(Media-Newswire.com) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today warned eight companies that their over-the-counter ( OTC ) chelation products are unapproved drugs and devices and that it is a violation of federal law to make unproven claims about these products. There are no FDA-approved OTC chelation products.
The companies that received the warning letters claim that their products treat a range of diseases by removing toxic metals from the body. Some also claim to treat autism spectrum disorder, cardiovascular diseases, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and other serious conditions. Some companies that received the warning letters also claim their products will detect the presence of heavy metals to justify the need for chelation therapy.
The drug products involved have not been evaluated by the FDA for treatment of these diseases, and violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( FFDCA ). Despite the claims of the companies that received warning letters, the effectiveness in treating any of the diseases listed is unsubstantiated. Depending on the condition, when relying on unproven OTC chelation products to treat serious conditions, patients may delay seeking effective medical care.
In addition, there are serious safety issues associated with chelation products, which can alter the levels of certain substances in the blood. Even when used under medical supervision, these products can cause serious harm, including dehydration, kidney failure, and death.
“These products are dangerously misleading because they are targeted to patients with serious conditions and limited treatment options,” said Deborah Autor, director of the Office of Compliance in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “The FDA must take a firm stand against companies who prey on the vulnerability of patients seeking hope and relief.”
The agency advises consumers to avoid non-prescription products offered for chelation or detoxification. The only FDA-approved chelating agents are available by prescription only and are approved for use in specific indications such as lead poisoning and iron overload. Procedures involving these agents carry significant risks and should be performed only under medical supervision.
The FDA has noted an increase in “chelation therapy” products marketed on the Internet that claim to cleanse the body of toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Although some of the products are marketed as dietary supplements, they are unapproved drugs because they claim to treat, mitigate, prevent, or diagnose disease. The products come in various dosage forms, including transmucosal sprays, suppositories, capsules, liquid drops, and clay baths.
Some of the companies also sell unapproved screening tests that claim to detect the presence of heavy metals in urine to justify the need for chelation therapy.
"FDA will seek enforcement action against companies that promote therapeutic benefits of products not yet evaluated by the agency for safety and effectiveness.” said Dara A. Corrigan, associate commissioner for Regulatory Affairs.
Under the FFDCA, companies that market products that claim to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure diseases must file an application with the FDA and provide data that demonstrate their products’ safety and effectiveness.
The companies must take prompt action to correct the legal violations cited in the warnings letters or face possible legal action, including seizure and injunction. The FDA issued warning letters to the following companies:
World Health Products, LLC: Detoxamin Oral, Detoxamin Suppositories, and the Metal Detector test kit
Hormonal Health, LLC and World Health Products, LLC: Kelatox Suppositories, and the METALDETECTOR Instant Toxic Metals Test
Evenbetternow, LLC: Kids Chelat Heavy Metal Chelator, Bio-Chelat Heavy Metal Chelator, Behavior Balance DMG Liquid, AlkaLife Alkaline Drops, NutriBiotic Grapefruit Seed Extract, Natur-Leaf, Kids Clear Detoxifying Clay Baths, EBN Detoxifying Bentonite Clay, and the Heavy Metal Screen Test
Maxam Nutraceutics/Maxam Laboratories: PCA-Rx, PC3x, AFX, AD-Rx, AN-Rx, Anavone, AV-Rx, BioGuard, BSAID, CF-Rx, CreOcell, Dermatotropin, Endotropin, GTF-Rx, IM-Rx, Keto-Plex, Natural Passion, NG-Rx, NX-Rx, OR-Rx, Oxy-Charge, PN-Rx, Ultra-AV, Ultra Pure Yohimbe, and the Heavy Metal Screening Test
Cardio Renew, Inc: CardioRenew and CardioRestore
Artery Health Institute, LLC: Advanced Formula EDTA Oral Chelation
Longevity Plus: Beyond Chelation Improved, EndoKinase, Viral Defense, Wobenzym-N
Dr. Rhonda Henry: Cardio Chelate ( H-870 )
Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:
Complete and submit the report online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
For more information:
Public Health Focus: Unapproved Chelation Products
Questions and Answers
Consumer Update: FDA Warns Marketers of Unapproved Chelation Products
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Good Vibrations for Parkinson's
One million Americans are living with it, and 60,000 people were diagnosed last year. Parkinson's disease slowly steals a person's control over their body. Now, some doctors are looking into the past to devise treatments for the future.
If Dale Voelker had his way, the golf course would be his office.
"I wish I could golf every day," Voelker told Ivanhoe.
Two years ago, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's and thought his days on the links were over.
"They keep saying there's a cure around the corner, cure around the corner, but I don't know. I can't wait," Voelker said.
His meds made him nauseous and drowsy, so he joined a clinical study for a more tolerable treatment.
"It's very relaxing. It puts me to sleep almost every time," Voelker said.
"It" is a vibration chair. The cushion connects to an amplifier.
"It's almost like there's a big subwoofer in the mattress that vibrates the entire body," Dr. Sachin Kapur, from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, told Ivanhoe.
"They're sound waves that generate very strong vibrations. This is not a little buzz. This is not a little massage. This is a very strong vibration," Christopher Goetz, M.D., from Rush University Medical Center, explained to Ivanhoe.
It's based off the work of a 19th century French doctor.
"He noticed that patients who went on a carriage ride or train trip, when they descended from the carriage, their Parkinsonism was much less," Dr. Goetz said.
Experts say the vibrations travel through the spinal cord to the brain, which may help with basic motor skills.
A Canadian study showed vibration therapy improved gait, stability and posture. It also decreased tremors and rigidity and helped those who didn't respond to standard meds.
"It goes for about 40 minutes, and by the time I'm done, I've almost stopped shaking," Voelker said.
The chair isn't a cure, but it's how Voelker spells relief.
"It's like I get a little break," he said.
The current study is still enrolling Parkinson's patients at Rush University Medical Center. Patients sit in the chair for 30 minutes a day -- for one month.
PARKINSON'S DISEASE: Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that results from the death of dopamine-producing cells. There are four main symptoms including trembling in the arms, legs, hand, head, jaw, and face, rigidity, bradykinesia, or slowness of movement, and postural instability and loss of balance. As the disease progresses patients have a hard time completing everyday tasks like walking and talking. The disease typically affects people over the age of 50 and symptoms come on subtly and slowly. It is suspected that nearly one million Americans are living with it, and 60,000 were diagnosed last year. The numbers are suspected to increase due to the aging population. The disorder tends to be more common in women.
Parkinson’s is difficult to diagnose however, a neurologist can only look at the symptoms and diagnose the patient. (SOURCE: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
PARKINSON’S TREATMENTS: Currently there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but most victims of the disease don’t need treatments for several years after the diagnosis because the symptoms are so mild. When the symptoms progress doctors will often treat the disease with levodopa (L-dopa), which helps replace the brain’s lost dopamine. In extremely severe patients a brain surgery called pallidotomy has been affective in reducing symptoms. Lastly, there is another surgery where healthy dopamine-producing brain tissue is transplanted into the brain. Scientists are currently developing substances that will stop dopamine cells from dying. (SOURCE: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
GOOD VIBRATIONS: Jean-Martin Charcot was a 19th century neurologist who developed the vibrating chair after noticing that Parkinson’s victims seemed more comfortable and had a reduction in symptoms after train and carriage rides. The vibrating chair is a non-traditional therapy method in which the person is subjected to not only body vibrations, but sound vibrations. The chair is equipped with strategically placed speakers that deliver low frequency vibrations throughout the body. The chair has shown to significantly impact the quality of life, and after gait (a way of walking) and posture tests the results showed significant improvement in both. With compared with conventional therapies used to treat Parkinson’s, the vibration therapy was 25 percent more efficient in reversing clinical symptoms. In the trial tests the participants underwent the therapy for 15 minutes five days a week. The vibrations are more effective if done in time frames under 30 minutes. Scientists hope that use of both conventional and vibration therapies will reduce the symptoms greatly.
If Dale Voelker had his way, the golf course would be his office.
"I wish I could golf every day," Voelker told Ivanhoe.
Two years ago, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's and thought his days on the links were over.
"They keep saying there's a cure around the corner, cure around the corner, but I don't know. I can't wait," Voelker said.
His meds made him nauseous and drowsy, so he joined a clinical study for a more tolerable treatment.
"It's very relaxing. It puts me to sleep almost every time," Voelker said.
"It" is a vibration chair. The cushion connects to an amplifier.
"It's almost like there's a big subwoofer in the mattress that vibrates the entire body," Dr. Sachin Kapur, from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, told Ivanhoe.
"They're sound waves that generate very strong vibrations. This is not a little buzz. This is not a little massage. This is a very strong vibration," Christopher Goetz, M.D., from Rush University Medical Center, explained to Ivanhoe.
It's based off the work of a 19th century French doctor.
"He noticed that patients who went on a carriage ride or train trip, when they descended from the carriage, their Parkinsonism was much less," Dr. Goetz said.
Experts say the vibrations travel through the spinal cord to the brain, which may help with basic motor skills.
A Canadian study showed vibration therapy improved gait, stability and posture. It also decreased tremors and rigidity and helped those who didn't respond to standard meds.
"It goes for about 40 minutes, and by the time I'm done, I've almost stopped shaking," Voelker said.
