Originally Posted by daniscott

I see a few good studies mentioned in this forum, but I haven't seen any mention of caffeine or adenosine blockers. Findings from a longitudinal study examining the effects of caffeine found that people who drink a moderate amount of caffeine (or more) per day were less likely to develop Parkinson's disease, or for it to develop later in life. In response to that, several studies were done which strongly suggest that caffeine does indeed slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. Since caffeine works as an adenosine blocker, several studies were done to test the effects of adenosine blockers to slow the progression of Parkinson's. I've read several of these studies, and they all lead to the conclusion that adenosine blockers in general can reduce the amount of l-dopa needed to control Parkinson's, and can slow progression of the disease. All the studies I read have copyrights which expressly forbid posting them to online forums, so I can't post them here. If you're interested, you can search for scholarly articles about adenosine, caffeine and Parkinson's disease.

Originally Posted by reverett123

Exciting research breakthroughs are all well and good for future generations, but if you are reading this they probably aren't going to arrive in time to help you, today's PWP.

However, there are things available today that have enough research behind them to warrant consideration. I propose this thread as a sticky to keep track of these so that they are not lost.

The type of treatments I am talking about carry varying amounts of risk and no one should assume anything about these. This is serious stuff and the decisions you make about them will determine the course of your life. Even choosing to ignore them will be a momentous one.

This is the place for promises not of just borrowing time with neuroprotection but of putting things to rights with neurogenesis. But that is where risk comes in. Things that trigger regrowth of nervous tissue could also trigger overgrowth and resulting tumors for example.

This is not to say that one should avoid risk - one cannot. And bluntly put, doing nothing but the treatments offered by our neuros has a clear end - and it is not pleasent. Each of us must decide for ourselves with the best information available to us. I hope this thread will provide a place to gather that information.

Originally Posted by David H. Blatt

To reverett123
i have read some of your 3600 posts -- and I agree with your basic attitude that its up to us to do waht we can rather than waiting for researchers to make the miracle breakthrough they keep telling us they will make if only we donate more to fund their research.

In 1997 I was 41 years old when I was diagnosed wiith Parkinson's disease, in 2010 I began leading exercise classes for people with Parkinson's disease, and in 2013 I participated in my first masters slalom and giant slalom ski races.

Vigorous exercise can enable us to beat expectations.

David

Originally Posted by chrishageseth

David. I'm with you. Exercise hard enough to sweat.