Parkinsong Award 3|2020

Nigral Iron Deposition in Common Tremor Disorders

Nina Homayoon, MD, et al

We investigated R2* relaxation rates as a marker of iron content in the substantia nigra in patients with common tremor disorders and explored their diagnostic properties.
Mean nigral R2* rates were measured in 40 patients with tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease (PD), 15 with tremor in dystonia, 25 with essential tremor, and 25 healthy controls.
Tremor-dominant PD patients had significantly higher nigral R2* values (34.1  5.7) than those with tremor in dystonia (30.0  3.9), essential tremor (30.6  4.8), and controls (30.0  2.8). An R2* threshold of 31.15 separated tremor-dominant PD from controls with a sensitivity and specificity of 67.5% and 72%. The sensitivity and specificity for discrimination between PD and non-PD tremor patients was 67.5% and 60%.
Iron content in the substantia nigra is significantly higher in tremor-dominant PD than in tremor in dystonia, essential tremor, and controls. Because of the considerable overlap, nigral R2* cannot be suggested as a useful diagnostic tool.

Parkinsong Award 2|2020

Individual Cognitive Change After DBS-Surgery in Parkinson’s Disease Patients Using Reliable Change Index Methodology

Thomas Foki, MD, et al

Long-term therapy of Parkinson’s disease (PD) with levodopa (L-DOPA) is associated with a high risk of developing motor fluctuations and dyskinesia. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in PD patients of the subthalamic nucleus can improve these motor complications. Although the positive effect on motor symptoms has been proven, postoperative cognitive decline has been documented. To tackle the impact of PD-DBS on cognition, 18 DBS patients were compared to 25 best medically treated Parkinson’s patients, 24 Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) patients and 12 healthy controls using the Neuropsychological Test Battery Vienna-long (NTBV-long) for cognitive outcome 12 months after first examination. Reliable change index methodology was used. Overall, there was cognitive change in individual patients, but the change was very heterogeneous with gains and losses. Further research is needed to identify the mechanisms that lead to improvement or deterioration of cognitive functions in individual cases.

Parkinsong Award 1|2020

Early Distinction of Parkinson-Variant Multiple System Atrophy from Parkinson’s Disease

Alessandra Fanciulli, MD PhD, et al

Distinguishing the Parkinson variant of MSA (MSA-P) from Parkinson’s disease (PD) is often difficult at disease onset. This is a major drawback for counseling of patients and timely enrollment into disease-modifying clinical trials.
Clinicopathological studies consistently report that postural instability and autonomic failure emerge earlier in MSA-P than in PD,2,3 but it remains to be determined how this information can be integrated into the diagnostic work-up of patients with early parkinsonism.
Here, we aimed at (1) quantifying the diagnostic yield of early-onset postural instability as well as cardiovascular and urological autonomic failure in differentiating MSA-P from PD and (2) merging early MSA-P distinctive features into a MSA-P diagnostic probability score.
For this purpose, we retrospectively studied 161 PD and 29 MSA-P patients, who had undergone tilt-table testing at early disease, defined as Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) stage <3 and/or disease duration <2 years. In the absence of neuropathological confirmation, established PD4 and MSA-P5 criteria were applied at last available visit by senior investigators and served as the clinical diagnostic gold standard. The diagnosis was further supported by cerebral MRI volumetry6 in all MSA-P patients with available MRI (n = 21) and in those PD patients with a follow-up time < 24 months and disease duration <5 years (n = 19): patients with a mismatch between the final clinical and MRI diagnosis were excluded from further analysis (n = 4). Clinical features at early disease, associated with a diagnosis of MSA-P at last available visit, were investigated by means of χ2, parametric, and nonparametric tests, followed by binary logistic regression analysis. An MSA-P diagnostic probability score was generated on the basis of early MSA-P discriminant variables. The study protocol was approved by the local ethical committee and performed according to the Declaration of Helsinki. Because of the retrospective design, no written informed consent was due. Processing of data followed the current Austrian regulation for data protection. By taking into account all significantly different clinical demographic traits at early disease, logistic regression analysis showed the following features to be associated with a final diagnosis of MSA-P: (1) postural instability (H&Y stage ≥3) within 2 years from disease onset; (2) orthostatic hypotension7; (3) symptoms of overactive bladder (urge and/or urinary incontinence); and (4) urinary retention (i.e., postvoid residual urine volume > 100 mL).
By assigning 1 point per above-mentioned feature, a cumulative score ≥ 2 (score range: 0-4) showed 78% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI]: 58-91), 86% specificity (95% CI: 80-91), 50% positive predictive value (95% CI: 39-61), and 96% negative predictive value (95% CI: 91-98) for a final diagnosis of MSA-P. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.884 (95% CI: 0.823-0.946).
We conclude that postural instability and autonomic failure manifest in both PD and MSA-P, but their early development indicates MSA-P.
The 4-points MSA-P diagnostic probability score shows a balanced sensitivity and specificity for early MSA-P and represents an easily accessible, cost- and time-effective tool for screening parkinsonian patients with low or absent MSA risk (0–1 point) from those with high MSA-risk (2–4 points). The latter may benefit from referral to specialized movement disorder centers and, ultimately, recruitment in ongoing neuroprotective studies.

