Study Finds Features Linked to Mortality Risk in Parkinson's

A variety of motor and non-motor factors may be associated with a higher risk of mortality in patients with early Parkinson's disease, according to research published in the November issue of the Archives of Neurology.

Raymond Y. Lo, M.D., of the Parkinson's Institute and Clinical Center in Sunnyvale, Calif., and colleagues analyzed Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program data on 573 subjects with Parkinson's disease that was newly diagnosed during 1994 and 1995. Subjects were followed for death until the end of 2005.

During follow-up, the researchers note that 352 subjects died. Factors associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality included severe cognitive impairment based on Mini-Mental State Examination scores, symmetry of motor signs, older age at diagnosis, dysphagia, and postural instability gait difficulty subtype (hazard ratios, 2.7, 2.0, 1.1, 1.4, and 1.8, respectively).

"In this multiethnic incident Parkinson's disease cohort, we conclude that several motor and non-motor features in early Parkinson's disease can predict higher mortality risk, particularly older age at diagnosis, postural instability gait difficulty, cognitive impairment, and hallucinations. Our findings are in keeping with those of others, suggesting that these results are robust and generalizable. With effective clinical predictors, we can improve understanding of the disease process, refine risk stratification in designing clinical trials, and guide decision making in clinical practice," the authors conclude.

For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org

Worms could help in Parkinson's disease research?

Parkinson's affects more than half a million Americans, with around 50,000 more being diagnosed each year. It seems to affect men more than women and Caucasians more than others. It is seen mostly as a disease related to aging, but recently cases of "early-onset" Parkinson's (where the patients diagnosed are under 40 years old) have increased. And although age and heredity have both been found to increase the risk of a person getting Parkinson's, it is still largely unknown why some people develop it (even though they may not be at high risk) and some people who fall into the high risk category do not.

Scientists at the University of Dundee in Scotland now hope that studying the nervous system of a worm called C. elegans could provide more insight into why some humans develop this debilitating disease. This worm shares the genes associated with developing Parkinson's with humans, and adding that to the fact that the way the worm's nerve cells communicate with each other is very similar to how human's nerve cells do (but in a much simpler form) makes it a great opportunity to research how changes or mutations in these genes lead to the development of Parkinson's and how drugs could possibly be utilized to stop these mutations from happening or to correct them.

For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org

Parkinson's disease has 'subtle ethnic differences'

Parkinson's disease affects people from different ethnic backgrounds in subtly varying ways, it is said.

New research from the Far East has discovered that subtle ethnic differences have been discovered in regards to the progression of Parkinson's disease.

The Kobe University project in Japan looked into the genes of 2,011 people with Parkinson's and a further 18,381 others without the neurodegenerative disorder, concluding that a range of genes have been found to be more prevalent in European or Japanese ancestries.

Dr Kieran Breen, the director of research and development at the Parkinson's Disease Society, said the research is "fascinating".

He continued: "It's fantastic to see international collaboration between research teams leading to new insights into genetics.

"Understanding the role of inherited genes in Parkinson's will help us to develop treatments that may delay, or even prevent, the development of the condition."

Earlier this week, the Daily Telegraph reported on how researchers in Scotland discovered that around five per cent of people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease may have been wrongly classed as affected by the condition, showing little more than hand tremors or stiffness.

For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org