The chair isn't a cure, but it's how Voelker spells relief.
"It's like I get a little break," he said.
The current study is still enrolling Parkinson's patients at Rush University Medical Center. Patients sit in the chair for 30 minutes a day -- for one month.
PARKINSON'S DISEASE: Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that results from the death of dopamine-producing cells. There are four main symptoms including trembling in the arms, legs, hand, head, jaw, and face, rigidity, bradykinesia, or slowness of movement, and postural instability and loss of balance. As the disease progresses patients have a hard time completing everyday tasks like walking and talking. The disease typically affects people over the age of 50 and symptoms come on subtly and slowly. It is suspected that nearly one million Americans are living with it, and 60,000 were diagnosed last year. The numbers are suspected to increase due to the aging population. The disorder tends to be more common in women.
Parkinson’s is difficult to diagnose however, a neurologist can only look at the symptoms and diagnose the patient. (SOURCE: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
PARKINSON’S TREATMENTS: Currently there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but most victims of the disease don’t need treatments for several years after the diagnosis because the symptoms are so mild. When the symptoms progress doctors will often treat the disease with levodopa (L-dopa), which helps replace the brain’s lost dopamine. In extremely severe patients a brain surgery called pallidotomy has been affective in reducing symptoms. Lastly, there is another surgery where healthy dopamine-producing brain tissue is transplanted into the brain. Scientists are currently developing substances that will stop dopamine cells from dying. (SOURCE: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
GOOD VIBRATIONS: Jean-Martin Charcot was a 19th century neurologist who developed the vibrating chair after noticing that Parkinson’s victims seemed more comfortable and had a reduction in symptoms after train and carriage rides. The vibrating chair is a non-traditional therapy method in which the person is subjected to not only body vibrations, but sound vibrations. The chair is equipped with strategically placed speakers that deliver low frequency vibrations throughout the body. The chair has shown to significantly impact the quality of life, and after gait (a way of walking) and posture tests the results showed significant improvement in both. With compared with conventional therapies used to treat Parkinson’s, the vibration therapy was 25 percent more efficient in reversing clinical symptoms. In the trial tests the participants underwent the therapy for 15 minutes five days a week. The vibrations are more effective if done in time frames under 30 minutes. Scientists hope that use of both conventional and vibration therapies will reduce the symptoms greatly.
Good Vibrations for Parkinson's
One million Americans are living with it, and 60,000 people were diagnosed last year. Parkinson's disease slowly steals a person's control over their body. Now, some doctors are looking into the past to devise treatments for the future.
If Dale Voelker had his way, the golf course would be his office.
"I wish I could golf every day," Voelker told Ivanhoe.
Two years ago, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's and thought his days on the links were over.
"They keep saying there's a cure around the corner, cure around the corner, but I don't know. I can't wait," Voelker said.
His meds made him nauseous and drowsy, so he joined a clinical study for a more tolerable treatment.
"It's very relaxing. It puts me to sleep almost every time," Voelker said.
"It" is a vibration chair. The cushion connects to an amplifier.
"It's almost like there's a big subwoofer in the mattress that vibrates the entire body," Dr. Sachin Kapur, from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, told Ivanhoe.
"They're sound waves that generate very strong vibrations. This is not a little buzz. This is not a little massage. This is a very strong vibration," Christopher Goetz, M.D., from Rush University Medical Center, explained to Ivanhoe.
It's based off the work of a 19th century French doctor.
"He noticed that patients who went on a carriage ride or train trip, when they descended from the carriage, their Parkinsonism was much less," Dr. Goetz said.
Experts say the vibrations travel through the spinal cord to the brain, which may help with basic motor skills.
A Canadian study showed vibration therapy improved gait, stability and posture. It also decreased tremors and rigidity and helped those who didn't respond to standard meds.
"It goes for about 40 minutes, and by the time I'm done, I've almost stopped shaking," Voelker said.
The chair isn't a cure, but it's how Voelker spells relief.
"It's like I get a little break," he said.
The current study is still enrolling Parkinson's patients at Rush University Medical Center. Patients sit in the chair for 30 minutes a day -- for one month.
PARKINSON'S DISEASE: Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that results from the death of dopamine-producing cells. There are four main symptoms including trembling in the arms, legs, hand, head, jaw, and face, rigidity, bradykinesia, or slowness of movement, and postural instability and loss of balance. As the disease progresses patients have a hard time completing everyday tasks like walking and talking. The disease typically affects people over the age of 50 and symptoms come on subtly and slowly. It is suspected that nearly one million Americans are living with it, and 60,000 were diagnosed last year. The numbers are suspected to increase due to the aging population. The disorder tends to be more common in women.
Parkinson’s is difficult to diagnose however, a neurologist can only look at the symptoms and diagnose the patient. (SOURCE: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
PARKINSON’S TREATMENTS: Currently there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but most victims of the disease don’t need treatments for several years after the diagnosis because the symptoms are so mild. When the symptoms progress doctors will often treat the disease with levodopa (L-dopa), which helps replace the brain’s lost dopamine. In extremely severe patients a brain surgery called pallidotomy has been affective in reducing symptoms. Lastly, there is another surgery where healthy dopamine-producing brain tissue is transplanted into the brain. Scientists are currently developing substances that will stop dopamine cells from dying. (SOURCE: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
GOOD VIBRATIONS: Jean-Martin Charcot was a 19th century neurologist who developed the vibrating chair after noticing that Parkinson’s victims seemed more comfortable and had a reduction in symptoms after train and carriage rides. The vibrating chair is a non-traditional therapy method in which the person is subjected to not only body vibrations, but sound vibrations. The chair is equipped with strategically placed speakers that deliver low frequency vibrations throughout the body. The chair has shown to significantly impact the quality of life, and after gait (a way of walking) and posture tests the results showed significant improvement in both. With compared with conventional therapies used to treat Parkinson’s, the vibration therapy was 25 percent more efficient in reversing clinical symptoms. In the trial tests the participants underwent the therapy for 15 minutes five days a week. The vibrations are more effective if done in time frames under 30 minutes. Scientists hope that use of both conventional and vibration therapies will reduce the symptoms greatly.
If Dale Voelker had his way, the golf course would be his office.
"I wish I could golf every day," Voelker told Ivanhoe.
Two years ago, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's and thought his days on the links were over.
"They keep saying there's a cure around the corner, cure around the corner, but I don't know. I can't wait," Voelker said.
His meds made him nauseous and drowsy, so he joined a clinical study for a more tolerable treatment.
"It's very relaxing. It puts me to sleep almost every time," Voelker said.
"It" is a vibration chair. The cushion connects to an amplifier.
"It's almost like there's a big subwoofer in the mattress that vibrates the entire body," Dr. Sachin Kapur, from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, told Ivanhoe.
"They're sound waves that generate very strong vibrations. This is not a little buzz. This is not a little massage. This is a very strong vibration," Christopher Goetz, M.D., from Rush University Medical Center, explained to Ivanhoe.
It's based off the work of a 19th century French doctor.
"He noticed that patients who went on a carriage ride or train trip, when they descended from the carriage, their Parkinsonism was much less," Dr. Goetz said.
Experts say the vibrations travel through the spinal cord to the brain, which may help with basic motor skills.
A Canadian study showed vibration therapy improved gait, stability and posture. It also decreased tremors and rigidity and helped those who didn't respond to standard meds.
"It goes for about 40 minutes, and by the time I'm done, I've almost stopped shaking," Voelker said.
The chair isn't a cure, but it's how Voelker spells relief.
"It's like I get a little break," he said.
The current study is still enrolling Parkinson's patients at Rush University Medical Center. Patients sit in the chair for 30 minutes a day -- for one month.
PARKINSON'S DISEASE: Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that results from the death of dopamine-producing cells. There are four main symptoms including trembling in the arms, legs, hand, head, jaw, and face, rigidity, bradykinesia, or slowness of movement, and postural instability and loss of balance. As the disease progresses patients have a hard time completing everyday tasks like walking and talking. The disease typically affects people over the age of 50 and symptoms come on subtly and slowly. It is suspected that nearly one million Americans are living with it, and 60,000 were diagnosed last year. The numbers are suspected to increase due to the aging population. The disorder tends to be more common in women.
Parkinson’s is difficult to diagnose however, a neurologist can only look at the symptoms and diagnose the patient. (SOURCE: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
PARKINSON’S TREATMENTS: Currently there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but most victims of the disease don’t need treatments for several years after the diagnosis because the symptoms are so mild. When the symptoms progress doctors will often treat the disease with levodopa (L-dopa), which helps replace the brain’s lost dopamine. In extremely severe patients a brain surgery called pallidotomy has been affective in reducing symptoms. Lastly, there is another surgery where healthy dopamine-producing brain tissue is transplanted into the brain. Scientists are currently developing substances that will stop dopamine cells from dying. (SOURCE: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
GOOD VIBRATIONS: Jean-Martin Charcot was a 19th century neurologist who developed the vibrating chair after noticing that Parkinson’s victims seemed more comfortable and had a reduction in symptoms after train and carriage rides. The vibrating chair is a non-traditional therapy method in which the person is subjected to not only body vibrations, but sound vibrations. The chair is equipped with strategically placed speakers that deliver low frequency vibrations throughout the body. The chair has shown to significantly impact the quality of life, and after gait (a way of walking) and posture tests the results showed significant improvement in both. With compared with conventional therapies used to treat Parkinson’s, the vibration therapy was 25 percent more efficient in reversing clinical symptoms. In the trial tests the participants underwent the therapy for 15 minutes five days a week. The vibrations are more effective if done in time frames under 30 minutes. Scientists hope that use of both conventional and vibration therapies will reduce the symptoms greatly.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Santhera and Ipsen Enter into Licensing Agreement for Fipamezole for the Treatment of Dyskinesia in
Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) and Ipsen (Paris:IPN) (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) today announced a license agreement for the development and commercialization of fipamezole (antagonist of the adrenergic alpha-2 receptor) for territories outside of North America and Japan. This first-in-class compound is currently under investigation for the treatment of levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease. Initiation of a first Phase III study by Biovail is scheduled for 2011. Today's agreement stipulates a data sharing, under which Ipsen has the right to use these data for its own purposes.
