Bay Biosciences provides high-quality, fresh frozen samples, matched fresh frozen sera (serum), plasma, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) bio-fluids from patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
The sera (serum), plasma and PBMC biofluid specimens are processed from Parkinson’s disease patient’s peripheral whole-blood using customized collection and processing protocols.
Fresh frozen tissue and matched biofluid samples are collected from unique patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
Bio-samples are provided to a valued pharmaceutical customer for research, diagnostics, discovery and drug development.
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Overview
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). It belongs to a group of conditions called movement disorders. PD affects the nervous system, it’s symptoms occur because of low dopamine levels in the brain.
The four main symptoms are:
- Tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head;
- Rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk;
- Bradykinesia, or slowness of movement; and
- Postural instability, or impaired balance.
These symptoms usually begin gradually and worsen over time. As they become more pronounced, patients may have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks.
Not everyone with one or more of these symptoms has Parkinson’s disease, as the symptoms sometimes appear in other diseases as well.
Parkinson’s disease is both chronic, which means it persists over a long period of time, and progressive, meaning its symptoms grow worse over time. It is not contagious.
Although some Parkinson’s disease cases appear to be hereditary, and a few can be traced to specific genetic mutations, most cases are sporadic, that is, the disease does not seem to run in families.
Many researchers believe that Parkinson’s disease results from a combination of genetic susceptibility and exposure to one or more environmental factors that trigger the disease.
PD is the most common form of Parkinsonism, the name for a group of disorders with similar features and symptoms. It is also called primary parkinsonism or idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. The term idiopathic means a disorder for which no cause has yet been found.
While most forms of parkinsonism are idiopathic, there are some cases where the cause is known or suspected or where the symptoms result from another disorder. For example, parkinsonism may result from changes in the brain’s blood vessels.
Exact causes why Parkinson’s disease develops is unknown. Researchers believe that genetic changes and exposure to environmental factors, such as toxins, play a key role.
Signs and Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
Parkinson’s disease signs and symptoms can be different for everyone. Early signs may be mild and go unnoticed.
Symptoms often begin on one side of your body and usually remain worse on that side, even after symptoms begin to affect both sides.
Parkinson’s signs and symptoms may include:
- Tremor: A tremor, or shaking, usually begins in a limb, often your hand or fingers. You may rub your thumb and forefinger back and forth, known as a pill-rolling tremor. Your hand may tremble when it’s at rest.
- Slowed movement (bradykinesia). Over time, Parkinson’s disease may slow your movement, making simple tasks difficult and time-consuming. Your steps may become shorter when you walk. It may be difficult to get out of a chair. You may drag your feet as you try to walk.
- Rigid muscles. Muscle stiffness may occur in any part of your body. The stiff muscles can be painful and limit your range of motion.
- Impaired posture and balance. Your posture may become stooped, or you may have balance problems as a result of Parkinson’s disease.
- Loss of automatic movements. You may have a decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, including blinking, smiling or swinging your arms when you walk.
- Speech changes. You may speak softly, quickly, slur or hesitate before talking. Your speech may be more of a monotone rather than have the usual inflections.
- Writing changes. It may become hard to write, and your writing may appear small.
Causes of Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that develops when changes occur in the brain. Precisely why it happens is unclear, but scientists have identified some variations that occur.
Low Dopamine Levels
Parkinson’s disease symptoms mainly result from low or falling dopamine levels, a neurotransmitter. It happens when cells that produce dopamine die in the brain.
Dopamine plays a role in sending messages to the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination. Therefore, low dopamine levels can make it harder for people to control their movement.
As dopamine levels continue to fall, symptoms gradually become more severe.
Low Norepinephrine Levels
Parkinson’s disease may also involve damage to the nerve endings that produce another neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, which contributes to blood circulation and other automatic body functions.
Low levels of norepinephrine in Parkinson’s disease may increase the risk of both motor and nonmotor symptoms, such as:
- Stiffness and rigidity
- Postural instability
- Tremor
- Anxiety
- Difficulty focusing
- Dementia
- Depression
This may explain why patients with Parkinson’s disease commonly experience orthostatic hypotension. This refers to when a person’s blood pressure changes when they stand up, leading to lightheadedness and a risk of falling.
Lewy Bodies
A patient with Parkinson’s disease may have clumps of protein known as alpha-synuclein, or Lewy bodies, in their brain.
The accumulation of Lewy bodies can cause a loss of nerve cells, leading to changes in movement, thinking, behavior, and mood. It can also lead to dementia.
Lewy body dementia is not the same as Parkinson’s disease, but people may have both as the symptoms are similar.
Genetic Factors
Experts have identified changes in several genes that appear to have links with Parkinson’s disease, but they do not consider it a hereditary condition.
Genetic factors appear to cause only 10% of cases, mostly among patients with early onset disease.
Autoimmune Factors
In a JAMA neurology study scientists found a possible genetic link between Parkinson’s disease and autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
In 2018, researchers investigating health records in Taiwan found that people with autoimmune rheumatic diseases had a 1.37 higher chance of also having Parkinson’s disease.
Risk Factors of Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
Several environmental factors may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Following are some of the factors which increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease:
- Past Traumatic Brain Injury: Head injuries from contact sports, for example, may increase the risk of the condition.
- Exposure to toxins: Such as pesticides, solvents, metals, and other pollutants.
- Gender: Males are 50% more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease the condition than females. Some studies suggests the risk for females may increase with age.
- Age: Parkinson’s disease often appears in patients who are 60 years or over. However 5 to 10% of people with the disease have early onset of Parkinson’s disease, which starts before the age of 50 years.
