Alpha-synuclein
 

I post this thread, because I wanted to discuss about Alpha-synuclein and whether it's clumping is present in ALL PD patients. A few days ago in some thread I don't remember anymore I had a discussion about it with a member (I think it was Conductor71). I told her that I read somewhere that alpha-synuclein is present in almost all PD patients, but I couldn't find the source. Now, by coincidence, I found the source. Here it is:

http://www.shakeitup.org.au/genetics...ad-the-charge/

MJFF is devoting the lion’s share of its gene-based investments to two of these targets: LRRK2, the most common genetic contributor discovered to date, and alpha-synuclein, whose clumping is seen in every case of PD.

I realize that scientist might make a mistake and not really ALL patients have this, because they can't know this for each patient. But, it seems to me that majority of PD patients must have this problem. Else they would have probably found post-mortem brains without misfolded a-synuclein.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/...oundation_for/

This is maybe not really news for all of you, but it was for me. I am glad to see that there is work on a compound to prevent aggregations in Parkinson and that they are alread in late pre-clinical testing with it.

Baicalein inhibits formation of α-synuclein oligomers within living cells
 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21271629

I've been taking Baikal Skullcap for a few months now, probably too little time to note results.

Bbb?
 

But does it cross the almighty blood brain barrier?

Apparently so
 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12466241

"In addition, the results indicated that baicalein was able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier as well as undergoing hepatobiliary excretion."

Well, it depends on how you define results. Even if it completely stops the aggregation, than you are still not cured. You lost neurons already. So in order to be normal again, these lost neurons should be regained in some way. The results you should see is or the progression of your PD completely stopped, or the progression slowed down.

Besides that, how do you know the dose you need to get benefit ? Maybe you need a bigger dose than the one you are taking now ?

Baicalein from Chinese Skullcap
 

I have been taking baicalein (from Chinese Skullcap) for about 10 days and have found some noticeable improvement in my hand tremor. I also feel my lip tremor is getting better. I am going to increase the dosage a little bit.

There are also some studies on baicalein in China and someone had filed a patent application using baicalein and other Chinese herbs for treating PD. It states baicalein is neureprotective and is efficacious for tremors. It is in fact a very popular herb med in China for treating infectious diseases.