Latest news with #Parkinson's
West Australian
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
JUSTIN LANGER: Muhammad Ali's death may not have been caused by Parkinson's Disease
Muhamad Ali is iconic. Few wear that tag. But there are two clear images of the greatest ever fighter. One is of an athlete so supreme, his white shorts dancing around the ring like a matador's cape. His black boots moving so fast that they blur in the swirl of speed; back, forward, side to side, circling around an opponent like a shark weighing up its prey. His gloved hands and arms moving like a hose in a swimming pool, picking off his rival with a pinpoint accuracy often displayed by master archers or dart champions. 'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, your hands can't hit what your eyes can't see.' Could there ever have been a more succinct description? Then there is the second image of the king of the ring. That of an older man whose hands, that once danced like lightning through the air, now trembled with their own quiet rhythm, as they succumbed to Parkinson's disease. Although his eyes still held the fire of a champion, the body that would once float like a butterfly, now trembled and slowed through the effects of the cruel degenerative disease called Parkinson's. The statesman, who transformed from the young man that once cussed his opponents with his legendary 'boxing poetry', finished his precious life spreading messages of hope and optimism, despite his crippling disease. In Coldplay's beautiful song Everglow, Ali says in his own recorded voice: 'God is watching me — God is. God don't praise me because I beat Joe Frazier, God don't give nothin' about Joe Frazier. God don't care nothin' about England or America as far as real wealth . . . it's all His, He wants to know how do we treat each other? How do we help each other? So, I'm going to dedicate my life to using my name and popularity to helping charities, helping people, uniting people. People bombing each other because of religious beliefs. We need somebody in the world to help us all make peace. So, when I die — if there's a heaven — I'm gonna see it.' If only our world listened to these words today. Boxing has been a lifelong passion to me. From Muhammad Ali to Rocky Balboa, I would hit the punching bag and speed ball, skip rope and do push-ups and sit-ups in mum and dad's garage. The art of boxing was the closest way I could replicate the art of batting. When I wasn't in the cricket nets I would be in my friend, mentor and trainer, Steve Smith's gym banging the focus mitts and bags, and training like a boxer. Not only did this get me very fit, but it helped me maintain focus on my goals. In batting and boxing, you need a strong technique of attack and defence, sharp concentration, confidence, fluid foot work and fast hands. You must understand your opponent, face your own fears, as there is nowhere to hide in the ring or on a cricket field. When I first entered coaching, one of my first appointments at the WACA was another great friend and lifelong martial artist, Justin Boylan, who would train our players in the art of boxing, for all the reasons mentioned above. In 2008, I met former Australian boxing champion Ray Fazio. That year, Ray directed the autobiographical drama film Two Fists One Heart, a movie depicting his boxing journey and heritage growing up in Western Australia. When I was invited to watch the filming at Challenge Stadium, I was taken by Ray's athletic prowess, passion and energy, which later converted to his entrepreneurial and inventor spirit. Through his vision I purchased one of his inventions — the Boxmaster (now Fightmaster) machine — that sits in my gym at home. Unbeknown to me, the Fightmaster is not only helping people like me stay fit and mobile, but it is also helping fight Parkinson's disease. Businessman and philanthropist Denis McInerney, a friend of Ray and I, was talking me through this incredible success story earlier in the week. Through Ray and Denis, I spoke with the inspirational Professor David Blacker, a neurologist living with Parkinson's, who is still able to play golf and practice yoga. I then met Steve Arnott, the CEO of the Perron Institute here in Perth this week. Listening to the four of them talk through the serious topic of Parkinson' disease is both hilarious and inspiring. Denis affectionately