Understanding and Treating Parkinson’s: Advances in Research and Therapies

2023-08-20 05:30:00

Trembling hands, stiff muscles, arms that don’t swing back and forth when running – Parkinson’s is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases worldwide. With an estimated 400,000 people affected (source: German Parkinson Society), it now ranks second in Germany following Alzheimer’s. Trend: further increasing.

The aim of Parkinson’s research is to stop or even cure the disease one day. Until then, the symptoms of the disease can be improved with medication and brain pacemaker therapies. Under the direction of Prof. Joseph Claßen, Director of the Clinic and Polyclinic for Neurology, the UKL is researching the possibilities of non-invasive brain stimulation.

For Prof. Joseph Claßen, the first chairman of the German Parkinson Society, it is important to know and recognize the disease exactly. Research has recently made great strides in this regard.

“We know that in Parkinson’s disease, certain proteins clump together in nerve cells, including in an area of ​​the brainstem that is responsible for the release of dopamine and for controlling a person’s movement. The cause is not known, but it is likely that mutations in the genes play a role in some patients. What is new is that we can now detect these clumps early on, for example in the cerebrospinal fluid or blood of those affected.”

This evidence will help researchers like Prof Classen In the future there will be more certainty in the diagnosis and the chance to start testing new therapeutic approaches earlier than before – possibly before the onset of the first motor impairments.

“Until now, there has been no causal treatment for Parkinson’s disease. However, many scientists are working to prevent the disease from breaking out in the future. Until then, we can alleviate their symptoms.” What role do drugs and individual movement training play in this and whether brain stimulation can improve the movement disorders typical of Parkinson’s without surgery? Prof. Joseph Classen will talk regarding these topics in his lecture.

medicine for everyone

Topic: “Parkinson – understand and treat”

Wednesday, August 23, 2023 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Leipzig University Hospital, Lecture Hall in Building 1, Liebigstraße 14, 04103 Leipzig

As always, registration is not required.

www.uniklinikum-leipzig.de

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