Klaus Schollmeier, Chief Executive Officer of Santhera, said: "We are pleased to be partnering with Ipsen to advance the potential of fipamezole as a possible first treatment for Dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease. Dyskinesia is a condition that is functionally disabling to patients and limits effective treatment of the underlying Parkinson's Disease. Ipsen complements perfectly our North American partnership with Biovail. Today's agreement is another strong endorsement for fipamezole and proves that our out-licensing strategy for this innovative drug candidate is working well for the benefit of all parties."
Stephane Thiroloix, Ipsen's Executive Vice-President, Corporate Development said: "L-dopa induced dyskinesia is a serious unmet medical need, and we look forward to providing patients with a positive transformation in the management of their condition. This agreement with Santhera will further enrich Ipsen's pipeline with a new promising first-in-class compound thus complementing our fast-growing neurology franchise, in clear medical and operational synergy with our existing portfolio. We have been impressed with the scientific and development capabilities of both Santhera and Biovail. Ipsen will benefit from the Biovail development and collaborate fully to achieve regulatory filings excluding North America planned for 2015."
About the agreement
Under the agreement, Ipsen acquires the rights to fipamezole outside the United States, Canada and Japan for an upfront payment of EUR 13 million and additional payments contingent to future development, regulatory and sales milestones of up to EUR 128 million. In addition, Santhera is entitled to royalty payments on Ipsen's future net sales.
In a similar transaction in August 2009, Santhera granted Biovail (Canada's largest specialty pharmaceutical company) the development and commercial rights to fipamezole in the United States and Canada. The first Phase III study is scheduled for 2011 in the treatment of levodopa induced dyskinesia. Santhera has the right to use and sublicense data generated by Biovail for development and commercialization purposes outside of the United States and Canada. Today's agreement stipulates that Ipsen has acquired the right to use these data for its own development and commercialization purposes outside the United States, Canada and Japan, whereas the Japanese rights for fipamezole remain with Santhera.
About Fipamezole
Fipamezole is an antagonist of the adrenergic alpha-2 receptor with a novel mode of action in the treatment of dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease. The rationale behind the development is to increase noradrenergic release in certain areas of the brain resulting in the rebalance of the distorted brain network and potentially alleviating symptoms of advanced Parkinson's disease such as dyskinesia, motor fluctuations and other disturbing symptoms without exacerbating the underlying Parkinsonian features of the disease. Encouraging phase 2b data exist in support of this rationale. Loss of motor control and dyskinesia is feature of the majority of Parkinson patients after 5 years of levodopa therapy, and remains a clear unmet medical need.
About Ipsen
Ipsen is a global biopharmaceutical group, with sales exceeding 1 billion euros in 2009. The Group has total worldwide staff of more than 4,400 employees, of which nearly 900 contribute to the discovery and development of innovative drugs for patient care. Ipsen's development strategy is based on fast growing specialty care drugs in oncology, endocrinology, neurology and hematology, and on primary care drugs. This strategy is supported by an active policy of partnerships. Ipsen's research & development (R&D) centers and its peptide & protein engineering platform give the Group a strong competitive edge. In 2009, R&D expenditure totaled close to €200 million, representing nearly 20% of Group sales. Ipsen's shares are traded on segment A of Euronext Paris (stock code: IPN, ISIN code: FR0010259150) and eligible to the "Service de Reglement Differe" ("SRD" ). The Group is part of the SBF 120 index. Ipsen has implemented a Sponsored Level I American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program, which trade on the over-the-counter market in the United States under the symbol IPSEY. For more information on Ipsen, visit our website at www.ipsen.com.
About Santhera
Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) is a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical products for the treatment of severe neuromuscular diseases, an area of high unmet medical need which includes many orphan indications with no current therapy. Santhera's first product, Catena to treat Friedreich's Ataxia, is marketed in Canada. Following positive clinical results in Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, the drug is prepared for regulatory filings for marketing approval. Catena is also being investigated in a Phase III study in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Commercial rights in Europe for Friedreich's Ataxia and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy are licensed to Takeda Pharmaceutical. Santhera's second compound fipamezole has demonstrated efficacy in reducing levodopa-induced Dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease. Phase III development and commercialization rights in the United States and Canada are partnered with Biovail, and outside North America and Japan with Ipsen. For further information, please visit the Company's web site atwww.santhera.com. Catena is a trademark of Santhera Pharmaceuticals.
Ipsen forward-looking statements
The forward-looking statements, objectives and targets contained herein are based on the Group's management strategy, current views and assumptions. Such statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those anticipated herein. Moreover, the targets described in this document were prepared without taking into account external growth assumptions and potential future acquisitions, which may alter these parameters. These objectives are based on data and assumptions regarded as reasonable by the Group. These targets depend on conditions or facts likely to happen in the future, and not exclusively on historical data. Notably, future currency fluctuations may negatively impact the profitability of the Group and its ability to reach its objectives. Actual results may depart significantly from these targets given the occurrence of certain risks and uncertainties. The Group does not commit nor gives any guarantee that it will meet the targets mentioned above. Furthermore, the Research and Development process involves several stages each of which involve the substantial risk that the Group may fail to achieve its objectives and be forced to abandon its efforts with regards to a product in which it has invested significant sums. Therefore, the Group cannot be certain that favorable results obtained during pre-clinical trials will be confirmed subsequently during clinical trials, or that the results of clinical trials will be sufficient to demonstrate the safe and effective nature of the product concerned. The Group also depends on third parties to develop and market some of its products which could potentially generate substantial royalties; these partners could behave in such ways which could cause damage to the Group's activities and financial results. The Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward looking statements, targets or estimates contained in this press release to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which any such statements are based, unless so required by applicable law. The Group's business is subject to the risk factors outlined in its registration documents filed with the French Autorite des Marches Financiers.
Santhera Disclaimer/Forward-looking statements
This communication does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities of Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG. This publication may contain certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company and its business. Such statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore not place undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
LIESTAL, Switzerland & PARIS - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Regulatory News:
Klaus Schollmeier, Chief Executive Officer of Santhera, said: "We are pleased to be partnering with Ipsen to advance the potential of fipamezole as a possible first treatment for Dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease. Dyskinesia is a condition that is functionally disabling to patients and limits effective treatment of the underlying Parkinson's Disease. Ipsen complements perfectly our North American partnership with Biovail. Today's agreement is another strong endorsement for fipamezole and proves that our out-licensing strategy for this innovative drug candidate is working well for the benefit of all parties."
Stephane Thiroloix, Ipsen's Executive Vice-President, Corporate Development said: "L-dopa induced dyskinesia is a serious unmet medical need, and we look forward to providing patients with a positive transformation in the management of their condition. This agreement with Santhera will further enrich Ipsen's pipeline with a new promising first-in-class compound thus complementing our fast-growing neurology franchise, in clear medical and operational synergy with our existing portfolio. We have been impressed with the scientific and development capabilities of both Santhera and Biovail. Ipsen will benefit from the Biovail development and collaborate fully to achieve regulatory filings excluding North America planned for 2015."
About the agreement
Under the agreement, Ipsen acquires the rights to fipamezole outside the United States, Canada and Japan for an upfront payment of EUR 13 million and additional payments contingent to future development, regulatory and sales milestones of up to EUR 128 million. In addition, Santhera is entitled to royalty payments on Ipsen's future net sales.
In a similar transaction in August 2009, Santhera granted Biovail (Canada's largest specialty pharmaceutical company) the development and commercial rights to fipamezole in the United States and Canada. The first Phase III study is scheduled for 2011 in the treatment of levodopa induced dyskinesia. Santhera has the right to use and sublicense data generated by Biovail for development and commercialization purposes outside of the United States and Canada. Today's agreement stipulates that Ipsen has acquired the right to use these data for its own development and commercialization purposes outside the United States, Canada and Japan, whereas the Japanese rights for fipamezole remain with Santhera.
About Fipamezole
Fipamezole is an antagonist of the adrenergic alpha-2 receptor with a novel mode of action in the treatment of dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease. The rationale behind the development is to increase noradrenergic release in certain areas of the brain resulting in the rebalance of the distorted brain network and potentially alleviating symptoms of advanced Parkinson's disease such as dyskinesia, motor fluctuations and other disturbing symptoms without exacerbating the underlying Parkinsonian features of the disease. Encouraging phase 2b data exist in support of this rationale. Loss of motor control and dyskinesia is feature of the majority of Parkinson patients after 5 years of levodopa therapy, and remains a clear unmet medical need.