calls Ray, the 'Northbridge (an inner city Perth suburb) Identity come good', Ray refers to Denis as 'The Connector', while Steve describes Ray and David as the 'Odd Couple'. As Steve says: 'People with different backgrounds often make the best partners because they come up with the best ideas because of their different experiences, perspectives and skill sets.' Odd as the coupling may be, and through all the banter, I pick up on the optimism and hope for those living with Parkinson's. What started as a 15-week trial program designed by Ray and David — and with the help of Edith Cowan University exercise physiologist Travis Cruickshank — the training package has helped transform the lives of those suffering from Parkinson's. Using the Fightmaster machines and a series of non-contact boxing exercises and warm-ups, the results have been physically and psychologically brilliant. Initial studies showed improved safety, tolerability, balance, fitness, sleep quality and Parkinson's severity scores, both in pilot trials and through the results of nearly 100 community participants. The increase in participants suggests it is working. People tend to vote with their feet. On Thursday, Professor Blacker told me: 'Exercise is medicine, and in fact, it's more than medicine, it is a lifestyle. Exercise has significantly helped to reduce my symptoms. I have learnt first-hand, and through the community working with Fight-PD, that a Parkinson's diagnosis is not the end, there is optimism and hope if you have the courage to move forward and challenge your body like an athlete does every day. 'Boxing movements, footwork and balance are excellent for PD because the postures and movements required are almost the exact opposite of what occurs in this disease. Add yoga to this and the benefits of brain, body and mind are heartening.' When you read about health and longevity in books like Outlive by Dr Peter Attia, the concepts of community, diet, exercise and health are paramount. Dr Attia talks of 'lifespan' as a measure of quantity, while 'healthspan' is a measure of quality. He describes this by saying: 'You want to skate smoothly to the very end of your life, not hobble to the finish line.' Essentially, it's not just about living longer, it's about living better. When Ray Fazio describes seeing Parkinson's patients and the benefits of the FightPD program he says it's 'the best feeling I've ever had in my life'. Helping others often has this effect. Another revelation through my conversations this week is that I always believed Ali's Parkinson's curse was the result of his boxing life. This isn't the case. Ali was diagnosed with young-onset, idiopathic Parkinson's disease, confirmed through decades of clinical observation and imaging. In other words, he is likely to have contracted PD regardless of his career. After he died, Ali's family gave permission for the release of his medical records to a leading PD researcher in the US who published some surprising findings in a leading neurology journal. While repeated head trauma from boxing may have been a contributing risk factor, the evidence does not support boxing as the direct cause. His condition showed classic features of Parkinson's, not post-traumatic Parkinsonism. This being the case, I was uplifted to hear that boxing training can have a positive effect on health rather than the other way around. Few want to get into the ring and punch on with an opponent, unless of course you are a professional or amateur fighter. I understand and respect that and wouldn't advocate for it. But I would recommend to any person, regardless of your gender or age, the benefits of training and moving like a boxer. It's a fun, confidence-building method of looking after your health and fitness. It has been proven, that irrespective of our opinions on certain contact/combat sports, the physical skills, mental stimulus, decision-making, and movement techniques required to compete in this environment are often very beneficial. Not only will they prove valuable in regular life, but in the case of Fight PD they can also have major health and medical applications. Throughout history, boxing has been described as a noble art, a science of timing and geometry, and a brutal ballet. Ali famously said: 'I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.' Maybe there is something in this for all of us.
