Parkinson's

Question 1

Parkinson’s

Answer 1

• Parkinson’s disease (PD): The second most common neurogenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease.
• In the disease there is a gradual loss of dopamine producing neurons in the substantia nigra.
• Neurons of the substantia nigra normally supply or enervate a part of the brain called the striatum.
• Loss of dopamine supply to the striatum leads to the characteristic tremor and movement disorders seen in the disease.

Question 2

Parkinson’s: Sign and symptoms

SSSSS

Answer 2

Shake, shuffle, stiff, slow, speech

• Characteristic tremor often called ‘pill rolling’ which looks as if a patient is rolling a pill between their index finger and thumb.
• Muscle rigidity or dystonia stiff or weak muscles and difficulty maintaining posture.
• Shuffling gait (dragging feet)
• Constipation and loss of sense of smell may occur many years before Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.
• Bradykinesia or slowness of movement. Affects handwriting ( micrographia ), facial expression and speech.

Question 3

Parkinson’s: Causes and risk factors

Answer 3

• Age, hereditary, sex.
• Mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation and oxidative stress.
• Traumatic brain injury.
• Pesticides and herbicides.
• Manganese, iron, mercury, lead and aluminium toxicity.
• Poor calcium metabolism.
• Stress and depression.
• Recreational drugs, especially amphetamines.

Question 4

PD: Alpha synuclein

Answer 4

• Similar to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease has a misfolded protein associated with its pathology.
• Misfolded alpha synuclein is thought to become misfolded due to excess oxidative stress.
• Once misfolded, alpha synuclein can form protein aggregates called Lewy bodies.
• Lewy body accumulates in and around dopamine neurons leading to further oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and finally dopamine neuron loss.

Question 5

Parkinson’s: Metals

Answer 5

Manganese
Iron
Mercury

Question 6

Parkinson’s: L-dopa

Answer 6

• Dopamine cannot cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). L-dopa can cross into the CNS where it converts into dopamine.
• Serotonin producing neurons also convert L-dopa to dopamine by using amino acid decarboxylase the same enzyme is used to make both dopamine and serotonin.
• Serotonin neurons can be damaged by L-dopa, resulting in some negative psychological effects.
• L-dopa drugs also include another drug called a decarboxylase inhibitor this drug inhibits L dopa
  dopamine conversion outside the brain, resulting in a higher level of dopamine reaching the brain.
• Vitamin B6 should be taken away from L-dopa medication as it may interfere with decarboxylase inhibitors.

Question 7

Parkinson’s: Catecholaldehyde
Theory

Answer 7

Dopamine is metabolised by MAO-B leading to DOPAL.

Slowing down MAO B and speeding up DOPAL detoxification is considered to be a protective strategy for dopaminergic neurons.

Question 8

Parkinson’s: Early warning signs

Answer 8

• Loss of sense of smell
• Constipation

Question 9

Parkinson’s Diet

Answer 9

Permutter
MEND 1 and 2

Question 10

Parkinson’s: Other considerations

Answer 10

• Hyperbaric oxygen (breathing pure oxygen in a pressurised room) can lessen psychiatric symptoms associated with PD.
• Avoid EMFs from mobile phones and microwaves. EMFs have been found to disrupt cell membrane calcium channels leading to oxidative / nitrosative stress in the CNS.
• Chelation of aluminium with Volvic , Fiji water and other chelators such as chlorella and coriander. Aluminium has been shown to displace iron from its stores leading to increased oxidative stress and protein misfolding.
• Alpha lipoic acid can chelate damaging iron deposits from ageing brains.

Question 11

Herbs for brain health

Answer 11

BBB
* Gotu kola: neuroprotective (reversing neuronal
damage)
* Gingko biloba: circulatory stimulant, tissue perfusion enhancing.
* Ashwagandha

Parkinson’s disease:
* Mucuna pruriens : Contains L-dopa