Miami neurologist Dr. Cenk Sengun is spending three days a week in Boca Raton at his new Florida Center for Neurological practice on Ninth Court. As a Parkinson's disease and movement disorder subspecialist since 2008, and picked as a National Parkinson Foundation Superstar, Sengun was already hooked into the South Palm Beach County Chapter, said executive director Stu Perlin. The chapter's known for its Surf and Turf exercise program, support groups and living well classes at the Peter Blum Family YMCA and the Volen Center. And for National Parkinson's Awareness Month, there's a free Parkinson's Awareness Seminar at GigerMD Movement Therapy in Boca Raton at 6 p.m. April 17. Perlin said they'll also have a presence at Forum Publishing Group's Young at Heart, a free day of activities and wellness, health screenings, a continental breakfast and light lunch, and prizes and giveaways from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 18 at the South County Civic Center in Delray Beach. Sengun talked about the latest treatments and why diagnosis is often delayed. Why do so many patients wait to be diagnosed and treated? Usually that happens because mild symptoms are missed by the patient. Family and friends may notice you're walking … Continue reading →

Researchers discover enzyme in brain inhibits activity of drug-like lead compound for Huntington's Disease Team say findings demonstrate it can be developed as effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases Took five years for the team to establish a crsytal structure of the enzyme for the first time ever By James Rush PUBLISHED: 13:52 EST, 10 April 2013 | UPDATED: 13:52 EST, 10 April 2013 Researchers have made a major breakthrough in the search for treatments for degenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease (file picture posed by models) A major breakthrough has been made by researchers seeking treatments for degenerative illnesses such as Parkinson's Disease. Researchers at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology have detailed how an enzyme in the brain interacts with a drug-like lead compound for Huntington's Disease to inhibit its activity. The team said their findings demonstrate that it can be developed as an effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Working with colleagues at the University of Leicester and the University of Lisbon in Portugal, the researchers identified the molecular structure of the enzyme kynurenine 3-monooxygense (KMO), which is found in the human brain. It took five years for the team to establish … Continue reading →

MONTREAL Eunice Linh You, a Grade 11 student at Laval Liberty High School, won third prize and $3,000 in a national science competition for her work in designing stem cell treatments for patients with Parkinsons disease. Just 17 years old, Linh You won her prize in what was called an incredible field of 208 young Canadian science students who all placed first in earlier regional competitions. First-place winner was Calgary student Arjun Nair, 16, for his work with an experimental cancer photothermal therapy, about injecting patients with gold nanoparticles that can be heated to kill cancer cells. In second place was 17-year-old Selin Jessa for her research into how genetic mutations help people with HIV naturally avoid symptoms associated with the virus. I was extremely happy, Linh You said in an interview from Ottawa where the prizes were announced Tuesday afternoon. I really didnt expect it. There are so many amazing projects. Jon Fairest, president and CEO of Sanofi Canada, a sponsor of the Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada competition, said, I think the bar is set higher every year. I think when you get down to a group like this, theyre all winners. The competition, now in its 20th year, … Continue reading →