2700 SW Freeway #296 • Houston, TX 77098 • ph 713-626-7114 • fax 713-521-3964 • www.hapsonline.org • [email protected] Scientists Working to Develop Vaccine for Parkinson’s Disease SEPTEMBER 2010 Research a hope for millions with incurable condition Inside this issue HOUSTON - (Aug. 5, 2010) - Nina Brown, 68, and millions of others with a debilitating Parkinson’s Vaccine 2 neurological condition called Parkinson’s disease are counting on researchers for a cure. World Parkinson Congress 2 At The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), protein chemists are working to develop a therapeutic vaccine. New HAPS tai chi class 2 Upcoming Events 3 Parkinson’s disease is a chronic disorder that worsens over time and can rob people of HAPS Exercise & 4-5 their ability to perform everyday tasks. Named after the English doctor who described the Support Group Schedule condition almost 200 years ago, its symptoms often include tremors or shaking, slow Ask the Advocate 6 movements, stiffness in arms and legs, drooling, slurred speech and unsteadiness. Contributions & Tributes 7 “We’re creating a vaccine to target a protein that accumulates in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease,” said Rowen Chang, Ph.D., who is the professor leading the research project at the UT Health Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Disease (IMM). “If we can slow the protein buildup, I believe we will MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT! also slow the deterioration of nerve cells tied to body movement.” The protein is alpha synuclein. Dance for Parkinson’s and People with Parkinson’s disease may appear to be fixed in their facial expressions, stooped forward in their posture and may even appear to be intoxicated to others because of their postural instability. While there is no cure, the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can Coming to The Woodlands November 2010 be treated effectively. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common of the progressive neurological diseases, affecting 1 percent of the population over the age of 60. Brown, who was diagnosed in 1985 after experiencing balance problems, used to swat The printing and distribution of this newsletter was partially supported by tennis balls and take in traveling productions of Broadway shows. “I went from being able a grant from to walk, to using a cane, to using a walker, to now using a scooter,” said Brown, who lives in Bellaire, Texas, and has been married to Joe Brown for 48 years. “We estimate that there are about 19,000 people with Parkinson’s disease in the greater Houston area,” said Kathleen Crist, director of social services and program development This publication is not intended to for the Houston Area Parkinson Society, a nonprofit social service organization. “For every provide diagnosis or treatment. Always person with it, there are also family members affected.” seek the advice of your physician or pharmacist with any questions regarding medical conditions or drug Parkinson’s disease has been linked to cell death in the substantia nigra, which is interactions. responsible for modulating movement and produces a major brain chemical messenger called dopamine. Dopamine directs the signals that allow people to control their To request permission to reprint content movements. For years, vaccines have been used to protect people from diseases like published in this newsletter, please contact the HAPS office at 713-626-7114 or rubella and measles by stimulating their immune systems. So, why not develop a [email protected]. therapeutic vaccine for Parkinson’s disease? Continued page 2 Page 2 HAPS Happenings Parkinson’s Vaccine continued from page 1 When a person gets vaccinated, he or she is injected with a tiny amount of an agent linked to a disease, said Chang, who is collaborating on the project with UTHealth researcher and assistant professor Chuantao Jiang, M.D., Ph.D. As soon as the immune system recognizes this agent, it begins to produce antibodies to attack it. The agents that trigger this process are called immunogens. Building on pre-clinical vaccine research by others demonstrating that reducing alpha synuclein buildup also reduces nerve damage, Chang and Jiang have developed an approach that they believe will be more effective in reducing alpha synuclein levels and therefore provide a more effective form of Parkinson’s disease therapy. Their work is supported by a grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, founded by Emmy Award-winning actor Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991. Chang and Jiang, who work in the UT Health Center for Protein Chemistry, have developed a vaccine and are in the process of testing its safety and effectiveness in a mouse model that expresses the human alpha synuclein