Parkies-please Read!!!

[MargieB]

JMJ


Hi Everyone!

Margie here. I have typed out something that might be of interest to all of you here on the Forum.

"Even though the use of Isradipine has been used for lower bp and to help heart attack patients...it ..."MIGHT SLOW OR STOP PARKINSON'S DISEASE"

Just a few days ago is the first time I have ever heard of Isradipine. I did a little research and found the following article on: http:www.futurepundit.com/archives/004310.html

I also found out that there are many Web Sites that discuss this medication.

It is about a medication called: Isradipine (Brand Name Dyna Circ).

"ISRADIPINE MIGHT SLOW OR STOP PARKINSON'S DISEASE

June 10, 2007

http://www.FuturePundit.com/archives/004310.html

"Isradipine might shift dopamine neurons into a state that is less stressful and by doing so slow the progression of Prkinson's."[COLOR="Black"]

CHICAGO --- Northwestern University researchers have discovered a drug that slows - and may even halt - the progression of Parkinson's disease. The drug rejuvenates aging dopamine cells, whose death in the brain causes the symptoms of this devastating and widespread disease.

D. James Surmeier, the Nathan Smith Davis Professor and chair of physiology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, and his team of researchers have found that isradipine, a drug widely used for hypertension and stroke, restores stressed-out dopamine neurons to their vigorus younger selves.

The study is described in a feature article in the international journal NATURE, which will be published on-line June 10.

What would isradipine do for aging minds in geneeral: We all have dopamine neurons. Those neurons age in all of us, albeit at a slower rate than they age in people who have Parkinson's.

Decades of research have not produced a single drug that slows the rate of neuronal cell death in Parkinson's.

"There has not been a major advance in the pharmacological management of Parkinson's disease for 30 years," Surmeier said.

Thousands of drugs exist in pharmacies. Why did it take decades before someone tried isradipine? Surmeier made a basic discovery about the behavior of adult dopaminergic neurons: unlike most neurons they use calcium for signaling rather than sodium.

First, Surmeier observed that dopamine neurons are non-stop workers called pacemakers. They generate regular electrical signals seven days a week, 24 hours a day, just like pacemaker cells in the heart. This was already known. But then he probed more deeply and discovered something very strange about these dopamine neurons.

Most pacemaking neurons use sodium ions (like those found in table salt) to produce electrical signals. But Surmeier found that adult dopamine neurons use calcium instead.

Actually, other types of neurons use calcium as well though in a more limited manner. My knowledge on this is rather dated at this point but calcium fluxes across membranes help initiate waves of depolarization at the dendrite end of neurons when neurotransmitters bind to a dendrite's receptors. But apparently dopamine neurons use calcium more extensively and instead of sodium.

Aged dopamine neurons switch to using calcium instead of sodium (why?) and this calcium has toxic effects on dopamine neurons that probably makes them wear out more rapidly.

When the neurons are young, Surmeier found they actually use sodium ions to do their work. But as the neurons age, they become more and more dependent on the troublesome calcium and stop using sodium. This calcium dependence - and the stress it causes the neurons -- is what makes them more vulnerable to death.

So then would long term use of isradipine slow general brain aging?

Surmeier decided to block off calcium channels in dopamine cells by use of isradipine. The result: the dopamine cells switched over to use of less toxic sodium instead.

What would happen, Surmeier wondered, if he simply blocked the calcium's route into the adult neuron cells? "Would the neurons revert to their youthful behavior and start using sodium again?"

"The cells had put away their old childhood tools in the closet. The question was if we stopped them from behaving like adults would they go into the closet and get them out again?" Surmeier asked. "Sure enough, they did."

When he gave the mice isradipine, it blocked the calcium from entering the dopamine neuron. At first, the dopamine neurons became silent. But within a few hours, they had reverted to their childhood ways, once again using sodium to get their work done.

"This lowers the cells' stress level and makes them much more resistant to any other insult that's going to come along down the road. They start acting like they're youngsters again" Surmeier said.

