Living with Parkinson’ s
BANDING TOGETHER TO LIFT THE FOG ON DEMENTIA
Research across brain diseases offers insights and benefits
by RACHEL DOLHUN, MD
Photo by Sam Ogden
RESEARCH IS AN EVOLVING FIELD. Scientists ask questions, reach an answer and then ask more informed questions to get the next answer. That’ s how research moves forward and our knowledge of disease changes over time. Long ago, for example, many thought Parkinson’ s disease( PD) caused only movement problems, but today doctors and researchers recognize the various non-movement symptoms involved.
Scientists have a growing interest in one particular non-movement symptom: dementia, or significant memory or thinking changes( such as difficulty paying attention or multitasking) that affect daily activities.
Many people in later stages of PD can experience dementia as a symptom of disease. But dementia occurs with other diseases, too. The most common is Alzheimer’ s disease. Some people experience dementia with Lewy bodies— a condition that shares the movement symptoms of Parkinson’ s, but shows dementia in the early years with disease.
Among these dementia-causing diseases, research is uncovering common symptoms, genetic risks and brain changes. This means that research focused on one disease can provide insights and potential benefit in another. Much
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Parkinson’ s work aims to understand and target alpha-synuclein protein clumps( Lewy bodies)— the hallmark brain changes of PD. Because Lewy bodies also play a role in Parkinson’ s dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies, these efforts also could pay off for people living with dementia.
Comparing and contrasting diseases reveals similarities and differences, which can lead to better understanding of causes, ways to diagnose and treatments to slow progression. The Biomarkers Across Neurodegenerative Diseases( BAND) program, a collaboration between MJFF and three leading brain research organizations, is offering $ 2 million in global funding to find what unites and separates Parkinson’ s and related diseases. Launched in 2014, the initiative has supported $ 3 million toward these objectives; work continues to broaden knowledge and answer outstanding questions.
While funding research on dementia and Parkinson’ s, MJFF also is developing educational resources for patients and families. Dementia can be a tough topic to talk about, but as MJFF Patient Council co-chair Bret Parker says,“ When we live in silence, we perpetuate a stigma that doesn’ t belong.”