Author Topic: Parkinsons Disease (Read 38 times)

AGelbert · « **on:** February 20, 2023, 01:54:17 pm »

Feb 17, 2023

Partnering with Morehouse School of Medicine to Diversify Genetic Data

SNIPPETS:

Chantale Branson, MD, is the first-ever movement disorders specialist — a neurologist with specialized training — to work at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. In addition to treating and helping people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), she is committed to improving the health disparities that Black and African American individuals face in the PD community.

Under Dr. Branson’s direction, Morehouse is the first historically Black institution of medicine to become a PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson’s Disease research site. Every research site works alongside the Parkinson’s Foundation to offer genetic testing and counseling to people with PD, in English or Spanish, at no cost. ... ...
Acknowledging History to Create Change

Today there are numerous regulations in place set to ensure clinical trials follow ethical practices, but this was not always the case. “Due to the historical issues and in regard to race in the United States, research has not been very common within the community, particularly within different diseases such as the Parkinson’s disease and neurological disorders,” said Dr. Branson.

The notorious Tuskegee study that was reported nearly 50 years ago, where researchers withheld detrimental treatments from hundreds of Black men in Alabama for decades, is still top of mind when it comes to distrust in medicine and research among Black and African Americans.

Dr. Branson also references the story of Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman who died of cervical cancer in 1951. Tissue samples of her cancerous cells were given to a researcher and shared with others without Henrietta’s knowledge or informed consent — a historical lesson that is now a staple of medical ethics. Known today as HeLa cells, these cells remain a vital tool in disease research due to their ability to endure and replicate in the laboratory.

Openly discussing these and the other historical wrongs of medical and research communities, as well as reminding patients of the safeguards in place that help protect them in research studies are cornerstones for how Dr. Branson practices medicine. “Sometimes patients may have preconceived notions or ideas about the clinical research history within the Black community. Having that conversation about understanding the past in order to discuss the 😕🤔 present is very important,” said Dr. Branson.

Read more:

https://www.parkinson.org/blog/research/morehouse-school-medicine

AGelbert · « **Reply #1 on:** April 26, 2023, 12:19:04 pm »

April 26, 2023

SNIPPET:

A recent study adds promising new data to support a test that may allow Parkinson’s disease (PD) to be diagnosed before symptoms appear.

Central to Parkinson’s, a protein called alpha-synuclein helps brain cells function. When these proteins misfold (meaning they are not shaped properly) they cannot function normally. Certain types of misfolded alpha-synuclein act as “seeds” that spread, much like a red sock in the washing machine can turn everything pink. When these misfolded proteins clump together, they eventually kill brain cells, and PD symptoms appear.

Brain Scan

The Study

By the time a doctor makes a Parkinson’s diagnosis, the disease has most likely progressed for years. However, a recent study adds promising new data to support a new diagnostic test. The study builds on prior research, using a test called an alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay (SAA) that distinguishes between people who do or do not have Parkinson’s. The new study found that:

► Alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay detected early Parkinson’s 87% of the time.

► In volunteers who did not have Parkinson’s, the test showed the absence of the disease 96% of the time.

The test’s ability to detect Parkinson’s using misfolded protein measurements make it a promising potential tool, but what does this study mean to people with PD right now?

Full article:
https://www.parkinson.org/blog/science-news/seed-amplification-assay

December 30, 2022

SNIPPET:
Air pollutants include gases and particulate matter, or microscopic solids or liquid droplets. Pollutant gases include nitrogen dioxide and black carbon, which are derived mostly from the burning of fossil fuel, and ozone, which results from pollutants emitted from cars, power plants, refineries, and chemical plants.

Full article:

Long-term Exposure to Air Pollution Tied to Parkinson’s ☠️ Mortality

S.T.

News:

Author Topic: Parkinsons Disease (Read 38 times)

AGelbert

Parkinsons Disease

AGelbert

Re: Parkinsons Disease ► Alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay detected early Parkinson’s 87% of the time.