Hat's off to this scientist and his team. God job.

BY RANDALL PARKER AT 2007 JUNE 10 02:04 PM Brain Aging|Track Back"

If you get to read this and you post to someone else on the Forum, maybe you could mention this article to them. I've posted it twice probably in the wrong place so no one has read it as of this moment. I hope it is of interest to anyone who does read it.

Maybe we could all ask our neurologists regarding Isradipine (Dyne Circ) and it could be helpful to PD patients.

God Bless Us All!

Margie :)

[jane]

Hello Margie
I have just seen your article and have printed it so I can read it in my own time. Will get back to you when I have raad it
Good night Jane

[mappergal]

Someone else posted this article on this site a couple months back and I immediately sent it to my support group. The problem with this is the date is over a year ago. I checked trials and didn't see anything. I wonder what happened. It just seems to have stopped.

[Drew Saunders]

What I about to type may be controversial but having trawled the internet for some years now reference PD has made me look at anything re PD from American websites with a jaundiced eye. In my opinion most American sites are sponsored by Pharmaceutical Companies promoting their products. Therefore any claims that are made by these sites have to be confirmed by sites that are unbiased in their opinion i.e in UK "gov.org" in US who knows? I don't mean to insult members of this forum from the US of A but just try and read between the lines and sniff out any promotional material. I am sure I have stirred up a hornet's nest but by doing so may promote thoughts about what you read. In conclusion I trust imput by the members of this forum rather than some of the more far-fetched articles I have read on the WWW.
I would be interested in your thoughts, Drew

[mappergal]

Drew, I agree with what you wrote but this study came from Northwestern University, not a drug company so that is why I gave it more credence than other things I read on the web. Maybe a drug company wouldn't test out their findings????

[mappergal]

Ok, I did some more research on this, the Michael J Fox Foundation has given this Doctor and his team a grant to further determine if this treatment might work. Also this drug is now available in generic so no RX company is in charge of the study.
http://www.michaeljfox.org/research_MJFFfundingPortfolio_searchableAwardedGra nts_3.cfm?ID=361

[MargieB]

What I about to type may be controversial but having trawled the internet for some years now reference PD has made me look at anything re PD from American websites with a jaundiced eye. In my opinion most American sites are sponsored by Pharmaceutical Companies promoting their products. Therefore any claims that are made by these sites have to be confirmed by sites that are unbiased in their opinion i.e in UK "gov.org" in US who knows? I don't mean to insult members of this forum from the US of A but just try and read between the lines and sniff out any promotional material. I am sure I have stirred up a hornet's nest but by doing so may promote thoughts about what you read. In conclusion I trust imput by the members of this forum rather than some of the more far-fetched articles I have read on the WWW.
I would be interested in your thoughts, Drew

Hi Drew, I disagree with what you wrote...What Mappergal says shed light on the fact that why would the Michael J. Fox Foundation give a grant to Dr. James Surmeier and his team to further study what this medication could do for PD.

Their founder, Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with PD at a very young age. To me this says a lot on the positive side. There is no Pharmaceutical Company trying to get rich...of course one of them will if this medication proves to be effective. But here is a man, who himself has Parkinson's and his Foundation is giving Dr. Surmeier and his team a grant. Grants aren't given just for the fun of it. Grants here in the US of A are hard to come by. There has to be a very legitimate and strong reason for giving one. A Grant from a large Foundation such as Mr. Fox's is no fluke or handout...The Doctor and his team will have to work d*** hard to prove their findings.

What Mappergal says is legitimate. It is from a University, not a Pharmaceutical Company. To me it carries more weight because they have no axe to grind either way. Sure, they can make a big name for themselves...but wouldn't they look foolish if it were just a 'joke'...and I can't picture a big University like Northwestern would risk their reputation on something that doesn't have any credence. Think about it.

Also, I just happened to know of this particular site but if you will note what I wrote in a previous Thread/Post...there are many other sites that have information on Isradipine (Brand Name Dyna Circ).