About Ipsen
Ipsen is a global biopharmaceutical group, with sales exceeding 1 billion euros in 2009. The Group has total worldwide staff of more than 4,400 employees, of which nearly 900 contribute to the discovery and development of innovative drugs for patient care. Ipsen's development strategy is based on fast growing specialty care drugs in oncology, endocrinology, neurology and hematology, and on primary care drugs. This strategy is supported by an active policy of partnerships. Ipsen's research & development (R&D) centers and its peptide & protein engineering platform give the Group a strong competitive edge. In 2009, R&D expenditure totaled close to €200 million, representing nearly 20% of Group sales. Ipsen's shares are traded on segment A of Euronext Paris (stock code: IPN, ISIN code: FR0010259150) and eligible to the "Service de Reglement Differe" ("SRD" ). The Group is part of the SBF 120 index. Ipsen has implemented a Sponsored Level I American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program, which trade on the over-the-counter market in the United States under the symbol IPSEY. For more information on Ipsen, visit our website at www.ipsen.com.
About Santhera
Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) is a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical products for the treatment of severe neuromuscular diseases, an area of high unmet medical need which includes many orphan indications with no current therapy. Santhera's first product, Catena to treat Friedreich's Ataxia, is marketed in Canada. Following positive clinical results in Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, the drug is prepared for regulatory filings for marketing approval. Catena is also being investigated in a Phase III study in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Commercial rights in Europe for Friedreich's Ataxia and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy are licensed to Takeda Pharmaceutical. Santhera's second compound fipamezole has demonstrated efficacy in reducing levodopa-induced Dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease. Phase III development and commercialization rights in the United States and Canada are partnered with Biovail, and outside North America and Japan with Ipsen. For further information, please visit the Company's web site atwww.santhera.com. Catena is a trademark of Santhera Pharmaceuticals.
Ipsen forward-looking statements
The forward-looking statements, objectives and targets contained herein are based on the Group's management strategy, current views and assumptions. Such statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those anticipated herein. Moreover, the targets described in this document were prepared without taking into account external growth assumptions and potential future acquisitions, which may alter these parameters. These objectives are based on data and assumptions regarded as reasonable by the Group. These targets depend on conditions or facts likely to happen in the future, and not exclusively on historical data. Notably, future currency fluctuations may negatively impact the profitability of the Group and its ability to reach its objectives. Actual results may depart significantly from these targets given the occurrence of certain risks and uncertainties. The Group does not commit nor gives any guarantee that it will meet the targets mentioned above. Furthermore, the Research and Development process involves several stages each of which involve the substantial risk that the Group may fail to achieve its objectives and be forced to abandon its efforts with regards to a product in which it has invested significant sums. Therefore, the Group cannot be certain that favorable results obtained during pre-clinical trials will be confirmed subsequently during clinical trials, or that the results of clinical trials will be sufficient to demonstrate the safe and effective nature of the product concerned. The Group also depends on third parties to develop and market some of its products which could potentially generate substantial royalties; these partners could behave in such ways which could cause damage to the Group's activities and financial results. The Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward looking statements, targets or estimates contained in this press release to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which any such statements are based, unless so required by applicable law. The Group's business is subject to the risk factors outlined in its registration documents filed with the French Autorite des Marches Financiers.
Santhera Disclaimer/Forward-looking statements
This communication does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities of Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG. This publication may contain certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company and its business. Such statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore not place undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
LIESTAL, Switzerland & PARIS - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Regulatory News:
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Sleep Disorder May Lead to Parkinson’s Disease in the Long Run
According to Bradley Boeve, MD of Mayo Clinic in Rochester REM, sleep behaviour disorder maydevelop the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a neuro-degeneration disease. The symptoms of the disease are visible after many years. The study, based on 27 patients, has shown that after 25 years of its beginning, symptoms like multiple system atrophy and dementia with Lewy bodies are visible in the patients.
The journal Neurology has also published that in a few cases this time span even reached to 50 years. On an average, the age of people with sleeping disorder was 49, while they showed the symptoms of neurological disease at the age of 72.
A few of these patients had minor cognitive problems, while half of the patients even showed the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
All the studied people had some kind of synucleinopathy. Nearly 89% of all patients were men. These patients had very fast moving dreams, in which it was very apparent that the person was trying to save himself from an enemy or animal.
The report from the researchers has included the modern therapies for synucleinopathies, which are based on pharmacologic, cell-based, gene and mechanism.
Parkinson’s disease is a neuro-degeneration disease. The symptoms of the disease are visible after many years. The study, based on 27 patients, has shown that after 25 years of its beginning, symptoms like multiple system atrophy and dementia with Lewy bodies are visible in the patients.
The journal Neurology has also published that in a few cases this time span even reached to 50 years. On an average, the age of people with sleeping disorder was 49, while they showed the symptoms of neurological disease at the age of 72.
A few of these patients had minor cognitive problems, while half of the patients even showed the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
All the studied people had some kind of synucleinopathy. Nearly 89% of all patients were men. These patients had very fast moving dreams, in which it was very apparent that the person was trying to save himself from an enemy or animal.
The report from the researchers has included the modern therapies for synucleinopathies, which are based on pharmacologic, cell-based, gene and mechanism.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
MSU Researcher Gets NIH Grant for Parkinson's Disease Work
ANN ARBOR, MI (MICHIGAN RADIO) - A Michigan State University researcher is working on new treatments for Parkinson's disease.
Dr. John Goudreau says a protein known as "parkin" can save certain neurons in the brain from injury caused by Parkinson's disease.
The associate professor of neurology, pharmacology and toxicology is using a $1.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to explore his theory.
Goudreau uses a boxing analogy.
"So you have a couple of prizefighters," Goudreau says. "One gets hit and goes down to the mat and can't get up. These other cells that seem to be resistant to the disease take the same kind of hit, they go down to the mat, but they can bounce back up again and again. So we wanted to figure out why they were able to do that."
About four million people worldwide have Parkinson's disease. Goudreau says that's expected to increase to more than 8 million by the year 2030.
Dr. John Goudreau says a protein known as "parkin" can save certain neurons in the brain from injury caused by Parkinson's disease.
The associate professor of neurology, pharmacology and toxicology is using a $1.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to explore his theory.
Goudreau uses a boxing analogy.
"So you have a couple of prizefighters," Goudreau says. "One gets hit and goes down to the mat and can't get up. These other cells that seem to be resistant to the disease take the same kind of hit, they go down to the mat, but they can bounce back up again and again. So we wanted to figure out why they were able to do that."
About four million people worldwide have Parkinson's disease. Goudreau says that's expected to increase to more than 8 million by the year 2030.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Widow Gives $2.5 Million for Parkinson's Research
By SHELLY BANJO
Lily Safra wants to chart the course of Parkinson's disease in order to stop it.
The widow of the banker Edmond J. Safra is giving $2.5 million to the New York-based Michael J. Fox Foundation to help fund a clinical study to help track the progression of Parkinson's disease.
Bringing together pharmaceutical companies, nonprofits, scientists and private funders, Ms. Safra's lead gift will help form a public-private partnership to fund the five-year $40 million Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative, which will use neuro-imaging, testing of biologic samples and behavioral assessments of 600 participants to identify so-called biomarkers of Parkinson's disease.
[DONOR_Hedcut]
Lily Safra
Biomarkers provide the tools to track and measure the progression of a disease, which Parkinson's researchers say is crucial to finding a cure for the disease and determining whether a therapy or drug is working.
Unlike other diseases, such as a cancer where doctors can track the size and spread of a tumor to tell if a certain therapy is working, it's more difficult to measure the progression of Parkinson's, a degenerative neurological disorder that impairs motor skills, speech and other movement.
"We need treatments that slow or stop progression of the disease, but without developing these markers we're not going to get there," says Katie Hood, the foundation's CEO. "This is the biggest impediment to finding a cure."
Ms. Hood says most researchers are currently creating therapies that treat only the symptoms of the disease, such as tremors or ease of motion, rather than attacking the underling course of the disease.
"If the industry came up with a treatment for this chronic neurodegenerative disease, it would be a massive blockbuster but no one wants to do it alone," she says. "Our board came to the discussion that if we want to find a cure for Parkinson's one day, we have no choice but to pursue this major roadblock."
For Mrs. Safra, one of the founding board members of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the initiative hits close to home: Her late husband, a banker who founded a private bank that he sold to American Express and the Republic National Bank of New York, had struggled with Parkinson's disease. Mr. Safra died in 1999 in a fire at the couple's Monaco home. Mr. Safra had given millions to museums, hospitals, medical research and Jewish causes—constructing or saving synagogues in Israel, Madrid and France as well as building hospitals in Brazil and Israel.
After her husband's death, Mrs. Safra took over the Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation and vowed to uphold her husband's legacy.
"My husband had a visionary belief in the power of human ingenuity to conquer disease," Mrs. Safra says. "During his lifetime he was an open-handed supporter of medical research and patient care around the world. In his memory, it is my privilege to sponsor the initiative…in order to speed improved treatments and a cure for Parkinson's disease."
Lily Safra wants to chart the course of Parkinson's disease in order to stop it.
