Transcript - Tracking Parkinson's film
'Tracking Parkinson's' will be the world's largest ever
in-depth study of people with Parkinson's.
Launched in April 2012, during Parkinson's Awareness Week, we need
thousands of people with Parkinson's across the UK to get involved
to make this ambitious 5-year project a success.
Watch our short film and find out more about
Tracking Parkinson's
Steve Ford, Chief Executive, Parkinson's UK:
As the UK's biggest research and support charity for people
affected by Parkinson's, we're leading the way to find a cure. And
we're closer than ever.
That's why we're launching the 'Tracking Parkinson's' research
project. This will be the world's largest ever in-depth study
of people affected by Parkinson's.
This ambitious 5-year project, fully funded by Parkinson's UK,
aims to speed up our search for a cure by finding 'biomarkers'.
These are small but measurable changes in the body that show how
severe your Parkinson's is.
Dr Donald Grosset, Tracking Parkinson's study leader,
Glasgow:
Biomarkers are samples of body tissue or body fluids which can
potentially be used to mark the presence of a disease. They can be
used to diagnose a disease or to monitor its progression.
At present we don't have any biomarker for Parkinson's disease
and that's a key aim of the Tracking Parkinson's study, along with
much of the other research that's ongoing in Parkinson's at this
time.
Dr Kieran Breen, Director of Research and Innovation,
Parkinson's UK:
Without biomarkers we're really stuck. We cannot accurately
diagnose Parkinson's or monitor people and how they progress with
the condition. And therefore, this is a real barrier to developing
new treatments for the condition.
We believe that finding an accurate biomarker is critical for us
to achieve our aim to find a cure for Parkinson's. And this is why
we're so passionate about the Tracking Parkinson's study.
Steve:
To achieve our ambitious aims for this project, UK researchers
will study Parkinson's as it develops in greater detail than ever
before.
We need thousands of people with Parkinson's across the UK to
get involved to make Tracking Parkinson's a success.
If you’ve been diagnosed with Parkinson's in the past 3 years or
were diagnosed before the age of 50, we need your help.
Anne-Marie, who is taking part in Tracking
Parkinson's:
I got involved by coming to the clinic and speaking to my
specialist nurse.
Taking part in the study involves a blood test every 18 months,
6-monthly visits to my consultant and a questionnaire. But
everything will be built in during my visits so I won't have to
spend extra time coming along.
A cure for Parkinson's would be like winning the lottery for
myself. Life has really changed since I've been diagnosed, so any
kind of further treatment or a cure would be just a miracle
really.
Donald:
The study is happening in a network of study centres across the
UK. We have 35 study centres and therefore it should be possible
for most people to find a local study centre and take part in
Tracking Parkinson's.
Steve:
The information and blood samples collected in the study will be
made available to researchers studying Parkinson's all over the
world free of charge.
This will create a lasting legacy that future generations of
people with Parkinson's will benefit from.
Jane, who is taking part in Tracking
Parkinson's:
Definitely take part in any kind of tests or any wee things that
you can help with because it's not going to hurt - it doesn't hurt
you.
But it might, you know, as I say, help somebody, or help the
progression of learning about Parkinson's.
Kieran:
We believe that this groundbreaking research will bring us
closer to the day when we can stop Parkinson's in its tracks.
So if you've been diagnosed with Parkinson's within the last 3
years, or were diagnosed under the age of 50, please consider
taking part.
You can find out more about Tracking Parkinson's by going to our
website, or calling 0808 800 0303.
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