scholarly journals Neuroprotection or Neurotoxicity of Illicit Drugs on Parkinson’s Disease

Life ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Carla Ferreira ◽  
Catarina Almeida ◽  
Sandra Tenreiro ◽  
Alexandre Quintas

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is currently the most rapid growing neurodegenerative disease and over the past generation, its global burden has more than doubled. The onset of PD can arise due to environmental, sporadic or genetic factors. Nevertheless, most PD cases have an unknown etiology. Chemicals, such as the anthropogenic pollutant 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and amphetamine-type stimulants, have been associated with the onset of PD. Conversely, cannabinoids have been associated with the treatment of the symptoms’. PD and medical cannabis is currently under the spotlight, and research to find its benefits on PD is on-going worldwide. However, the described clinical applications and safety of pharmacotherapy with cannabis products are yet to be fully supported by scientific evidence. Furthermore, the novel psychoactive substances are currently a popular alternative to classical drugs of abuse, representing an unknown health hazard for young adults who may develop PD later in their lifetime. This review addresses the neurotoxic and neuroprotective impact of illicit substance consumption in PD, presenting clinical evidence and molecular and cellular mechanisms of this association. This research area is utterly important for contemporary society since illicit drugs’ legalization is under discussion which may have consequences both for the onset of PD and for the treatment of its symptoms.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan P. Feeney ◽  
Danny Bega ◽  
Benzi M. Kluger ◽  
A. Jon Stoessl ◽  
Christiana M. Evers ◽  
...  

AbstractSymptomatic management of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is complex and many symptoms, especially non-motor symptoms, are not effectively addressed with current medications. In the US, cannabis has become more widely available for medical and recreational use, permitting those in the PD community to try alternative means of symptom control. However, little is known about the attitudes towards, and experiences with, cannabis use among those living with PD. To address this shortcoming, we distributed an anonymous survey to 7,607 people with PD in January 2020 and received 1339 responses (17.6%). 1064 complete responses were available for analysis. Respondents represented 49 states with a mean age of 71.2 years (±8.3) and mean PD duration of 7.4 years (±6.2). About a quarter of respondents (24.5%) reported cannabis use within the previous six months. Age and gender were found to be predictors of cannabis use in this sample (Age OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.93 to 0.97; Male OR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.03). Users reported learning about cannabis use from the internet/news (30.5%) and friends or other people with PD (26.0%). Cannabis users were more likely to report insufficient control of their non-motor symptoms with prescription medications than non-users (p = 0.03). Cannabis was primarily used for PD (63.6%) and was most often used to treat nonmotor symptoms of anxiety (45.5%), pain (44.0%), and sleep disorders (44.0%). However, nearly a quarter of users (23.0%) also reported they had stopped cannabis use in the previous six months, primarily due to a lack of symptom improvement (35.5%). Three quarters of respondents (75.5%) did not use cannabis, primarily because there was a lack of scientific evidence supporting efficacy (59.9%). Our results suggest that the lack of formal guidance or research evidence about cannabis for PD may in part underlie inconsistencies in both use and reported effectiveness.


Author(s):  
Love Kumar

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common known neurodegenerative disorder with unknown etiology. It was estimated about 0.3% prevalence in the U.S population and enhance to 4 to 5% in older than 85 years. All studies were depending on the molecular docking where all ligands and protein PARK7 (PDB ID: 2RK3) were interacted by docked process. Some natural compounds was selected such as Harmine, Alloxan, Alpha spinasterol, Myrcene, and Vasicinone and PARK7 (PDB ID: 2RK3) protein. According to the PyRx and SWISS ADME result, Harmine was the only ligand which was showing minimum binding affinity. AutoDock Vina software was used for docking process between ligand (Harmine) and receptor protein PARK7 (PDB ID: 2RK3). The result was visualized under PyMol. Harmine was inhibiting the activity of PARK7 (PDB ID: 2RK3) and it may be used for the treatment of PD in future prospect after its in vitro and in vivo studies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Palacios

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease of unknown etiology that is thought to be caused by a complex combination of environmental and/or genetic factors. Air pollution exposure is linked to numerous adverse effects on human health, including brain inflammation and oxidative stress, processes that are believed to contribute to the development and progression of PD. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the epidemiology of air pollution and PD, including evidence of the effects of various pollutants (ozone, PM


