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Parkinson's Disease research


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2015 Jan 27, 12:31am   67,297 views  99 comments

by curious2   ➕follow (2)   💰tip   ignore  

I've been reading a lot about Parkinson's Disease research, including especially stem cell research. "Now that the president is in favour, [advocate Michael J] Fox observes wryly, "there is no money" for Congress to pay for it." Am I the only one to notice this pattern: when R's are in charge, they call stem cell research "immoral" (though they launch phony wars killing thousands of people including children); when D's are in charge, they call stem cell research "unaffordable" (though they launch infinite mandatory spending on entrenched industry revenue models)? Are there any SF Bay area companies researching a cure for Parkinson's Disease, and what experience have they had?

Update 2016: in addition to the continuously updated list of projects in this thread, anyone interested in this topic should see the Michael J. Fox Foundation site.

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11   Rin   2015 Jan 27, 1:55pm  

curious2 says

Thanks Rin for suggesting that! I had been reading about using adult stem cells, induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells, and other research into stem cell treatments. Many very smart people believe that may prove the best approach, although it does have some issues to sort out.

Here's the thing, the adult stem cells need to be 're-generated' in the sense that certain prior tests of moving an older person's derived cells, didn't have enough replications to make much of a difference.

On the other hand, these cells can be extracted from fatty tissues, blood, and other sources, grown outside the body in a high estrogen media, get their telomeres extended, as estrogen has been known to activate the telomerase gene, and then, when the cells are effectively made younger, having the same number of division totals as a ~30 year old, they can be transplanted on site. Of course, all traces of that media need to be removed first.

There are already clinics outside of the USA, offering such treatments, and outside of let's say the brain, since there's a bit of a blood/brain barrier there, these cells can be IV dripped and even those with prior heart conditions get better quickly. I know someone whose friend did this and his recovery is quite dramatic. Of course, not a single US MD told him about this.
curious2 says

The viral gene therapy may offer efficient delivery and protect remaining cells, although replacing lost cells may still require IPS or other stem cell methods.

I'd much rather go back, every 10 years, than do a retroviral treatment. That's the boundary of the 'Biology of Cancer' and we already have enough viral contaminations as it is, which is why chickenpox survivors get shingles in old age. It's the same virus, hiding and waiting its turn.

12   curious2   2015 Jan 27, 2:04pm  

Thanks Rin :)

I had found online Stemgenex in San Diego. The website says they harvest stem cells from adipose tissue, and deliver them via IV or "intra nasal" or "direct site injections." It doesn't say if they inject directly into the brain.

I suppose anything has risks, e.g. the risks you mentioned regarding viral gene therapy. Stem cells could conceivably grow into something undesirable also, e.g. cancer or an elbow in the middle of the skull. The issue is the range of risks: the upside potential may offset the downside risk, especially compared to existing approved therapies that (at best) slow the worsening of symptoms.

13   Rin   2015 Jan 27, 3:13pm  

curious2 says

Stem cells could conceivably grow into something undesirable also, e.g. cancer or an elbow in the middle of the skull.

I think the umbilical stem cells have a greater risk than the adult adipose ones. Part of that, I believe, is that the umbilical ones are closer to the body's embryogenesis phase and thus, may get confused and attempt to form an organism, which in this case would be a tumor.

With that stated, probably the best way to find out if the post-estrogen treated adult stem cells pose a cancer treat is to perform a mutation assay on the cells, before and after conditioning. If mutation results indicate that the enhanced, younger cells have more mutations per [ whatever unit they're measured in ], then this treatment has a risk to it. On the other hand, if the results are within a few percentage points then it's probably safe. My biggest concern would be bad batches and contamination.

14   Rin   2015 Jan 27, 3:16pm  

What I'm curious about, in terms of the Parkinson's trial, is whether or not the efficacy is higher on supporting glial cells than dopamine generating neutrons? Because higher glial function assists all brain function.

15   curious2   2015 Jan 27, 4:02pm  

Thanks Rin :) I had seen some references to research involving glial cell-derived nerve growth factor for Parkinson's Disease, e.g. WebMD and a potentially very encouraging trial on monkeys reported in 2013. I haven't found much if anything since then though.

NIH got a brief stimulus in 2009-10, but then the bipartisan "sequester" stopped that. The recent Ebola scare brought to the fore vaccines that had languished for a decade, but even that comes at the expense of other NIH efforts.

It saddens and amazes me that so few of today's billionaires seem interested in funding research that might save their own lives or brains, while so many prefer to spend more on a larger yacht instead. And yet, government funding priorities seem similarly short-sighted to me.

