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Parkinson’s disease

Gene Therapy Shows Promising Results in Reducing Alcohol Consumption for Chronic Alcoholics

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com September 5, 2023

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

Brains of chronic alcoholics have reduced dopamine release – leading to heavy drinking
‘Adeno-associated virus brain transplant’ – enhanced dopamine, reduced alcohol consumption by more than 90%
Due to permanent brain changes, actual application needs review

The biggest problem with addiction treatment is the difficulty in maintaining abstinence. In particular, it is important to continue sobriety with professional treatment for alcoholism, which adversely affects not only oneself but also the family and society. But recently, a study has emerged showing that conventional gene therapy can reduce alcohol intake. Could this discovery open up a new horizon for alcohol addiction treatment?

Heavy drinker / Photo source – Pripic

According to data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the number of alcoholics in Korea is 1,526,841 as of 2020, 1,505,390 in 2018 and 1,517,679 in 2019, increasing by about 10,000 per year. When alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are added together, the number of people with alcohol use disorder rises significantly.

In this regard, the possibility that severe alcoholism can be treated with conventional methods is welcome news, amidst the continuing incidents and accidents that lead to the destruction of individuals, families and society, such as violence and death while drunk, and drunk driving.

Gene therapy currently used to treat Parkinson’s disease dramatically reduces heavy drinking in people with alcohol use disorder, according to a paper published in Nature Medicine by researchers from Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and institutions across the United States. Reduced.

Dr. Kathleen Grant, Professor, Department of Neuroscience, Oregon National Center for Primate Research, OHSU. (Photo. OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

Co-lead author Kathleen Grant, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Neuroscience at the Oregon Primate National Research Center (ONPRC), said, “Acute alcohol use increases dopamine, but the brains of chronic alcoholics experience reduced dopamine release and greater pleasure.” It induces excessive drinking for the sake of it.”

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in the role of the ‘reward center’ and ‘reward seeking’ in bodily functions such as memory, movement, motivation, mood, and attention. Low dopamine levels can reduce motivation, while high levels can be associated with addiction and impulsiveness.

In monkeys who drank large amounts of ethanol diluted in water, the research team injected a specific type of molecule that induces cell growth into the brain region where dopamine is located. The implanted adeno-associated virus is a single-stranded DNA virus that is harmless to the target and has a gene encoding a protein known as glial nerve growth factor (GDNF). This process consequently enhanced dopamine.

Permanent dopamine enhancement, reduction of drinking by more than 90%

The results were dramatic. The transplanted monkeys consumed more than 90% less alcohol than the control group. The monkeys had not drank at all for several months, and their blood alcohol levels were unrecordable.

This procedure is used to treat adult patients with Parkinson’s disease and other rare genetic disorders that cause movement difficulties. However, as it is a method of changing the brain through surgery, there may be limitations in practical application.

Parkinson’s disease GDNF surgery image capture / photo source – parkinsons.org.uk

Dr. Grant was encouraging that “monkeys treated with this gene permanently began to overexpress dopamine and significantly reduced their drinking,” but that the method “would be suitable for people with the most severe form of alcohol use disorder who have failed all conventional treatments.” ‘.

Alcohol use disorder is an ‘addiction’ disease that is difficult to treat on its own, along with drugs, games, gambling, and pornography. If alcohol causes self-control problems, physical problems, or problems in family or social life, it is highly recommended that you seek treatment at a professional institution.

Chemical News Reporter Park Chan-seo

2023-09-05 23:10:00

#Parkinsons #disease #gene #therapy #works #alcoholism

September 5, 2023 0 comments

Health

Understanding Parkinson’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com August 9, 2023

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

Parkinson’s disease mostly occurs between the ages of 55 and 60. Due to the death of substantia nigra cells in the brain, the secretion of dopamine in the relevant brain regions of patients is insufficient, causing inconvenience in life. (Schematic/Pexels)

In the movie “Love Medicine is Not Medicine”, Ann Hathaway plays a Parkinson’s disease patient who proposes to break up in order not to cause the burden of care for her boyfriend. What is Parkinson’s disease? What are the causes of Parkinson’s disease? From involuntary shaking of a certain part of the body to bending forward when standing or walking, sometimes rushing forward faster and faster. Why does Parkinson’s disease gradually take away the patient’s complete health like “pumping the jackpot”? Let’s pay attention to Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disease that plagues a small number of elderly people.

In the early 18th century, James Parkinson, a neurologist in London, England, observed this progressive disease. He compiled the clinical observations of six patients into the book “An Essay on Shaking Palsy”, published in Published in 1817, it became the reason why the disease was later named Parkinson’s disease.

