This is a call for Scientists with Parkinsons to pool our ressources and work in teams to research subjects of direct interest to PWP. For many subjects we don't need a laboratory or an Institution. Our most powerful tools are Internet and a Smartphone. And you don't have to have medical training. Our biggest assets are scientific method and motivation. We can learn as we go along. I'm now writing my third article on enzyme inhibition of which I knew nothing 6 months ago. We can make a difference if we work together.
If you're interested, reply with a very short description of your competences, the subject that most interests you and where you live. Not more than 5 lines.
Albert
Written by
wriga
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Tremendous effort on your part! I have learned so much from you and other forum members, wondering what we need medical doctors for? I might exaggerate, but doctors do what they are taught-prescribe medicine. Although it is useful, it can become toxic as the body doesn't recognize "foreign" substances.
Looking forward to your third article on enzyme inhibition. So far GJ works great! Wish I were a scientist. . .
We are interested in natural levodopa and inhibition enzymes. We live in the US.
Given the response so far, maybe I should broaden the scope to PwP who want to become scientists... That's also possible.
In your case you want to know about natural levodopa and enzyme inhibitors. That's already too much. Let's start with levodopa, then enzymes .... as examples of the method to use. First of all we have to get to know some names. Type levodopa on Google and look at the Wikipedia page. You'll see that levodopa is an amino acid. This means it has an amino, NH2 group and a carboxylic acid group, CO-OH. It is converted to Dopamine, an amine by removing the carboxylic acid. The enzyme that does this is called Dopa decarboxylase. Common enzymes have names that finish with -ase and describe what they do. In this case removing carboxyl from Dopa. Look up enzymes on Wiki, there are thousands, but we can just get to know a few. End of lesson 1. If you want more, let me know.
I'm not a scientist, IMHO I've noticed that the biggest difficulty that biochemists have is neglecting the LIFE factor. A factor of motivation, intelligence and control in chemical processes. As in a car we have a structure built to perform a transport function, but let's not forget the driver who starts and drives the car with a motivated destination or just for fun.
Does this complicate or simplify things?
I don't know.
I only know that when I see the human body being treated as a simple chemical mixture to which it is enough to add or remove chemical elements, it will certainly not work well for sure.
IMO on a cellular chemical process you always have to ask yourself what is its function, what is the structure that supports it and for which answer to survival,Life activates it. Maybe I said something trivial or maybe I didn't.
I learned this by working a lot and at all levels with plants.
How to read a scientific article when you know nothing of the subject.
1) You've come across a paper that you would like to understand, but you can't get started.
2) As you read the article, note all the acronyms with their full name and explanation. Use Wikipedia to get explanations and schemas for things you don't understand.
3) The author is trying to send a simple message. That message is usually repeated in the abstract and the conclusions. All the rest is there to justify this message. You don't yet have enough knowledge to understand that. Just try to get the message. Read these sections several times.
4) Open a notebook and write down what you think you've understood.
5) Still doesn't make sense ? That's normal. Scientists write papers for other scientists with similar knowledge, otherwise each paper would be a book.
6) If there is an introduction, this should explain the purpose of the paper and be in a simpler language. With luck you'll find the key to what you're looking for; a reference to a general introduction to the subject.
7) Check the reference list for what looks like previous work on the subject or a general review paper. Even better if it's a thesis. This is going to be your next read.
When you find a general review, take more time to read it through several times.
8) Don't worry if you're now drifting off the subject, you have to learn the basics. You'll have to do this many times to build up a picture.
9) Use the same method (1-8) everytime you start to read a new article.
10) Initially, you don't seem to be making progress. Then quite suddenly, the fog lifts. It may take 2 months and 15 papers, but if you follow the steps, you'll start to understand. Then go back to the first paper you began with and start all over again. See the difference ?
0) get a good medical dictionary where you find all the definitions of the words of the medical and chemical nomenclature, that is, the specialist terms of the one of discipline and you are halfway from understanding.
The other goal is to be familiar with the real scene, but if you have the PD you are one step ahead. but don't sing victory too soon.
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Nomenclature:
3a : a system or set of terms or symbols especially in a particular science, discipline, or art
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