In my previous life, I was a maker of maps, a land surveyor, and as a hobby I delved into remote sensing and geographic information systems. Translated, I enjoy converting data into colored maps to see what unexpected patterns might show up.

A couple of years ago, I posted a map of the US which I had color coded by the incidence of PD in each state based on data in one of Dr. Lieberman's books. This map is interesting but very limited because the source of Dr. Lieberman's data is not clear; it is given as an average for each state so the result is "coarse" with no detail within each state; my map further coarsened the data by subjectively assigning the states to a simplified high risk - low risk color coding system. Still, it is a pretty neat map and I haven't seen a better one.

Yesterday, I dusted that one off and went in search of another that might show UV exposure over the same area. UV should translate into Vit D production overall. I found two, from 1992 and 2006. They were comparable soI chose the latter because it was simpler to understand. In particular, it shows several dozen monitoring sites as little football shaped icons with relative index numbers for each so you can compare with a little finer resolution than the "whole state" approach.

So I merged the two maps and looked for features that appeared on both. That is, I looked for conditions that tied UV-Vit D to PD at the same geographical location. Given the poor quality of data, I would have been pleased to have found even one good one. Surprisingly, I found three and have marked them on the attached merged map. <PDoverlay.jpg>

On this crude merger, the colors represent my PD incidence data and the numbered footballs the UV - Vit D figures (the higher the number the more you have). The three anomalies that show up in both are-
1) On the east coast, Virginia and the Carolinas show both a drop in PD (thus the blue color) and a rise in the UV compared to the neighboring states (6 & 7 vs 3 - 5)
2) In the Dakotas, the highest PD rate (the orange color) coincides with the lowest UV ( a "2")
3) In the Southwest, the contour between blue and green PD values is a good match with the similar division between the 5 & 6 UV (the Rocky Mtns skew things a little).

Admittedly crude, but rather convincing to me.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Thanks reverett,
I think this could be such a useful tool in finding causes. We could map incidences of onset, locations of PDers (maybe living locations throughout their life times), and then overlay with various other potential values/risks/protective qualities, etc. A ton of statistics and work would be involved but a great challenge for a group of grad students somewhere.
What a good idea!
PS Were you a doodlebugger? (remote sensing?)

Hobbyist-level but longtime.
The UV data is easy to come by, but PD is another matter.
I just found Dr. Lieberman's data at

http://www.amazon.com/Shaking-Up-Par...der_0763718661

and I must say that the data is better than expected. The NPF actually persuaded the Pharmas to part with their data on Sinemet sales! And you want to know what state has the lowest PD? Sunny Hawaii!

http://journals.lww.com/neurotodayon...line_Go.7.aspx

1. ScientificWorldJournal. 2006 Jan 26;6:125-39.

Vitamin D as a neuroactive substance: review.

Kiraly SJ, Kiraly MA, Hawe RD, Makhani N.

Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, British Columbia,
Canada. kiraly@shaw.ca

The objectives of this paper were (1) to review recent research on the actions of
vitamin D as a steroid derivative with neuroactive properties and (2) to
highlight clinical relevance and need for more research. Our methods included
review of research from current journals, Medline, and Cochrane Reviews;
theoretical discussion. Scientific research has had a justifiably strong emphasis
on how vitamin D affects calcium metabolism and bone. This appears to have
eclipsed its fundamental actions on several other important systems, including
the central nervous system. Vitamin D as a neuroactive compound, a prohormone, is
highly active in regulating cell differentiation, proliferation, and peroxidation
in a variety of structures, including the brain. Vitamin D insufficiency is not
rare. Historically, focus has been on bone metabolism, which appears to have
caused research bias and evidence bias, distorting physiological importance. The
central nervous system is increasingly recognized as a target organ for vitamin D
via its wide-ranging hormonal effects, including the induction of proteins such
as nerve growth factor. We need more research on this important neuroactive
substance because it may play a role as a relatively safe and inexpensive
pharmaceutical in the prevention and treatment of a number of common
neuropsychiatric conditions.


PMID: 16493517 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Research on vitamin D is nothing new. I'm suspicious of the attention it's getting. No one looks like they are urgently working on it do they?

You misunderstand. The idea of a far greater role than bone health and doses far above 400 IU is new and it really isn't getting much attention. And since it won't be patentable...

I am definitely noticing improvement in my night time condition (6 PM to 6 AM). I am going to bed in better shape and taking my walking stick to bedside as a "just in case" instead of an absolute necessity. Minimal freezing as I go to bed. Nocturia reduced by half. Moving in bed improved. Sleeping in past 6 AM about every other day. Waking up more functional and less focused on getting that first pill down. All these are improvements over just a month ago.

This is just wonderful.

Now I have another discovery, we are trying at PN, to improve mitochondrial functions.... to increase ATP production in the cell.

It is called d-ribose, and I put together some links here:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ghlight=ribose

This link contains interesting reading. And dosing etc.
Now ribose used to be in the bodybuilding network, but it appears to be very good for stamina improvement, sleeping improvement and pain reduction. It may be useful for some of you.

Thanks, MrsD. The bodybuilders are a great source of info. The original white rats.