Now and again a piece of research emerges that turns an accepted idea on its head - and a new study published this week in top scientific journal Nature has done just that.
It shows that the protein alpha-synuclein - a key player in Parkinson's - may behave very differently than researchers previously thought.
Alpha-synuclein is the main component of protein that forms sticky clumps called Lewy bodies in the nerve cells that die when people develop Parkinson's.
People who have changes in the alpha-synuclein gene have an increased risk of Parkinson's.
Until now, researchers had believed this protein existed by itself as single units. However this new research suggests that in healthy cells, the protein actually forms very stable 4-unit blocks, which crucially seem to be less likely to form Lewy bodies.
This research may hold the key to understanding what causes Parkinson's, and what goes wrong inside the cells that die in Parkinson's.
It may also hopefully lead to the development of new treatments that can stop Lewy bodies forming and slow or stop the development of Parkinson's entirely.
We're currently funding almost £1million of research projects investigating alpha-synuclein, and these new findings could be the catalyst for more breakthroughs that bring us closer to a cure.
Find out more about our exciting current research projects and let us know what you think about this new discovery in the comments section below.
Welfare reform revisited
A BBC article this week stated that the Lib Dems plan to call for changes to the current 'stressful' Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) testing during their party conference in Birmingham next month.
This follows recent protests by many who are unhappy with the controversial Work Capability Assessment (WCA) computerised testing system introduced to ascertain disability claims.
There are serious concerns that assessments are inaccurate and unfair, which echoes our support of the recent Hardest Hit campaign and the 'Making it work for fluctuating conditions' report we collaborated on in May to make benefits assessments fairer.
Despite incorporation of recommendations from Professor Harrington for a fairer system, following 2 previous reviews of the process, questions remain about whether a tick-box computer-led assessment is the best way to analyse suitability to work.
Over the next 3 years, 1.5 million people will undergo this more stringent procedure.
With any assessments for disability allowance, the complex and fluctuating nature of a condition such as Parkinson's is not being taken into account.
A staggering 40% of claimants denied support appeal, a process which is costly for the state.
Another worry is that the Government proposes to limit contributory ESA to just 1 year for those deemed about to undertake 'work-related activity. This means people with Parkinson's who've worked all their lives and paid national insurance could have support withdrawn because they can't find work after 12 months.
The Government must ensure its proposals do not punish those in society who need the most support.
We'll be contributing to a second Independent Review of the WCA currently being carried out by Professor Harrington. Read more about how to influence our response.
Share your views or experience of ESA below or email campaigns@parkinsons.org.uk
This follows recent protests by many who are unhappy with the controversial Work Capability Assessment (WCA) computerised testing system introduced to ascertain disability claims.
There are serious concerns that assessments are inaccurate and unfair, which echoes our support of the recent Hardest Hit campaign and the 'Making it work for fluctuating conditions' report we collaborated on in May to make benefits assessments fairer.
Despite incorporation of recommendations from Professor Harrington for a fairer system, following 2 previous reviews of the process, questions remain about whether a tick-box computer-led assessment is the best way to analyse suitability to work.
Over the next 3 years, 1.5 million people will undergo this more stringent procedure.
With any assessments for disability allowance, the complex and fluctuating nature of a condition such as Parkinson's is not being taken into account.
A staggering 40% of claimants denied support appeal, a process which is costly for the state.
Another worry is that the Government proposes to limit contributory ESA to just 1 year for those deemed about to undertake 'work-related activity. This means people with Parkinson's who've worked all their lives and paid national insurance could have support withdrawn because they can't find work after 12 months.
The Government must ensure its proposals do not punish those in society who need the most support.
We'll be contributing to a second Independent Review of the WCA currently being carried out by Professor Harrington. Read more about how to influence our response.
Share your views or experience of ESA below or email campaigns@parkinsons.org.uk
Help us protect front-line Parkinson's nurses
This week the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) published a report to demonstrate how almost 100,000 nurses could be lost from the NHS in the next 10 years through changes in policy and local cuts.The RCN has already identified almost 40,000 posts that are earmarked to be lost over the next 3 years across the NHS in the UK.
And we're deeply concerned that specialist Parkinson's nurses - who can save the NHS in England more than £42million a year - are at risk of being cut.
The RCN's report is part of their Frontline First campaign to highlight the importance of nurses as front-line staff. This coincided with the launch of our Protect Parkinson's Nurses campaign on Monday this week.
We've had a great response to our campaign action so far. 60% of chief executives of Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in England have been emailed by the public about the value of Parkinson's nurses. And 64 people affected by Parkinson's have added their comments about Parkinson's nurses to our UK map.
This includes Ken in Edinburgh, who says: "My Parkinson's nurse is great because she provides an invaluable source of support and information on medication and lifestyle issues. She is accessible in a way that my consultant is not."
Our campaign's got off to a great start, but there's still a long way to go. We want as many people as possible to join our campaign. If you're in England use our simple template to send a message to your local PCT to protect Parkinson's nurses in your area.
If you're in the rest of the UK, add your comments to our map or see how you can get involved at a local level.
Please take action now.
2011 Mervyn Peake Awards
The 10th annual Mervyn Peake Awards take place today in London.
The 4 category winners – in art, photography, digital art and poetry – along with 12 commended entrants and the winners of the People's Choice award are gathering together at the IET Savoy Place, London to celebrate their achievements.
