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.
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 – 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 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 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 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.
Deep brain stimulation at 2 different targets gives similar motor benefits in Parkinson’s disease – Studies have shown that a “brain pacemaker” called deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
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.
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.
Limited data suggest possible association between Agent Orange exposure – A new report from the Institute of Medicine finds suggestive but limited evidence that exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides used during the Vietnam War is associated with an increased chance of developing ischemic heart disease and Parkinson’s disease for Vietnam veterans.
Higher Education Level, Greater Disability Associated With Treatment Timing in Parkinson’s Disease – Individuals who have higher levels of education and who are more impaired by Parkinson’s disease appear to require treatment for their symptoms earlier than do other patients, revealed by researchers.
New findings on Parkinson’s disease and effect on patient behavior — Parkinson’s disease alters patient’s ability to learn from rewards while treatment affects ability to learn from negative outcome — research reveals possible link to depression, impulse control disorders. – Parkinson’s disease alters patient’s ability to learn from rewards while treatment affects ability to learn from negative outcome — research reveals possible link to depression, impulse control disorders.
Wii-hab may enhance Parkinson’s treatment — Parkinson’s symptoms better by playing Nintendo Wii. – Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disease that impairs motor skills. The Nintendo Wii may help treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including depression, a Medical College of Georgia researcher says.