I'm not a Polyanna, with pie in the sky dreams. I am the wife of a man who suffers greatly because of PD. But I'm no fool either. The 'backers' of this medication are hard workers. Their work is real...legitimate...impressive and has some positive findings. As Mappergal said...it is available in generic so there is no Pharmaceutical Company backing it.

Yes, they will be famous but why not let them be famous if what they are working on becomes a medication that will finally put an end to Parkinson's.

Just my opinion. Thanks for yours.
Margie

[MargieB]

Ok, I did some more research on this, the Michael J Fox Foundation has given this Doctor and his team a grant to further determine if this treatment might work. Also this drug is now available in generic so no RX company is in charge of the study.
http://www.michaeljfox.org/research_MJFFfundingPortfolio_searchableAwardedGra nts_3.cfm?ID=361

Hi Mappergal, Thanks for your input. Michael J. Fox, himself, has Parkinson's. You might know that already because you knew of his Website. He is a strong advocate in finding a cure for PD. He got it as a very young man.

In my opinion, if the Michael J. Fox Foundation has given Dr. Surmeier and his team a grant to further determine if this treatment might work...that says a lot. Mr. Fox would personally benefit from this medication if it is proven to work...as I said previously...he has PD and knows, hopes and understand how wonderful it would be to find a medication that would do what Isradipine might do to slow or stop PD.

I understand what Drew is trying to say but I disagree with his skepticism. He makes some good points but other than that...again...I disagree with his skepticism.

Let's see if anyone else on the Forum has anything to contribute regarding this matter.

Hope you are sleeping well Mappergal, as I am writing this...and I hope your Monday is a good one.

Until next time.
Margie:)

[MargieB]

Someone else posted this article on this site a couple months back and I immediately sent it to my support group. The problem with this is the date is over a year ago. I checked trials and didn't see anything. I wonder what happened. It just seems to have stopped.

Hi Mappergal,

I was the someone else that posted the article awhile back. Eventhough the date is over a year ago...there has been continuing research...as you, yourself found out that The Michael J. Fox Foundation has given Dr. James Surmeier and his team a grant to proceed with their findings. Glad you didn't give up on your research.
Margie :)

[MargieB]

Hello Margie
I have just seen your article and have printed it so I can read it in my own time. Will get back to you when I have raad it
Good night Jane

Hello Jane, I'm glad you saw the article I typed out for the Forum members. Take your time and read it and then read the posts that Mappergal and others have submitted. Mappergal put the Web Site of Michael J. Fox on her post. He, himself was diagnosed with Parkinson's at a very young age. His foundation is one of the biggest research foundations looking for a cure for PD. The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Get the Web address from Mappergal's post and go on Mr. Fox's site. I think you will like what you see.

I hope you are sleeping well tonight and that your Monday will be a good one.

Good night now - Margie :)

[susan wheatley]

margie i agree with what you said if it means improving things for pd sufferers or maybe just maybe a cure then it cant be a bad thing and if its a university and not some big drug company then they only have the welfare of pd sufferers at heart, and should be given all the help that they can get.

[Drew Saunders]

The M J Fox outfit are backed by Pharmactical Companies.
If it works for you then fine but having spoken to another member of this forum who is a registered nurse confirmed above. I do not want to get into an arguement about the rights or wrongs of a given web site. I repeat - just be aware - end of story

[Drew Saunders]

margie i agree with what you said if it means improving things for pd sufferers or maybe just maybe a cure then it cant be a bad thing and if its a university and not some big drug company then they only have the welfare of pd sufferers at heart, and should be given all the help that they can get.

Where do you think these universities get there funding from?

[MargieB]

Where do you think these universities get there funding from?

Hi Drew,

I'm glad you spoke with another member of this forum who is a Registered Nurse and she confirmed what you said. Good for you.

Sometimes there are two sides to one 'story' and they both can be correct...or just to make the statement complete...they can both be wrong. It doesn't necessarily mean that one is correct and the other is incorrect.

