scholarly journals Parkinson's Disease Management: Towards a New Paradigm

Author(s):  
Mark Guttman ◽  
Oksana Suchowersky

Over the past decade, management of Parkinson's disease has changed significantly due to the expansion of medical and surgical treatment modalities. Neurologists now have the ability (and the challenge) of choosing from multiple medications to devise an individual management strategy for each patient depending on his/her clinical symptoms and needs. Several different surgical therapies are also available. The topics covered in this supplement have highlighted the new options that are now available, as well as the treatments that have been in clinical usage. This review attempts to synthesize the information that is currently available in an attempt to help clinical neurologists make the appropriate choice for their patients.

2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (52) ◽  
pp. 2060-2069 ◽  
Author(s):  
András Guseo

Parkinson’s disease is one of the most frequent progressive degenerative disorders with unknown origin of the nervous system. The commutation of the disease on Guam led to the discovery of a neurotoxin which was also found in other continents. This neurotoxin was identified in the common cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Early clinical observations suggested some loose correlations with gastric and duodenal ulcer and Parkinson’s disease, while recent studies revealed a toxin, almost identical to that found in cyanobacteria in one strain of Helicobacter pylori, which proved to cause Parkinson like symptoms in animals. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that there is a slowly progressive poisoning in Parkinson’s disease. The disease specific alpha-sinuclein inclusions can be found in nerve cells of the intestinal mucosa far before the appearance of clinical symptoms indicating that the disease may start in the intestines. These results are strengthened by the results of Borody’s fecal transplants, after which in Parkinson patients showed a symptomatic improvement. Based on these observations the Parkinson puzzle is getting complete. Although these observations are not evidence based, they may indicate a new way for basic clinical research, as well as a new way of thinking for clinicians. These new observations in psycho-neuro-immunology strengthen the fact that immunological factors may also play a critical factor facilitating local cell necrosis which may be influenced easily. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 2060–2069.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 371
Author(s):  
Patrycja Pawlik ◽  
Katarzyna Błochowiak

Many neurodegenerative diseases present with progressive neuronal degeneration, which can lead to cognitive and motor impairment. Early screening and diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are necessary to begin treatment before the onset of clinical symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease. Biomarkers have shown great potential as a diagnostic tool in the early diagnosis of many diseases, including AD and PD. However, screening for these biomarkers usually includes invasive, complex and expensive methods such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampling through a lumbar puncture. Researchers are continuously seeking to find a simpler and more reliable diagnostic tool that would be less invasive than CSF sampling. Saliva has been studied as a potential biological fluid that could be used in the diagnosis and early screening of neurodegenerative diseases. This review aims to provide an insight into the current literature concerning salivary biomarkers used in the diagnosis of AD and PD. The most commonly studied salivary biomarkers in AD are β-amyloid1-42/1-40 and TAU protein, as well as α-synuclein and protein deglycase (DJ-1) in PD. Studies continue to be conducted on this subject and researchers are attempting to find correlations between specific biomarkers and early clinical symptoms, which could be key in creating new treatments for patients before the onset of symptoms.


2003 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Kisok Kim ◽  
Chang Ok Kim ◽  
Youngbuhm Huh ◽  
Byeongwoo Ahn ◽  
Beom Seok Han ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyota Fujita ◽  
Yusaku Nakabeppu ◽  
Mami Noda

Since the first description of Parkinson's disease (PD) nearly two centuries ago, a number of studies have revealed the clinical symptoms, pathology, and therapeutic approaches to overcome this intractable neurodegenerative disease. 1-methy-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) are neurotoxins which produce Parkinsonian pathology. From the animal studies using these neurotoxins, it has become well established that oxidative stress is a primary cause of, and essential for, cellular apoptosis in dopaminergic neurons. Here, we describe the mechanism whereby oxidative stress evokes irreversible cell death, and propose a novel therapeutic strategy for PD using molecular hydrogen. Hydrogen has an ability to reduce oxidative damage and ameliorate the loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuronal pathway in two experimental animal models. Thus, it is strongly suggested that hydrogen might provide a great advantage to prevent or minimize the onset and progression of PD.


2013 ◽  
Vol 71 (9A) ◽  
pp. 591-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raimundo Nonato Campos-Sousa ◽  
Elizabeth Maria Aparecida Barasnevicius Quagliato ◽  
Kelson James Almeida ◽  
Inacio Augusto Dias de Castro ◽  
Viriato Campelo

Introduction Detrusor hyperactivity is the leading cause of urinary dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD). There are few studies correlating PD clinical aspects with this autonomic feature. Methods A cohort of 63 women with PD were prospectively examined for assessment of clinical aspects and disease severity using unified Parkinson's disease rating scale and Hoehn-Yahr scale, respectively. The urologic function was evaluated by the urodynamic study. Two groups were categorized at this time - groups with and without detrusor hyperactivity. After seven years, the same parameters were re-evaluated. Results Progression of the disease on mental scores was found in the group with detrusor hyperactivity. On follow-up, clinical symptoms and severity did not show significant worsening between the groups. Conclusion Detrusor hyperactivity is a frequent urodynamic finding in PD, and even though it is associated with dopaminergic dysfunction, it cannot be blamed as a factor of worsening motor performance, but is probably associated with poor cognitive and mental prognosis.


2021 ◽  
pp. e35
Author(s):  
Akintomiwa I. Makanjuola ◽  
Funmilola T. Taiwo ◽  
Joseph O. Yaria ◽  
Rufus O. Akinyemi ◽  
Adesola Ogunniyi

Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains a common neurodegenerative movement disorder with significant morbidity, which is expected to increase worldwide in the coming decades. Since its initial description, much has been elucidated about its etiology, pathogenesis, and the role of genetic and environmental risk factors. Effective treatments, including surgical therapies, have been discovered. Despite these strides, many questions remain unanswered; PD remains an active research area with ongoing efforts to discover newer treatment modalities and identify neuroprotective strategies. As with many neurological conditions, there is an unequal distribution of health resources, resulting in some management challenges in low resource settings, especially sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In this communication, we provide an overview of PD etiopathogenesis, including genetics and management strategies, including some recent advances with respect to treatment options and disease modification approaches. Finally, we discuss some challenges of PD management in low-resource settings and highlight efforts to turn the tide.


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