Is a CURE for Parkinson's disease in the pipeline? Scientists crack the secret behind the enzyme thought to be responsible for the condition

[rhenry45]

dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

This sounds really exciting

[Hidden]

It reads to me like a PR piece to draw investors

[Blackfeather in reply to Hidden]

Is pink1 an enzyme, a protein or a gene? This is trash.

[Waiyanwong1964 in reply to Blackfeather]

PINK1 is an enzyme. It’s a kinase

[grower in reply to Hidden]

check out simon's take on it scienceofparkinsons.com/

[rebtar]

PINK1 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PINK1

PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) is a mitochondrial serine/threonine-protein kinase encoded by the PINK1 gene. It is thought to protect cells from stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. PINK1 activity causes the parkin protein to bind to depolarized mitochondria to induce autophagy of those mitochondria

[grower in reply to rebtar]

That's what Simon was writing about this week scienceofparkinsons.com/ love his site

[rebtar]

cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0...

[MBAnderson]

Today’s revelation.

“Is a CURE for Parkinson's disease in the pipeline?”

(The study itself doesn’t even claim the "discovery" means there is a cure in the pipeline. There is this line in this article, “Professor David Dexter, deputy director of research at Parkinson's UK, said: 'The PINK1 gene was identified as a key player by researchers back in 2004.” That means the actual discovery was made 13 years ago, i.e., this study is just another building block of basic science, just another data point.)

Yesterday’s revelation.

“Two-mineral combination can erase Parkinson’s symptoms.”

Just imagine, thousands of hours of shared experience and research on these forums, when all the time there was this simple little two mineral solution was right in front of our eyes. Are we stupid, or what?

Revelation from the day before yesterday.

“Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease is not – and never has been – an incurable illness … Effective treatment for Parkinson’s disease requires removal of the cause. It’s that simple. When the cause is removed, the symptoms of Parkinson’s vanish.”

Here, I thought I was a dult for not knowing about the two mineral solution, now I learn that PD is actually curable and always has been.

I think I will begin sending snarky emails to the reporters and editors of these newspapers/journals that publish this crap.

If it's not in a bona fide scientific journal or from a well recognized researcher/blogger, such as the Science of Parkinson's, don't bother reading it.

[jeeves19]

Don't get too excited about anything that comes from the Daily Mail!

[alexask]

Betteridge's law of headlines is one name for an adage that states: "Any headline that ends in a question mark can be answered by the word no."

[alexask]

Also I have come to realise that the problem is that Medical research is an industry in itself which relies on a complete cure not being found for any condition for its continuation. What they do like though is finding a drug which gives some benefit to the ongoing condition for which they can charge a lot of money.

A better approach is trawling through all the posts here and seeing what is out there already and works for people.

[asmckay]

This is an irresponsible headline but I think that there is something interesting here. David Dexter is head of the Parkinson’s disease research unit at Imperial College and has down a lot o9s interesting research. One problem here, would be - how on earth would you get any drug, that could be helpful across the blood brain barrier. here is david dexter talking about that ery issue, youtube.com/watch?v=JmX3EzM...(Not working as expected?).

[ddmagee1]

When one reads about cures for PD, I think it is important to first have a fundamental knowledge of the process of neuronal degeneration involved, and what dopamine levels mean, in relation to conductivity, within the brain. Also, the role of Lewy Bodies, in neuro-degeneration. Once one has that basic understanding, it is easier to think for oneself whether a “so-called” cure is a possibility, or even feasible. I believe in hoping for a cure, but I would need to know specifically the details of how neuro-degeneration can be prevented and/or stopped in Parkinson’s.

[honeycombe3]

I don't think a healthy dose of scepticism is a bad thing when discussing the many dramatic headlines which regularly appear in the media re a 'cure' for PD. Sometimes though a deep knowledge of the science behind the headlines is necessary in order to make an informed decision. I happened to meet David Dexter when one of his patients who had taken part in a trial of PINK1gave a presentation at Parkinson's UK event. I am a graduate biologist & have taught the subject to 'A' level (a long time ago). Dr Dexter explained the concept in simple language & I thought I understood it, but it has been difficult to retain. What sticks in my mind is the PwP who talked of her experience before, during & after the trial. She felt that it was a resounding success.

Perhaps one might be able to sift through the reports by looking at their sources: any respected research facility is unlikely to make totally outrageous claims. And the best way of all to keep tabs on research while benefitting from state-of-the-art treatment is to volunteer for trials!