Innovative Parkinson’s project tries to solve the disease puzzle
LONDON: Trying to solve pieces of the Parkinson’s puzzle, a new world-class Tasmanian project will boost awareness and research into the neurodegenerative disease.
The Tasmania Parkinson’s Project, which was launched at a University of Tasmania symposium on Monday, is wanting to attract 5000 Tasmanians for future studies.
“There’s about 3000 people with Parkinson’s in Tasmania, and it’s also the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world with no cure or way to slow it down at the moment,” Menzies Institute for Medical Research Associate Professor Michele Callisaya said.
“Parkinson’s at the moment is only second to dementia in terms of the number of people but, with being the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world, it may surpass that.
“We really don’t know why it’s increasing or really how it comes about.
“With a small percentage of people, there’s potentially a genetic cause.
“There’s also some evidence that pesticides may be involved.”
Co-leading the project alongside Associate Professor Jane Alty from the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, Professor Callisaya said between 160,000 and 200,000 Australians are living with Parkinson’s.
“In Tasmania, it’s a good opportunity to study this because of the ageing population. It’s normally a disease of older age, but there is around 10 to 15 per cent of people that are diagnosed under the age of 50,” Professor Callisaya said.
“Most people know it as a movement disorder, usually slowness of movement, stiffness in the muscles, tremors, and changes to balance and mobility.
“But what people probably don’t know is that there’s more than 40 different symptoms, and many of them are actually non movement symptoms like anxiety, constipation, difficulty with sleep, changes in mood, and things like that.”
The project aims to transform research to find better treatment options and potentially a cure.
“We’re trying to solve the Parkinson’s puzzle and that’s why we need so many people to enrol,” she said.
“We’re looking for 5000 people with and without Parkinson’s to look at some of those causes, but also making sure we have people ready to participate if they want to.”
Tasmania Parkinson’s Project registration of interest is available online.
