The Exercise Breakthrough
By David Iverson on February 6, 2008 3:00 PM
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After I got my Parkinson's
diagnosis, I found myself on the lookout for the latest breakthrough.
Is there a new drug? A new surgical procedure? What about stem cells? I
suppose it's normal to want to believe there's some new high tech
solution just around the corner.
One of the interesting discoveries I've had working on this film,
though, is that some of the latest "breakthroughs" turn out to
be pretty low tech. The value of exercise is a
perfect example. It's not something that was understood even a few
decades ago. I remember my Dad's neurologist telling him after his
Parkinson's diagnosis that exercise wouldn't make any difference.
Obviously, the value of exercise for any number of conditions is much
more recognized today, but even if exercise helps the heart, could it
really help the brain?
I joined the neighborhood gym the day
after my diagnosis, but not because I knew anything about how exercise
might make a difference. I was betting that
researchers would eventually make some big "breakthrough," and I wanted to be fit enough to take advantage of it.
What I didn't realize was that exercise itself might be part
of the big breakthrough. There's some interesting research going on
right now exploring how exercise might actually change the brain and in
so doing make a big difference for people with Parkinson's. Watch the short video
The Exercise Effect to see what we've been learning.
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I am a woman diagnosed in Nov. 2001 at 47 years old. I live in Vermont but was encouraged to go to Mass General for my second opinion. I felt sure I had PD, but I wanted to be in a larger population center as a young onset PD'er.
I told the doctor at the Movement Disorder Center that I was interested in being a part of any research appropriate to my PD. His eyes lit up (I am quite healthy and fit) and on my next visit he presented me with a stack of papers to read about a drug study they were involved in for people diagnosed under 5 years and not on meds, yet. I was a terrific experience, although the drug proved to not do what they had hoped, I felt I could have something to do with finding a cure and that made me feel really good. I continue to be in other types of studies in the hope we will come up with some great data.
Thanks for writing Vivian ... I've participated in drug studies too, and I agree it does make you feel like you're doing something constructive.
Hope all goes well with you!
Dave