October 2007 -Prisoners of Parkinson’s Can Now Overcome Debilitating Freezing Episodes Using the NextStep® Walking Device
Invented by a Parkinson’s patient, the NextStep offers newfound independence to patients who suffer from a common symptom
10-1-2007 (Pr Insider.com)
Nine years ago, Mike Tucker’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, an incurable and debilitating illness that affects the central nervous system failed to elicit the typical reaction - self-pity. Instead, he responded by rallying his entrepreneurial spirit in search of solutions for many of the life altering symptoms Parkinson’s patients live with daily. His invention, the NextStep® [www.ICanStep.com] is now available through medical practices, physical therapists, and on the Internet at www.ICanStep.com. It has produced miraculous results in hundreds of patients. continued...
October 2007 -Light Shed on Parkinson’s Culprit
Jonathan Edwards
02 October 2007(RSC)
European scientists have developed a new technique to detect attogram quantities of iron in living cells. - providing further evidence of the role the metal plays in Parkinson’s disease. continued...
October 2007 - Gene Abnormality Linked To Early-onset Parkinson’s
Will Dunham
Sep 17, 2007 (Reuters) - Scientists found a genetic abnormality that may greatly raise the likelihood of developing early Parkinson’s disease, and said on Monday their finding could lead to new treatments for the fatal brain ailment. continued...
October 2007 - Cartoon Chat
by Ruth Palnick
Pablo Picasso once said that “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
So in order to further ignore the dust bunnies multiplying under my bed and to sweep some of the soot from my soul, I’m taking an art class. A Cartooning Class. And it’s great fun. Last week we drew cartoon hands and feet for two-and-a-half hours and it felt like 15 minutes. Time flies when you’re learning that: most cartoon hands have only three fingers and a thumb; when you’re drawing small children, skip the shoulders; and eyes composed of just two tiny dots can express a myriad of emotions, all depending on where you place them on the face.
There is an appealing simplicity of line both in the drawing of cartoon figures as well as in the sparse dialogue; limited space doesn’t allow for extended explanation. The cartoonist’s challenge lies in paring down the message to its most important points. These thoughts came to mind last month when talking with a friend who also has Parkinson’s. As with many of us, she is struggling with losing her voice volume and clarity. “I find myself speaking in gravelly abbreviations,” she said. “I talk the same way my grandchildren do text-messaging on their cell phones, using only those words critical to get my meaning across. I miss the luxury of being vividly expressive.”
So I encouraged her to avoid “cartoon chat.” To keep talking. To sing. To hum. To pray out-loud. To talk to herself. And to find someone with the heart to patiently wait to hear her half of the conversation. When we met again last week, I was amazed by how much better her voice sounded. “That’s because I took your advice and I’m simply using it more,” she said with a smile. “I figure I’ve spent half my life listening to other people. Now it’s their turn to listen to me!”
Brevity has been called the “soul of wit’ but if those of us with P.D. want to hang on to our voices, we need to be less like witty cartoons and more like Shakespearean sonnets! So chatter away. And come sing with the “Tremble Clefs!”
August 2007 - Overcoming “Freezing” in PD
Jennifer Wilhelm, DPT,
Marvin Smith, DPT, PT, MS, CSCS, EPC,
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Parkinson Center
of Oregon and Neurological Rehabilitation Team
Falls are a significant problem in people with Parkinson’s disease.
One contributor to falling is a phenomenon known as freezing. Freezing
can be described as the inability to take a step. Freezing can
also occur during transitional movements (getting up from a chair
or rolling out of bed). Freezing is sometimes associated with
small shuffling steps known as festination. continued...
August 2007 - The Secret to Getting PD Meds “ON TIME” in Care
Facilities
Lisa Mann, RN,
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Parkinson Center
of Oregon
This is a challenge that is especially difficult
for all involved. Assisted living and nursing home facilities
are often understaffed and as dedicated as the nursing staff may
be, it can be a challenge to meet everyone’s needs in a timely
manner. continued...
