Some doctors say the chemicals all around us—from golf courses to dry cleaners—may be increasing our risk of Parkinson’s disease, the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disease in the world.🔗 Read more: https://t.co/gKd21P6glZ https://t.co/c8vDw9S3Eg ...

It's a story you have to hear to believe. What sounds more like a symphony than a surgery. That's 65year-old Denise Bacon serenating her surgeons as they operate on her brain.You heard correctly. Doctors in London are stimulating her brain with electrical impulses. And almost instantly, she feels improvement in her finger movements.We insert electrodes deep inside the brain at very particular target points. >> You see, Bacon has Parkinson's disease, stiff muscles, slow movement, difficulty walking and swimm ...

It's a story you have to hear to believe. [Music] What sounds more like a symphony than a surgery. That's 65year-old Denise Bacon serenating her surgeons as they operate on her brain.You heard correctly. Doctors in London are stimulating her brain with electrical impulses. And almost instantly, she feels improvement in her finger movements.We insert electrodes deep inside the brain at very particular target points. >> You see, Bacon has Parkinson's disease, stiff muscles, slow movement, difficulty walking a ...

Problem Statement & Impact - Neurological conditions create emotional weight on families and patients, isolating individuals and limiting their interaction with the world [6] - In the US, over 1 million people are living with Parkinson's disease, with 90,000 new diagnoses annually [8][9] - Medications for Parkinson's can cost up to $2,500 per person, and therapeutic surgeries can exceed $100,000 [9] Proposed Solutions & Technologies - Brain Machine Interfaces (BMIs) can recreate the sense of touch and allow users to control devices with their thoughts [13][14] - Haptic feedback, the science of recreating the sense of touch, can be implemented in BMIs and prosthetics to enhance the user experience [17][18] - Engineering and science can be combined with humanities to create effective and deeply human treatments for neurological conditions [10][21] Call to Action & Vision - The industry should focus on thriving, not just surviving, by creating connections for people with neurological diseases [20] - There is a need to blend STEM fields with humanities to develop treatments that are not only effective but also deeply human [19][21] - The industry should shift focus from complex technologies like AI and robots to simpler solutions that enhance the simple joys of life [22][23]

Parkinson's Disease & Engineering Solutions - Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease impacting movement, specifically causing freezing of gait [2] - Freezing of gait leads to falls, loss of independence, and fractures [3] - Engineering solutions, such as a small stimulus, could potentially prevent freezing of gait [3] - A key challenge is overcoming the stigma associated with assistive devices [4] - Adoption of external technology and regulatory hurdles are significant considerations [5] - The development of a biocompatible device is crucial [5] Vibration Device & Patient Outcomes - A small wearable device was developed to address freezing of gait using gentle pulses of vibration [5][6] - A retired colonel with Parkinson's disease regained his mobility and independence through the use of the device [6] - Gentle vibration can reset the compass, restoring mobility and independence [7]

Core Viewpoint - Umecrine Cognition's drug candidate golexanolone shows promise in reversing neuroinflammation in a Parkinson's disease model, indicating its potential as a chronic treatment option [1][3]. Company Overview - Karolinska Development AB holds a 73% ownership stake in Umecrine Cognition prior to dilution, emphasizing its significant investment in innovative medical solutions [4]. - The company focuses on identifying and developing breakthrough medical innovations in the Nordic region, aiming to create and grow companies that advance these innovations into commercial products [5][6]. Research Findings - A preclinical study demonstrated that golexanolone completely reverses the activation of immune cells responsible for neuroinflammation in the brain, which is crucial for controlling voluntary movement and posture [3]. - The treatment with golexanolone not only reversed the increase of inflammation-promoting proteins but also provided robust protection against neuroinflammation as early as three weeks after disease onset [3]. - After nine weeks, golexanolone continued to counteract inflammation and aided in restoring protective immune cells, indicating a sustained effect on harmful brain inflammation [3]. Academic Collaboration - The study was conducted in collaboration with academic partners at Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe in Valencia, Spain, highlighting the importance of academic partnerships in advancing medical research [4].

Health Risk - Studies indicate individuals residing within approximately one mile of golf courses face a 126% increased risk of Parkinson's disease [1] - The ingestion of pesticides, rather than inhalation, is considered a primary concern due to water source contamination [2] - Pesticides like rotinone and parakquat, known mitochondrial toxins, are implicated in inducing Parkinson's disease [2] Environmental Concerns - Pesticide runoff from golf courses can contaminate local water sources [2] - Contaminated water sources expose residents to pesticides through drinking water [2] Causation - Pesticide exposure is a known factor in the development of Parkinson's disease [3] - The study suggests a link between living near golf courses, pesticide exposure, and the increased incidence of Parkinson's disease [1][2]

Parkinson's Disease Overview - Parkinson's disease affects 1 in 15 men in the Western world [4] - Parkinson's disease is growing 20% faster than Alzheimer's disease, making it the most common and fastest-growing neurological condition [5] - The biggest breakthrough in Parkinson's medication occurred over 60 years ago in 1961 [6] - Levodopa remains the standard treatment for Parkinson's disease [8] Treatment and Management - Deep brain stimulation (DBS), involving electrodes in the skull connected to a battery pack in the chest, is a treatment option [11] - DBS can significantly reduce tremors associated with Parkinson's [16] Resilience and Coping Strategies - Resilience is key to dealing with life's challenges [19] - Key traits of resilient people include having choices, being optimistic, and having goals [22] - Resilience is built over time through experience [24][25] - Creating healthy habits, both physical and mental, can foster resilience [28][29]