The iPod or MP3 music player is an icon of this decade. It will define this era like the jukebox did the 50s, and the Walkman did the 80s. You may have heard how music benefits people living with Parkinson’s, or you have seen it firsthand. We blogged briefly about Dr. Ron Tinter’s interest in music as a tool for treating Parkinson’s disease.
This television news story from a station in Baltimore offers insight into his research. At the end it suggests people living with Parkinson’s may soon benefit from an iPod or other music player, “to listen to the tunes they need to get moving again.”
However, if you are a fan of bagpipe music, it appears you may not derive as much benefit from using the Scottish marvel to propel your footsteps.
Note: if you have dial-up Internet access, this story may take a few minutes to load.
TNF - Some Good Research That May Help in the Future
Patients with Parkinson’s frequently have a lot of the chemical tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in their spinal fluid. They think this may be a consequence of inflammation related to the onset of Parkinson’s disease.
For insight into inflammation in Parkinson’s disease, please see this blog Inflammation Holds Key to Understanding How Parkinson's Develops
This WebMD report, reviews research from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, on the chemical TNF.
In experiments with rats, scientists blocked the TNF from reacting which slowed the rate of neuron degeneration by about 50 percent. If they are able to find a way to do this in humans, scientists speculate it could prevent Parkinson’s disease, or slow it’s onset. It may also help people who would otherwise develop Alzheimer’s disease. The research was published in a volume of The Journal of Neuroscience this month.
