Same Mistake in Parkinson's Research as in Alzheimer's Research?

[jimcaster]

I have NO scientific background or education and I have to trust the experts, BUT I still wonder if Parkinson's research focused so intensely on alpha synuclein is as misguided as Alzheimer's research focused on amyloid-beta. Decades seem to have been lost in Alzheimer's research because everyone was focused on amyloid-beta. Parkinson's disease is being addressed from multiple angles, but we still seem obsessed with addressing alpha synuclein. Couldn't protein misfolding and/or aggregation be a result and not an underlying cause of both diseases?

theconversation.com/alzheim...

[Parkinsonjisung]

Biogen actually changed their mind on aducanumab and now claim it works after further review of the data. Fda are currently reviewing the data for approval. The data is a little suspect but all hope is not lost for this theory just yet.

[jimcaster in reply to Parkinsonjisung]

I share your hope, but the skeptical side of me thinks Biogen just wants to recoup some of its research and development costs. It clearly isn't a silver bullet...

[Parkinsonjisung in reply to jimcaster]

Ya. Thats totally feasible. But the data is strong enough to at least warrant further review so fingers crossed 😃

[pvw2]

One problem with alpha synuclein theory is differentiating between PD and LBD.

[park_bear]

Alzheimer research has definitely been misguided. Amyloid is a response to pathogens – its relation to Alzheimer's is association rather than causation. Parkinson's is probably less misguided with regard to defective Alpha-synuclein since this has been shown to result from Parkinson's causing genetic mutations.

[kaypeeoh]

One theory of age and disease is a lack of ability to use oxygen. This weakens mitochondria and it becomes a vicious cycle. Two new/old/treatments coming back are AHT autohemotherapy and ozone. Ozone rebuilds weak mitochondria. AHT destroys infections and cancers.

[WinnieThePoo in reply to kaypeeoh]

How is this relevant to the issue about whether alpha synuclein misfolding is part of the PD disease cause or merely a result of it and a consequent indicator only?

[PDConscience in reply to kaypeeoh]

Treatments "coming back"??? Refusing to die may be a more accurate description. Even among naturopathic practitioners it's considered fringe medicine. It's a dubious therapy that results in more complaints (including several deaths) than actual cures. Although naturopathy - in general - is valid on many fronts, unqualified practitioners administering unregulated treatments, and making unsupported claims to unsuspecting (often vulnerable) patients, keep recognition by the mainstream at bay.

"Ozone therapy is one such case of unsafe quackery that is endorsed by the naturopathic profession. Naturopaths claim that ozone, a highly reactive gas, can be used to treat a plethora of serious medical conditions, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and HIV infection.

"But ozone is extremely poisonous. It is an unstable molecule that reacts aggressively with biological compounds to form free radicals—the ultimate threat to health that alternative medicine zealots warn about.

"To be sure, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has unequivocally concluded that “ozone is a toxic gas with no known useful medical application.”

Ultimately, of course, it depends on who you deem more credible in matters of health/sickness, life/death...

More info: forbes.com/sites/brittmarie...

Wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone...

[WinnieThePoo]

There are some important differences, although it clearly remains possible that alpha synuclein misfolding is a response to the disease and not a cause of it. The theory of prion like spread is probably the most controversial. I remain intrigued by Biogen modification of the SPARK protocol in May 2019

[Parkinsonjisung in reply to WinnieThePoo]

What changed in the protocol?

[WinnieThePoo in reply to Parkinsonjisung]

The published protocol says that in year 2, placebo group switch to one of 250,1250 or 3250. The new protocol I signed in May 2019 says placebo and 250 groups switch to 1250 or 3500. They are not continuing the 250mg dose in year 2.

At the same time we were informed that we would be able to continue to receive the product after the end of the trial, although this wasn't written into the protocol document. This would be in the form of an open label extension of the trial.

May 2019 was the end of recruitment for cohort B , but also I think 12 months after the end of recruitment of the 24 in cohort A of the trial.

[jimcaster in reply to WinnieThePoo]

That's encouraging!

[SilentEchoes]

Neurofibrillary tangles, cause or effect? My vote is for effect, in my opinion NFT is in essence "scar tissue" in the brain. These drugs that try to target NFT are missing causation and are doomed to fail.

We know there isn't a silver bullet. Disease is a combination of lifestyle/environment and genetic interactions that put us here and it is the reversal of these factors that offer the most promise of recovery.

A good example is Terry Wahls, MD, who treated her progressive MS with a dietary protocol. The plaques in her brain are still there, but she is no longer affected by her MS. It is her opinion that the protocol is beneficial "for anyone suffering from autoimmune or other chronic health problems."

I've grown tired of the whole 'could this drug or that drug' theory. It's beginning to look like a pharmaceutical ponzi scheme to me. Just my opinion.

SE

[Hidden in reply to SilentEchoes]

And she now has such an empire in her name that she must have the cash or the sway to have her protocol properly researched. I wonder how many have been treated with her protocol and have not been cured of their health problem.

[SilentEchoes in reply to Hidden]

I don't disagree with you; Wahls co-oped the work of a PhD in Canada whose son has MS, they did a documentary on their protocol. Wahls put a MD behind it and the protocol magically became legitimate. It's the America way. The University of Iowa did do a clinical trial back in 2011, I believe (where Wahls is an international medicine doc) and so she had influence where others did not. I'm not happy that she's lining her pockets, that said, some people won't listen unless it come from a source they consider legitimate. My opinion is that there are other legitimate therapies that MSM considers quackery.

[Rwesol]

ALUMINIUM

[Hidden]

I just texted this article to my brother, content.iospress.com/articl...

From what I have read the past few months, I personally think Parkinson's disease, and also probably Alzheimer's disease result from long term insulin resistance/blood sugar issues combined with long term vitamin deficiencies which, for some people, manifest as Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease.

I think if the blood sugar/IR issues can be addressed appropriately and consistently along with appropriate doses of appropriate nutrients a lot of symptoms can be reversed. The sooner this happens for the individual the better, needless to say.

I believe alpha synuclein and amyloid-beta are a biological response to the actual cause of PD and AD- just like a fever is a response to a bacterial infection. Treating the fever doesn't cure the bacterial infection.

[CaseyInsights in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the paper referenced -

‘Alpha-Synuclein Glycation and the Action of Anti-Diabetic Agents in Parkinson’s Disease’.

Interesting read with actionable information🌺

[SilentEchoes in reply to Hidden]

We need to look further upstream, is insulin resistance/diabetes a cause or effect? I argue it is effect. I've done a lot of research in this area, because I have developed multiple endocrine disorders concurrent with my ALS (including non-autoimmune hypothyroidism) - organic phosphates and cyanogen's attack the hypothalamus (HPA axis) and also the thyroid and gonads. They are serious endocrine disruptors. I can come to no other conclusion than the root of neurological dysfunction in the related pathologies of AD, PD and ALS is poisoning. Low doses over time is AD/PD, acute poisoning is ALS. my mom had PD for 25 years, at the end stage I saw evidence of motor neuron disease. Her husband refused to have an autopsy, so I will never have pathologic confirmation, but I live it and know what I see. Truly, functional medicine is our best hope.