Passion Parkinson

Zum ersten Mal wurde kürzlich der Parkinsong-Award vergeben; initiiert aus persönlicher Betroffenheit und gespeist aus privaten Spendengeldern. Nina Homayoon, die steirische der fünf Preisträgerinnen und -träger, gibt Einblick in ihre Forschungsarbeit.

Ursula Scholz

„Mein Interesse an Parkinson wurde schon während des Studiums geweckt“, erzählt Parkinsong-Preisträgerin Nina Homayoon, seit 2014 Fachärztin an der Klinischen Abteilung für Neurogeriatrie der Grazer Universitätsklinik für Neurologie. Zu Studienende und im Rahmen von Famulaturen lernte sie den dortigen Klinik-Alltag kennen und schätzte besonders den Umgang mit den Menschen an dieser Klinik. So entschied sie sich, ihre Diplomarbeit auf der Neurologie zu schreiben und blieb im Anschluss gleich zur Facharztausbildung. „Das Schöne an der Behandlung von Parkinson ist, dass sich nach richtiger Diagnose und Einleitung der Therapie Tremor und Gang so deutlich verbessern können“, erklärt Homayoon, warum sie sich gerade mit dieser Krankheit beschäftigt.

Richtige Diagnose

Bei der richtigen Diagnose fängt die Herausforderung allerdings schon an: „Oft kommt es anfangs zu Fehldiagnosen, weil gerade der essentielle Tremor und der von Morbus Parkinson verursachte schwierig zu unterscheiden sind und es noch kaum diagnostische Biomarker dafür gibt.“ Einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Differentialdiagnose von Tremorerkrankungen hat Homayoon aber nun mit ihrer Untersuchung von Eisenablagerungen in der Substantia Nigra geleistet. Sie konnte an jenen 40 Patientinnen und Patienten, die im hauseigenen Register für Bewegungsstörungen PROMOVE erfasst sind, nachweisen, dass es speziell bei Menschen mit Tremor-dominantem Morbus Parkinson in jenen Bereichen der Substantia Nigra zu Eisenablagerungen kommt, die vom dopaminergen Zelluntergang betroffen sind.

Dabei hat sich auch gezeigt, dass das bisherige Wissen über die Eisenablagerungen noch nicht als alleiniger Biomarker ausreicht. „Um validere Aussagen machen zu können, müssen wir entweder mehr Biomarker finden oder die Fallzahlen erhöhen.“ Homayoons nächster Ansatz wird sein, weitere MRT-Techniken zu nutzen und longitudinal zu betrachten – die ersten Betrachtungen basierten auf Schnittuntersuchungen.

Für die bisherigen Erkenntnisse wurde sie am 13. Februar mit dem Parkinsong-Award geehrt, den der selbst von Parkinson betroffene Verleger und Kulturschaffende Gerald Ganglbauer ins Leben gerufen hat. Die 10.000 Euro Preisgeld, die auf insgesamt fünf Preisträger aufgeteilt werden, hat Ganglbauer unter anderem mit der 2019 erschienenen, vom Hauptverband der Sozialversicherungsträger geförderten CD „Parkinsong Duets“ finanziert. Österreichische Bands wie The Base oder Badhoven und Betroffene haben gemeinsam zwölf Songs eingespielt.

Die Preisverleihung 2020 fand im Krankenhaus der Elisabethinen statt, das den Preis damit tatkräftig unterstützte. Elisabethinen-Geschäftsführer Christian Lagger begrüßte die PreisträgerInnen und BesucherInnen – in erster Linie von der Krankheit Betroffene.