I don't want to get into an argument about the rights or wrongs of a given web site either. My time is too valuable.

I will be aware.

Have a good day with Elaine.

Margie :)

[MargieB]

Hi Drew,

I'm glad you spoke with another member of this forum who is a Registered Nurse and she confirmed what you said.

But isn't is possible that sometimes there are two sides to one 'story' and they both can be correct...or just to make the statement complete...they can both be wrong. It doesn't necessarily mean that one is correct and the other is incorrect.

I don't want to get into an argument about the rights or wrongs of a given web site either. I know and understand what you are trying to warn me about. You don't want me to believe everything I read on the Interenet and be hoodwinked into believing something that is false. I appreciate that. But on the other hand, I must tell you that I have found some very legitimate and helpful sites on many topics. For instance...what about our own Forum that Leanna Marie put on the Internet for us? We found this site and thank God it is a reputable and good one.

I will be aware as you advised. But I am not fooled easily. I've had too many hard knocks in my life and they were excellent teachers of showing me to be aware at all times.

Thanks Drew.
Margie :)

Hi Drew (again),

After I got finished typing the above, I decided to look up The Michael J. Fox Foundation in the Encyclopedia. This is an article that was in the Wikipedia Encyclopedia:

"THE MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is the LARGEST PRIVATE FUNDER in the United States of medical research into Parkinson's disease.

The Foundation was established by actor Michael J. Fox in May 2000, shortly after announcing his retirement from the ABC television show Spin City. In 1998 Fox publicly disclosed that he had been diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's seven years earlier.

The Foundation is dedicated to ensuring the development of a cure for Parkinson's disease within this decade through an agressively funded research agenda. Its stong focus is on "translational" research -- that is, the work of translating basic science discoveries into pratical treatments with potential to benefit the estimated six million people living with Parkinson's today.

Enormous progress toward finding a cure has been made on many neurological fronts, and scientists' understanding of the brain and how disease affects continues to increase dramatically. The Foundation drives progress by awarding grants to ensure that the most promising research avenues are thoroughly funded, explored and carried forward toward their ultimate payoff -- new therapies and a cure.

To date the Foundation has funded more than $115 million in research directly..."[/B]

This article from the Encyclopedia states that The Michael J. Fox Foundation is the LARGEST PRIVATE FUNDER...in the first paragraph of this article. Unless I am completely misunderstanding these words...it means that there are no pharmaceuticals involved. The funds come from all private donations. Many Actors are huge backers of this Foundation. There are a lot of people out there, not just carers for PD patients, that are willing to donate not only monies but their time to this Foundation so a cure for PD is found.

Maybe you could discuss this with your Registered Nurse friend and see what she thinks of it and let me, as well as the other members of our Forum know what you two came up with. NB This Foundation is the one funding the Doctor and his team who is researching DynaCirc (Israpidine)...not the Northwestern University.

I've read up a lot on The Michael J. Fox Foundation, if you haven't as of yet, I think you would like what you see if you chose to read about it.

Thanks Drew.
Margie

Have a good day Elaine and Drew.

Margie :)

[susan wheatley]

at the end of the day anyone researching for a cure is what counts or am i missing the point because thats what i would like to see as am sure everyone else with pd does.

[MargieB]

at the end of the day anyone researching for a cure is what counts or am i missing the point because thats what i would like to see as am sure everyone else with pd does.

Hi Sue,

I feel so much like you do on this subject. Yes, at the end of the day ANYONE researching for a cure is what counts!!!

You are definitely not missing the point. Hang in there

http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l446/1793Sunshine68/HopE.jpghttp://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l446/1793Sunshine68/Flowers.jpg along with me and all the other Parkies and/or carers for that cure.

Thank you so much.