The winners of the 4 main categories are:
Art: Marjorie Abbott, for her painting, Enchanted Forest (image right)
Poetry: Ali Finlayson, for his poem, The Unstrung Violin
Photography: John Horwood, for his photograph, Alley Palley
Digital art: Eric Popplewell, for his film, Be Loud
This year's commended entries are:
Art: Liesl Silverstone, Sylvia Hogg and Peter Bagley
Poetry: Terry Matthews, Michael Bernard and Mo Browne
Photography: Havovy Fernandes, Andrew Fraser and Pauline McNulty
Digital art: Kenneth Smith-Simmons, Julie Clark and Jon Stamford
View the Mervyn Peake Awards 2011 winners.
Presented by Chocolat author Joanne Harris, the awards are organised by Parkinson's UK and judged by the Peake family, in memory of the late illustrator, writer and poet Mervyn Peake (1911–1968), who had Parkinson's.
The awards celebrate the creativity of people with Parkinson's. 2011 is a special year as it's the 10th anniversary of the awards and centenary of Mervyn Peake's birth. The celebrated illustrator and author of Gormenghast would have celebrated his 100th birthday this week.
Many people with Parkinson's find that having a creative outlet, like painting or photography, helps them deal with their condition. How do you express yourself? What do you do to unwind?
Tell us your stories here or email pr@parkinsons.org.uk
The 4 category winners – in art, photography, digital art and poetry – along with 12 commended entrants and the winners of the People's Choice award are gathering together at the IET Savoy Place, London to celebrate their achievements.
The winners of the 4 main categories are:Art: Marjorie Abbott, for her painting, Enchanted Forest (image right)
Poetry: Ali Finlayson, for his poem, The Unstrung Violin
Photography: John Horwood, for his photograph, Alley Palley
Digital art: Eric Popplewell, for his film, Be Loud
This year's commended entries are:
Art: Liesl Silverstone, Sylvia Hogg and Peter Bagley
Poetry: Terry Matthews, Michael Bernard and Mo Browne
Photography: Havovy Fernandes, Andrew Fraser and Pauline McNulty
Digital art: Kenneth Smith-Simmons, Julie Clark and Jon Stamford
View the Mervyn Peake Awards 2011 winners.
Presented by Chocolat author Joanne Harris, the awards are organised by Parkinson's UK and judged by the Peake family, in memory of the late illustrator, writer and poet Mervyn Peake (1911–1968), who had Parkinson's.
The awards celebrate the creativity of people with Parkinson's. 2011 is a special year as it's the 10th anniversary of the awards and centenary of Mervyn Peake's birth. The celebrated illustrator and author of Gormenghast would have celebrated his 100th birthday this week.
Many people with Parkinson's find that having a creative outlet, like painting or photography, helps them deal with their condition. How do you express yourself? What do you do to unwind?
Tell us your stories here or email pr@parkinsons.org.uk
Dementia and Parkinson's research
Up to 40% of people with Parkinson's have some form of dementia and we are currently funding a study to understand the best treatments for the condition.
Earlier this week, the Ministerial Advisory Group for Dementia Research (MAGDR) produced a report looking to identify ways in which we can improve dementia research in the UK. Our chief executive Steve Ford and our research director Kieran Breen were part of this group.
The group recognised that funders and researchers need to work more closely together to share experience.
Another recommendation was to get people with dementia and their carers involved in research, including setting up registers of people who want to take part in clinical trials, getting people's input on proposed studies, and also encouraging people to promote the research.
Our new Research Support Network is one way in which people affected by Parkinson's can do just that.
Also crucial is the development of the next generation of researchers. We already fund career development awards and postgraduate studentships to ensure that we provide every opportunity to nurture future talent. However, although the report identifies some really key areas for research development, there will be very little additional money available to fund these.
So it will be left to charities such as Parkinson's UK to continue to fund research into neurodegenerative conditions for the foreseeable future.
If you're interested in Parkinson's research, why not join our new Research Support Network? To find out more contact Emily Hughes, our Research Support Network Manager, on rsn@parkinsons.org.uk or 020 7963 9376.
Or take a look at other ways to get involved in our research.
Earlier this week, the Ministerial Advisory Group for Dementia Research (MAGDR) produced a report looking to identify ways in which we can improve dementia research in the UK. Our chief executive Steve Ford and our research director Kieran Breen were part of this group.
The group recognised that funders and researchers need to work more closely together to share experience.
Another recommendation was to get people with dementia and their carers involved in research, including setting up registers of people who want to take part in clinical trials, getting people's input on proposed studies, and also encouraging people to promote the research.
Our new Research Support Network is one way in which people affected by Parkinson's can do just that.
Also crucial is the development of the next generation of researchers. We already fund career development awards and postgraduate studentships to ensure that we provide every opportunity to nurture future talent. However, although the report identifies some really key areas for research development, there will be very little additional money available to fund these.
So it will be left to charities such as Parkinson's UK to continue to fund research into neurodegenerative conditions for the foreseeable future.
If you're interested in Parkinson's research, why not join our new Research Support Network? To find out more contact Emily Hughes, our Research Support Network Manager, on rsn@parkinsons.org.uk or 020 7963 9376.
Or take a look at other ways to get involved in our research.
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