Dr Tiago Fleming Outeiro describes how his group is slowly uncovering the molecular basis of Parkinson's disease by studying the associated human protein in yeast cells.
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder without any known cure that affects around 6 million people worldwide. The symptoms, which include rigidity, difficulty in initiating movements and resting tremors, are all related to the specific death of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. These neurons characteristically contain protein deposits, known as Lewy bodies. A small protein called alpha-synuclein is the main component of these deposits.
Dr Outeiro explains how baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is helping researchers learn how alpha-synuclein might lead to Parkinson's disease. "Yeast is a very simple but powerful model in which to study how alpha-synuclein actually works as, remarkably, many of the biochemical pathways involved are similar between yeast and humans," he said. "There is still a lot we don't know about the function of this protein, but we do know that even small increases in the level of alpha-synuclein in cells lead to cell death."
Dr Outeiro and colleagues screened a library of 115,000 small compounds to try and identify those that are able to block the toxic effects of alpha-synuclein. Several of these molecules have proved effective in preventing Parkinson's disease in worms and blocking alpha-synuclein toxicity in rat neurons. If developed further, they could form the basis of future Parkinson's disease treatments.
New treatments for neurodegenerative diseases are urgently needed. "With the ageing of the human population the number of people affected by Parkinson's disease will continue to increase. This means the disease will become an even greater problem for modern societies due to the tremendous socio-economic costs associated," Dr Outeiro said. "It's therefore imperative that treatments for such neurodegenerative diseases are developed. Our studies in yeast have enabled us make a step towards this."
Showing posts with label Parkinson's Advocacy Training Program. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parkinson's Advocacy Training Program. Show all posts
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Report: Spine Stimulation May Benefit Parkinson’s Disease Patients
By Steven Marsh
Patients who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) may have relief from symptoms associated with the condition in the near future, according to a study presented at the 2010 American Society for Stereotactical and Functional Neurosurgery.
In an effort to find potential treatments for individuals with the nervous system disorder, a team of researchers at Rhode Island Hospital conducted a series of exercises that stimulated the spinal cord on an animal model, which showed signs of PD. Because the findings displayed better motor function in the animal, the investigators tested the treatment with spinal cord simulation on a male patient aged 82 years.
While the individual wasn’t receiving any form of medication as treatment for the disorder, researchers used different frequencies of stimulation to determine if a human would experience similar results compared to the animal model.
The researchers discovered that high stimulation frequencies made it easier for the patient to walk, while low frequencies worsened PD side effects.
While the results of the study did give investigators some insight as to how to treat PD patients, clinical trials with a larger group of patients would be more beneficial to developing treatment.
Finding therapies for this disorder is growing in interest throughout the medical world, as QR Pharma and Massachusetts General Hospital have launched research to determine a way to block a protein associated the development of PD.ADNFCR-1960-ID-19845071-ADNFCR
Patients who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) may have relief from symptoms associated with the condition in the near future, according to a study presented at the 2010 American Society for Stereotactical and Functional Neurosurgery.
In an effort to find potential treatments for individuals with the nervous system disorder, a team of researchers at Rhode Island Hospital conducted a series of exercises that stimulated the spinal cord on an animal model, which showed signs of PD. Because the findings displayed better motor function in the animal, the investigators tested the treatment with spinal cord simulation on a male patient aged 82 years.
While the individual wasn’t receiving any form of medication as treatment for the disorder, researchers used different frequencies of stimulation to determine if a human would experience similar results compared to the animal model.
The researchers discovered that high stimulation frequencies made it easier for the patient to walk, while low frequencies worsened PD side effects.
While the results of the study did give investigators some insight as to how to treat PD patients, clinical trials with a larger group of patients would be more beneficial to developing treatment.