Erfahren hat Homayoon vom Parkinsong-Award, mit dem ausschließlich Parkinson-Forschende unter 40 geehrt werden, über die Homepage der Parkinson-Gesellschaft und auch auf dem Österreichischen Parkinson-Kongress wurde er vorgestellt.

Für Forschung und Weiterbildung

Das Preisgeld wird sie in Weiterbildung und weitere Forschung investieren. Homayoon ist hochmotiviert, die Früherkennung von Parkinson voranzutreiben und damit einen früheren Therapiestart und größere Therapieerfolge zu ermöglichen.

Der Parkinsong-Award reiht sich zu ihren bisherigen Poster- und Vortragspreisen, die sie im Bereich der Parkinson- und Alzheimer-Forschung erworben hat: 2009 war es der Posterpreis der 22. Jahrestagung der Österreichischen Alzheimergesellschaft, 2010 gewann Homayoon den Wissenschaftlichen Vortragspreis im Rahmen der 8. Jahrestagung der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Neurologie, 2016 und 2017 jeweils den Posterpreis der Jahrestagung der Österreichischen Parkinson Gesellschaft.

Alle drei Jahre

Die nächste Chance den Parkinsong-Award zu gewinnen, sollte es nach dem Welt-Parkinson-Kongress 2022 (WPC) in Barcelona geben – Ganglbauer will mit seinem Preis dem Drei-Jahres-Rhythmus des WPC folgen.

Alle Gewinnerinnen und Gewinner

Alessandra Fanciulli von der Med Uni Innsbruck (Early Distinction of Parkinson-Variant Multiple System Atrophy from Parkinson’s Disease), Thomas Foki vom Universitätsklinikum Tulln (Individual Cognitive Change After DBS-Surgery in Parkinson’s Disease Patients Using Reliable Change Index Methodology), Florian Krismer von der Med Uni Innsbruck (Morphometric MRI Profiles of Multiple System Atrophy Variants and Implications for Differential Diagnosis) und Philipp Mahlknecht, ebenfalls Med Uni Innsbruck (Performance of the Movement Disorders Society Criteria for Prodromal Parkinson’s Disease: A Population-Based 10-Year Study).

© AERZTE Magazin Steiermark 03/2020
Fotos: Peter Purgar, Christina Plankensteiner

PARKINSONG STORY

Get your copy of the  PARKINSONG STORY in print for € 5 + Shipping.

PARKINSONG STORY
32 pages reviews, photos, background and making of Parkinsong Duets and Parkinsong Award, with World Parkinson Day on April, 11.

Thank you

Marino Acapulco – drums, voc., synths, Alois Aigner – Graz event, Ray Andrews – vocals, Kurt Bauer – violin, Eros Bresolin – vocals, Reinhard „Bux“ Brunner – mix, label, Jacques Bush – voc., guit., synths, Kurt Christian – vocals, guitars, Brian Dakin – vocals, Alessandra Fanciulli – award, Thomas Foki – award, Willi Gerschlager – jury, Alana de la Hidalga – Spanish translation, Beate Hilker – distribution, Andy Hitchman – vocals, Nina Homayoon – award, Julia Jockelson – vocals, Albi Klinger – bass, background voc., Florian Krismer – award, David Künstner – bass, Christian Lagger – event, John Langford – vocals, guitars, Philipp Mahlknecht – award, Karl Maier – jury, Karl Miklin – drums, background voc., Martin Novak – event PR, Gerhard Paar – keys, background voc., Franz Pennauer – jury, Mario Pohn – guitars, background voc., Anni Polacsik – jury, Eli Pollard – Kyoto event, Angelika Pudmich – keyboards, Peter Purgar – photography, Peter Rosegger – event, Jürgen Rottensteiner – music PR, Gerhard Rucker – jury, Uli Sajko – vocals, Ronald Saurugg – jury, Mireille Schmitt – French translation, Johann Schwarzinger – vocals, guitars, Petra Schwingenschuh – jury, Gerd Sojka – drums, background voc., Gisi Steinert – vocals, Alexander Tschiggerl – mix, master, Flo Verant – bass, Jörg Veselka – vocals, guitars, Pete Wain – vocals, guitars, Norbert Wally – vocals, guitars, Connie Weixler – vocals, Ingrid Winkler – jury, Klaus Wohlgemuth – guit., voc.