August 2007 - Blues Go Untreated In Parkinson’s Patients
Samuel Jarjour
(National Review of Medicine)
Depression in PD often confused with other symptoms, worsens impact
of motor function problems. Depression in Parkinson’s disease (PD)
is common, often untreated and exacerbates motor function problems,
suggests a study published online in Neurology June 20. It appears
depression may simply go unnoticed or get mistaken for other PD
symptoms, the researchers found. The study suggests better depression
treatment would improve PD patients’ overall daily functioning. continued...
August 2007 - At The Heart of PD
by Ruth Palnick, President,
PRC
It's not as though I was ever a champion whistler. Never whistled
bird calls on Johnny Carson. I’ve never lived in the kind of city
that required I whistle for a taxi. And when bemoaning this loss
to my sister, Kathy (the ever-practical CPA) she said, “Well, Ruth,
it’s not as though you made a career out of whistling.” True.
But still, I miss being able to do it.
My friend and speech therapist, Sara Nielson, tells me that the
stiffening of my facial muscles is what hampers my ability to whistle.
I used to enjoy the happy sound of whistling down an empty corridor.
And when the person next to you is talking too loudly on her cell
phone, there’s nothing like whistling to serve as an effective
deterrent. Then, for all those times when I’m singing and can’t
remember the words, whistling can sound almost intentional, which
is far better than simply being forgetful.
It’s a little loss. But a loss nonetheless. Parkinson’s Disease
can do that. If you let them, the little losses can chip away
at your spirit until you’re convinced nothing worthwhile remains.
But it’s simply not true. I may indeed have a weak and wobbly
whistle. But I can still sing, though lower than before. And
I can still smile, though my grin grows more crooked every day.
At those times, I thank God for all I can still do and remember
actress Drew Barrymore, who makes $5 million per movie despite
having the most crooked smile in Hollywood. And I’ll bet she can’t
whistle either!
I’m delighted to be this year’s President of the Parkinson’s Resource
Center of Spokane. We’re in this battle together and whether you’re
living with this disease or caring for and caring about someone
who has it; I’m committed to being your most enthusiastic cheerleader.
So turn to this section in each issue of the newsletter and I promise
you a bit of encouragement for the journey and at least a little
smile.
July 2007 - Dementia With
Lewy Bodies
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a neurological condition that is
a leading cause of dementia. Other names that this condition is known
as include Lewy body dementia and diffuse Lewy body disease. DLB may
account for up to 15% to 25% of all dementias affecting the elderly
and tends to occur more frequently in males. Changes in cognitive function
are thought to be primarily due to a decrease in a brain chemical or
neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine. continued...
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the approval
of Neupro (rotigotine transdermal system), a skin patch designed to
treat symptoms of early Parkinson's disease. continued...
May 2007 - NIH Announces Phase III Clinical Trial of Creatine
for Parkinson's Disease
The NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke (NINDS) is launching a large-scale clinical trial to learn
if the nutritional supplement creatine can slow the progression of Parkinson's
disease (PD). While creatine is not an approved therapy for PD or any
other condition, it is widely thought to improve exercise performance.
The potential benefit of creatine for PD was identified by Parkinson's
researchers through a new rapid method for screening potential compounds. continued...
May 2007 - Parkinson’s Drug Pulled After Reports of
Heart Damage
3/29/07(USA TODAY) - A drug used by several thousand patients with
Parkinson’s disease is being pulled from the market because of reports
of heart valve damage. The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday
that pergolide, sold under the name Permax and also in generic versions,
is being withdrawn at the agency’s request. continued...
March 2007 - The Caffeine
Buzz
Research suggests it might protect against Alzheimer’s,
Parkinson’s, Kathleen Fackelmann, December 31, 2006(GANNETT NEWS SERVICE)
It’s not the kick from caffeine that Sandy Schneider
is after. Instead, she’s hoping new research that shows the drug may
protect against Alzheimer’s pans out. The West Harrison, Ind., resident’s
80-year-old mother has the incurable disease. continued...
March 2007 - Cholesterol’s Role in Parkinson’s Remains
Elusive
12.28.06, (Forbes)
People with low levels of "bad" low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are more likely to have Parkinson’s
disease than people with high LDL levels, a new study says. Low levels
of LDL cholesterol are considered to be an indicator of good cardiovascular
health. continued...