The cause of Parkinson’s disease is currently believed to be related to genetic and environmental factors. People with Parkinson’s family members were more likely to get the disease, as were those who had been exposed to certain pesticides and who had had a head injury; but those who smoked and drank coffee or tea regularly were at lower risk.

Parkinson’s disease mostly occurs between the ages of 55 and 60. Due to the death of substantia nigra cells in the brain, the secretion of dopamine in the relevant brain regions of the patient is insufficient, causing the patient to experience trembling hands and feet, unsteady gait, obvious movement disorders, and sleep disorders. There are shouting sounds of punching and kicking, drowsiness during the day, inability to keep a smile on a regular basis and a poker face, swallowing troubles and drooling, etc., each patient’s performance is different.

Parkinson’s disease is divided into 5 stages. In the first stage, there will be symptoms of stiffness and trembling on one side of the body; in the second stage, it will affect both sides of the body and cause imbalance; in the third stage, walking is unstable and easy to fall; in the fourth stage Although he can stand and walk, he needs the assistance of relatives and friends at the beginning of life; in the fifth stage, he needs to stay in bed or sit in a wheelchair for a long time, and cannot walk by himself.

A netizen once asked Dad, what gift do you want for Father’s Day? Suffering from Parkinson’s disease, he said, “I just want to be ‘healthy. Becoming a helpee in front of family members is suffering physically and mentally. Facing the disease, we can only take medicine to delay the deterioration.

Today, Parkinson’s disease is still an irreversible disease that plagues many patients and their families. Once you get sick, you have to live with the disease. Fortunately, in addition to regular medication, you can also adapt to it through mild exercise and rehabilitation. As the disease evolves, the family members should also do enough psychological construction, unite the family’s solidarity, encourage the patient to go to the rehabilitation department regularly, and use physical therapy for long-term rehabilitation exercises to delay the deterioration of the disease.

2023-08-09 06:41:09

#expressionless #poker #face #suffers #disease #turning #backHealthChina #Times #News

August 9, 2023 0 comments

Health

Certain Strains of ‘Desulfovibrio’ Bacteria may Cause Parkinson’s Disease and Precautions for Patients

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com May 8, 2023

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

Certain strains of ‘Desulfovibrio’ bacteria may cause Parkinson’s disease
Patients with Parkinson’s disease, be careful of drugs such as digestive or tranquilizers

Parkinson’s disease, which is the most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and whose prevalence is rapidly increasing with the aging of the population, is estimated to have 8 million patients worldwide and about 120,000 patients in Korea.

What causes Parkinson’s disease?

The cause of Parkinson’s disease is known as a disease in which movement disorders occur due to the loss of dopamine-secreting neurons in the midbrain substantia nigra. (Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

There’s no such thing as a big genetic factor. Only 5-10% of all patients with Parkinson’s disease are caused by heredity, and most of the others are idiopathic. In studies on environmental factors, toxin exposure by pesticides, heavy metals, carbon monoxide, organic solvents, trace metal elements, and head damage are cited as causes of the disease, but the exact cause has not been identified yet.

“Parkinson’s disease is caused by environmental exposure to the specific strain of bacteria that causes the disease”

A recent Finnish study published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology demonstrated that certain bacteria are associated with Parkinson’s disease, and that their higher numbers are related to the severity of disease symptoms.

Finnish research (left) and Chinese research (right) / Frontiers in cell and infection microbiology, captured from link.springer

Chinese researchers who conducted the same study reached the same conclusion (published last March in the Journal of Applied Microbiology and Cell Physiology).

The researchers emphasize that their findings are important because, despite attempts to determine the cause of Parkinson’s disease, the cause has not been identified for the past two centuries. It indicates that certain strains of the ‘Desulfovibrio’ bacteria have the potential to cause Parkinson’s disease, which is mainly caused by environmental factors.

Aggregation of α-synuclein in nerve cells / Captured from Medical Express, Timo Myöhänen Research Group

The main finding of this study is that this strain from Parkinson’s disease patients causes aggregation of α-synuclein proteins at statistically significant levels in Parkinson’s disease model organisms. As the model organism, ‘Caenorhabditis elegans’ was used.

We also found that strains of Desulphovibrio isolated from healthy individuals did not induce α-synuclein aggregation to the same extent. On the other hand, the aggregates caused by the strain of Desulphovibrio in patients with Parkinson’s disease were also larger.

Researchers explain that making it possible to screen for carriers of these harmful Desulphovibrio bacteria, and as a result, they could be targeted for action to clear these strains from the gut, potentially alleviating and slowing symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease. .