Finding therapies for this disorder is growing in interest throughout the medical world, as QR Pharma and Massachusetts General Hospital have launched research to determine a way to block a protein associated the development of PD.ADNFCR-1960-ID-19845071-ADNFCR
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Local Resident Graduates from Parkinson's Research Advocacy Training Program
Local Resident Graduates from Parkinson's Research Advocacy Training Program
Aim Vernon
Local Resident Graduates from Parkinson's Research Advocacy Training Program
Recently, more than forty people living with Parkinson's disease (PD) from across the US, including one Highland Lakes resident, participated in the Parkinson's Disease Foundation's (PDF) Second Clinical Research Learning Institute in nearby Florham Park. The Learning Institute educated its participants about the ways that people living with Parkinson's can contribute to new treatments and a cure for the disease.
Local advocate Geraldine Mulligan was among the diverse group of business leaders, scientists and educators that traveled from 24 states to participate. Ms. Mulligan is a retired businesswoman who held positions with both small local businesses and a Fortune 500 company in New Jersey. Since she was diagnosed over 10 years ago with Parkinson’s, she has been very involved with her community and church. She recently decided to take a more active role within Parkinson’s advocacy.
During the training, Ms. Mulligan attended three days of courses led by national experts, who covered topics such as the basics of clinical research and discussed the potential new Parkinson’s therapies that are currently being studied by scientists. Back home, she is ready to work on a local level to impact the development of new therapies and to raise awareness among people living with Parkinson’s about the role that they can play.
Ms. Mulligan, spoke of her experiences, "I learned so much valuable information at the Learning Institute about how people with Parkinson’s can impact the development of new treatments for our disease. I believe that everyone living with the disease deserves to have access to this information, so I hope to work locally spread the word about the importance of clinical studies in finding new therapies. As part of this work, I am trying to establish an active support group in our area, which among other tasks, would serve to raise awareness about clinical studies."
Executive Director Robin Elliott, commented on the training, "The Parkinson's Disease Foundation believes that inclusion of the perspective and experiences of people with Parkinson's has the potential to benefit the clinical research process and therapies development. We are committed to providing the tools and resources necessary to make this happen – in the hope that the Clinical Research Learning Institute provides the foundation for these motivated consumers to become engaged and involved in a process that directly impacts their current quality of life and strives to find a cure for this debilitating disease."
Aim Vernon
Local Resident Graduates from Parkinson's Research Advocacy Training Program
Recently, more than forty people living with Parkinson's disease (PD) from across the US, including one Highland Lakes resident, participated in the Parkinson's Disease Foundation's (PDF) Second Clinical Research Learning Institute in nearby Florham Park. The Learning Institute educated its participants about the ways that people living with Parkinson's can contribute to new treatments and a cure for the disease.
Local advocate Geraldine Mulligan was among the diverse group of business leaders, scientists and educators that traveled from 24 states to participate. Ms. Mulligan is a retired businesswoman who held positions with both small local businesses and a Fortune 500 company in New Jersey. Since she was diagnosed over 10 years ago with Parkinson’s, she has been very involved with her community and church. She recently decided to take a more active role within Parkinson’s advocacy.
During the training, Ms. Mulligan attended three days of courses led by national experts, who covered topics such as the basics of clinical research and discussed the potential new Parkinson’s therapies that are currently being studied by scientists. Back home, she is ready to work on a local level to impact the development of new therapies and to raise awareness among people living with Parkinson’s about the role that they can play.
Ms. Mulligan, spoke of her experiences, "I learned so much valuable information at the Learning Institute about how people with Parkinson’s can impact the development of new treatments for our disease. I believe that everyone living with the disease deserves to have access to this information, so I hope to work locally spread the word about the importance of clinical studies in finding new therapies. As part of this work, I am trying to establish an active support group in our area, which among other tasks, would serve to raise awareness about clinical studies."
Executive Director Robin Elliott, commented on the training, "The Parkinson's Disease Foundation believes that inclusion of the perspective and experiences of people with Parkinson's has the potential to benefit the clinical research process and therapies development. We are committed to providing the tools and resources necessary to make this happen – in the hope that the Clinical Research Learning Institute provides the foundation for these motivated consumers to become engaged and involved in a process that directly impacts their current quality of life and strives to find a cure for this debilitating disease."
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