The tragedy of Parkinsons, which progressively robs patients of their physical abilities, is that while certain drugs, therapies and devices can restore some quality of life, so far we havent found a way to stop brain cells from dying. Now, researchers in the UK and Norway have found a drug that could keep brain cells functioning normally — and its been used to treat liver disease for years.The research team, led by Sheffield Institute for Translational Neurosciences Dr. Oliver Bandmann, discovered that the drug ursodeoxycholic acid UDCA helps heal faulty mitochondria, the energy-providing cellular organ whose malfunction causes brain cell death. The drug, used to treat gallstones and some forms of cirrhosis, was found to be the most effective among 2,000 compounds tested on the mitochondria of skin cells from Parkinsons patients over five years. Since mitochondria function the same way in every type of cell, the finding holds big promise for preserving brain cell function.Since UDCA has been in use for many years, researchers can move directly to clinical trials to determine the drugs safety and optimum dosage in Parkinsons patients. And for the first time, researchers can point to compounds that tackle the cellular cause of the disease, rather than simply treating the symptoms as they appear. [The University of Sheffield via ScienceDaily]
via A Common Liver Drug Could Be Key to Curing Parkinsons.
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About steventorresramos
I have over (24) years of Computer Aided Drafting & Design experience and over (16) years of IT experience. After graduating high school I attended a Technical College and earned an Associate Degree in Drafting & Design. I then enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico where I earned an A.S. in Civil Engineering Technologies. While attending the Univ. of Puerto Rico I worked as a freelance Drafter for a variety of architects and engineers.
During my senior year I began to work for the firm Planning Management & Development in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Two years later I was offered the position at Mario Corsino & Associates, which later became InterGroup a medium size Civil Engineering, Architectural and Planning firm in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. At InterGroup I became assistant chief drafter where I was responsible for 20+ drafters & civil techs, and this is also where I began my IT training. In 2000 I decided to move to St. Petersburg, FL where I was hired as CAD Manager at Advanced Engineering & Design a small Civil Engineering firm established in 1998. Currently still employed by Advanced Engineering & Design I’m now the CAD/IT Manager.
I have also continued to expand my knowledge base in both the IT & CADD fields through continued training, certifications, and attending Autodesk University. I’m currently an Autodesk Certified Professional proficient in AutoCAD, Civil 3D and various other Autodesk products. I have been the President of the Tampa Bay Autodesk Users Group (TBAUG) since late 2007 and a member of Autodesk Users Group International (AUGI) since 1996. I have an A.S. Degree in Computer Networking , a Bachelors of Applied Science in Technology Management and currently finishing work on my Masters in Computer Information Systems. I’m a licensed drafter in the US Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and a Microsoft Certified Professional. I hold certificates as a Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Server Administrator, Cisco Networking Associate Professional and Linux Administrator.
