Over the years, scientists and medical professionals have made a number of breakthroughs in Parkinson’s disease. Though some people with the disease seem to be deteriorating steadily, still many people are not giving up hope. They feel that with time scientists will gain greater understanding of the sickness and thus will be able to offer better alternatives to reach recovery stage for all individuals suffering with the disease.
A recent study shows that individuals can lower their risk of having Parkinson’s disease if they spend time exercising. Exercises can consist of various types such as jogging, bicycling, swimming and other things that can help blood circulation and brain stimulation.
Still, a promising area of research has to do with genetics. Research has proved that there are a number of genes as well as chromosomal areas responsible for exposing an individual to Parkinson’s disease. With the use of animal models, researchers are now gaining increased knowledge in cell biology and as a result understand the different mechanisms of the disease. Today, further additional tests are being carried out on animals, which include modification of the immune system through vaccination that will result in protecting dopamine-producing neurons as well as aid stem cell therapy. In addition, regular tests are done to stop inflammatory enzymes such as COX-2 and others.
To enable researchers to learn even more about the sickness, they are in the process of developing various therapeutic strategies to use in the clinics. One such therapeutic strategy is the use of neuroprotection combined with different medications as well as other things such as nerve growth and gene therapy.
Another breakthrough method scientists have found in the fight against Parkinson’s disease is deep brain stimulation. For deep brain stimulation to show any level of success, the patient should be given enough pharmaceutical treatment as well as a movement evaluation carried out by a specialist in the field.
Another breakthrough has been found in disease modification. Disease modification allows medical professionals to reduce the spread of Parkinson’s disease by using therapeutic method. Since there are delays discovered in motor complications that are beneficial to patients suffering with Parkinson’s disease, researchers are cautious as to whether to apply this method to patients because disease modification will appear uncertain.
Recognizing, treating and trying to manage the memory of Parkinson disease patients are one other breakthrough made by researchers. Most memory loss is undiagnosed and hence researchers fail to recognize those people that are troubled with Parkinson’s disease. Treatments are carried out by various medications such as acetyl choline esterase inhibitor (ACEI) and rivastigmine.
With increased technology being utilized, it is expected that other breakthroughs will soon be following in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Therefore, patients should remain hopeful in regards to the work that researchers are carrying out.
