A recent edition of the Medigarments Ltd blog looked at the results of a new study which, carried out by the charity Cure Parkinson's, warned that an 'alarming lack of knowledge' could result in a 'Parkinson's pandemic' in the near future.

While it is true that there is always more that could be done in terms of research, the condition is being studied by numerous organisations. This edition of our blog looks at two of the most recent studies to have taken place.

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Measuring Eye Movements to Track Progression of Parkinson's
NeuraLight is a company that has created a platform which, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology, measures eye movements that enable assessment of 'the patient's neurological status in a sensitive and objective way'. A study of the technology published in the Journal of Neural Transmission shows that it may help to track the progression of Parkinson's.

The study looked at 215 people with Parkinson's disease (along with 215 control subjects who do not have the condition) and involved comparing standard disease-severity assessments with data from NeuraLight's test score. Parkinson's patients had a tendency to have slower eye movements as compared to control subjects, with the movements becoming slower as severity increased. Analysis of the data showed that NeuraLight's data showed 'moderate correlation' with scores from the MDS-UPRS (Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale).

'Junk in the Environment' Responsible for Rise in Parkinson's Cases
A recent study published in the Dutch medical journal NTG, and reported by Dutch News, revealed that the number of people in the Netherlands who have Parkinson's has risen by a shocking 30% over the last ten years. Bas Bloem, the lead researcher, blamed the increase on 'junk in the environment', along with the fact that the population is ageing. 

When asked to clarify what he meant by 'junk', Bloem specified 'pollution and pesticides' as 'major factors'. He pointed out that farmers, market gardeners and people who live in close proximity to arable farms all have 'much more risk' of developing Parkinson's.

Parkinson's eased with SDO^®

There is no known cure for Parkinson's disease and research is ongoing. In the meantime, one of the best ways to help patients manage their symptoms is the wearing of dynamic Lycra^® garments from our leading Sensory Dynamic Orthosis made-to-measure collection. Offering a host of benefits from reduced severity of tremors to improved coordination and enhanced function, these superlative garments are designed and manufactured with the utmost care and attention to detail.

All of our products are designed and manufactured right here in the UK; providing crucial support for British trade, creating employment opportunities and keeping essential skills alive. Please browse the Medigarments Ltd website to find out more about SDO^® Original made-to-measure and SDO^® Lite made-to-order dynamic compression garments, our company, our products and career opportunities with us, along with lots of other news and updates, please subscribe to our monthly newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. If you wish to speak to us, our experienced team will be happy to help so please do not hesitate to get in touch.