Parkinsons Disease In Israel Initial Symptoms And Comorbidities From 20 Years Of Follow Up In A Population
Y. Barer, N. Gavrielov, P. Coloma, M. Martinec, I. Korolev, I. Goldshtein
Category:Epidemiology
Objective: To describe the epidemiology of Parkinsons disease in Israel during a 20-year period, 20002019, and to characterize initial symptoms and comorbidities of PD patients.
Background: PD is diagnosed based on medical history and clinical manifestations . However, initial presentation may vary substantially, making early PD diagnosis a challenge. We explored PD patients characteristics using the computerized, comprehensive database of Maccabi Healthcare Services , a nationally representative insurer and provider covering 25% of Israels population .
Method: eNLIGHTEN is a retrospective population-based study, capturing all MHS PD patients diagnosed by neurologists or hospitals. Index date was defined as the earliest coded diagnosis. Study variables included demographics, smoking, family history of PD, symptoms and comorbidities extracted from inpatient and outpatient visits as well as validated chronic disease registries.
PD epidemiology and frequency of PD cases with underlying family history in MHS population matches previously published global estimates . Our study provides insight into initial identification and documentation of PD and associated comorbidities in routine healthcare settings.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Mov Disord.
Guy Yohanan Was Just 33 When He Was Diagnosed With Denegerative Disease His Prognosis Seemed Bleak Until His Doctor Recommended A New Therapy
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Parkison’s is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, mainly affecting the motor system due to the death of dopamine-generating cells in the brain. The disease’s most obvious symptoms are movement-related and include shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty in walking. Later symptoms may include thinking and behavioral problems, and even dementia.
DBS therapy works by inserting a medical device much like a pacemaker under the skin of the chest. From the device extend thin, flexible wires called “leads”, which are implanted in the brain. The device works entirely under the skin and inside the body.
The wires carry electrical pulses that stimulate specific areas of the brain, enabling better performance of the brain’s circuits that control movements and reducing the symptoms of Parkinson’s for many patients.
For Guy, the effects were tremendous. From facing a state of paralysis, he now plays tennis, cycles and even runs races.
“I felt so energized and so alive again,” says Guy of his return home after the operation to insert the device. “That was a wonderful feeling.”
Prof Nir Giladi Israel Parkinson Co
Nir Giladi, M.D., is a renowned leader in the field of movement disorders, Full Professor at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine at Tel-Aviv University and chairman of the Neurological Institute at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. Giladi and his clinical and research groups are focused on two major goals: striving to give the best neurological care possible to the patients in their care and to finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.
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The Story Of A Patient Who Underwent Tremor Treatment
A 73-year-old patient entered the MRT offices of Rambam Medical Center. He was a successful businessman who had suffered for the past 15 years from Essential Tremor, which negatively affected his physical functions and quality of life.
The patient experienced a strong tremor on the right side of his body. He was unable to drink from a glass without spilling its contents. The tremor complicated his work. His handwriting became unintelligible because of the trembling of his hands. The day before his procedure took place, the patient was asked to write a short sentence on a sheet of paper. No matter how hard he tried, his transcription sprawled over the entire paper and was impossible to read.
Two hours after the procedure began, doctors handed the patient a glass of water. For the first time in many years, the patient managed to raise the glass to his lips and drink with pleasure, without spilling a single drop. I was reborn, he told his doctors.
The patient then asked for a sheet of paper and a pencil. In small and neat script, he wrote down a quote from a famous Israeli politician: If you truly want it it is not a fairy tale.
I feel happy, the patient confessed later on. I was constantly told that if your hands are always shaking, you should hire a secretary to keep your records and prepare coffee for you. Yet my dream was to be completely independent of anyone. And today, that dream has come true!
Benefits Of Treatment In Israel
In Israel, you can get the best treatment of Parkinson’s disease with minimal health risks. The country offers not very high prices when compared with the cost of similar medical services in developed Western countries, but the clinics in Israel are not inferior in terms of medicine.
Here are the main benefits of Parkinson’s disease treatment in Israel:
- Well-equipped hospitals
- Availability of the very latest treatment methods, including deep brain stimulation and the use of focused ultrasound
- High-precision diagnostics allows doctors to ideally select patients for a particular procedure, predicting the effectiveness of the treatment
- Intraoperative diagnostics reduces the risk of damage to functionally important areas of the brain to zero
- Low cost of medical services
- Quality postoperative care and rehabilitation
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Israeli Neuroderm Announces Success In New Parkinsons Treatment
NeuroDerm, an Israeli clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, announced that patients with moderate to severe Parkinsons disease who received continuous, subcutaneous doses of liquid levodopa/carbidopa exhibited improvements in their condition.