“Once the desulfovibrio bacteria are cleared from the gut, α-synuclein aggregates no longer form in the intestinal cells and travel to the brain via the vagus nerve as prion proteins.”

Parkinson’s disease diagnosis and precautions

There is no test that can confirm Parkinson’s disease, and the diagnosis of a specialist is the most important diagnostic method. It is easy to hear the story that it took quite a long time to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

According to Seoul Asan Medical Center, patients with Parkinson’s disease can use digestive medicines (Metoclopramide: Macperan, Reglan, Levopride: Levosulfide, Sulfiride, Levopran, etc.) or tranquilizers (Haloperidol). , medications such as Perphenazine) should be avoided.

Levopride is a drug that enhances gastrointestinal motility and is commonly prescribed in Korea, and patients with Parkinson’s disease need special attention. Since this drug is often prescribed by departments other than neurology departments for indigestion or arthritis, when patients with Parkinson’s disease visit a hospital with symptoms other than Parkinson’s disease, such as digestive system, arthritis, and back pain, they take drugs containing levosulfyramid. It is necessary to say in advance that is absolutely contraindicated.

Reporter Park Joo-hyun of Chemical News

2023-05-08 01:36:32

#Parkinsons #disease #caused #bacteria #caused #environmental #factors

May 8, 2023 0 comments

Health

Up to 50% of people with Parkinson’s disease may experience depression, anxiety or apathy, however, only 2% receive referrals to mental health professionals. Prioritizing mental health is important for those with Parkinson’s disease, as it is not just simply a reaction to the diagnosis, but a part of the disease itself caused by changes in brain chemistry. Vikas Channin, who has Parkinson’s, found relief and a better understanding of his depression and apathy after he was diagnosed with the disease at age 45.

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com April 22, 2023

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and can lead to a variety of physical and cognitive symptoms. While tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement are often associated with Parkinson’s, many people with the disease also experience depression and anxiety early on. In fact, research shows that depression and anxiety are often the first signs of Parkinson’s, and can precede motor symptoms by several years. In this article, we’ll explore the link between depression, anxiety, and Parkinson’s disease, and how understanding this connection can help with earlier diagnosis and management of the disease.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. While the disorder is often associated with physical symptoms, such as tremors, rigid muscles, and impaired balance and coordination, it is also linked to mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and apathy. Despite the prevalence of these conditions in those living with Parkinson’s, only 2% receive referrals to mental health professionals.

Vikas Channin, a 45-year-old man who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in February 2022, experienced depression, apathy, and cognitive impairment before his diagnosis. Initially, Channin attributed these symptoms to his mobility challenges, such as prolonged stiffness and pain in his legs that made it difficult to walk. However, after his Parkinson’s diagnosis, he learned about the disease’s connection to mental health conditions and realized that the mental health symptoms he had experienced were part of the disease itself.

Research indicates that up to 50% of people with Parkinson’s disease will experience depression, up to 40% will experience anxiety, and about 40% will experience apathy. The Parkinson’s Foundation attributes mental health challenges to changes in brain chemistry caused by the disease’s degenerative impacts on dopaminergic pathways. As dopamine levels decrease in the brain, individuals may experience depressive, anxious, or apathetic symptoms ahead of or alongside of a Parkinson’s diagnosis, which could be the earliest signs of the disease.

However, data from the Parkinson’s Foundation Parkinson’s Outcomes Project showed only a 2% referral rate to mental health professionals, as well as potential underdiagnosis and undertreatment of anxiety and depression in those living with Parkinson’s. To address this issue, the foundation recommended assessing, talking about, and addressing the non-movement symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as depression and anxiety, to improve the quality of life for patients.

Channin, who continues to see a therapist on a regular basis, also uses several self-care strategies to manage his physical and mental symptoms, such as complying with medication prescribed to him, eating a healthy diet, engaging in exercise, prioritizing good sleep hygiene, practicing stress reduction, and socializing.

Parkinson’s patients and their families can also turn to resources, such as the Parkinson’s Foundation website, which provides expert briefings, podcasts, fact sheets, videos, and webinars, to gain additional support. Seeking care from a psychiatrist who understands Parkinson’s or collaborating with a neurologist is also recommended when taking medication for mental health conditions. Overall, prioritizing mental health is as important as physical health for those living with Parkinson’s disease.