The widow of the banker Edmond J. Safra is giving $2.5 million to the New York-based Michael J. Fox Foundation to help fund a clinical study to help track the progression of Parkinson's disease.
Bringing together pharmaceutical companies, nonprofits, scientists and private funders, Ms. Safra's lead gift will help form a public-private partnership to fund the five-year $40 million Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative, which will use neuro-imaging, testing of biologic samples and behavioral assessments of 600 participants to identify so-called biomarkers of Parkinson's disease.
[DONOR_Hedcut]
Lily Safra
Biomarkers provide the tools to track and measure the progression of a disease, which Parkinson's researchers say is crucial to finding a cure for the disease and determining whether a therapy or drug is working.
Unlike other diseases, such as a cancer where doctors can track the size and spread of a tumor to tell if a certain therapy is working, it's more difficult to measure the progression of Parkinson's, a degenerative neurological disorder that impairs motor skills, speech and other movement.
"We need treatments that slow or stop progression of the disease, but without developing these markers we're not going to get there," says Katie Hood, the foundation's CEO. "This is the biggest impediment to finding a cure."
Ms. Hood says most researchers are currently creating therapies that treat only the symptoms of the disease, such as tremors or ease of motion, rather than attacking the underling course of the disease.
"If the industry came up with a treatment for this chronic neurodegenerative disease, it would be a massive blockbuster but no one wants to do it alone," she says. "Our board came to the discussion that if we want to find a cure for Parkinson's one day, we have no choice but to pursue this major roadblock."
For Mrs. Safra, one of the founding board members of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the initiative hits close to home: Her late husband, a banker who founded a private bank that he sold to American Express and the Republic National Bank of New York, had struggled with Parkinson's disease. Mr. Safra died in 1999 in a fire at the couple's Monaco home. Mr. Safra had given millions to museums, hospitals, medical research and Jewish causes—constructing or saving synagogues in Israel, Madrid and France as well as building hospitals in Brazil and Israel.
After her husband's death, Mrs. Safra took over the Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation and vowed to uphold her husband's legacy.
"My husband had a visionary belief in the power of human ingenuity to conquer disease," Mrs. Safra says. "During his lifetime he was an open-handed supporter of medical research and patient care around the world. In his memory, it is my privilege to sponsor the initiative…in order to speed improved treatments and a cure for Parkinson's disease."
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Parkinson's Patients More Likely To Stick With Certain 'Add-On' Drugs
Of the three main types of oral drugs commonly added to levodopa therapy for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, one might be the most effective, according to a new review.
People with Parkinson's disease often initially experience tremors, stiffness, slowed movement or difficulty with balance and coordination. These symptoms result from the destruction of brain cells that produce dopamine an important chemical that transmits nerve impulses.
Many people with Parkinson's start treatment by taking levodopa, which the body converts to dopamine. After a time, however, levodopa alone is not always enough.
The three classes of drugs for add-on treatment are dopamine agonists, which stimulate dopamine receptors in the brain, drugs known as COMT inhibitors and MAOB inhibitors, which slow the breakdown of dopamine in the body.
Of these, dopamine agonists might be most effective, according to a new review.
The irony for patients and doctors alike is that while all of the add-on drugs help improve functional motor skills, they simultaneously might increase numerous other side effects such as dyskinesia, dizziness, sleep disturbances, nausea, constipation and even hallucinations.
Although the risk of side effects increased with all three types of add-on drugs, patients were most likely to continue treatment when they were taking dopamine agonists. This class includes medications such as pramipexole (Mirapex), ropinirole (Requip), cabergoline (Dostinex) and bromocriptine (Parlodel).
"There's a tendency to think that stronger drugs give more adverse effects, but we didn't find that with dopamine agonists," says review co-author Carl E. Clarke, M.D., a neurologist at the University of Birmingham in England. "They seem to be as well tolerated as the other classes, so the results are quite positive in terms of using the agonists ahead of the other two."
Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive disorder affecting more than 6 million people worldwide, making it the most common degenerative condition of the brain after Alzheimer's disease. Both illnesses are most common in the elderly, so with an aging U.S. population, their prevalence is likely to increase.
Ads by Google
Stem Cells for Parkinsons - New Stem Cell Treatments for patients with Parkinson's Disease. - www.stemcellsforhope.com
New Parkinson's Research - Discover an Exercise Bike Proven to Reduce PD Symptoms. Free DVD Today! - www.Theracycle.com
30% Off - Vitaline CoQ10 - The only clinically-proven, safe, all natural, high dose CoQ10! - EnzymaticTherapy.com/Vitaline
"No treatments have been proven to slow progression of the disease," said William J. Weiner, M.D., director of the Maryland Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center. "Yet with treatment to alleviate motor symptoms, most patients can function extremely well for six to 10 years."
Levodopa typically controls symptoms very well for up to five years, but eventually a patient's symptoms start to reappear each day before the next dose is due or symptoms might reappear and disappear unpredictably. Patients might also develop dyskinesia, which results in uncontrollable jerking and writhing movements.
Doctors can then add another medication to the levodopa therapy.
"The greater efficacy and reduced likelihood of patient withdrawal with dopamine agonist therapy possibly outweighs the disadvantage of increased side effects," concludes the review.
This finding matches Weiner's clinical experience gained from decades of treating people with the disease.
"Most [Parkinson's] patients prefer to have these dyskinesias and other moderate side effects than to have more disabling motor complications like being unable to walk," he says. "Hallucinations may be troublesome and frightening initially, but they are typically benign a patient might think he sees a dog and people can get used to them."
The review appears in the current issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates research in all aspects of health care. Systematic reviews draw evidence-based conclusions about medical practice after considering both the content and quality of existing trials on a topic.
This review assessed data from 44 randomized trials involving 8,436 participants. The authors caution, however, that the studies compared each class of drugs against placebo, rather than conducting "head-to-head" comparisons of each class against the others.
This leaves open the possibility that the findings arose not from actual differences in the treatments, but rather from other factors such as differences in the types of people included in the various trials. A large trial featuring direct comparisons of the three drug classes currently is underway in the United Kingdom, Clarke said.
Of the drugs in the COMT inhibitor class, the review suggests that tolcapone (Tasmar) is as effective as the dopamine agonists. However, tolcapone has been linked to a few cases of fatal liver toxicity and can now only be prescribed in the United States with intense monitoring.
"Tolcapone is worth using in patients where [the alternative] is not working well, and we mustn't discount it," Clarke said. "This evidence clearly states that."
The review disclosed that Clarke has received payments for consulting, lectures and travel from Boehringer-Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, Lundbeck, Orion, Teva, UCB, and Valeant.
The Cochrane Library contains high quality health care information, including Systematic Reviews from The Cochrane Collaboration. These reviews bring together research on the effects of health care and are considered the gold standard for determining the relative effectiveness of different interventions. The Cochrane Collaboration is an international nonprofit, independent organization that produces and disseminates systematic reviews of health care interventions and promotes the search for evidence in the form of clinical trials and other studies of interventions.
Stowe R, et al. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of adjuvant treatment to levodopa therapy in Parkinson´ s disease patients with motor complications (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 7.
People with Parkinson's disease often initially experience tremors, stiffness, slowed movement or difficulty with balance and coordination. These symptoms result from the destruction of brain cells that produce dopamine an important chemical that transmits nerve impulses.
Many people with Parkinson's start treatment by taking levodopa, which the body converts to dopamine. After a time, however, levodopa alone is not always enough.
The three classes of drugs for add-on treatment are dopamine agonists, which stimulate dopamine receptors in the brain, drugs known as COMT inhibitors and MAOB inhibitors, which slow the breakdown of dopamine in the body.
Of these, dopamine agonists might be most effective, according to a new review.
The irony for patients and doctors alike is that while all of the add-on drugs help improve functional motor skills, they simultaneously might increase numerous other side effects such as dyskinesia, dizziness, sleep disturbances, nausea, constipation and even hallucinations.
Although the risk of side effects increased with all three types of add-on drugs, patients were most likely to continue treatment when they were taking dopamine agonists. This class includes medications such as pramipexole (Mirapex), ropinirole (Requip), cabergoline (Dostinex) and bromocriptine (Parlodel).
"There's a tendency to think that stronger drugs give more adverse effects, but we didn't find that with dopamine agonists," says review co-author Carl E. Clarke, M.D., a neurologist at the University of Birmingham in England. "They seem to be as well tolerated as the other classes, so the results are quite positive in terms of using the agonists ahead of the other two."
Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive disorder affecting more than 6 million people worldwide, making it the most common degenerative condition of the brain after Alzheimer's disease. Both illnesses are most common in the elderly, so with an aging U.S. population, their prevalence is likely to increase.
Ads by Google
Stem Cells for Parkinsons - New Stem Cell Treatments for patients with Parkinson's Disease. - www.stemcellsforhope.com
New Parkinson's Research - Discover an Exercise Bike Proven to Reduce PD Symptoms. Free DVD Today! - www.Theracycle.com
30% Off - Vitaline CoQ10 - The only clinically-proven, safe, all natural, high dose CoQ10! - EnzymaticTherapy.com/Vitaline
"No treatments have been proven to slow progression of the disease," said William J. Weiner, M.D., director of the Maryland Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center. "Yet with treatment to alleviate motor symptoms, most patients can function extremely well for six to 10 years."
