FOCUS ON: Parkinson’s Disease

BY STEPHANIE WALLACE

A new Parkinson’s diagnosis occurs every nine minutes in the United States, according to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association. April is National Parkinson’s Awareness month, so we’re shining a light on the warning signs and causes of the disease.

WHAT IS PARKINSON’S DISEASE?

Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder that impacts the nervous system. It predominantly affects dopamine-producing neurons in a part of the brain known as the substantia nigra. It results in uncontrolled or unintentional movements, such as shaking, stiffness and difficulty with balance and coordination. As the disease progresses, it can lead to difficulty walking and talking, and patients can develop mental and behavioral changes.

The Causes

The cause of Parkinson’s is still unknown. Research indicates that both genetic and environmental factors could play a part. About 15% of people with Parkinson’s have a relative with the disease. However, that doesn’t necessarily point to a genetic cause. It could be a reflection of exposure to similar environmental factors. It’s believed that around 10% of cases are inherited. Research has uncovered several gene mutations linked to the disease. The most common known genetic cause is mutation of the GBA gene. However, the increased risk that people with the mutation will develop Parkinson’s is less than 10%.

There are several environmental exposures that are linked to Parkinson’s. Some are believed to increase the risk of the disease, but there is evidence that others can reduce it.

↑ higher risk

• Head and traumatic brain injury

• Geographic location

• Occupation

• Long-term exposure to metals

• Solvents and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a currently banned chemical compound that was formerly used in products, such as coolants pesticides and herbicides, such as paraquat

The Warning Signs

The American Parkinson’s Foundation suggests people learn to look out for 10 early signs of Parkinson’s disease.

Tremors: Shakiness can happen for a variety of reasons, including stress, injury and fatigue. However, tremors while at rest also are a common early sign of Parkinson’s. It usually begins in a limb, most often the hand or fingers.

Smaller handwriting: Known as micrographia, abnormally small or cramped handwriting is an acquired disorder that is associated with Parkinson’s. If you notice changes to the way you write or it becomes more difficult, it could be an early indicator of the disease.

Reduced sense of smell: Difficulty smelling foods like dill pickles, bananas and licorice are associated with the disease. Temporary loss of smell could be the result of a cold or other illness, but normal function should return following recovery. If it persists, consult your doctor about Parkinson’s.

Trouble sleeping: The disease is associated with disordered sleep. Research has shown that people with Parkinson’s average around just over five hours of sleep a night, and throughout the night, they wake up twice as much as people their age who don’t have Parkinson’s.

Difficulty moving or walking: Bradykinesia is a slowness of movement that is one of the most common manifestations of Parkinson’s. Your steps may become shorter when you walk or drag and shuffle your feet. You may also experience stiffness in your shoulders or hips. It can make simple tasks more difficult and time-consuming.

Constipation: If you strain to move your bowels regularly, it can be an early sign of Parkinson’s. However, diet, medication and other factors also can cause constipation. Consult your physician to see if you can determine the cause.

↓ lower risk

• Caffeine consumption

• High levels of uric acid—a chemical that naturally occurs in blood

• Anti-inflammatory medication

• Nicotine and smoking

• Vitamin D

• Exercise

Softer speech: Parkinson’s can impact the way you speak. The disease is associated with soft, breathy or hoarse speech. If people are struggling to hear you, it could be a warning sign.

Masked facial expressions: “Masked faces” refer to diminished facial expressions that are commonly associated with Parkinson’s. Individuals with the disease can often look expressionless or upset, even when they are not in a bad mood.

Dizziness or fainting: Feeling dizzy or fainting is a sign of low blood pressure, which is linked to Parkinson’s. The disease also is associated with a loss of balance that can lead to falls.

Stooping or hunching: Impaired posture is a common side effect. Muscle stiffness also can occur in any part of the body, which can limit your range of motion. &

• An estimated 4% of people with Parkinson’s are diagnosed before age 50.

• Men are 1.5 times more likely to have Parkinson’s than women.

• The combined direct and indirect cost of Parkinson’s is estimated to be nearly $52 billion per year in the U.S.

Skin Cancer Awareness

Saint Louis University is helping children learn about skin cancer detection and prevention. In collaboration with Washington University in St. Louis, Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students (SPOTS) launched a new PSA about how skin cancer impacts everyone, regardless of age and skin color. Melanoma is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in girls and women between 15 and 29, and while those with a darker skin tone are less likely to develop it, they have a higher morbidity and mortality rate. “The five-year melanoma survival rate among Black patients is 70% compared to 95% in white patients,” explains Dr. Sofia Chaudhry. “There is, unfortunately, a significant health disparity that needs to be better addressed.”

Fighting Coronaviruses

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine are working to minimize the effects of potential future coronavirus pandemics. Supported by an $8 million grant from the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the team is working to design a vaccine that reduces illness and death from any coronavirus, including those that cannot yet affect humans. “Some coronaviruses that circulate in animals are just a few mutations away from having pandemic potential,” says co-principal investigator Dr. Michael S. Diamond, the Herbert S. Gasser Professor of Medicine and a professor of molecular microbiology and pathology and immunology. “This is a significant concern. We know some of them already can infect human cells, they just lack the ability to be efficiently transmitted between people.”

Aging Better With Technology

Congratulations to Devita Stallings, Ph.D., R.N. to BSN program coordinator and associate professor of nursing at Saint Louis University. She was named a winner for the National Institute on Aging Healthy Aging Start-Up Challenge and Bootcamp. Out of 20 finalists, she was awarded one of five $60,000 cash prizes. While participating in the boot camp, participants received valuable resources and worked with mentors and NIA staff to develop their innovations, foster diversity in aging research and eliminate health disparities. Stallings is working on developing a prototype hypertension self-management app. The NIA funds will assist with launching the website, furthering app development and securing additional grant funding.

JUMPING GENES & CANCER

Transposable elements, or jumping genes, are short sections of DNA that, over the course of evolution, have been incorporated into the human genome. Research has discovered that they are related to the development of cancer; however, a new study from Washington University School of Medicine suggests that jumping genes may be used to target immunotherapies to tumors that don’t typically respond to treatment. Researchers found that transposable elements can function like switches, forcing genes to be turned on. While this can drive cancer growth it also creates unusual pieces of proteins unique to the tumor. These antigens are present on the surface of the cell, making them ideal for targeting with immunotherapy.