Margie:)

[Drew Saunders]

Point taken. Just give us the cure. PLEASE

[Pauline]

My GP.
:):) Has recommended the Micheal J Fox Foundation as being a very good reputable site he has done a lot to promote PD, and get funding but my GP. wouldn't recommend the site if he didn't believe that it was a very reputable site:):):)Pauline

[Juanita Mullin]

Sounds very interesting! Thanks for posting it. We are all interested in something to cure this.

Good night to all from Washington state.
Juanita:)

[wspencer]

What I about to type may be controversial but having trawled the internet for some years now reference PD has made me look at anything re PD from American websites with a jaundiced eye. In my opinion most American sites are sponsored by Pharmaceutical Companies promoting their products. Therefore any claims that are made by these sites have to be confirmed by sites that are unbiased in their opinion i.e in UK "gov.org" in US who knows? I don't mean to insult members of this forum from the US of A but just try and read between the lines and sniff out any promotional material. I am sure I have stirred up a hornet's nest but by doing so may promote thoughts about what you read. In conclusion I trust imput by the members of this forum rather than some of the more far-fetched articles I have read on the WWW.
I would be interested in your thoughts, Drew
YES DREW IT ALL MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS WHO TO BELIEVE AND WHO NOT FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME LOOKING AFTER MUM I NEED TO BE ACCURATE NOT GUESSING, I WANT TO HELP HER NOT HARM SO I HAVE TO TRUST OPINIONS LIKE YOURS AND LOOK FURTHER INTO IT THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT IT WAS VERY HELPFULL.

[wspencer]

Now Could You Maybe Help Me Out Im Trying To Learn As Much As I Can As Fast As I Can Mum Has Stopped Eating Since The Change Of Her Meds, She Looks Like Shes Eating Lemons With That Sour Look She Gets All The Timelike Shes Dry Reaching And She Has Begun Frothing At The Mouth Alot Do You Know Why?

[Pauline]

wspencer
It sound to me like your mom is having a reaction to her medication , have you talked to your Pharmacist might be able to sud jest something , I am on a lot of Medication for my PD, but have not experienced anything like tat mind you we are all different and it effects us all differently there must be something that can help Talk to your DR, and Pharmacist
Sorry I can't be of more help please keep us informed as to what happens we are all interested and we all care :):):)Pauline

[ltd-addition]

Now Could You Maybe Help Me Out Im Trying To Learn As Much As I Can As Fast As I Can Mum Has Stopped Eating Since The Change Of Her Meds, She Looks Like Shes Eating Lemons With That Sour Look She Gets All The Timelike Shes Dry Reaching And She Has Begun Frothing At The Mouth Alot Do You Know Why?


wspenser
let us know how you got on with your Mam
keep safe

[heather]

Now Could You Maybe Help Me Out Im Trying To Learn As Much As I Can As Fast As I Can Mum Has Stopped Eating Since The Change Of Her Meds, She Looks Like Shes Eating Lemons With That Sour Look She Gets All The Timelike Shes Dry Reaching And She Has Begun Frothing At The Mouth Alot Do You Know Why?

Hi wspencer

One of the best remedies i have used for taste buds,is to suck a slice of fresh pineapple, it's what the Mc Milan nurses use in palliative care

[heather]

The M J Fox outfit are backed by Pharmactical Companies.
If it works for you then fine but having spoken to another member of this forum who is a registered nurse confirmed above. I do not want to get into an arguement about the rights or wrongs of a given web site. I repeat - just be aware - end of story

Sorry Drew
but so is a large % of UK research, we have companies in the UK that for example, give pressure mattresses to hospital's in return for using there products, it's often the only way the N.H.S can survive


Chemists/ pharmacists and doctors get medication samples free to advertise products, We have reps coming with fancy lunches free pen and sometimes expensive gifts, just to talk about there products , though they are awhere we can't use them with out GP permission

over the last 10 years and more, things have change in research/Health care etc, only thing is UK keep it more under cover :eek:
and I should also imagine this must include what we read on the UK web sites , like they say, what you read on the web is only as good as what the person /company etc want you to read