A similarity betweentwo distinct neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinsonsand Alzheimers, maylead to a potential new drug treatment for Parkinson's.On a biochemical level, thediseases develop when sticky proteins form clumps in brain cells,researchers from Emory Health Sciences said. They found that the same enzyme also spurred the process in both diseases. In a new studypublished online in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, Emory researchers explain how they used this similarity between Parkinsons and AD to develop a drug that stops tau proteins from becoming sticky and therefore prevents them from clumping together. Although still in its research phase, this would theoretically prevent the onset of AD,as a similar version of it has prevented Alzheimers disease in animal studies. The next step is to test on animals theParkinsons version of a drug to inhibit the enzymeto see if these positive results can be repeated. Read: Parkinsons Disease Treatment Reverses Symptoms In Mice, Increases Dopamine Receptors "In Parkinson's, alpha-synuclein behaves much like Tau in Alzheimer's," said study lead research Keqiang Ye, in a statement. "We reasoned that if [the enzyme] AEP cuts Tau, it's very likely that it will cut alpha-synuclein too." The discovery, though promising, is likely not the ultimate cure for Parkinson's, as … Continue reading →

Im excited to offer this speech therapy to our patients, Davis said. LSVT LOUD helps individuals with Parkinsons disease speak with better volume and more clarity. It also helps improve facial expression and swallowing. Lake Regional Speech-Language Pathologist Laura Davis, CCC-SLP, has received certification from LSVT LOUD, a speech treatment for people with Parkinsons disease and other neurological conditions. In addition to exercises, the treatment includes sensory awareness training to help individuals with Parkinsons disease recognize that their voice is too soft. Im excited to offer this speech therapy to our patients, Davis said. LSVT LOUD helps individuals with Parkinsons disease speak with better volume and more clarity. It also helps improve facial expression and swallowing. LSVT LOUD improves vocal loudness by exercising the muscles involved in speech, including those of the voice box (larynx). Focused on a single goal Speak LOUD! the treatment improves respiratory, voice box and articulatory function to maximize speech clarity. The treatment does not train people for shouting or yelling. Rather, LSVT LOUD uses loudness training to bring the voice to an improved, healthy vocal loudness with no strain. An important part of treatment is convincing patients that the louder volume is within normal limits, … Continue reading →