive shopping, binge eating and other impulse control disorders appear to be more common among individuals taking dopamine agonist medications for Parkinson’s disease, according to a report in the May issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Ghrelin can slow Parkinson’s disease

Hormone ghrelin can boost resistance to Parkinson’s disease – Stomach hormone – Ghrelin – may be used to boost resistance to, or slow, the development of Parkinson’s disease, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

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