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahira Farooqui ◽  
Akhlaq A. Farooqui

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative movement disorder of unknown etiology. PD is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, depletion of dopamine in the striatum, abnormal mitochondrial and proteasomal functions, and accumulation ofα-synuclein that may be closely associated with pathological and clinical abnormalities. Increasing evidence indicates that both oxidative stress and inflammation may play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of PD. Oxidative stress is characterized by increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and depletion of glutathione. Lipid mediators for oxidative stress include 4-hydroxynonenal, isoprostanes, isofurans, isoketals, neuroprostanes, and neurofurans. Neuroinflammation is characterized by activated microglial cells that generate proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-αand IL-1β. Proinflammatory lipid mediators include prostaglandins and platelet activating factor, together with cytokines may play a prominent role in mediating the progressive neurodegeneration in PD.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan P. Feeney ◽  
Danny Bega ◽  
Benzi M. Kluger ◽  
A. Jon Stoessl ◽  
Christiana M. Evers ◽  
...  

AbstractSymptomatic management of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is complex and many symptoms, especially non-motor symptoms, are not effectively addressed with current medications. In the US, cannabis has become more widely available for medical and recreational use, permitting those in the PD community to try alternative means of symptom control. However, little is known about the attitudes towards, and experiences with, cannabis use among those living with PD. To address this shortcoming, we distributed an anonymous survey to 7,607 people with PD in January 2020 and received 1,064 complete responses for analysis (14%). Respondents represented 49 states with a mean age of 71.2 years (± 8.3) and mean PD duration of 7.4 years (± 6.2). About a quarter of respondents (24.5%) reported cannabis use within the previous six months. Users reported learning about cannabis use from the internet/news (30.5%) and friends or other people with PD (26.0%). Cannabis users were more likely to report insufficient control of their non-motor symptoms with prescription medications than non-users (p < 0.005). Cannabis was primarily used for PD (63.6%) and was most often used to treat nonmotor symptoms of anxiety (45.5%), pain (44.0%) and sleep disorders (44.0%). However, nearly a quarter of users (23.0%) also reported they had stopped cannabis use in the previous six months, primarily due to a lack of symptom improvement (35.5%). Three quarters of respondents (75.5%) did not use cannabis, primarily because there was a lack of scientific evidence supporting efficacy (59.9%). Our results suggest that the lack of formal guidance or research evidence about cannabis for PD may in part underlie inconsistencies in both use and reported effectiveness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Maricica Pacurari ◽  
Amal Mitra ◽  
Timothy Turner

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease with an unknown etiology mainly characterized by a progressive decline of lung function due to the scarring of the tissue deep in the lungs. The overall survival after diagnosis remains low between 3 and 5 years. IPF is a heterogeneous disease and much progress has been made in the past decade in understanding the disease mechanisms that contributed to the development of two new drugs, pirfenidone and nintedanib, which improved the therapeutic management of the disease. The understanding of the cofactors and comorbidities of IPF also contributed to improved management of the disease outcome. In the present review, we evaluate scientific evidence which indicates IPF as a risk factor for other diseases based on the complexity of molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the disease development and of comorbidities. We conclude from the existing literature that while much progress has been made in understating the mechanisms involved in IPF development, further studies are still necessary to fully understand IPF pathogenesis which will contribute to the identification of novel therapeutic targets for IPF management as well as other diseases for which IPF is a major risk factor.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Ferhat Yenilmez ◽  
Odette Fründt ◽  
Ute Hidding ◽  
Carsten Buhmann

