March 5, 2008

Launch Reception for NSTP:

A benefit to launch a new non profit corporation, Never Surrender to Parkinson's Inc. will be held on April 4, 2008, at the Saugatuck Rowing Club, Westport, Connecticut. The unique mission of NSTP is to provide educational and motivational material to enable those with PD, to fight back against the disease and to live life to the fullest. Paul Green, president of NSTP, will discuss the steps he takes to slow the progress of PD. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served. The entrance fee is $75 per person to benefit NSTP. NSTP is a tax exempt public charity under IRS code 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax deductible. For more information contact Paul Green e-mail: greenglobl@aol.com.

Pharmaceutical News:

Sunday, February 24, 2008

NY Times has an interesting report on a major breakthrough in neuroscience regarding the treatment of Schizophrenia with implications also for treating Parkinson's as well. It seems the scientists at Eli Lilly headed by Dr.Darryle D. Schoepp have focused their attention on the way that glutamate, a powerful neurotransmitter, tied together the brains most complex circuits. According to the Times report the scientists were daring to think differently. Now Merck, where Dr. Schoepp is currently working, has a deal with Addex Pharmaceuticals, a Swiss Company, to develop glutamate drugs for Schizophrenia, PARKINSON'S, and other diseases. Merck has paid Addex $23 million so far with more to come if the drugs move forward. For Dr. Schoepp the focus on glutamate is exciting and he is eagerly awaiting the results of clinical trials.

A report of a clinical study out of University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland, February 6, 2008, involving 7000 English men and women, indicates, according to lead author Christopher Meier, that calcium channel blocker drugs provide neuro protection and a 23% lower chance of getting PD. This classification of drug is used to control blood pressure. A similar clinical trial is underway at Northwestern University under the direction of Dr. J. Surmeier. Before the trial began with humans it had success with lab mice. I began taking a calcium channel blocker (trade name Dynacirc) a 10 milligram tablet once a day in August 2007, in the hope that the drug would also slow down the progression of the disease. It is now the middle of February, 2008 and I believe it is having a beneficial effect with no negative side effects. Ask your doctor regarding the use of calcium channel blocker drugs.

For three or four years I have had a skin irritation on my scalp. I am advised that this is a symptom of Parkinson's. I have been using Clobetasal Propionate, but with no success. By pure chance I found an over the counter shampoo. It is a tar Shampoo by the name of DHS. The label states it controls symptoms of Psoriasis, Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff. In any case it works and my scalp, after two or three treatments where I leave the shampoo lather on my scalp for three or four minutes, is working and my scalp is clear for he first time in years. If you have a skin problem caused by Parkinson's check out DHS with your dermatologist or internist before applying a similar treatment.

Review of Current articles:

A report in the New York Times (February 12, 2008) confirms that dancing in this case the tango - improved the balance of Parkinson participants in the study. The study appeared in the Journal of Neurology.

Dancing has always been an important part of the Never Surrender program. In my case I dance once a week at the Ballroom Elegance studio in Westport, Ct. and in addition to tango include quick step, swing, fox trot and waltz. I can confirm that dancing improves balance but also memory as you try and remember the steps. There are at least 10 different steps in swing alone. When I am wearing my heart monitor I see that dancing is an aerobic activity with the heart rate increasing almost as much as using the rowing machine. My teacher, Irina, checks me for posture. It is also a social activity making friends with other dancers.

If you aren't dancing, here is a good reason to get started. It's fun.

The March April issue of the AARP magazine headlines: Exercise Your Brain - How breaking a sweat can make you smarter.

We all know that exercise is good for the body. Now scientists are discovering it's good for the brain. In recent years researchers have found that exercise improves memory, concentration and abstract reasoning among older adults and may even delay the onset of Alzheimer's. It works like this: aerobic exercise increases blood flow to the brain which nourishes brain cells and allows them to function more effectively.....a recent study shows exercise actually promotes the growth of new neurons (brain cells) in the hippocamus. Scientists previously believed that brain cells once dead, were not replaced.

The same issue of AARP magazine reports:

Mental Muscle?

While yoga has long been known to affect mood, one yoga move in particular is getting attention for boosting brain power. Superbrain power as the exercise is called. is being practiced across the country as an antedote to brain drain.

The simple move boosts brain function by stimulating acupressure points on the earlobes.

Step One
Place your left hand on your right earlobe thumb on the front of the earlobe fingernail facing outward and second finger behind the earlobe. Then with your right hand grasp your left earlobe again keeping your thumb on the front of the lobe facing outward. Press booth earlobes simultaneously making sure left arm is close to your chest and inside your right arm.

Step 2
As you press your earlobes, squat down keeping your back straight. Do 10 to 12 deep bends, inhaling on the way down and exhaling through the mouth coming up.

Step 3
Repeat daily. It's like putting gas in your brain's tank. To learn more read Superbrain by Mastere Choa KOK SUI