Category Archives: Parkinson’s Treatment

By Daily Mail Reporter PUBLISHED: 11:22 EST, 21 September 2012 | UPDATED: 11:22 EST, 21 September 2012 Walking to a beat could give more freedom of movement to patient's with Parkinson's, say scientists Walking to music could help patients with Parkinson's disease, according to new research. A study found healthy individuals improved their gait after undergoing trials in which they moved in step to a beat. Scientists believe the same technique could improve the symptoms of patients with the disease which causes shaking and problems getting about. They say their findings published in PLOS One show the potential of auditory, visual and tactile cues in the treatment of victims of such conditions. Engineer Dr Ervin Sejdic, of the University of Pittsburgh, and colleagues analysed the effects of various mechanically produced beats, known as 'metronomic stimuli', on fifteen adults. The volunteers, aged between 18 and 30, took part in two sessions consisting of five fifteen minute tsts in which they walked with different cues. The first was at their preferred speed, and then they were asked to walk to do it to a specific rhythm produced by way of visuals, sound or touch. Finally they walk with all three cues simultaneously, … Continue reading →

Newswise Vanderbilt University and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) announced today that they have signed a collaboration agreement for the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies acting on the mGluR4 glutamate receptor, known as positive allosteric modulators or PAMs, for the treatment of Parkinsons disease. Under the collaboration, the Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (VCNDD) will identify drug candidates from their existing program, which obtained major support from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research (MJFF). Bristol-Myers Squibb will have the right to develop and commercialize products resulting from the collaborative research program. Under the terms of the agreement, Vanderbilt University will receive an upfront payment and multi-year research funding to continue to discover additional compounds. Vanderbilt is eligible to receive milestones and royalties based on developmental success and worldwide sales of the drugs emerging from the collaboration. The agreement brings to focus Vanderbilts mission as a leader in scientific discovery and partner in innovation with world class companies such as Bristol- Meyers Squibb, while furthering the Universitys role as an economic engine for Middle Tennessee. The long-term commitment of and collaboration with the MJFF were critical to advancing this program to the stage where it is now … Continue reading →

ScienceDaily (Sep. 20, 2012) Walking to a beat could be useful for patients needing rehabilitation, according to a University of Pittsburgh study. The findings, highlighted in the August issue of PLOS ONE, demonstrate that researchers should further investigate the potential of auditory, visual, and tactile cues in the rehabilitation of patients suffering from illnesses like Parkinson's Disease -- a brain disorder leading to shaking (tremors) and difficulty walking. Together with a team of collaborators from abroad, Ervin Sejdic, an assistant professor of engineering in Pitt's Swanson School of Engineering, studied the effects of various metronomic stimuli (a mechanically produced beat) on fifteen healthy adults, ages 18 to 30. Walkers participated in two sessions consisting of five 15-minute trials in which the participants walked with different cues. In the first, participants walked at their preferred walking speed. Then, in subsequent trials, participants were asked to walk to a metronomic beat, produced by way of visuals, sound, or touch. Finally, participants were asked to walk with all three cues simultaneously, the pace of which was set to that of the first trial. "We found that the auditory cue had the greatest influence on human gait, while the visual cues had no significant … Continue reading →

Editor's Choice Main Category: Parkinson's Disease Also Included In: Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals;Restless Legs Syndrome Article Date: 20 Sep 2012 - 7:00 PDT Current ratings for: Mirapex (Pramipexole) For Parkinson's Treatment May Be Linked To Heart Failure Risk 5 (2 votes) The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) said that available data on Mirapex needs to be reviewed again in more detail. After gathering and examining data from randomized trials, FDA assessors found that the incidence of heart failure was higher among patients on Mirapex compared to those on placebo. The Agency stressed that the difference was "not statistically significant". Because of limitations in the studies, it is very hard to decide whether higher heart failure rates was linked to Mirapex therapy or some other influencing factor(s). The FDA cannot, with the data available and the study limitations, determine whether Mirapex really does raise the risk of heart failure. The Agency says it is working with the manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., to clarify what the risks of heart failure associated with Mirapex are. The public will be updated as soon as more information becomes available, the FDA added. Doctors are being asked to carry on following the recommendations in … Continue reading →

MEMPHIS, Tenn.and MUNICH, Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --MRI Interventions, Inc. (MRIC) and Brainlab AG announced today that Prof. Stephan Chabardes at Universite Joseph Fourier (UJF) Hospital in Grenoble, France has performed the first two cases in Europe with the ClearPoint Neuro Intervention System. Prof. Chabardes used the ClearPoint system to assist with the implantation of deep brain stimulation (DBS) leads in two patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. In addition to being the first ClearPoint commercial cases in Europe, the cases carried the historical significance of being performed at the location where DBS treatment was originally developed. DBS therapy is a reversible and adjustable treatment for a variety of neurological disorders by which an electronic lead is placed at a targeted location inside the brain and connected to a pulse generator that is implanted under the skin in the patient's chest area. The pulse generator is set to a customized frequency, and it delivers small electrical pulses to the target area of the brain. The device, which some refer to as a "pacemaker for the brain," is used to suppress disabling symptoms associated with the particular neurological disorder being treated. Since its inception 25 years ago, DBS has become an important … Continue reading →

