I don't have the heart to print the headline. I would hear your guffaws from afar. But this story from the Independent (U.K.) is pretty interesting. Among the things I learned from it: fruit flies have muscles. Who knew?
Scientists believe they have discovered that Parkinson’s disease is caused in a different way than previously thought and also a possible new way of treating the severely debilitating condition.
Charity Parkinson's UK said the research could lead to a new drug that could "slow or stop the condition in its tracks".
It was believed Parkinson’s occurs when mitochondria – which supply power to cells – malfunctioned, causing brain cells that produce the key hormone dopamine to die.
But Leicester University researchers found most of the problem related to another part of the cell, called the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), they reported in the journal Cell Death and Disease.
In a study with fruit flies that had been genetically modified to develop Parkinson’s, the scientists managed to at least partially correct the problem so that the number of brain cells increased and the flies’ muscles remained healthy.
Yes it needs to be tested more but that may take as long as 20 years to get a drug developed for PD patients. The article was a little too dismissive of mitochondrial dysfunction and PD. It is well established that exposure to neurotoxins are a risk factor for PD and they effect mitochondrial functioning:
Not that I am an advocate to using rapamycin, a drug used in diseases like Crohn's (for the purpose of immunosuppression), but the article notes MPTP and rotenone and mitochondrial dysfuction.
Also, there is a company right now who is making Parkinson's a treatable condition by treating mitochondrial dysfunction called The BX Protocols:
Yes the video music is nauseous and nauseating (I collect music as a hobby and have a large collection and am a snob) but the testimonials are honest from the heart.
If the scientists from the above article can interview fruit flies and listen to how their condition improved through their proposed therapy, I am all ears.
Pardon my sarcasm but their (potential) therapy is decades from being realized.
My collection is about 1,400 + discs and it encompasses contemporary classical music - modernist classical music like that used as the soundtrack for the movie 'The Shining'; traditional classical music with an emphasis on music from the romantic era, medieval music, minimalism, jazz and world music. Of course is the genre bending music because musicians around the globe have been exposed to western music and have incorporated elements into their musical life. As part of the modernist classical category I have a lot of Soviet modernist music and yes they are a dark bunch but very lyrical.
Yea...I don't own a house or have great clothing but I have a great music collection. Plus I need to get one of my speakers fixed. I own a vintage system from 1972. Acoustic Research speakers and a Panasonic receiver....
I do not own any 78s and I misnamed my receiver. It is a 40w Pioneer receiver from 1972. And the combo has a warm sweet sound with great ambiance. I need to get that speaker fixed!
I am very glad for the fruit flies and indeed, trust I will be reincarnated as one. But thanks, Beckey, that was very interesting. I was never scientifically minded but I'm getting better at reading stuff like that.
Stressed endoplasmic reticuli..., hopeful research finding. Now please God make them discover if that is the problem in us PWPD before we are goners. Meanwhile, if reducing or avoiding stress is what the reticuli benefit from, pass the valium, please?
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