Parkython is an initiative to catalyze the development of better technology solutions for People living with Parkinson’s (PwP).
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Maybe you have a DBS yourself and would like to improve your configurations.
Or you're considering how DBS might help your Parkinson's symptoms and lifestyle one day.
Or you're just biotech curious.
The salon will be an interesting example of patient empowerment for many.
3. A history of DBS and its evolution throughout time –
Frey et al (2022). Past, Present, and Future of Deep Brain Stimulation: Hardware, Software, Imaging, Physiology and Novel Approaches. Frontiers in Neurology 13:825178. doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.8…
2. A case study on a patient-led discovery of better DBS settings –
McAuley (2023). Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease: A case for patient empowerment. Brain Stim. 16(1) 97-99. doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2023.0…
Some pre-reading you can do beforehand:
1. An introduction to DBS for non-neurologists –
McAuley (2023). Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease: A patient's perspective on programming. Author’s homepage. Available: mcauley.id.au/DBSProgramming…
On improving your Deep Brain Stimulation settings...
Join us on Sat, February 18 at 12pm PST for a virtual chat with Prof. Madeleine Lowery, @MarkMcAuley7, & other folks with DBS about what goes on after the initial implant surgery.
Sign up: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi…
12/ Finally, we saw a brain implant study for PD out of University Hospital, Grenoble. Near-infrared waves are emitted directly into the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) to assess the effect of light therapy on motor and non-motor function. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/…
11/ @BIOFLEXLaser, discussed in The Brain's Way of Healing, is running a study with @NeuroCatch to quantify the use of its laser protocol for concussion symptoms. neurocatch.com/2022/03/15/ne…
9/ Sun, Yan, Wu and Ma, summarize various light therapy (LT) studies in pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3499….
"Patients receiving LT had significantly better scores for motor function"
"depression and sleep disturbance-related scores similarly showed significant optimization"
8/ And a few are being studied formally.
1. @TheSunBox for PD (in trial) clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/…
2. DayVia Lamp for PD (in trial) clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/…
3. Photopharmic's Celeste for PD (FDA Breakthrough Designation) photopharmics.com/fda-grants…
7/ An obvious light delivery mechanism is the eye. There are numerous consumer products on the market.
6/ Photobiomodulation is used on an array of neurology indications: brain injury, PD, Early Onset Alzheimer's, Stroke, ALS, and seizure disorders.
5/ Photobiomodulation has historically been used to treat sports injuries, skin burns, and inflammation.
Recently, it's being investigated to improve neurological functioning. Symptoms targeted: sleep, depression, anxiety, fatigue, motor & cognitive deficit, tremor, & pain.
4/ What's happening at the cellular level?
Some animal models suggest that light makes:
1. membrane potential ↑
2. e- transport ↑
3. oxygen consumption ↑
4. ATP synthesis ↑
5. survival signaling ↑, apoptosis (cell death) ↓
3/ The intensity of the light emitted matters. Closer, more intense light is more effective at altering cell processes.
Most devices we found emit at least 10,000 lux, which approximates the light available to the eye on a rainy day.
2/ What is photobiomodulation?
The use of visible or near-infrared electromagnetic waves to stimulate, heal, regenerate, and protect tissue that has either been injured, is degenerating, or else is at risk of dying.
1/ This is a thread recapping what we learned about photobiomodulation for brains in our recent book club meeting.
Full recording here: youtu.be/Skk2PjJbZlY?t=5
Our next book club meeting is on Chapter 4 of "The Brain's Way of Healing" by Norman Doidge. It's all about photobiomodulation – this means lights, lasers, and lamps.
Join us next Saturday, Nov 12 at 1pm PDT. Sign up at us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi…
In case you missed it, our first book club meeting about the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS) device was a blast.
youtu.be/tVBoApgJ3Hs
2/2 If you haven't had time to pick up "The Brain's Way of Healing" by Norman Doidge, fear not. You can check out this FDA approval announcement for footnotes on the therapy. fda.gov/news-events/press-an…