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
The strange sign in your EARWAX that can predict if you'll develop devastating brain disorder
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) YOUR earwax could be used to predict whether you'll develop Parkinson's, scientists say, About 153,000 people in the UK live with the devastating neurological disorder, caused by a loss of nerve cells in the brain. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Earwax could be used to predict whether someone will get Parkinson's or catch the disease in its early stages Credit: Getty The progressive disease is characterised by symptoms such as tremors, slow movement and muscle stiffness, which slowly get worse. According to researchers Zhejiang University in China, most Parkinson's treatments only slow the disease's progression, so early diagnosis is important for managing symptoms. But current tests for spotting the disease - such as brain scans or rating scales - can be expensive or subjective, they said. Now, a study published to Analytical Chemistry suggests that earwax could be used as a cost effective way to screen people for Parkinson's. Researchers claimed they'd developed a new AI system that could help catch the disease at an early stage, using earwax samples. Previous studies have shown that changes in sebum - an oily substance secreted by the skin - could help identify people with Parkinson's. Sebum from people with the disease may have a characteristic, musky smell because volatile organic compounds released by sebum are altered by disease progression. But sebum on the surface of the skin isn't a reliable substance for testing as it's exposed to pollution or humidity, which can change its composition. However, sebum in ear canals is sheltered from the elements. Seeing as the oily substance is the main component of earwax and it's easy to sample, researchers decided to use it for their screening tool. Good Morning Britain star reveals Parkinson's diagnosis after tragic death of his wife To identify the compounds released by sebum in people with Parkinson's, the researchers swabbed the ear canals of 209 participants, more than half of which were diagnosed with the condition. They then analysed wax samples, identifying four volatile organic compounds specific to people with Parkinson's. Those include ethylbenzene, 4-ethyltoluene, pentanal, and 2-pentadecyl-1,3-dioxolane. Researchers said these could serve as potential biomarkers for Parkinson's. Using these findings, they were able to develop a system that inexpensively screens for Parkinson's. Everything you need to know about Parkinson's Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition, meaning that it causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time. It affects around 153,000 people in the UK. People with Parkinson's don't have enough of the chemical dopamine because some of the nerve cells that make it have stopped working. This can cause a range of more than 40 symptoms, but the three main ones are: Tremor (shaking) Slow movement Rigidity (muscle stiffness) Other common signs include: Mild memory and thinking problems Trouble sleeping Issues with balance Pain Anxiety and depression Shuffling walk with very small steps Difficulty making facial expressions Loss of sense of smell Problems peeing Constipation The four main ways of managing Parkinson's include medication, staying active, exploring occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech and language therapy, and monitoring symptoms. Source: Parkinson's UK and NHS They trained an artificial intelligence olfactory system - a robotic model that can mimic how we smell - with their ear wax compound data. They found it was able to categorise samples with and without Parkinson's with 94 percent accuracy. Researchers suggested their system could be used to a first-line screening tool for early Parkinson's detection and could help improve care for condition by making it possible to administer treatments earlier. Author Hao Dong said: 'This method is a small-scale single-center experiment in China." 2 'The next step is to conduct further research at different stages of the disease, in multiple research centres and among multiple ethnic groups, in order to determine whether this method has greater practical application value.' Earlier this year, scientists warned of a surge in cases of Parkinson's. They said 25 million people across the world will be living with the debilitating brain condition by 2050. Researchers from Capital Medical University in Beijing, China, estimated that an ageing population would drive the surge in cases of Parkinson's disease over the next 25 years. According to Parkinson's UK, the condition is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world.
New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Ozzy Osbourne selling cans containing his DNA for fans to 'try cloning him'
LONDON: British rock legend Ozzy Osbourne is selling empty cans that he claims contain his DNA for £335 (RM1,920), suggesting fans can "try to clone him." AsiaOne reported yesterday that Osbourne has collaborated with Liquid Death on this unusual product, dubbed "Infinite Ozzy." Ten empty cans, from which Ozzy reportedly drank and then signed, have been re-sealed with the rocker's DNA supposedly "sealed inside." Liquid Death's PR team stated, "Once technology and federal law permit, fans can use this DNA to try to clone Ozzy in the future and enjoy him for hundreds of years to come." Ozzy is set to retire with a final performance at Black Sabbath's "Back To The Beginning" charity concert at Birmingham's Villa Park on July 5. The 76-year-old rocker joked in a recent video clip, "Whatever you do, don't try freebasing it and never ever inject it." Ozzy admitted he's still unsure whether he'll perform standing up or seated, following multiple spinal surgeries. These surgeries are related to a 2003 quad bike accident at his Buckinghamshire home. A fall in 2019 displaced metal rods inserted into his back from that crash, which he said caused more complications than his Parkinson's disease. Ozzy was diagnosed with a mild form of Parkinson's in 2003 but didn't go public with the news until 2020. "Back To The Beginning" will feature performances from bands including Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Alice in Chains, Anthrax, and Mastodon.