The Positive Topline Results of a Phase II, Placebo-Controlled Study s were presented at The Michael J. Fox Foundations 2014 Parkinson s Disease Therapeutics Conference in New York.
Parkinsons is possibly one of the two most dreadful diseases to suffer from, along with Alzheimers. It not only causes your body to deteriorate, but it also takes away a persons mental faculties.
It is a progressive neurodegenerative illness characterized by reduced dopamine in the brain, resulting in a debilitating decrease in the patients motor and non-motor functions. Its symptoms, such as trembling in the extremities and face, slowness of movement and impaired balance and coordination, worsen over time and gravely impact the patients quality of life. As the disease progresses, these symptoms become more severe, resulting in debilitating periods of decreased motor and non-motor functions, also referred to as off time. In addition, mainly as a result of excessive/intermittent oral doses of levodopa aimed at treating the off time, some patients experience involuntary movements, or dyskinesia.
What Is Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons disease, PD a heavy and progressive disease of the central nervous system that affects the motor, and at later stages cognitive function. The disease acts on an area in the midbrain called the substantia nigra that controls movement, affecting neurons that produce a chemical messenger . Progression of the disease results in decreased levels of dopamine as these neurons are destroyed, resulting in abnormal brain activity predominantly uncontrolled movement. Scientists have not been able to ascertain the cause of Parkinsons disease, but have found a clear genetic link, as well as the pathogenic role of some neurotoxins, such as Lewy bodies. Symptoms resembling PD may occur with prolonged use of certain medications that block the action of dopamine. PD is less common in young adults it usually develops in people around the age of 60 and older, affecting more men than women. PD is a form of parkinsonism which is used to describe symptoms associated with PD but due to other causes, treatment may be of benefit to these such causes, and so its important to distinguish between the two disorders.
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The Aufzien Family Center For Prevention And Treatment Of Parkinson’s Disease
The Aufzien Family Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease has been established by a generous donation from the Aufzien Family to promote and enhance research towards better treatment and prevention of Parkinson’s Disease. The APPD is an academic Center at the Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience at Tel-Aviv University, which serves as a hub for innovative translational research in Parkinson’s Disease.
The Center has a grant program and educational activities to support cutting-edge research towards better treatment and prevention, or slowing down of Parkinson’s Disease progression. The Center holds monthly seminars, annual international symposiums and active student exchange programs and promotes Parkinsons research conducted on campus and at affiliated hospitals, working toward the development of novel drugs, therapies and diagnostic technologies for Parkinsons Disease.
Weather And Climate In Israel
Israel is a year-round destination but the temperatures in the city vary widely. The coastal areas such as Tel Aviv and Haifa experiences a typical Mediterranean climate where the winters are rainy and the summers are hot. The area around Northern Negev has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cool winters. The Southern Negev has a desert climate with extremely hot summers and mild winters. On the other hand, mountainous regions have pleasant summer and cold winters with a little snowfall.
Generally, the winter months from November to March are the coldest months in the country. When mountainous areas such as Jerusalem receives snowfall, the coastal areas experience heavy rainfall. Summer starts in June and ends in August and it is the hottest season in every part of the country, especially in the desert area where the heat can be overbearing. The seasons of spring and autumn have the best weather, with pleasant temperatures and fewer rainy days.
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How Are Parkinsons Disease And Essential Tremor Treated
Medication is the first choice for Parkinsons treatment, but Parkinsons patients dont respond well to drugs or have side effects. In Essential tremor, the response rate to medications is less than Parkinsons disease and up to 30% may not tolerate medications or may have an unsatisfactory response. In these cases, surgical treatment may be considered.Before the arrival of FUS, surgical options for Parkinsons treatment included thalamotomy and deep brain stimulation .Both these options are considered minimally invasive although they involve incisions, use of drills to open a small hole in the skull and the insertion of one or more electrodes into the brain. In the case of DBS, the hardware is implanted into the brain and a pacemaker similar to a heart pacemaker is implanted into the chest wall.
