Parkinson’s disease is one of the conditions that have attracted a lot of researchers for many years. There are more than 23,000 scientific research articles about this condition in the United States alone. This huge number is a sign of relentless efforts by scientists to find breakthroughs in diagnosis, control and treatment of a condition that affects more than one million Americans. Here are the top five research breakthroughs in Parkinson’s disease so far.
A Test for Early-Stage Parkinson’s
A new test published online in February 2017 has revealed that a unique molecule connected to the Parkinson’s can be detected in spinal fluids. The test marks the beginning of a series of explorations to discover several diagnostic methodologies for this condition. The study focused on neurofilament, a protein component of nerve cells released when the cells die. The test involved 500 patients with long-term and unidentified cases of Parkinson’s and ADH. The test’s sensitivity was 70 percent for those in the early stages and 82 percent in advanced cases. This test will also help distinguish Parkinson’s disease from other conditions with similar symptoms.
Stem Cell Treatment
Researchers working with laboratory rats have proved that it is possible to make dopamine cells from stem cells. They also discovered that it is possible to transplant the dopamine into the brain. The new dopamine cells will replace the cells lost to Parkinson’s and prevent further damages to the healthy cells in the brain. The researchers say that it is possible to make dopamine cells from the human embryonic stem cells. Dopamine cells are crucial since they release a chemical that helps regulate movement and emotional responses. The trial treatments have already begun all over the world. A team of doctors in Australia successfully injected stem cells into a 64-year-old patient in September 2016. Many hospitals are expected to embrace this new treatment throughout 2017.
New Genes Linked to Early Onset of Parkinson’s
An article published online in November 2016 revealed a new gene mutation associated with the early onset of Parkinson’s disease. The research was conducted on 522 people. 289 of them had Parkinson’s and were not on medication. The other 233 were healthy. Those with the mutated GCH 1 gene had a 23 percent increased risk of developing Parkinson’s earlier than expected. This new research could help those with a family history of the disease to go for early diagnosis and seek appropriate treatment before it advances and causes complications.
Exercise Can Prevent and Control Parkinson’s
Vigorous exercises can help lower the risks of Parkinson’s disease. More than 143,300 men and women from the United States were studied for a period of 10 years. The participants were advised to do moderate to vigorous exercises such as jogging, swimming and running. According to the report, the most active were the least likely to develop Parkinson’s. Those who did vigorous exercises reported the best results. According to researchers, exercise releases proteins in the brain. It maintains the brain connections and prevents the cells from aging and dying easily.
Nilotinib Leukemia Drug
A study has produced evidence that Nilotinib could reduce the effects of Parkinson’s. The drug, which is approved by the FDA, increases the dopamine levels in the brain. It also reduces the number of harmful proteins linked to the quick progression of Parkinson’s. The study tested 12 patients who were on Nilotinib for six months. The outcome of the test among the 12 patients was good. Researchers say that the drug appears to be safe and well tolerated by all patients, regardless of race or gender.
The scientific breakthroughs discussed above indicate advanced steps towards finding the cure for Parkinson’s. We hope that people with this condition will no longer have to suffer in the coming years.
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