- Some drugs and medications: Certain medicines can lead to Parkinsonism, where a person has tremors and other symptoms but does not have Parkinson’s disease.
Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
There is no standard treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Treatment for each patient with Parkinson’s is based on his or her symptoms.
Treatments include medication and surgical therapy. Other treatments include lifestyle modifications, like getting more rest and exercise.
There are many medications available to treat the Parkinson’s symptoms, although none yet that reverse the effects of the disease.
It is common for people with PD to take a variety of these medications at different doses and at different times of the day to manage the symptoms.
Most PD patients can get relief from their Parkinson’s symptoms with medicines. But some may need surgery if the medications don’t work.
Following are some of the treatment options available for Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients:
Prescription Medicines
Each patient with Parkinson’s disease (PD) must be individually evaluated y the doctors to determine which drug or combination of drugs may work the best.
Medication treatment depends on many variables including the patients age, symptoms present, other existing health issues and the medications being used to treat them. Dosages vary greatly depending on a patients needs and metabolism.
Levodopa
Usually the levodopa preparations, such as levodopa/carbidopa immediate-release (IR) tablets (Sinemet), levodopa/carbidopa controlled-release (CR) tablets (Sinemet CR), and levodopa/carbidopa orally disintegrating tablets (Parcopa) are the prescription drugs commonly used for the treatment of PD.
Levodopa is absorbed by the nerve cells in your brain and turned into the chemical dopamine, which is used to transmit messages between the parts of the brain and nerves that control movement.
Increasing the levels of dopamine using levodopa usually improves movement problems.
Dopamine Agonists
Dopamine agonists act as a substitute for dopamine in the brain and have a similar but milder effect compared with levodopa. They can often be given less frequently than levodopa.
They’re often taken as a tablet, but are also available as a skin patch (rotigotine).
Sometimes dopamine agonists are taken at the same time as levodopa, as this allows lower doses of levodopa to be used.
Most symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) are caused by a lack of dopamine in the brain, many PD drugs are aimed at either temporarily replenishing dopamine or mimicking the action of dopamine.
These types of drugs are called dopaminergic medications. They generally help reduce muscle rigidity, improve speed and coordination of movement and lessen tremor.
Following are some of the other prescriptions medications used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD):
Surgical Treatment Options
Majority of Parkinson’s disease patients are treated with medication, although a type of surgery called deep brain simulation is used in some cases.
Surgical treatment is reserved for PD patients who have exhausted medical treatment of PD tremor or who suffer profound motor fluctuations (wearing off and dyskinesias).
There are two surgical treatments available for patients with Parkinson’s disease, the deep brain simulation (DBS) and a surgery performed to insert a tube in the small intestine, which delivers a gel formulation of carbidopa/levodopa.
Physical Therapy
Physiotherapists can work with PD patients to relieve muscle stiffness and joint pain through movement (manipulation) and exercise. The physiotherapist aims to make moving easier and improve patients walking and flexibility.
They also try to improve PD patients fitness levels and ability to manage things for themselves.
Occupational Therapy
An occupational therapist can identify areas of difficulty in PD patients everyday life, such as dressing yourself or going out of the home.
They can help with working out practical solutions and ensure your home is safe and properly set up for you. This helps PD patients maintain their independence for as long as possible.
Complimentary Therapies
Understanding of Parkinson’s disease (PD) has evolved from the initial focus on motor symptoms to now include non-motor symptoms (such as, mood, fatigue, constipation) of the disease.
Patients with PD who seek relief from their symptoms may decide to explore complementary therapies, which can support or complement traditional medicine. While there are many kinds of complementary medicine, such as herbs, vitamins and supplements.
Although there is little conclusive scientific information on natural supplements, researchers are examining several substances to evaluate their effectiveness on slowing PD progression and managing its symptoms.
Use of Medical Marijuana
A recent study found that patients experienced relief of certain motor and nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson disease from using cannabis.
Marijuana contains more than 100 neuroactive chemicals that work with two types of cannabinoid receptors, type 1 (CB1) located in the brain and type 2 (CB2) located in the brain and peripheral immune system.
Cannabinoids have powerful, indirect effects on these receptors, but researchers are unsure how. People with PD have less CB1 receptors than people who do not have PD. A boost to the CB1 receptor through an agonist, like marijuana, can improve tremors and may alleviate dyskinesia.
Similarly, the other receptor, CB2, is also being studied to determine if it can modify the disease or provide neuroprotective benefits. However, a unified hypothesis does not currently exist for either receptor because there is too much conflicting data on the effectiveness of cannabinoids and these receptors.
Exercise
Exercise is an important part of healthy living for everyone. For patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), exercise is more than healthy, it is a vital component to maintaining balance, mobility and activities of daily living. Exercise and physical activity can improve many PD symptoms.
These benefits are supported by research. According to a recent study physical activity can help maintain dopamine levels in the brain and Regular physical exercise may help prevent or treat Parkinson’s disease,
The Parkinson’s Outcomes Project shows that people with PD who start exercising earlier and a minimum of 2.5 hours a week, experience a slowed decline in quality of life compared to those who start later. Establishing early exercise habits is essential to overall disease management.
Dietary Factors
Some dietary choices may also help reduce the risk of Parkinson’s and other diseases. Research has shown that the following may help:
- Turmeric: Turmeric is a mild spice people can add to cooking, soups, teas, and other foods. It contains curcumin, an antioxidant ingredient. According to one study, it may help reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease by preventing oxidative stress and the clumping of alpha-synuclein protein.
- Flavonoids: Research suggests this antioxidant may lower the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Foods such as berries, apples, some vegetables, tea, and red grapes are rich in flavonoids.
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