World Parkinson Congress Highlights 2016
On September 20th–23rd, 2016, the triennial World Parkinson Congress took place in Portland, Oregon. Bringing together over 4,400 physicians, neuroscientists, health professionals, carepartners and people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), from over 60 countries, the Congress offered a unique and inspiring experience. Five members of the Parkinson Society British Columbia staff, as well as over 40 individuals from BC who received travel grants through the Society, were in attendance. They had the opportunity to learn about the latest scientific discoveries, medical practices, caregiver initiatives and advocacy work related to Parkinson’s disease. It is our hope that the knowledge gained from the Congress will help shape the Society’s future programs and services, ensuring best treatment practices for those affected by PD.
PSBC’s Abstracts on Display at WPC
WPC 2016 accepted poster abstracts from both health professionals engaged in research, as well as from the community of people living with PD, who are involved in activities and programs creating change for the PD community. We are pleased to share that three abstracts submitted by PSBC were selected for presentation at the Congress, including Advocacy is Education: Developing Support for a Provincial Parkinson’s Strategy in British Columbia, Communication & Swallow Workshop and This is Parkinson’s Disease. Two of these abstracts were also identified to be in the top 10% of all submissions and invited to be a part of the Congress’ Poster Tours.
Highlights by Topic
Stem Cell Research
Recent studies on stem cell therapies to treat Parkinson’s disease have yielded differing, and even conflicting, results largely due to the range of patients used, as well as the varying “doses” of cells, delivery approaches and follow-up executed. Attempts are being made to remedy this through a new TRANSEURO trial (http://www.transeuro.org.uk). Furthermore, “a global consortium that brings together the major funded teams working on developing a stem cell-derived neural transplantation therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD)” has been setup (Barker, Studer, Cattaneo, Takahashi & G-Force PD consortium, 2015). This consortium, G-Force PD, involves teams from Europe, USA and Japan.
Interested in participating in stem cell research? Presenters at the World Parkinson Congress warn patients and their loved ones to be wary of any trials that require payment for participation. The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) has developed the ISSCR Patient Handbook on Stem Cell Therapies. This publication was created with information to help patients and their families evaluate stem cell treatments they may be considering. It is available online at: http://www.isscr.org/home/publications/patient-handbook.
Levodopa Induced Dyskinesia
Dyskinesia is best described as an abnormality or impairment of voluntary movement. Levodopainduced dyskinesia is the impairment of voluntary movement caused by Levodopa medication. While Levodopa is often deemed the most effective pharmaceutical therapy for people with Parkinson’s, dosing and responsivity, disease severity and duration, and age of onset are considered cardinal factors to developing dyskinesias in the long-term.
Some research findings suggest that dyskinesia interferes with daily activities, increases clumsiness in activities that require precision, causes weight loss, postural instability, fatigue and pain. While findings are still contradictory, there is no doubt that dyskinesia can negatively impact the quality of life on an individual basis. Levodopa-induced dyskinesias may be intrinsic to the use of Levodopa.
Research is finding new ways to predict and treat dyskinesia. Currently, to control dyskinesias, improved dopaminergic therapies (especially improved Levodopa delivery) may lessen their expression.
This content was published in the Fall 2016 edition of our quarterly magazine, Viewpoints. The content was accurate as of this publication date.