16   Rin   2015 Jan 27, 4:22pm  

curious2 says

It saddens and amazes me that so few of today's billionaires seem interested in funding research that might save their own lives or brains, while so many prefer to spend more on a larger yacht instead. And yet, government funding priorities seem similarly short-sighted to me.

I believe that what billionaires have is a big ego, more than a big imagination. And thus, they'd rather send a few hundred million to a charity hospital, to pat themselves on the back as some 'great' philanthropist.

Hence, I'm not all that impressed with the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation because in a nutshell, what they're doing is making generic Rx below wholesale costs for the third world. In other words, being a pharma subsidizer. As you know, bioavailable Allicin from garlic can hinder many pathogens out there but yet, it's a skunkworks project. Garlic is $5 per pound.

17   curious2   2015 Jan 27, 4:37pm  

Thanks Rin, following one of your earlier comments I have been consuming garlic whenever I experience cold symptoms, and I do find (anecdotally but consistently) that it seems to help.

Regarding The Gates Foundation, I am sometimes very impressed but I have also found it ironic that they tend to emphasize third world delivery over developing new technology. They have reportedly provided more than $300 million for vaccine research, mainly for HIV which infects ~30 million Africans:

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Gates-Foundation-awards-287-million-for-HIV-1209297.php

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/14828/20140904/gates-foundation-donates-25-million-to-aid-hiv-vaccine-research.htm

In an interview, Bill Gates said that no matter how good your technology is, it doesn't matter if you can't deliver it to the people who need it. I respect that point, but I think the best and most valuable work creates new solutions that didn't exist before. As you've noted, there isn't a shortage of potential STEM workers, but I would say there is a shortage of STEM funding to develop real solutions to widespread problems. Funding such research has many benefits, including enabling STEM grads to achieve their potential while ultimately enabling the whole world to share in the benefit of that work.

18   Rin   2015 Jan 27, 4:47pm  

curious2 says

I have been consuming garlic whenever I experience cold symptoms, and I do find (anecdotally but consistently) that it seems to help.

Try the isolated, activated, and stablised Allicin, as oppose to the bulb, since a bulb's allinin isn't completely converted. Here's a good company, www.allimax.us, the results are much better.

curious2 says

They have reportedly provided more than $300 million for vaccine research, mainly for HIV

The thing is that it's still name dropping for him. I mean who wouldn't want to say to others than they promote eradicating HIV? That's generally how billionaires think.

curious2 says

I respect that point, but I think the best and most valuable work creates new solutions that didn't exist before.

Yes, and this is the reason why I'm not impressed by Gates.

19   Rin   2015 Jan 27, 6:05pm  

curious2 says

shortage of STEM funding to develop real solutions to widespread problems. Funding such research has many benefits, including enabling STEM grads to achieve their potential while ultimately enabling the whole world to share in the benefit of that work.

STEM graduates, like all graduates, need a livelihood. And for many ppl, that's leaving STEM for careers in consulting, finance, law, or health care. In general, ppl with motivation, drive, and intelligence, won't want to be cannon fodder for a system which completely exploits them as in academia.

20   mell   2015 Jan 27, 7:47pm  

Raw crushed garlic is more effective from an overall medicinal standpoint than Allicin which has a very short lifespan and is just one of the many active ingredients in garlic. If you cannot stomach it or don't like the breath it's a decent alternative just for the Allicin aspect of garlic. Garlic is considered one of the most potent natural antimicrobials by some and that view is consistent with my experiences (not just for viral infections, you can literally chew it and effectively combat strep throat). Regarding Parkinsons, Ampakines are considered a compound of interest, also for many other indications, generally improving memory functions, but research and drug development seems to be crawling along at snails pace there as well. Piracetam is a weak one (which you can get as a supplement) if you need a few good hours of focused coding or improved brain power for an exam or during a battle of chess ;)

21   Dan8267   2015 Jan 27, 8:35pm  

curious2 says

Am I the only one to notice this pattern: when R's are in charge, they call stem cell research "immoral" (though they launch phony wars killing thousands of people including children); when D's are in charge, they call stem cell research "unaffordable" (though they launch infinite mandatory spending on entrenched industry revenue models)?

The solution is quite simple. Infect every Republican senator and representative and their family members with diseases that have no cure but that stem cell research offers good hope of a cure. Watch them change their tune in a second.

The only principle that Republicans consistently uphold is the principle of self-interest.

23   Rin   2015 Jan 28, 5:03am  

A number of years ago, when Gates first created MS research, he wanted to envision his company in a similar manner as a Bell Labs of yesteryear. So it was suppose to be place where ppl with independent ideas could work on them. What happened, however, was that when his so-called free researchers came up with things like handheld devices, etc, him and Ballmer shot them down, because that didn't necessarily promote the Windows platform. Notice that a decade later ... those devices are now ubiquitous?

