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.
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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.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
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
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