| Research detects early symptom for Parkinson's |
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A new indicator for Parkinson's disease has been identified by a team of city researchers.
Mirror movement or involuntary movement of one side of the body when the other is in motion could be an early sign of the ailment, claims the research team at the Institute of Neurosciences, Kolkata (INK). Those afflicted with Parkinson's - a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system triggered by death of cells in the brain - often find it difficult to resist moving both limbs, even when they are using one. This is an early symptom of Parkinson's that could help to start treatment faster and thwart the disease, the study reveals.
A group of patients are now being screened for the research at INK. A majority of them are at early stages of Parkinson's and have mirror movement. None of those who display the movement were aware of the fact that they were Parkinson's patients, according to Hrishikesh Kumar, head of the department of neurology, INK. "Mirror movement is rarely noticed even by doctors. But it is among the most significant early indicators. It suggests commencement of the degeneration process in the brain triggered by the lack of dopamine in the brain that triggers Parkinson's," Kumar said.
Mirror movement is common in new-born babies. Till a child is six-months old, any stimulus causes simultaneous movement on both sides of the body. "There is a pathway between the left and right sides of the brain which is termed corpus pallosum. It lets stimulus flow uninterrupted from one part of the brain to another, resulting in coordinated movement. As one grows up, the pathway is inhibited. So, you can move one limb without mirroring the movement with the other. In Parkinson's patients, this inhibition is lost reviving the mirror movement," explained Kumar.
For the study, patients were given simple tasks like locking a door, carrying a bag and moving objects. It was observed that while they carried out the tasks with one hand, the other hand replicated the motion. Other than Parkinson's patients, those suffering from Alzheimer's disease, writer's cramp and brain tumour also have mirror movement. "But it's probably more common in Parkinson's patients. It's important to recognize the symptom for it could help to contain the disease, especially in younger patients," added Kumar. The final result of the study is expected in three months.
Sleeping disorder, anxiety and depression, dementia, loss of memory, hallucination, dry mouth and excess salivation are also among the early indicators of Parkinson's, says the research. Around 30% of those suffering from sleep disorder eventually develop Parkinson's, the research claims.
SOURCE: Timesof India
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