protein. The first part of their study involved a comparison of three different immunogens. “We have found a highly promising immunogen that may prevent the alpha synuclein aggregation,” Jiang said. The next step is gauging the effects of the immunogen in a mouse model. If the immunogen works in mice, clinical trials could be in the offing, Chang said. Other Parkinson’s disease research underway at UTHealth includes a clinical study designed to aid in the early diagnosis of the disease, which scientists believe starts long before the onset of impaired motor skills. Mya Schiess, M.D., professor and Adriana Blood Chair in Neurology at the UTHealth Medical School, and colleagues are trying to build a profile of measures that could be used to predict Parkinson’s disease development. The scientists are searching for biological substances and physiological phenomena (biomarkers) tied to the disease, which could be used in combination with other measures, such as a reduction in the ability to smell, to diagnose the disease. The study includes people with Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder, who are at increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. For information on the study, call 713.500.7073. “I hope a cure for Parkinson’s will be forthcoming in my lifetime,” said Nina Brown, who describes her battle with Parkinson’s disease in a video titled “Hope.” “If not, it is my hope that it will be there for future generations.” Joe Brown added, “The answers won’t come immediately. But when they do, they will change mankind.” This article was reprinted in its entirety with permission from Rob Cahill, author, and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) SEPTEMBER 28—OCTOBER 1, 2010 GLASGOW, SCOTLAND UK The countdown has begun—the 2nd World Parkinson Congress (WPC) is only weeks away. As one of 157 organizational partners from 45 countries, HAPS is excited to share this experience with thousands of others around the world. HAPS Executive Director Anne Thobae and Director of Social Services and Program Development Kathleen Crist will be attending this year’s conference and bringing back lots of information and ideas that relate to all areas of Parkinson’s to share! As part of this year’s event, WPC hosted a video competition to help raise awareness about Parkinson’s. The purpose of the competition was to put a face on the disease and to have a little fun at the same time. Nearly 50 people—including those with PD, caregivers, friends and researchers—from 15 countries submitted videos. The videos portray how they are staying strong in the face of Parkinson, why they won't let PD stand in their way or how they are researching a cure, they and show what others are doing to make a difference for people living with Parkinson's. You can go online to view these submissions and the winning videos at www.worldpdcongress.org. Page 3 Newly diagnosed education program For those who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease within the last three years Saturday, October 9th 8:30 am —1 2:30 pm Presented by Dr. Joohi Jimenez-Shahed Special thanks to San Jacinto College Central Department of Theatre and Film, Dr. David LeMaster and Dr. Jerry Ivins for contributing the proceeds from the sold-out benefit performance of “Shaken” on September 3rd to HAPS. HAPS PD EXERCISE AND SUPPORT GROUPS CENTRAL PD & DEMENTIA/ Support group for caregivers of For more information 4th Monday of month LEWY BODY DEMENTIA persons with Parkinson’s and Kathleen Crist, LMSW 10:30 am—12:15 pm dementia or Lewy Body Dementia 713-626-7114 CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP Mondays For more information and to 2:00—3:00 pm W. Gray Adaptive Recreation Center request participant paperwork WATER EXERCISE 1475 West Gray Alfonso Hernandez Thursdays Houston, TX 77019 713-520-8670 11:00 am—12:00 noon TIRR For more information Tuesdays EXERCISE 2455 S. Braeswood Alfonso Hernandez 3:30—4:30 pm Houston, TX 77030 713-520-8670 Memorial Dr. Presbyterian Church For more information SPEECH & Wednesdays 11612 Memorial Dr. Room 102 Alfonso Hernandez 2:30—4:00 pm EXERCISE Houston, TX 77024 713-520-8670 For those younger than 55 with For more information YOUNG ONSET 2nd Wednesday of month Parkinson’s disease Celeste Harris, LMSW 7:00—9:00 pm SUPPORT GROUP 713-313-1621 W. Gray Adaptive Recreation Center For more information Tuesdays TAI CHI 1475 West Gray Alfonso Hernandez 10:30—11:30 am Houston, TX 77019 713-520-8670 W. Gray Adaptive Recreation Center For more information Wednesdays TANGO 1475 West Gray Kathleen Crist, LMSW 1:00—2:15 pm Houston, TX 77019 713-626-7114 Ballet Academy For more information Mondays DANCE 1921 W. Bell Kathleen Crist, LMSW 12:45—2:00 pm Houston, TX 77019 713-626-7114 Ballet Academy For more information 2nd Monday of month SINGING 1921 W.