Here's my complaint about the above ... if he wanted mere slaves, then just say it, 'Hey, you work for me, now do as you're told or you're fired!'

The fact that a couple of billionaires were so ill equipped to deal with some middle class creative workers is astounding. When I retire from this hedge fund, ppl like Gates won't be able to hire me. I'll tell 'em right off the bat that if they think they can control and manipulate me, then they can go f'ck themselves. He can insult me all that he wants but since I pay my own bills, he's powerless. That's the difference between an independent soul and that of a corporate kiss *ss.

I'd realized that when Warren Buffet and him did a town hall discussion with Columbia business school attendants. Everyone was so keen on getting approval that they didn't ask either of the billionaires any tough questions. It was like they were sucking some c*ck to perhaps find some work there in the future. It was lame.

24   Rin   2015 Jan 28, 5:04am  

mell says

Raw crushed garlic is more effective from an overall medicinal standpoint than Allicin which has a very short lifespan and is just one of the many active ingredients in garlic.

You can have it both ways, a stabilized Allicin (via chemical process engineering) along with crushed garlic, then one or the other.

25   MisdemeanorRebel   2015 Jan 28, 7:36am  

Dan8267 says

The solution is quite simple. Infect every Republican senator and representative and their family members with diseases that have no cure but that stem cell research offers good hope of a cure. Watch them change their tune in a second.

Just the reps and senators - not their family members. These elected officials have a long history of abandoning their spouses on their death bed to run off with half-their-age office staffers or Argentinian models.

26   curious2   2015 Jan 28, 1:17pm  

For anyone interested in reading further about the topic, here is a report from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine following a 2013 SF workshop "in
collaboration with the Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)."
It includes a "snapshot" of current technologies and suggests criteria for future stem cell trials.

BTW, the included UK link to the TRANSEURO project is not working at the moment, though it appears in search results and the project remains online at an EU URL, and the project is described on the NIH website.

27   curious2   2015 Jan 28, 11:39pm  

mell says

Ampakines are considered a compound of interest, also for many other indications, generally improving memory functions, but research and drug development seems to be crawling along at snails pace there as well. Piracetam is a weak one (which you can get as a supplement)

Thanks mell :)

I found links showing interest in ampakines, and links to online retailers. Unfortunately, I have not yet found any published studies or results.

Meanwhile, I've been finding providers of stem cell technology, including an SF company:

http://sfstemcellcenter.com/stem-cell-treatment/

I haven't yet found data to evaluate results though.

28   curious2   2015 Jan 29, 3:38pm  

BTW, although Google News can be the most current way to see the most recently updated stories, it suffers from a commercial bias, manipulated by publicists and public relations (PR) campaigns. Just as Google search spawned a search engine optimization (SEO) industry, Google News has apparently done likewise for the PR industry. I've been reading about Parkinson's and Google News alerted me to a widely reported study that said Parkinson's patients improve more with expensive placebos than cheap ones; the sample size turned out to be 12 patients. The study authors note that it provides "Class III evidence," i.e. the lowest of any type of study other than Internet surveys and phoning an expert, but it made headlines almost simultaneously throughout the commercial press. I am guessing the PR campaign to push the study cost probably 100x more than the study itself, and who knows how many studies of the same size found no effect at all before one turned up saying higher costs confer medicinal benefit. Seeing the glass half-full, I suppose these campaigns were happening long before Google arrived, and now Google News makes obvious the "invisible hand" that had previously been hidden.

29   curious2   2015 Jan 29, 6:34pm  

Also, if this Parkinson's Disease thread gets the attention of anyone affiliated with California biotech companies, they might want to know that as of November CIRM still had $1 billion to invest and expressed interest in co-funding with industry and investors its $3 billion under Proposition 71. Consistent with the OP at the start of my reading, I have found distressingly little federal funding, but considerable funding at the California state level and from industry and private charities (e.g. the Michael J. Fox Foundation).

30   Rin   2015 Jan 29, 6:34pm  

curious2 says

Google News has apparently done likewise for the PR industry. I've been reading about Parkinson's and Google News alerted me to a widely reported study that said Parkinson's patients improve more with expensive placebos than cheap ones; the sample size turned out to be 12 patients

Have you thought about using Duck Duck Go? It'll spread the search out, over the various search engines w/o revealing you, and then, it's harder for them to profile their ads towards you?

31   curious2   2015 Jan 29, 6:41pm  

Thanks Rin, I've been using DuckDuckGo since Patrick mentioned it. I'm not worried about ads, but I do feel somewhat uncomfortable about Big Brother's "Total Information Awareness" combined with "Total Recall." I was fascinated by reports on "60 minutes" about superior memory, including considerable evidence that the ability to forget may be evolutionarily adaptive. I think the EU has a point regarding "the right to be forgotten", though I don't blame the search engines. Many Facebook users report that disclosing their opinions caused them to lose friends, for example. As a species, we have no evolutionary history of "Total Information Awareness" and "Total Recall", and we see many examples where seemingly banal information found online caused serious consequences IRL.