Levodopa typically controls symptoms very well for up to five years, but eventually a patient's symptoms start to reappear each day before the next dose is due or symptoms might reappear and disappear unpredictably. Patients might also develop dyskinesia, which results in uncontrollable jerking and writhing movements.
Doctors can then add another medication to the levodopa therapy.
"The greater efficacy and reduced likelihood of patient withdrawal with dopamine agonist therapy possibly outweighs the disadvantage of increased side effects," concludes the review.
This finding matches Weiner's clinical experience gained from decades of treating people with the disease.
"Most [Parkinson's] patients prefer to have these dyskinesias and other moderate side effects than to have more disabling motor complications like being unable to walk," he says. "Hallucinations may be troublesome and frightening initially, but they are typically benign a patient might think he sees a dog and people can get used to them."
The review appears in the current issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates research in all aspects of health care. Systematic reviews draw evidence-based conclusions about medical practice after considering both the content and quality of existing trials on a topic.
This review assessed data from 44 randomized trials involving 8,436 participants. The authors caution, however, that the studies compared each class of drugs against placebo, rather than conducting "head-to-head" comparisons of each class against the others.
This leaves open the possibility that the findings arose not from actual differences in the treatments, but rather from other factors such as differences in the types of people included in the various trials. A large trial featuring direct comparisons of the three drug classes currently is underway in the United Kingdom, Clarke said.
Of the drugs in the COMT inhibitor class, the review suggests that tolcapone (Tasmar) is as effective as the dopamine agonists. However, tolcapone has been linked to a few cases of fatal liver toxicity and can now only be prescribed in the United States with intense monitoring.
"Tolcapone is worth using in patients where [the alternative] is not working well, and we mustn't discount it," Clarke said. "This evidence clearly states that."
The review disclosed that Clarke has received payments for consulting, lectures and travel from Boehringer-Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, Lundbeck, Orion, Teva, UCB, and Valeant.
The Cochrane Library contains high quality health care information, including Systematic Reviews from The Cochrane Collaboration. These reviews bring together research on the effects of health care and are considered the gold standard for determining the relative effectiveness of different interventions. The Cochrane Collaboration is an international nonprofit, independent organization that produces and disseminates systematic reviews of health care interventions and promotes the search for evidence in the form of clinical trials and other studies of interventions.
Stowe R, et al. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of adjuvant treatment to levodopa therapy in Parkinson´ s disease patients with motor complications (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 7.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Genetics, Insecticides Might Contribute to Parkinson's
MONDAY, June 14 (HealthDay News) -- A combination of genetic mutations and exposure to insecticides may increase a man's risk of Parkinson's disease, new research shows.
The study included 207 Parkinson's disease patients and a control group of 482 healthy people. The French team of researchers analyzed the participants for mutations in a gene called ABCB1 and assessed their lifetime exposure to pesticides.
Click here to find out more!
Overall, mutations in the ABCB1 gene weren't associated with Parkinson's disease risk. However, the researchers found that the association between organochlorine insecticide exposure and Parkinson's disease was 3.5 times stronger in men with two mutated copies of the ABCB1 gene than among those with no ABCB1 mutations.
"Based on a biological hypothesis, we show that organochlorine insecticides may interact with ABCB1 in determining the risk of Parkinson's disease," Fabien Dutheil, of Universite Paris Descartes, Assistance-Publique Hopitaux de Paris, and colleagues concluded. "These findings support the hypothesis of gene x pesticide interactions in Parkinson's disease."
The study is published in the June issue of the Archives of Neurology.
The study included 207 Parkinson's disease patients and a control group of 482 healthy people. The French team of researchers analyzed the participants for mutations in a gene called ABCB1 and assessed their lifetime exposure to pesticides.
Click here to find out more!
Overall, mutations in the ABCB1 gene weren't associated with Parkinson's disease risk. However, the researchers found that the association between organochlorine insecticide exposure and Parkinson's disease was 3.5 times stronger in men with two mutated copies of the ABCB1 gene than among those with no ABCB1 mutations.
"Based on a biological hypothesis, we show that organochlorine insecticides may interact with ABCB1 in determining the risk of Parkinson's disease," Fabien Dutheil, of Universite Paris Descartes, Assistance-Publique Hopitaux de Paris, and colleagues concluded. "These findings support the hypothesis of gene x pesticide interactions in Parkinson's disease."
The study is published in the June issue of the Archives of Neurology.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
State awards $10 million for stem cell research
AP State Wire
The state has awarded nearly $10 million in grants to fund stem cell research at Yale and the University of Connecticut.
The grants, which are the fourth round of state stem cell funding, will fund 22 projects that span areas such as the role of stem cells in understanding or treating Huntington's disease, leukemia, Parkinson's disease and osteoarthritis.
The grants come from a $100 million state fund for stem cell research established in 2005 when federal funding for research using human embryonic stem cells was restricted.
Federal policy has since changed, but scientists and policymakers say state funding has helped Connecticut in stem cell research, allowing universities to develop labs and recruit scientists.
The state has awarded nearly $10 million in grants to fund stem cell research at Yale and the University of Connecticut.
The grants, which are the fourth round of state stem cell funding, will fund 22 projects that span areas such as the role of stem cells in understanding or treating Huntington's disease, leukemia, Parkinson's disease and osteoarthritis.
The grants come from a $100 million state fund for stem cell research established in 2005 when federal funding for research using human embryonic stem cells was restricted.
Federal policy has since changed, but scientists and policymakers say state funding has helped Connecticut in stem cell research, allowing universities to develop labs and recruit scientists.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Travel Tips for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease
By LouiseRoys send a private message
This month begins a season when many of you will be traveling - over the Memorial Day weekend, and going forward into the coming warmer months.
If you will be traveling by car or airplane, you might find the following tips useful to make the experience more comfortable and enjoyable:
1. Take along your personal disabled windshield placard when you travel. Disabled parking permits are honored in most states; often, you can use your placard on a rental car or in a car in which you are a passenger. If traveling by car, contact the police department in your destination city to find out about the local ordinances. If you forget to bring your permit with you, you may be able to visit the nearest Department of Motor Vehicles office and request a temporary permit. Don't be surprised if they want to see a doctor's letter certifying your disability or medical condition.
2. Keep an extra outfit in the car in case you spill something on your clothing and need to change.
3. Bring a U-shaped inflatable neck pillow to prevent getting a stiff neck while sitting up during long car trips or flights.
4. Taking along the following items can really save the day:
* A collapsible cup and drinking straws
* Cellophane tape
* Paper clips
* Ziploc bags
* Extra watch and eyeglasses
* A small flashlight
* A calculator
This month begins a season when many of you will be traveling - over the Memorial Day weekend, and going forward into the coming warmer months.
If you will be traveling by car or airplane, you might find the following tips useful to make the experience more comfortable and enjoyable:
1. Take along your personal disabled windshield placard when you travel. Disabled parking permits are honored in most states; often, you can use your placard on a rental car or in a car in which you are a passenger. If traveling by car, contact the police department in your destination city to find out about the local ordinances. If you forget to bring your permit with you, you may be able to visit the nearest Department of Motor Vehicles office and request a temporary permit. Don't be surprised if they want to see a doctor's letter certifying your disability or medical condition.
2. Keep an extra outfit in the car in case you spill something on your clothing and need to change.
3. Bring a U-shaped inflatable neck pillow to prevent getting a stiff neck while sitting up during long car trips or flights.
4. Taking along the following items can really save the day:
* A collapsible cup and drinking straws
* Cellophane tape
* Paper clips
* Ziploc bags
* Extra watch and eyeglasses
* A small flashlight
* A calculator
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Voice Analysis May Allow Early Detection of Parkinson's
HealthDay
A new voice analysis technique can identify changes in speech associated with the early stages of Parkinson's disease, a new study has found.
"This is a noninvasive, reliable and accurate technique that only requires the patient to read out a few simple sentences," Shimon Sapir, of the department of communication sciences and disorders at the University of Haifa in Israel, who developed the new test, said in a university news release.
In many cases, Parkinson's disease is diagnosed based on muscle rigidity, tremors, slow movement and loss of balance. But by the time these symptoms are present, the disease is already well-advanced.
Since the muscles controlling voice and speech are affected in most people with Parkinson's disease, Sapir decided to develop an acoustic analysis method that identified differences between the speech of people with Parkinson's disease and healthy people. The method also tracks voice changes that occur in response to treatment or disease progression.
A series of tests showed that the new acoustic analysis technique is effective. The findings were published in a recent issue of the Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research.
"Doctors and scientists agree that early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is important in order to slow down or even prevent the degenerative progress of this disease," Sapir said. "Today no treatment is available to this effect, but when treatment becomes feasible, early diagnosis is going to be crucial. There are various methods of brain imaging for detecting early signs of Parkinson's disease, but these methods are expensive -- particularly when attempting to screen a large population at risk. Hence the importance of developing techniques for early diagnosis that are valid, reliable, non-invasive, simple, readily available and inexpensive."
But Sapir added that "while our initial results are very encouraging, additional studies must be carried out in order to examine the new method. Also, given that the disease and its progression have different effects on individuals, speech analysis must be incorporated into a battery of tests that examine other signs and symptoms of the disease, such as changes in handwriting, cognitive functions, sense of smell, and more."