Styrian of the day

Styrian collects for research award „People with Parkinson’s can be rockstars“

Gerald Ganglbauer has raised money for a new Parkinson research award with a music album.

By Teresa Guggenberger, Kleine Zeitung (English translation)
Ganglbauer wants to advance Parkinson’s research. Photo: Lucija Novak

„I have an engine inside of me,“ says Gerald Ganglbauer. This engine has been tirelessly volunteering for years for Parkinson’s support. For this purpose, the Styrian released the album „Parkinsong Duets“ last year. Under the motto: „People with Parkinson’s can be rockstars“, bands like The Base from Graz recorded songs with people with Parkinson’s.

With this project, which Ganglbauer carried out on a voluntary basis, not only Parkinson’s patients should be made visible. The real aim of the Styrian was to collect enough money by selling the album to be able to create an award for Parkinson’s research. And Ganglbauer has succeeded. The album was sold many times. With the net proceeds, the “Parkinsong Award” was now endowed with € 10,000. The research award will be presented for the first time on February 13th in Graz.

The 61-year-old wants to give science an incentive to deal more intensively with the healing of this disease. The motivation for his projects rests in Ganglbauer’s personal dismay. In 2006, the then 48-year-old was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Since then he has founded several self-help groups for Parkinson’s patients, including „Parkinsonline“ in Graz. „The meaning of your own life can change at every crossroad“, explains the Styrian his strong commitment.

THE PERSON

Gerald Ganglbauer was born in Graz on February 24, 1958. He studied communication science, journalism and media sociology. In 2006 Ganglbauer was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Since then, the Styrian has been committed to public awareness and research into the disease.

But Ganglbauer’s commitment goes beyond that. “When you get such a diagnosis, there is a growing need to make people understand how you feel,” he says. That is why Ganglbauer published his autobiography „Ich bin eine Reise“ (I am a journey). Behind this and other publications is the desire to give insights into the disease and to draw attention to it.

The Parkinsong Award should not remain the Styrian’s last project. As long as his illness permits, Ganglbauer wants to keep the engine inside of him running and release a second album with duets to finance the award in 2022.

CD TIP

In 2019 Gerald Ganglbauer released the album „Parkinsong Duets“. There are duets that rock musicians have recorded with Parkinson’s patients. The net proceeds will go to the Parkinsong Award. parkinsong.org

Original article in German language

Joerg Veselka feat. Connie Weixler

„Red Light Blue Light“ music by Joerg Veselka, video by Gerhard Unterbrunner, 30 December 2019

Thanks to Gerhard (also a PwP), who made this video clip for Joerg and Connie’s duet.

Musikatlas

musikatlas

PARKINSONG DUETS

Christian Schmid
ATS Records

Ein berührendes Projekt

“People With Parkinson’s Can Be Rockstars” ist auf dem Cover zu lesen und der Initiator dieses Projekts, Gerald Ganglbauer, ist selbst ein Betroffener der 2006 im Alter von 48 Jahren mit der Diagnose konfrontiert wurde. Am 4. Weltparkinsonkongress wurde die Idee geboren, Rockmusiker gemeinsam mit Parkinson-Patienten Duette singen zu lassen. Um der Welt zu zeigen, dass die Leidenschaft zur Musik und das Bedürfnis sich künstlerisch ausdrücken können trotz dieser Erkrankung Bestand hat.

Die Umsetzung war allerdings etwas mühseliger als gedacht und so brauchte es rund zwei Jahre um die Musiker und Bands zusammen zu bringen. So spielten die heimischen Melodic Rocker BADHOVEN gemeinsam mit Gerald Ganglbauer “How Will It Be” und “Break All The Chains” ein, zwei coole Titel mit maßgeschneiderten Hooklines, die ebenfalls in Graz beheimateten THE BASE wanderten ebenfalls mit Gerald mit “It’s Always Me” und “Not The River Of Mercy” auf Nick Cave’s Spuren und das steirische Szene-Original Johnny Schwarzinger, der vor 20 Jahren mit CATWALK lokale Musikgeschichte schrieb, verkündete mit Uli Sajko in berührendem spoken word-Kontext “So Here I Am”….

Ein wichtiges, ein bewegenden Projekt das Zeichen zu setzen vermag – der Erlös aus dem Verkauf kommt der Parkinson-Selbsthilfe zugute (www.parkinsonline.at). Zu beziehen über https://duets.parkinsong.org/