'An update on Parkinson's research' was the subject of the address given by Dr Kieran Breen, Director of Research for the Parkinson's Disease Society to the monthly meeting on June 5.
Before a large audience Dr Breen started by saying that the Society has spent some £36m since it started in 1969 and currently commits over £4m to research every year; this is 26 per cent of the budget.
The research is directed at three broad are
as: finding a cure, the causes and hence prevention, or at relieving the symptoms of Parkinson's.
The society chooses the topics for research, which could originate from researchers themselves or by members, by the use of a panel of worldwide experts who consider all factors and may negotiate changes to the original proposal.
Dr Breen highlighted some of the projects currently under way, including Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) which can be beneficial in selected cases.
In an allied area research is being conducted on how patients with Parkinson's are treated in care homes, which has been welcomed by the care home managers.
Also a search is being made to find more effective means of taking existing drugs, and of looking for new drug treatments.
Stem cell research may allow replacement of the dead brain cells, which are a cause of Parkinson's; or it could lead to an understanding of the reasons that they die.
It is a hot topic of the moment and the many projects in which the Society is involved were described.
Dr Breen was at pains to point out however that, whilst it was a very promising area, there was many stages to go through before its use might become available.
He did not expect any general application in the next ten years but there would be benefits for the next generation of Parkinson's sufferers.
Mike Peaker, Chairman of the branch, thanked Dr Breen for his interesting and stimulating talk, and reminded members that the next meeting would be on July 3 at 2 pm, when the speaker would be Ted Maddex on the topic of 'Supporting independence through new technology'.
He is the Commissioning Manager of Telecare, a part of the Adult Care Services, Strategic Commissioning and Major Projects.
The chairman also reminded members that the Watford exercise group would be using the newly refurbished Woodside Leisure Centre, Horseshoe Lane, Garston on Tuesday, June 10 at 10.30am.
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