A new voice analysis technique can identify changes in speech associated with the early stages of Parkinson's disease, a new study has found.
"This is a noninvasive, reliable and accurate technique that only requires the patient to read out a few simple sentences," Shimon Sapir, of the department of communication sciences and disorders at the University of Haifa in Israel, who developed the new test, said in a university news release.
In many cases, Parkinson's disease is diagnosed based on muscle rigidity, tremors, slow movement and loss of balance. But by the time these symptoms are present, the disease is already well-advanced.
Since the muscles controlling voice and speech are affected in most people with Parkinson's disease, Sapir decided to develop an acoustic analysis method that identified differences between the speech of people with Parkinson's disease and healthy people. The method also tracks voice changes that occur in response to treatment or disease progression.
A series of tests showed that the new acoustic analysis technique is effective. The findings were published in a recent issue of the Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research.
"Doctors and scientists agree that early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is important in order to slow down or even prevent the degenerative progress of this disease," Sapir said. "Today no treatment is available to this effect, but when treatment becomes feasible, early diagnosis is going to be crucial. There are various methods of brain imaging for detecting early signs of Parkinson's disease, but these methods are expensive -- particularly when attempting to screen a large population at risk. Hence the importance of developing techniques for early diagnosis that are valid, reliable, non-invasive, simple, readily available and inexpensive."
But Sapir added that "while our initial results are very encouraging, additional studies must be carried out in order to examine the new method. Also, given that the disease and its progression have different effects on individuals, speech analysis must be incorporated into a battery of tests that examine other signs and symptoms of the disease, such as changes in handwriting, cognitive functions, sense of smell, and more."
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Moving story of a Parkinson's patient
SOURCE AuthorHive
Over 1.5 million people in the U.S. suffer from Parkinson's disease, a degenerative neurological disorder most recently brought attention to by Michael J. Fox. In his new release, "Move On with Parkinson's: An Inspirational True Story as Told by a PD Patient" (published by LuLu), author Michael Stanfield shares his struggle with Parkinson's and the medical treatments and exercise that helped reverse his symptoms.
After years of declining health, strength and coordination, Stanfield was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease six years ago. His neurologist declared that he already had PD for at least eight to ten years before that; a surprising and unwelcome finding. He battled PD every day by sticking to a closely monitored program. The author is eager to help other Parkinson's patients who can benefit from his experience with the disease.
According to Stanfield, the new PD patient should act without delay to obtain treatment from a qualified neurologist and to undertake an intensive exercise program. The book includes detailed descriptions and photos of exercises found by the author and his personal trainer to result in the greatest improvement in PD symptoms. "Move On with Parkinson's" maintains an optimistic and helpful attitude that uses humor to keep morale high. Stanfield provides a realistic glimpse into the progressive stages of acceptance, coping and triumph as he tells new patients what to expect and more importantly, how to deal with this debilitating disease:
"When a doctor moves your arm around and lifts it by the wrist or elbow he or she is checking on its rigidity or stiffness. If your arm does not bend freely, especially at the elbow, you may have one of the key symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Jeanne says she noticed that I walked stiffly without swinging my arms, and my right elbow was bent slightly. This description is practically a text book sign of Parkinson's disease. When she called my attention to the stiff, bent elbow, I looked down, straightened my right arm and elbow, and dismissed her observation as unimportant."
"Move On with Parkinson's" is endorsed by Dr. Enrico Fazzini, DO, PhD, Director, APDA Referral and Information Center, NYU Medical Center, Manhattan, New York, "... a motivational must for the newly diagnosed, demonstrates the power of positive thinking over PD."
Over 1.5 million people in the U.S. suffer from Parkinson's disease, a degenerative neurological disorder most recently brought attention to by Michael J. Fox. In his new release, "Move On with Parkinson's: An Inspirational True Story as Told by a PD Patient" (published by LuLu), author Michael Stanfield shares his struggle with Parkinson's and the medical treatments and exercise that helped reverse his symptoms.
After years of declining health, strength and coordination, Stanfield was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease six years ago. His neurologist declared that he already had PD for at least eight to ten years before that; a surprising and unwelcome finding. He battled PD every day by sticking to a closely monitored program. The author is eager to help other Parkinson's patients who can benefit from his experience with the disease.
According to Stanfield, the new PD patient should act without delay to obtain treatment from a qualified neurologist and to undertake an intensive exercise program. The book includes detailed descriptions and photos of exercises found by the author and his personal trainer to result in the greatest improvement in PD symptoms. "Move On with Parkinson's" maintains an optimistic and helpful attitude that uses humor to keep morale high. Stanfield provides a realistic glimpse into the progressive stages of acceptance, coping and triumph as he tells new patients what to expect and more importantly, how to deal with this debilitating disease:
"When a doctor moves your arm around and lifts it by the wrist or elbow he or she is checking on its rigidity or stiffness. If your arm does not bend freely, especially at the elbow, you may have one of the key symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Jeanne says she noticed that I walked stiffly without swinging my arms, and my right elbow was bent slightly. This description is practically a text book sign of Parkinson's disease. When she called my attention to the stiff, bent elbow, I looked down, straightened my right arm and elbow, and dismissed her observation as unimportant."
"Move On with Parkinson's" is endorsed by Dr. Enrico Fazzini, DO, PhD, Director, APDA Referral and Information Center, NYU Medical Center, Manhattan, New York, "... a motivational must for the newly diagnosed, demonstrates the power of positive thinking over PD."
Saturday, March 6, 2010
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."
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."
Placebo treatments stronger than doctors thought
By MARIA CHENG AP Medical Writer © 2010 The Associated Press
LONDON — When it comes to the placebo effect, it really may be mind over matter, a new analysis suggests.
In a review of recent research, international experts say there is increasing evidence that fake treatments, or placebos, have an actual biological effect in the body.
The doctor-patient relationship, plus the expectation of recovery, may sometimes be enough to change a patient's brain, body and behavior, experts write. The review of previous research on placebos was published online Friday in Lancet, the British medical journal.
"It's not that placebos or inert substances help," said Linda Blair, a Bath-based psychologist and spokeswoman for the British Psychological Society. Blair was not linked to the research. "It's that people's belief in inert substances help."
While doctors have long recognized that placebos can help patients feel better, they weren't sure if the treatments sparked any physical changes.
In the Lancet review, researchers cite studies where patients with Parkinson's disease were given dummy pills. That led their brains to release dopamine, a feel-good chemical, and also resulted in other changes in brain activity.
"When you think you're going to get a drug that helps, your brain reacts as if it's getting relief," said Walter Brown, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Brown and Tufts University. "But we don't know how that thought that you're going to get better actually translates into something happening in the brain."
With growing proof that placebos work, some doctors are trying to figure out how to capitalize on their effects, without being unethical.
Blair said that to be completely honest with patients — to tell them they were receiving a fake treatment — would sabotage their belief in the drug, and thus, undermine any potential benefit.
But Brown didn't agree. For certain patients, like those with mild depression or anxiety, he said placebos were likely to work just as well as established therapies.
He said that even if doctors acknowledge they are giving such patients a placebo medication, but say it could be beneficial, "it might just actually work."
By MARIA CHENG AP Medical Writer © 2010 The Associated Press
LONDON — When it comes to the placebo effect, it really may be mind over matter, a new analysis suggests.
In a review of recent research, international experts say there is increasing evidence that fake treatments, or placebos, have an actual biological effect in the body.
The doctor-patient relationship, plus the expectation of recovery, may sometimes be enough to change a patient's brain, body and behavior, experts write. The review of previous research on placebos was published online Friday in Lancet, the British medical journal.
"It's not that placebos or inert substances help," said Linda Blair, a Bath-based psychologist and spokeswoman for the British Psychological Society. Blair was not linked to the research. "It's that people's belief in inert substances help."
While doctors have long recognized that placebos can help patients feel better, they weren't sure if the treatments sparked any physical changes.
In the Lancet review, researchers cite studies where patients with Parkinson's disease were given dummy pills. That led their brains to release dopamine, a feel-good chemical, and also resulted in other changes in brain activity.
"When you think you're going to get a drug that helps, your brain reacts as if it's getting relief," said Walter Brown, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Brown and Tufts University. "But we don't know how that thought that you're going to get better actually translates into something happening in the brain."
With growing proof that placebos work, some doctors are trying to figure out how to capitalize on their effects, without being unethical.
Blair said that to be completely honest with patients — to tell them they were receiving a fake treatment — would sabotage their belief in the drug, and thus, undermine any potential benefit.
But Brown didn't agree. For certain patients, like those with mild depression or anxiety, he said placebos were likely to work just as well as established therapies.
He said that even if doctors acknowledge they are giving such patients a placebo medication, but say it could be beneficial, "it might just actually work."
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Genetic Risk Factor Identified for Parkinson's Disease
Gene Variant Influences Vitamin B6 Metabolism - An international team of doctors and human geneticists has identified a new genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease. The institutions involved in the study were the Institute of Human Genetics of Helmholtz Zentrum München and Technische Universität München, the Neurological Clinic of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich (LMU) and the Mitochondrial Research Group of Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
"Our study reveals the interaction of genetic and environmental factors such as dietary habits in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease," explained Dr. Matthias Elstner of the Neurological Clinic of LMU and Helmholtz Zentrum München, lead author of the study. In addition, this genome-wide expression and association study confirms that vitamin B6 status and metabolism significantly influence both disease risk and therapy response (Annals of Neurology, January, 2010).
