New rotenone model may hold clue to how Parkinson’s develops

from pdonlineresearch:
http://www.pdonlineresearch.org/news...son-s-develops
also: http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/

Alpha-synuclein is thought to be a major factor in Parkinson’s, as the nerve cells that die in the brain in Parkinson’s become clogged with sticky clumps of this protein.

Professor Maria Grazia Spillantini, one of the researchers involved from Cambridge University, said: "Although we gave such tiny doses of rotenone that we couldn’t detect it in the blood or brain, we could still see major differences inside mouse nerve cells.
“Interestingly, although cells in the gut and spinal cord were also affected, nerve cells in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra were worst hit and began to die. This suggests that this group of nerve cells are particularly vulnerable to the build-up of alpha synuclein.”

Dr Kieran Breen, Director of Research and Development at the Parkinson's Disease Society, said: "This new mouse model will tell us more about how Parkinson’s develops and spreads throughout the nervous system. This new research also suggests that environmental factors like pesticides could indeed trigger Parkinson’s in some people.

This discovery claimed by the UK was actually discovered by a reacher at Buffalo University in New York called Dr. Jian Feng in 2006. Learn more about him at following link:

http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~jianfeng/

He also is using my skin cells to make adult stem cells because I have 2 mutations in my Parkin gene. He has done a tremendous amount of research on Parkinson's disease. If you would like to thank him for his hard work on our behalf, why don't you check out the link above, which lists all his interests and papers he has written. He is very approachable and could possibly answer any questions you have on current research.

Best to all,
Vicky

My dad was in the military for 20 years. He done 2 tours in Vietnam, where the sprayed agent orange all over the soldiers there. Then about 25 years ago, he worked for a exterminating company. He was with them for about 9 years. He is now 71, and in the final stages of PD. It would be easier to list what he doesn't have than what he does. At this point, he sleeps all the time, wont open his eyes, has trouble breathing. He keeps getting a nasty lung infection, it builds up a tolerance to all the antibotics, after a period of time. He is just the shell of the father I once knew and loved. I hate seeing him like this. Dec. 13 he went in for heart trouble. He had a triple bypass done. Before this he was moble and thought clearly. He came home for awhile, then like overnight, He was seeing things, confused, I couldn't even understand what he was saying. We admited him back to the hospital, where they found he was dehydrated, had a uti infection, then a week later, they found pneumonia.We had him taking off the respirator, but his stats are good, but his brain isn't letting it regestor that he is getting enough oxygen, so he is aspirating. We signed a DNR. We don't wont him to suffer. He is a military man, who served his country. This state he is in now, he has been in for 2 weeks. He keeps trying to swallow his tongue, and breathing is very bad.

Dear irishrose, I am saddened to hear of your father's struggles, and for your family's witnessing this path. The love you have for your father is obvious in your post. May you all find PEACE. Sincerely, Madelyn

I also wish you peace, and thank heavens for people like your father who give their best for their country.

I first heard about Dr. Jeng on this Forum - i think it was probably one of Vicky's posts. We are only a few miles from the University of Buffalo, yet we had no idea about his parkinson's research. Dr. Feng probably had no idea that there was a PD support group also nearby. I forwarded the posting about him to our group leader, and she invited him to speak at our March meeting.

I'm looking forward to hear about his research and hopefully he can get some skin samples from our group. Small world.... Thank you Vicky and Neurotalk Forum!