Predicting Parkinson’s Before It Strikes

Predicting Parkinson’s before it strikes

Every day, 50 Australians are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease — a progressive neurological condition that affects over 150,000 people across the country. While its exact cause remains unknown, a growing body of research suggests our immune system may play a far more critical role than previously thought. Now, scientists have discovered a new clue: a surge in certain immune cells, called T cells, may occur years before the onset of physical sy…

Boothbay Region YMCA reintroduces boxing for Parkinson’s

The Boothbay Region YMCA is proud to announce the return of Boxing for Parkinson’s, an evidence-based, non-contact boxing fitness program specifically designed to improve the quality of life for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease.  This free, 8-week program, which began June 24, is open to YMCA members and will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Registration is now open, and space is limited due to small class s…

T Cell Reactivity as an Early Marker of Parkinson's Disease

The protein α-synuclein misfolds and spreads from neuron to neuron in the nervous system to cause the pathology of Parkinson's disease. In Parkinson's patients, it has been found that T cells exhibit increased reactivity to α-synuclein. That may contribute to inflammation and disease progression, but here researchers show that this reactivity exists and is measurable before evident symptoms of Parkinson's disease emerge. Thus it may serve as the…