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High-intensity Exercise May Reverse Neuro... - Cure Parkinson's
High-intensity Exercise May Reverse Neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s Disease
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pdpatient
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"Prior research has shown that many forms of exercise are linked to improved symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. But there has been no evidence that hitting the gym could create changes at the brain level. Now, a small proof-of-concept study involving 10 patients showed that high-intensity aerobic exercise preserved dopamine-producing neurons, the brain cells that are most vulnerable to destruction in patients with the disease.
In fact, after six months of exercise, the neurons actually had grown healthier and produced stronger dopamine signals. Dopamine is a chemical that helps brain cells communicate with each other. The researchers published their findings in npj Parkinson’s Disease on February 9.
The medications we have available are only for symptomatic treatment. They do not change the disease course. But exercise seems to go one step beyond and protect the brain at the neuronal level.
Sule Tinaz, MD, PhD
“This is the first time imaging has been used to confirm that the biology of the brain in those suffering with Parkinson’s disease is changed by intense exercise,” says Evan D. Morris, PhD, professor of radiology and biomedical imaging at Yale School of Medicine and co-principal investigator of the paper. "
were existing neurons improved or were new neurons created?
Hereby the underlying research published: 09 February 2024
“Intense exercise increases dopamine transporter and neuromelanin concentrations in the substantia nigra in Parkinson’s disease” by Bart de Laat
By the way, Farooqji wrote about this article on HU a year ago:
Exercise helps with the symptoms for sure. Many can vouch for that here . You don't need a research for that. But PD reversal is far stretched.
I've exercised my entire life, kept in good shap. Now I find after being diagnosed 5 + yrs ago exercise increases my tremors. catch 22
According to the trainer who runs my exercise class, exercise increases tremors, but only temporarily, the same way exercise increases pulse rate and blood pressure and blood sugar...all temporarily. But all those things are ultimately improved by exercise, right?
She also pointed out that most everyone gets tremors when they work out hard.
Anyway, her point was, don't let that stop you!
My HWP is in the same boat. He used to be a runner and kept himself in great shape exercising and lifting weights as his job required it. Now, his tremor and rigidity on his left side are affecting him to the point where running is out of the question (a source of great sadness for him). While he does body weight exercises and weight exercises are still doable, they increase his tremor greatly.
Do you experience a decrease in tremors after you have calmed down from exercising? Or have they remained at the same levels as before exercising?
I'd say that strenuous exercise has kept me from progressing, not exactly "made me better" at any point that I can pinpoint. My tremors definitely calm down after 30 minutes or so, but since they vary all day I guess I couldn't say whether I reliably feel calmer than before I started.
In general it's very hard for me to pinpoint specific improvement at any given time, but I guess I credit exercise (and STRICT diet) with where I am in general. I feel like I'm doing pretty well, and it's been 10 years.
amykp you haven't progressed in 10 years or you have, but very little?
Oh, sorry, yes I've progressed, just slowly.
I don't really need dopamine yet--although I take 1 25/100 ER a day because I definitely exercise better if I do. But I still feel pretty good without it. I often skip on weekends.
Of course, how can anyone know whether it's just lucky genetics? I also take a mountain of supplements.
But I'm inclined to think (despite shaky car ride home) exercise is key, and probably diet.
It makes sense. The SPARX trial showed UPDRS being stable too. Not to mention all the other studies regarding high intensity exercise. Plus there are a number of people on social media and in message boards/groups like these that say they have actually improved.
Scott Hanley - youtube.com/watch?v=D3NuiQo...
Jimmy Choi - instagram.com/jcfoxninja/?h...
Anne Hellevik - See Parkson's Alternative Healing Facebook group.
Steve Iseman - parkinsonsnewstoday.com/new...
It would be great to see a 5-10 year study of people who have gone ballistic on high intensity exercise.
I see other people on these boards that talk about stopping their progression. They might not have improved like the above, but they have been able to stop and/or really slow their progression.
Another one? albeit just a few years in. instagram.com/crossfitshape...
The study seems flawed. It's true that exercise slows the progression but the reversal of the disease has never been observed. Jimmy choi is an example
Yes, reversal is a stretch. However, 15 years ago Jimmy Choi was walking with a cane. It sounds like he is better now than he was 15 years ago.
I was diagnosed with PD 3 years ago when I was 50! I read the article you provided 9 months ago and have been doing 3 x a week HITT plus weights. My cardiovascular health has improved significantly and I have gained some muscles, but unfortunately PD keeps eating me away slowly each day and as a result my medication has been increased significantly to cope with the symptoms. So I’m not sure I can say thAT the exercise is doing anything regarding slowing let alone reversing my PD. I can also say that for many people it would be extremely challenging to maintain a heart rate of 80-85% of maximum for 30 min! I am doing this and I wear a fit bit to monitor my HR each session and I can assure you it ain’t for the light hearted. …. And what I have also found is that over time I have become fitter and fitter so in order to get my heart rate up I have had to increase the intensity of the exercise….its hard going and requires grit, determination and being fully ON with regards to pd meditation..
Are you careful with what you eat? Do you take any particular supplements? I'm not saying those things are magic bullets either, but SOMETHING has helped me. Or maybe the combination?
BTW--I don't monitor my heart rate, but (in addition to strength and balance and whatnot) I cycle at about 100rpm. I think there's something about fast cycling in particular?
I DO wear a blood sugar monitor.
Can you please share information about your blood sugar monitor - what brand and where to get one?
The kind where you prick your finger you can get at any pharmacy. They are cheap, because the company wants you to buy their test strips and those add up.
I think the Lingo CGM you can get over the counter now? All of them will be OTC soon I suspect, and I doubt it matters that much which one you get. Anyway, mine is the Libre 3, which I have a prescription for because I have an EXTREMELY sympathetic PCP but, like I said, I suspect they are all about the same.
Try asking your Dr! More and more they are linking neurodegenerative disease to excess sugar, so keeping track makes sense. My Dr. is completely on board.
BTW: they are pricey, but you don't have to wear it forever. You want to learn what you can and cannot eat to keep your blood sugar stable and low. So I go long periods without it. I'll put one on for vacations now, or over holidays.
I will let amykp respond to you with the information you asked for. I use one too but I don't know if you're diabetic or not.
If you are not diabetic, this is the only option to use for the monitoring and it is over the counter
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