TORONTO - Canadian researchers have used the power of genomics to identify the cause of a rare Parkinson's-like disease in children of one extended family and come up with a treatment to help reverse its effects. It's believed to be the first time a new disease has been discovered, its cause figured out and a treatment successfully determined in such a short time, in this case about two years. The eight children five boys and three girls born to four sets of parents in a large Saudi Arabian family were born with symptoms similar to those experienced by adults with Parkinson's disease, said principal researcher Dr. Berge Minassian, a neurologist at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. "They're very interesting, they're like little babies with Parkinson's disease," said Minassian, explaining that the children exhibited typical symptoms of the neurological disorder, including tremors, problems executing movements, and the flat facial expression known as a "masked face." "Those kids are like that. They cry, but you don't see them cry," he said. Dr. Reem Alkhater, a pediatric neurology resident at the hospital, has been travelling back and forth between Toronto and Saudi Arabia as part of the research team's investigations into the familial … Continue reading →

GRAND RAPIDS, MI Myriad factors fell into place to bring about Van Andel Institute's recent breakthrough in Parkinson's disease research. A Rockford basketball coach and Hollywood star Michael J. Fox. Patients at Saint Marys Health Care and patients in Sweden. Rainbow trout in Japan. And a Malaysian scientist. That international constellation of people and places and fish are the touch points in a study that may lead to a better way to detect Parkinsons disease. Connecting the dots was a Van Andel Institute scientist named Sok Kean Khoo, who scanned and analyzed blood samples in a bright, glass-roofed lab overlooking downtown Grand Rapids. From Malaysia to Michigan Khoo, who is of Chinese descent and grew up in Malaysia, has worked at VAI for 13 years. Although she was initially involved in cancer research, she noticed Parkinsons patients blood samples stored in a freezer at the institute. She wondered if she could apply a cancer research technique, looking for tiny molecules called microRNA, to investigate a neurodegenerative disease. Her pilot project, published in December in the Journal of Parkinsons Disease, was the first to identify a molecular biomarker in blood plasma that may one day be used to develop a blood … Continue reading →

Ronald Parkinson, 67, lived a hermit-like existence from living room Mr Parkinson was found dead naked with some food completely untouched 'He had a history of depression and alcoholism', an inquest has heard His cousin said he was a 'renowned happy individual' and was 'greatly loved' By Larisa Brown PUBLISHED: 16:21 EST, 31 January 2013 | UPDATED: 16:35 EST, 31 January 2013 A world-renowned art historian and former head of education at the V&A museum died in squalor after a secret battle with depression, an inquest heard today. Ronald Parkinson, 67, lived a hermit-like existence from the living room of his home in Tooting, south west London, surrounded by empty takeaway wrappers and piles of dirty clothes. Mr Parkinson was found dead, lying face down on the floor naked with some food, which had been left for him five days earlier, completely untouched. Ronald Parkinson, a world-renowned art historian and former head of education at the V&A museum, pictured, died in squalor after a secret battle with depression, an inquest has heard Westminster Coroner's Court heard Parkinson, a noted author on the works of artist John Constable, drank heavily for more than 30 years and battled depression. 'He had a … Continue reading →

Canadian researchers have used the power of genomics to identify the cause of a rare Parkinson's-like disease in children of one extended family and come up with a treatment to help reverse its effects. It's believed to be the first time a new disease has been discovered, its cause figured out and a treatment successfully determined in such a short time, in this case about two years. The eight children five boys and three girls born to four sets of parents in a large Saudi Arabian family were born with symptoms similar to those experienced by adults with Parkinson's disease, said principal researcher Dr. Berge Minassian, a neurologist at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. "They're very interesting, they're like little babies with Parkinson's disease," said Minassian, explaining that the children exhibited typical symptoms of the neurological disorder, including tremors, problems executing movements, and the flat facial expression known as a "masked face." "Those kids are like that. They cry, but you don't see them cry," he said. Dr. Reem Alkhater, a pediatric neurology resident at the hospital, has been travelling back and forth between Toronto and Saudi Arabia as part of the research team's investigations into the familial disorder. The … Continue reading →