Background: Little is known about the patients’ view on treatment with medical cannabis (MC) for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Objective: To assess the PD community’s perception of MC and patients’ experience with MC. Methods: Applying a questionnaire-based survey, we evaluated general knowledge and interest in MC as well as the frequency, modalities, efficacy, and tolerability of application. Questionnaires were distributed nationwide via the membership journal of the German Parkinson Association and locally in our clinic to control for report bias. Results: Overall, 1.348 questionnaires (1.123 nationwide, 225 local) were analysed. 51% of participants were aware of the legality of MC application, 28% of various routes of administration (ROA) and 9% of the difference between delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). PD-related cannabis use was reported by 8.4% of patients and associated with younger age, living in large cities and better knowledge about the legal and clinical aspects of MC. Reduction of pain and muscle cramps was reported by more than 40% of cannabis users. Stiffness/akinesia, freezing, tremor, depression, anxiety and restless legs syndrome subjectively improved for more than 20% and overall tolerability was good. Improvement of symptoms was reported by 54% of users applying oral CBD and 68% inhaling THC-containing cannabis. Compared to CBD intake, inhalation of THC was more frequently reported to reduce akinesia and stiffness (50.0% vs. 35.4%; p <  0.05). Interest in using MC was reported by 65% of non-users. Conclusion: MC is considered as a therapeutic option by many PD patients. Nevertheless, efficacy and different ROA should further be investigated.


Author(s):  
J. David Grimes ◽  
Mohamed N. Hassan ◽  
Jay Thakar

ABSTRACT:It is postulated that endogenous oxidative mechanisms are a major factor in the continuing death of dopaminergic neurons and the progression of Parkinson's disease. Scientific evidence in support of, and negating, the free radical auto-toxicity and dopamine toxicity concepts is reviewed. There is conflicting evidence whether free radicals are involved in the toxicity of l-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and attempts to prevent the toxicity of MPTP with antioxidant therapy have had variable results. The oxidation of dopamine by monoamine oxidase produces toxic metabolites however animal studies with high dose longterm levodopa and MPTP have failed to show clear evidence for autoxidation. Firm supportive evidence is obtained from the monoamine oxidase B inhibitor experience which demonstrated a block of the toxicity of MPTP in animals and probable prolongation of the course of human Parkinson's disease.The scientific data available is inconclusive but there is significant hope of retarding progressive catecholaminergic neuron degenerative changes by augmenting the free radical scavenging system with antioxidants (such as Vitamin E) and slowing catecholamine oxidation by monoamine oxidase B inhibition. Careful clinical trials with these agents must be performed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-41
Author(s):  
Yu-Ting Tseng ◽  
Sanaz Khosravani ◽  
Arash Mahnan ◽  
Jürgen Konczak

This review addresses the role of exercise as an intervention for treating neurological disease. It focuses on three major neurological diseases that either present in acute or neurodegenerative forms—Parkinson’s disease, cerebellar ataxia, and cortical stroke. Each of the diseases affects primarily different brain structures, namely the basal ganglia, the cerebellum, and the cerebrum. These structures are all known to be involved in motor control, and the dysfunction of each structure leads to distinct movement deficits. The review summarizes current knowledge on how exercise can aid rehabilitation or therapeutic efforts. In addition, it addresses the role of robotic devices in enhancing available therapies by reviewing how robot-aided therapies may promote the recovery for stroke survivors. It highlights recent scientific evidence in support of exercise as a treatment for brain dysfunction, but also outlines the still open challenges for unequivocally demonstrating the benefits of exercise.


Author(s):  
Manuel Joaquín Machado Sotomayor ◽  
Víctor Arufe-Giráldez ◽  
Gerardo Ruíz-Rico ◽  
Rubén Navarro-Patón

Parkinson’s disease can be approached from various points of view, one of which is music therapy—a complementary therapy to a pharmacological one. This work aims to compile the scientific evidence published in the last five years (2015–2020) on the effects of music therapy in patients with Parkinson’s disease. A systematic review has been performed using the Web of Science and Scopus databases with the descriptors “music therapy” and “Parkinson’s disease”. A total of 281 eligible articles were identified, which, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were reduced to 58 papers. The results display a great diversity of evidence, confirming positive effects on various spheres. All mentioned patients with Parkinson’s disease had experienced different music therapy programs. Some studies focused on the motor component, which can be addressed through listening, body rhythm, and rhythmic auditory stimulation. Other studies confirm effects on communication, swallowing, breathing, and the emotional aspect through programs that focus on singing, either individually or in groups, in order to improve the quality of life of people with PD. It was concluded that music therapy programs can achieve improvements in various areas of patients with Parkinson’s.


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