It’s a cruel irony that the diseases which affect us the most are often the hardest to detect. As we’ve explored in this article, depression and anxiety can be warning signs of a much more severe condition: Parkinson’s disease. While it can be challenging to diagnose and manage such disorders, the good news is that there are treatments available that, aided by early detection, can make a significant difference in a Parkinson’s patient’s quality of life. It’s essential that we continue to raise awareness of these warning signs and take them seriously, both as individuals and within the wider medical community. By doing so, we can work towards better supporting those affected by Parkinson’s and improve the chances of early intervention, leading to better outcomes for all.

April 22, 2023 0 comments

News

Mukul Roy, a veteran Trinamool Congress leader, has hinted at rejoining the BJP, saying he wants to meet with party leaders. This comes as Roy travelled to Delhi, with his family initially claiming he was missing. Roy is a founding member of TMC and switched to the BJP in 2017.

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com April 19, 2023

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

Mukul Roy, a veteran leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has hinted at rejoining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India. Roy, who had previously switched to the BJP in 2017 before returning to the TMC, travelled to Delhi for “personal work”, leading to speculation about his whereabouts. His son, also a former TMC member who is now with the BJP, had claimed that Roy was “missing”. Speaking to a Bengali news channel, Roy said he wanted to meet with Amit Shah and J P Nadda, both of whom are BJP leaders. State parliamentary affairs minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, also a member of the TMC, accused the BJP of “dirty politics”.

April 19, 2023 0 comments

Health

Exercise can benefit people with Parkinson’s disease by improving balance, flexibility, and coordination, reducing stress and anxiety, and boosting cognitive function. Recommended exercises include yoga, cycling, swimming, strength training, hand exercises, and Tai Chi. It’s essential to consult a doctor before starting any new exercise routine.

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com April 11, 2023

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

World Parkinson’s Disease Day is a global initiative that aims to increase awareness and understanding of Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. With no cure for Parkinson’s disease, prevention and management of symptoms remains a crucial aspect of the disease. Studies have shown that exercise plays an essential role in managing Parkinson’s disease, particularly in improving posture and reducing stiffness. This article will highlight some of the best exercises that can help people with Parkinson’s disease improve their physical abilities and quality of life.

Parkinson’s disease affects a person’s movement, causing symptoms like tremors, balance issues, stiffness, and slow movements. While there is no cure for this degenerative condition of the brain, there are ways to manage it. One of these ways is through exercise. On World Parkinson’s Disease Day, which falls every year on April 11, it is important to understand which exercises can help manage Parkinson’s disease.

According to the World Health Organization, cases of disability and even death due to Parkinson’s disease are increasing faster than for any other disorder related to the brain. In 2019, global estimates showed that more than 8 million people had Parkinson’s disease. Experts are still trying to find a cure, but incorporating exercise into your routine can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall health.

Fitness expert Varun Rattan suggests that Parkinson’s disease can be a challenging condition to manage, but exercise can help. Exercising can improve balance, flexibility, coordination, and cognitive function. It can also reduce stress, anxiety, and improve mood.

It is important to talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise routine, as everyone’s experience with Parkinson’s is different. Apart from yoga, which can help improve flexibility, balance, and coordination, you can try the following exercises:

1. Cycling – A low-impact form of exercise that can help to improve cardiovascular health and muscle strength. A stationary bike is a safer option for those struggling with balance. Start slowly and gradually increase intensity and duration.

2. Swimming – Another low-impact form of cardio and muscular strength exercise that can improve flexibility and reduce stiffness. Take your time to increase duration.

3. Strength training – Improves muscle strength and endurance using weights or resistance bands at least twice a week. Focus on working all the muscle groups during these sessions.

4. Hand exercises – Improves fine motor skills and dexterity. Squeezing a stress ball can enhance grip strength, while touching the tip of each finger to the tip of the thumb can assist with everyday tasks.

Tai chi is another form of exercise that involves slow and flowing movements that can improve motor function and quality of life in Parkinson’s patients.

Exercise is just one aspect of managing Parkinson’s disease, but it can be extremely helpful in reducing symptoms and improving overall health. By talking to your doctor and incorporating appropriate exercises into your routine, you can minimize the impact of Parkinson’s on your daily life.

In conclusion, World Parkinson’s Disease Day 2023 serves as an important reminder of the ongoing battle against this debilitating disease. While there is currently no cure, adopting healthy habits and engaging in regular exercise can help mitigate some of the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease. By practicing these posture-improving and stiffness-reducing exercises, patients can improve their quality of life, gain greater control over their body movements, and ultimately take important strides towards managing and combating Parkinson’s disease. Let us all continue to support the research, treatment, and care of those affected by Parkinson’s disease, and work towards a brighter, more hopeful future for all.

April 11, 2023 0 comments

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