PARKINSONS & MEMORY: In addition to the motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease, there are also cognitive symptoms which may be evident even in the early stages of the disease. These may include deficits in executive function (especially planning and attention), set-shifting (ability to alternate between two or more tasks), and memory. Approximately 25%-30% of Parkinson's patients develop dementia. It is not yet known whether dementia is actually a symptom of Parkinson's disease or whether patients with Parkinson's disease are for some reason also at higher risk for dementia. A large number of Parkinson's patients also experience psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, or sleep disorders. Because Parkinson's disease damages neurons in the substantia nigra which produce dopamine, treatment usually involves drugs which work to counteract this shortage of dopamine. Parkinson's patients may benefit from treatment with several kinds of drugs simultaneously. These drugs can often combat the motor symptoms for a long time, but as the disease progresses and the substantia nigra continues to degrade, the drugs eventually become less effective. Some patients whose motor symptoms cannot be controlled by medication undergo brain surgery to destroy portions of the brain regions responsible for some of the motor symptoms in Parkinson's … Continue reading →

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 11, 2012) - Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release. From Vancouver to St. John's, thousands of Canadians showed their support this past weekend for the 22nd annual Parkinson SuperWalk, the largest fundraiser for Canadians living with Parkinson's disease. More than 14,000 walkers, volunteers, donors and sponsors helped raise $3 million in 95 communities across Canada as final results continue to be counted. "We are touched and inspired that so many Canadians from coast to coast supported Parkinson SuperWalk, especially our newest walkers. Thank you for helping us reach our $3 million fundraising goal. Together, we are making a difference," says Joyce Gordon, Parkinson Society Canada, President and CEO. One B.C. team, Hike for Hank, broke records by raising more funds than any other team across Canada this year and in the entire 22 year event history. The team, based in White Rock, raised an outstanding $86,970 which was matched dollar for dollar by Henry (Hank) Block who lives with Parkinson's disease, resulting in $174,970 toward support and services in that province. Proceeds from Parkinson SuperWalk help fund the valuable educational resources, support services and advocacy efforts provided by Parkinson Society Canada … Continue reading →

FRANKENLUST TOWNSHIP, MI The 2012 Regional Educational Program Parkinson's Disease: You Are Not Alone takes place Sept. 20 in Curtiss Hall at Saginaw Valley State University, 7400 Bay Road. Registration begins at 1:15 p.m. with concluding remarks at 5 p.m. Sponsored by the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, along with the Mid Michigan Parkinson Support Group, participants will learn about the latest updates and advances in Parkinson's Disease research and treatment. Speakers include Drs. Glen Ackerman and Harold Lenhart. Deb Tunney, PTA from McLaren Bay Region, will lead exercises at 3:30 p.m. Ackerman is an associate professor in the neurology at Michigan State University and director of Clinical Operations in the college's Department of Neurology. Lenhart is the medical director and psychiatrist at Bay Arenac Behavioral Health and a volunteer at Cathedral Mental Health Clinic in Saginaw. To register or for more information, call the Michigan Parkinson Foundation at 248-433-1011 or 1800-852-9781. More: Parkinson's Disease program held Sept. 20 at Saginaw Valley State University … Continue reading →

(RTTNews.com) - Rainbow Coral Corp.'s (RBCC.OB) or RBCC said the current market growth projections for the new treatments for Parkinson's disease is promising. The company sees a bright outlook as its bio-tech subsidiary Rainbow Biosciences is negotiating a definitive agreement with the emerging biotech innovator Amarantus Biosciences Inc. As announced by the end of April, RBCC has executed a Letter of Intent to advance Amarantus's Parkinson's disease program that include an early detection diagnostic blood test and disease modifying protein drug candidate. Over 6 million patients worldwide are suffering from Parkinson's disease. Amarantus owns the rights to MANF, a neurotrophic factor currently in pre-clinical development for the treatment of types of cell deaths called apoptosis. In addition, it owns a license to a diagnostic platform called NuroPro for Parkinson's that allows neurologists to accurately diagnose and track the progression in patients. The test is expected to be marketed in certain regions by 2013. RBCC noted that there is a projected growth of $3 billion in Parkinson's treatment market and the value could grow to $3.75 billion by 2015. According to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, there are around one million Americans suffering from Parkinson's disease, and 60,000 new patients are diagnosed … Continue reading →

Dr. Patrizia Fanara,Vice President, Neuroscience at KineMed, Inc., will present Applying Kinetic Biomarkers to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Parkinsons Disease and Other Neurological Disorders at the 6th Neurodegenerative Conditions Research and Development Conference EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KineMed, Inc. (www.kinemed.com) announced today that Dr. Patrizia Fanara, Vice President, Neuroscience at KineMed, Inc., will present Applying Kinetic Biomarkers to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Parkinsons Disease and Other Neurological Disorders at the 6th Neurodegenerative Conditions Research and Development Conference on Friday September 14th, in San Francisco, California. Our unique class of biomarkers track changes in mechanisms that affect the nervous system of living patients. Kinetic markers enable scientists and physicians to define the early stages of neurodegeneration and facilitate the development of successful therapies for Parkinsons and other neurological diseases. Dr. Fanara will show what can be done with the KineMed platform to advance drug discovery, with examples from CNS research, illustrating how isotopic labeling can be used to study diseases and translate from pre-clinical into human studies. The presentation will provide an overview of the Companys proprietary biomarker platform, which usesin vivo labeling with deuterated or heavy water, combined with specialized mass spectrometric analysis of biomolecules important in the pathogenesis of … Continue reading →