32   Rin   2015 Jan 29, 6:52pm  

I use a combination of VPN, DuckDuckGo, and Disconnect for privacy.

As for social media, I'd completely rejected it because the way I see it, it's fertile grounds for ID theft.

38   curious2   2015 Mar 23, 1:55pm  

A Roche and Prothena collaboration Phase 1 trial Reports Reduction of Free Serum Alpha-Synuclein After Single Dose of PRX002. Roche is the parent company of SFBA's Genentech, a large biotech company based in South San Francisco.

41   SoTex   2015 Apr 25, 8:38pm  

Rin says

How about using pre-existing adult stem cells, to re-generate the substantia nigra, the section of the brain damaged by Parkinson's?

Because you'll give them paranoid schizophrenia?

42   curious2   2015 Apr 26, 12:45am  

Regarding the isradipine Phase III trial linked above, the study should last three years. I tried to edit the original comment but couldn't for some reason.

49   curious2   2016 Mar 24, 2:21am  

I had previously commented on NeuroPhage a year ago, and they seem to be moving ahead on the schedule they had announced then:

"The Virus That Could Cure Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and More
***
The phage M13’s goal is to infect just one type of bacteria, Escherichia coli, or E. coli, which can be found in copious amounts in the intestines of mammals. Like other microorganisms, phages such as M13 have only one purpose: to pass on their genes. In order to do this, they have developed weapons to enable them to invade, take over, and even kill their bacterial hosts. Before the advent of antibiotics, in fact, doctors occasionally used phages to fight otherwise incurable bacterial infections.
***
Immunotherapy employs specially made antibodies, rather than small molecule drugs, to target the disease’s plaques and tangles. As high school students learn in biology class, antibodies are Y-shaped proteins that are part of the body’s natural defense against infection. These proteins are designed to latch onto invaders and hold them so that they can be destroyed by the immune system. But since the 1970s, molecular biologists have been able to genetically engineer human-made antibodies, fashioned to attack undesirable interlopers like cancer cells.
***
the phage’s special abilities involved a set of proteins displayed on the tip of the virus, called GP3.
***
By 2013, NeuroPhage’s researchers had tested the new compound, which they called NPT088, in test tubes and in animals, including nonhuman primates. It performed spectacularly, simultaneously targeting multiple misfolded proteins such as amyloid beta, tau, and alpha-synuclein at various stages of amyloid assembly.
***
The concept is that this antibody could be administered to patients once or twice a month by intravenous infusion for as long as necessary.
***
NeuroPhage must now navigate the FDA’s regulatory system and demonstrate that its product is safe and effective. So far, NPT088 has proved safe in nonhuman primates. But the big test will be the phase 1A trial expected to be under way this year. This first human study proposed is a single-dose trial to look for any adverse effects in healthy volunteers. If all goes well, NeuroPhage will launch a phase 1B study involving some 50 patients with Alzheimer’s to demonstrate proof of the drug’s activity. Patients will have their brains imaged at the start to determine the amount of amyloid-beta and tau. Then, after taking the drug for six months, they will be reimaged to see if the drug has reduced the aggregates below the baseline.

“If our drug works, we will see it working in this trial,” Hillerstrom says. “And then we may be able to go straight to phase 2 trials for both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.”
***
Along the way, the company will have to prove its GAIM system is superior to the competition. Currently, there are several drug and biotech companies testing products in clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease, against both amyloid-beta (Lilly, Pfizer, Novartis, and Genentech) and tau (TauRx) and also corporations with products against alpha-synuclein for Parkinson’s disease (AFFiRiS and Prothena/Roche). But Solomon and Hillerstrom think they have two advantages: multi-target flexibility (their product is the only one that can target multiple amyloids at once) and potency (they believe that NPT088 eliminates more toxic aggregates than their competitors’ products)."

BTW, I don't know what psycho Disliked three (1, 2, 3) of my comments above, without explanation, but if they have some scientific objection then let them present it. Apparently, (s)he Disliked basically all of my comments over a 20-day period, and is probably some closeted Muslim whom I offended and who tried to take revenge by Disliking everything from Parkinson's research to Don Henley. Meanwhile, this thread combines links to more than 40 relevant research efforts around the world, and thus PatNet provides a more comprehensive reference on this topic than anything else I've found anywhere, with the possible exception of (and certainly Honorable Mention to) the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which finances much of the best research worldwide.

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