Finding the cure

1
Finding the cure
Understanding Parkinsons Caroline Morris -
Education Training Officer South West Channel
Islands 0844 225 3691

• Presentation 23.02.10

2
Dr James Parkinson (1755 1824) Essay on the
Shaking Palsy
.involuntary tremulous motion, with lessened
muscular power, in parts not in action with a
propensity to bend the trunk forward, and to pass
from a walking to a running pace the senses
and intellect being uninjured. 1817
Hoxton Square Shoreditch, London
3
What is Parkinsons.

• Parkinsons is a progressive fluctuating
  neurological condition non-terminal
• Parkinsons occurs when 80 of dopamine producing
  cells are lost from the part of the brain that
  controls movement
• The cause of loss of dopamine is unknown..

Dopamine
4
Incidence and Prevalence

• 1 in 500 of general population / 127,000 cases in
  UK
• (28 increase expected by 2020 162,000 cases)
• Average age of diagnosis 55 - 74 years
• Parkinsons is rarely inherited (5 of cases)

55 are Male and 45 are Female 1 in 20 diagnosed
are under 40
Occurs in all ethnic groups
5
NICE

• If Parkinsons is suspected, patients should
  quickly be referred (untreated) to a neurologist
  or to a geriatrician with a special interest in
  Parkinsons
• Follow up every 6 -12 months to optimise
  treatment and reassess the diagnosis

6
Diagnosis - Signs and Symptoms

• Slowness Poverty of Movement
• (bradykinesia) (hypokinesia)
• Ability to start a movement (initiation)
• Reduced size of movements (amplitude)
• Coordination of movements (sequencing)
• Stiffness (rigidity) difficulty with fine
  movements fastening buttons, handwriting etc -
  often painful
• Pill Rolling Tremor (worse when rushed or excited)

7
Impact of Parkinsons
(collection of challenges)

• Mobility / Slowness
• Motor fluctuations
• Falls Freezing
• Communication Issues
• Parkinsons Mask
• Bradyphrenia
• Soft Voice
• Eating Difficulties
• Swallowing Issues
• Sleep Problems

• Anxiety / Depression
• Dementia
• Constipation
• Incontinence
• Pain / Dystonia
• Progression / Deterioration
• Relationship Issues
• Loss of Dignity Choice

Everyone is Different
8
Parkinsons Medications

• Medication GIOT
• Levodopa
• Dopamine agonists
• MAO-B inhibitors
• COMT inhibitors
• Glutamate antagonist
• Anticholinergics

9
Challenges of Medication

• Fluctuations in response
• Wearing Off On/Off effect
• Hallucinations, nightmares, confusion
• Dyskinesia (involuntary movement)
• Impulsive / Compulsive Behaviour (ICBs)

10
Parkinsons Research

• We are here to find a cure and improve life for
  everyone affected by Parkinsons. We have
  invested over 60 million in groundbreaking
  research
• 90 Projects (20 million)
• 40 projects investigating the causes of
  Parkinsons
• 20 projects to improve life with Parkinsons
• 30 projects better treatment and a cure

11
Parkinsons Information Support

• Freephone Confidential Helpline (0808 800 0303)
• Local Parkinsons Nurse Specialists
• Local Information Support Workers (ISW)
• Website Website Forum (www.parkinsons.org.uk)
• Peer Support Service (Telephone Service)
• Local Group Network (See Website)
• Information Resources / Publications
• Local Information Events
• Parkinsons UK Membership - 4.00 per year
• Social Media Twitter, Facebook etc..
• Join our Professionals Network

12
What you can do to help

• Please GIVE MORE TIME
• Understand communicating can be difficult
• Please dont stare or make assumptions
• Ask if you can help
• Take a little time to understand Parkinsons