South Wales Guardian
14 hours ago
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's charities identify new ways to reuse current drugs
Experts say that by repurposing drugs, they can 'increase the shots on target' at tackling the diseases. This method of drug development could also reduce the time patients are left waiting for new treatments by up to 10 years, they added. It comes after the NHS spending watchdog rejected the use of new Alzheimer's drugs lecanemab and donanemab for widespread use in the health service. The drugs were approved for use in the UK last year by the UK's medicines regulator but the NHS spending watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), said they could not be used in the NHS because the benefits are 'too small' to justify the cost. Now charities Cure Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Research UK have joined forces to find current drugs that may tackle some of the common biology behind both diseases. After presentations to the International Linked Clinical Trials (iLCT), which was set up by Cure Parkinson's over a decade ago, experts from both fields will select the most promising drugs for both Parkinson's and dementia, so they can be moved quickly into clinical trials. Weight loss jabs are already being investigated for their effectiveness in treating symptoms of both diseases and experts hope to uncover more drugs that can have multiple uses. Semaglutide, the active ingredient for weight loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, is being examined in clinical trials to see whether it can help patients with Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's. Trial results for the Alzheimer's trial are expected to be published later this year. Dr Sheona Scales, director of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, told the PA news agency that the iLCT project had already been 'hugely successful' with people who have Parkinson's, adding: 'Around 30% of disease modifying therapies that are in clinical trials for Parkinson's disease came through this process. 'What we wanted to do is to build on their knowledge and experience and expertise in order to be able to bring a process similar to that to Alzheimer's disease.' Dr Scales said that there are some 'common grounds' between Parkinson's and Alzheimer's – both are neurodegenerative diseases and have some 'common biological processes' – such as inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and 'protein misfolding' – which could be targets for repurposed drugs. 'Getting multiple drugs that are targeting the disease is really important to us,' she said. 'Testing different types of drugs and getting as many shots on target is important.' She said: 'Repurposed drugs have already been demonstrated to be safe for use in humans development of new drugs for different diseases is a long process. 'What essentially bringing repurposed drugs does, is help to accelerate the drug development pipeline – it could save between five and 10 years within that process, compared to taking a new drug through clinical trials for the very first time.' Helen Matthews, chief executive of Cure Parkinson's, said the iLCT was originally set up to identify drugs that can potentially 'slow down, stop or reverse Parkinson's'. She added: 'It was through this programme that we realised that there were so many drugs that were also being looked at in the dementia field and there were commonalities there in terms of the drugs looking to reduce inflammation, or whatever it might be, there were specific pathways that those drugs were working on that could be beneficial for both disease areas. 'So given that we were already doing the (work) every year, it made sense to join forces in this way, just to add efficiencies. 'Because if you're looking at the same drugs, we'll only do that digging once, you know, only do that compilation of the dossiers once, so that you can actually take the learning for both diseases and then actually look and see which might be beneficial.' She said that the 'sharing of knowledge and digging' could also be shared with other disease areas, such as MS. And on lecanemab and donanemab, Dr Scales added: '(These) were the first disease-targeting therapies that have been licensed in the UK, but obviously are not available on the NHS at the moment. 'They showed for the very first time that we were able to alter the course of the disease. 'And what we're looking forward to now is what the next generation of treatments can bring us and how we can target different parts of the disease.' Dr Lucy Devendra, head of research at Alzheimer's Society, said: 'Repurposing medicines which are already known to be safe can help us find new treatments for the diseases that cause dementia much quicker. 'Although it is still early days, it's encouraging to see a renewed focus on this type of research and development.'
Irish Independent
15 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
How your ear wax could tell you if you have Parkinson's disease
©UK Independent Today at 21:30 Could your ear wax tell you if you have Parkinson's disease? Some 1.4 million people worldwide are diagnosed with the degenerative neurological condition each year, and annual deaths have surged in recent decades.
