Simple test could help clinicians spot abnormal blood levels of dopamine in patients

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• The road ahead: 2021 January 25, 2021 # # # # At the start of each year, it is a useful practise to layout what is planned over the next 12 months. The events that are scheduled for the year to come, so that we can keep an eye out for them. Obviously, where 2021 will end actually is unpredictable, but an outline of what is scheduled…
• Parkinson’s: Simple Man November 23, 2021 “I’m a simple man, and I use simple materials.” L. S. Lowry “I’m a simple, simple man.” Jeremy Renner Introduction: There is a start and end to every blog post. The beginning of my post here takes one back to October 20, 1977. We were in a car, getting ready for the concert by Lynyrd Skynyrd, when we heard their…
• Not dead, dormant dopamine neurons?!? January 18, 2020   Every textbook written about the condition will tell you that the classical pathological characteristic of Parkinson’s is the loss of dopamine neurons in the midbrain region of the brain. It is the distinguishing feature that pathologists look for in order to provide a postmortem diagnosis of the condition. But what is meant by the words ‘loss of dopamine neurons’?…
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• Monthly Research Review – May 2021 May 31, 2021 # # # # At the end of each month the SoPD writes a post which provides an overview of some of the major pieces of Parkinson’s-related research that were made available during May 2021. The post is divided into 10 parts based on the type of research: Top 5 pieces of Parkinson’s news Articles of general interest Basic biology…
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• Repurposing bumetanide for Alzheimer’s October 15, 2021 # # # # Bumetanide (Bumex) is a diuretic drug (a medication that removes water, by increasing the production of urine). It is used to treat swelling caused by heart failure or liver or kidney disease. It is a widely used drug that has been well characterised in clinical use. Recently researchers conducted a screening study to identify clinically available…
• Natural (born) killers January 28, 2020   Today’s post starts with more of a biology lesson than usual, but it is important to understand where in the grand scheme of things a certain type of blood cell sits. That type of blood cell has a really cool name: Natural killer cells. Recently researchers at the University of Georgia (USA) published a report suggesting that natural killer…
• A nod to immunomod with fingolimod October 16, 2022 # # # # In general, your immune system does a truly amazing job of keeping you healthy and the dangerous pathogenic world around us at bay. Trillions of cells constantly monitoring for viruses and other illness-causing agents, and ruthlessly disposing of any that they actually find. But sometimes your immune system can get a little carried away with this…
• PD 101: Exercise, Medication, Nutrition & Lifestyle December 4, 2016 Since being diagnosed with PD in 2014, I've had the pleasure to meet individuals who have lived with Parkinson's for 10 to 20 years, and even longer. The common theme for living well with PD is regular exercise and staying active. PD may be a life sentence, but it is far from being a death sentence. Think of exercise as…
• Monthly Research Review: January 2022 January 31, 2022 # # # # At the end of each month the SoPD writes a post which provides an overview of some of the major pieces of Parkinson’s-related research that were made available during January 2022. The post is divided into 10 parts based on the type of research: Top 6 pieces of Parkinson’s news Articles of general interest Basic biology…
• When sonic hedgehog goes dyskinetic September 24, 2021 # # # # Dyskinesias are involuntary muscle movements associated with long-term use of levodopa therapy (use of levodopa is not a certainty for developing dyskinesias, but there is an association). A better understanding of the underlying biology of dyskinesias is required in order to alleviate this condition for those affected by it. Recently researchers have reported that an imbalance…
• T-cells: First responders November 4, 2020 # # # # The cause of the cell loss and pathology associated with Parkinson’s is still unknown. While the later stages of the condition have been well investigated based on various pathological marker (ie Braak staging), the early manifestations of the condition are still a mystery. Cells of the immune system are early responders to any signs of trouble…
• Monthly Research Review – November 2020 November 30, 2020   At the end of each month the SoPD writes a post which provides an overview of some of the major pieces of Parkinson’s-related research that were made available during November 2020. The post is divided into seven parts based on the type of research: Basic biology Disease mechanism Clinical research New clinical trials Clinical trial news Conferences/lectures Other news…
• Monthly research review – March 2021 March 31, 2021 # # # # At the end of each month the SoPD writes a post which provides an overview of some of the major pieces of Parkinson’s-related research that were made available during March 2021. The post is divided into ten parts based on the type of research: Top 5 pieces of Parkinson’s news Articles of general interest Basic biology…
• Monthly research review: February 2020 February 29, 2020   At the end of each month the SoPD writes a post which provides an overview of some of the major pieces of Parkinson’s-related research that were made available during February 2020. The post is divided into seven parts based on the type of research: Basic biology Disease mechanism Clinical research New clinical trials Clinical trial news Other news Review…