Scientists of the two Munich universities and Helmholtz Zentrum München investigated neurons in the brain to determine which genes modify their activity in Parkinson’s disease. Among other findings, the research group detected increased activity of the pyridoxal kinase gene. In a subsequent international cooperation project, the researchers compared this gene in over 1,200 Parkinson patients with the genetic data of more than 2,800 healthy test subjects. In doing so, they discovered a gene variant which increases the risk for Parkinson’s disease and which may lead to a modified quantity or activity of the enzyme pyridoxal kinase (PDXK) in the brain. In combination with genetic association analysis, the innovative method used here – single cell expression profiling of dopaminergic neurons – opens up new possibilities for analyzing genetic risk factors.
PDXK converts Vitamin B6 from food sources into its physiologically active form, which is the prerequisite for the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Parkinson’s disease is linked to the accelerated aging and dying off of neurons that produce dopamine. The decreased synthesis of this neurotransmitter explains most of the disease symptoms: The gradual progression of the neurological disease is accompanied by muscle rigor and tremor and a slowing of movement (bradykinesia). Besides the constraints on daily life caused by these symptoms, the postural instability of the body can lead to dangerous falls. Moreover, in the course of the disease sensory symptoms like paresthesia, vegetative disorders (e.g. bladder dysfunction) and depression as well as other psychological changes can occur.
"Our study elucidates how genetic and environmental factors such as dietary habits interact in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease,“ explained Dr. Matthias Elstner of the Neurological Clinic of LMU and Helmholtz Zentrum München, who is lead author of the study. Dr. Holger Prokisch, head of the research team studying mitochondrial diseases at Helmholtz Zentrum München and TU München, added: “Although this variant is responsible for only a slight contribution to the overall risk for Parkinson’s disease, our findings could aid in developing individualized therapies."
For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org
"Our study reveals the interaction of genetic and environmental factors such as dietary habits in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease," explained Dr. Matthias Elstner of the Neurological Clinic of LMU and Helmholtz Zentrum München, lead author of the study. In addition, this genome-wide expression and association study confirms that vitamin B6 status and metabolism significantly influence both disease risk and therapy response (Annals of Neurology, January, 2010).
Scientists of the two Munich universities and Helmholtz Zentrum München investigated neurons in the brain to determine which genes modify their activity in Parkinson’s disease. Among other findings, the research group detected increased activity of the pyridoxal kinase gene. In a subsequent international cooperation project, the researchers compared this gene in over 1,200 Parkinson patients with the genetic data of more than 2,800 healthy test subjects. In doing so, they discovered a gene variant which increases the risk for Parkinson’s disease and which may lead to a modified quantity or activity of the enzyme pyridoxal kinase (PDXK) in the brain. In combination with genetic association analysis, the innovative method used here – single cell expression profiling of dopaminergic neurons – opens up new possibilities for analyzing genetic risk factors.
PDXK converts Vitamin B6 from food sources into its physiologically active form, which is the prerequisite for the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Parkinson’s disease is linked to the accelerated aging and dying off of neurons that produce dopamine. The decreased synthesis of this neurotransmitter explains most of the disease symptoms: The gradual progression of the neurological disease is accompanied by muscle rigor and tremor and a slowing of movement (bradykinesia). Besides the constraints on daily life caused by these symptoms, the postural instability of the body can lead to dangerous falls. Moreover, in the course of the disease sensory symptoms like paresthesia, vegetative disorders (e.g. bladder dysfunction) and depression as well as other psychological changes can occur.
"Our study elucidates how genetic and environmental factors such as dietary habits interact in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease,“ explained Dr. Matthias Elstner of the Neurological Clinic of LMU and Helmholtz Zentrum München, who is lead author of the study. Dr. Holger Prokisch, head of the research team studying mitochondrial diseases at Helmholtz Zentrum München and TU München, added: “Although this variant is responsible for only a slight contribution to the overall risk for Parkinson’s disease, our findings could aid in developing individualized therapies."
For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org
Monday, January 11, 2010
Stomach hormone protects against Parkinson’s disease
A hormone produced in the stomach may be used to boost resistance to Parkinson’s disease because of its protecting action on dopamine neurons.
Parkinson’s – a degenerative disease of the central nervous system - develops when dopamine cells die, and reduced production of dopamine in late-stage Parkinson’s can cause difficulty in walking, restricted or delayed movement, lack of appetite and difficulty eating, ‘freezing’ or motionlessness, and head and limb tremors. Researchers from Yale School of Medicine found that ghrelin, a hormone produced in the stomach, is protective of dopamine neurons.
“We also found that, in addition to its influence on appetite, ghrelin is responsible for direct activation of the brain’s dopamine cells. Because the hormone originates from the stomach, it is circulating normally in the body, so it could easily be used to boost resistance to Parkinson’s or it could be used to slow the development of the disease,” said Tamas Horvath, chair and professor of comparative medicine and professor of neurobiology and obstetrics & gynaecology at Yale School of Medicine.
Horvath - who studied the action of ghrelin in mice - suggests the results could easily be translated to humans because the ghrelin system is preserved through various species. Horvath and his colleagues conducted the study in mice that received a ghrelin supplement and those that were deficient in the hormone and receptor. When compared to control mice, those with impaired ghrelin action in the brain had a greater loss of dopamine.
Horvath and his team will now try to establish ghrelin levels in both healthy individuals and Parkinson’s patients, and determine whether altered ghrelin levels might be biomarkers of disease development and vulnerability.
Ghrelin is associated with the release of growth hormones, appetite, learning and memory, and reward circuitry for the brain that regulates food cravings. Recent studies show that body mass index, stored fat and diabetes are linked to Parkinson’s, and obesity is a risk factor for neurodegeneration in mice.
For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org
Parkinson’s – a degenerative disease of the central nervous system - develops when dopamine cells die, and reduced production of dopamine in late-stage Parkinson’s can cause difficulty in walking, restricted or delayed movement, lack of appetite and difficulty eating, ‘freezing’ or motionlessness, and head and limb tremors. Researchers from Yale School of Medicine found that ghrelin, a hormone produced in the stomach, is protective of dopamine neurons.
“We also found that, in addition to its influence on appetite, ghrelin is responsible for direct activation of the brain’s dopamine cells. Because the hormone originates from the stomach, it is circulating normally in the body, so it could easily be used to boost resistance to Parkinson’s or it could be used to slow the development of the disease,” said Tamas Horvath, chair and professor of comparative medicine and professor of neurobiology and obstetrics & gynaecology at Yale School of Medicine.
Horvath - who studied the action of ghrelin in mice - suggests the results could easily be translated to humans because the ghrelin system is preserved through various species. Horvath and his colleagues conducted the study in mice that received a ghrelin supplement and those that were deficient in the hormone and receptor. When compared to control mice, those with impaired ghrelin action in the brain had a greater loss of dopamine.
Horvath and his team will now try to establish ghrelin levels in both healthy individuals and Parkinson’s patients, and determine whether altered ghrelin levels might be biomarkers of disease development and vulnerability.
Ghrelin is associated with the release of growth hormones, appetite, learning and memory, and reward circuitry for the brain that regulates food cravings. Recent studies show that body mass index, stored fat and diabetes are linked to Parkinson’s, and obesity is a risk factor for neurodegeneration in mice.
For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org
Monday, January 4, 2010
World Parkinson Congress announced
The second World Parkinson Conference is coming very soon.
The World Parkinson Congress will be held in the UK in 2010 and people associated with the disease are being given the chance to get involved.
In its capacity as one of the five leading sponsors of the World Parkinson Congress, the Parkinson's Disease Society (PDS) is hoping to inspire individuals to consider issues much more at only the second congress of its kind.
Held in Glasgow between September 28th and October 1st 2010, the latest scientific discoveries, carers' initiatives and medical practices related to Parkinson's disease will be discussed by the leading authorities in the industry.
The event is open to anyone touched by Parkinson's, with neurologists, health professionals, scientists, people with Parkinson's and carers expected to gather to share knowledge and develop partnerships to identify best practice in order to further the development of a cure for the condition.
This week, the PDS announced that it is looking for people to join Trek Nepal, which it has described as one of the charity's "most exciting fundraising events of 2010".
For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org
The World Parkinson Congress will be held in the UK in 2010 and people associated with the disease are being given the chance to get involved.
In its capacity as one of the five leading sponsors of the World Parkinson Congress, the Parkinson's Disease Society (PDS) is hoping to inspire individuals to consider issues much more at only the second congress of its kind.
Held in Glasgow between September 28th and October 1st 2010, the latest scientific discoveries, carers' initiatives and medical practices related to Parkinson's disease will be discussed by the leading authorities in the industry.
The event is open to anyone touched by Parkinson's, with neurologists, health professionals, scientists, people with Parkinson's and carers expected to gather to share knowledge and develop partnerships to identify best practice in order to further the development of a cure for the condition.
This week, the PDS announced that it is looking for people to join Trek Nepal, which it has described as one of the charity's "most exciting fundraising events of 2010".
For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