Diagnosis Of Parkinsons Disease
The basis of the diagnosis of Parkinsons disease at Herzliya Medical Center requires a thorough examination by a highly qualified neurologist and a series of clinical tests to confirm the diagnosis. Diagnostics include:
- Positron emission tomography brain function and activity particularly areas controlling movement
- Single-photon emission computed tomography
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging and functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain
- A clinical study with dopamine agonists
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What Is The Cost Of A Doctor’s Consultation
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The price for the Parkinson”s Disease doctors consultation in Israel varies between experts and depends on some factors as:
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the clinical experience and reputation
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the medical degree and educational background
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the doctors workload
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medical developments, proprietary techniques used, and awards if any.
Where To Seek Help From
To undergo treatment of Parkinson’s disease in one of the clinics in Israel, please, use the Booking Health service. Our portal offers a convenient search system for a medical program. You can compare the cost of procedures in different clinics and book treatment at a favourable price. Booking Health specialists will arrange your treatment in Israel. We offer the following services and benefits:
- Search and selection of the hospital in Israel that specializes in Parkinson’s disease treatment
- Possibility of treatment in Israel on the most suitable for you dates
- Reduced cost of treatment the prices for medical services are reduced due to avoiding additional coefficients for foreign patients
- Direct communication with the doctor
- Preparation of a medical program without the need to repeat the previously performed diagnostic tests in Israel
- Buying and forwarding medicines
- Communication with the hospital in Israel after the completion of the medical program
- Organization of additional diagnostics, treatment in Israel or rehabilitation
Booking Health specialists provide high-quality services. We will book a hotel and airline tickets for you, meet you at the airport and take you to the hospital by car.
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Regulatory Approval & Reimbursement
The Exablate system manufactured by Insightec is approved in Europe and in the US for treating tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease. Patients should talk with their physician if they are not sure if they have tremor-dominated Parkinsons disease. We recommend that they talk with the treatment site for questions about insurance coverage under Medicare, as some treatment sites are now being reimbursed by Medicare. Most commercial companies are not currently covering this procedure.
What Is The Success Rate Of Fus Treatment
While there is still no cure for Parkinsons or Essential tremor, FUS represents an excellent method of controlling the tremor in these disorders. Out of the patients treated thus far at Sheba, 92% have shown improvement of tremor on a clinical disability scale. This includes such dramatic effects as being able to write effectively after treatment.
If you or a loved one is suffering from the significant tremor caused by Essential tremor or Parkinsons disease, contact Sheba right away to learn more about FUS treatment.
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Israeli Company Leads First
Israeli MedTech veteran INSIGHTEC is the first minimally invasive focused ultrasound treatment for Parkinson’s disease to receive reimbursement from Japanese Ministry of Health…
Israeli founded MedTech company INSIGHTEC, which develops and markets incisionless neurosurgery technologies, announced that it has received the first-ever national reimbursement and approval for focused ultrasound treatment for Parkinson’s Disease. The reimbursement was awarded by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare , which is the government body that regulates medical device approval for Japans national healthcare.
According to a survey conducted by MHLW, which found that the progressive neurodegenerative disorder Parkinsons Disease has seen an increase in known cases in recent years, with an incidence of 1 in 100 people over the age of 60 in Japan. This further shows that as modern healthcare technology keeps us alive longer, we will have to develop new innovation aimed at combating neurodegenerative diseases.
“Japan is the first country in the world to cover focused ultrasound for Parkinson’s Disease with nationwide public health insurance,” commented Maurice R. Ferré MD, INSIGHTEC CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors. “This is a major milestone for patients with Parkinson’s Disease across Japan.”
INSIGHTEC is headquartered Haifa, Israel and Miami with offices in Dallas, Shanghai and Tokyo. The company was founded in 1999 by Vice Chairman of the Board Kobi Vortman, PhD.
Tourist Visas In Israel
All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months after the date of departure from Israel. Citizens of 99 countries including the European Union, Canada, Singapore, Russia, and the United States do not require a visa to enter the country for up to 3 months. Nationals not listed on the visa exemption agreement need to obtain a visa and should contact their nearest embassy of Israel. Citizens of 25 countries require a confirmation from the Israeli government before a tourist visa is issued.
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The Revolution Has Just Begun
Hadassah Medical Center is conducting a Phase 2 trial testing mannitol for Parkinsons under the supervision of neurologist David Arkadir. No corporation is funding this study rather, the Ministry of Health of Israel has been providing grants for substances that cant be patented. Mannitol was one of them.
In addition to mannitol, CliniCrowd is looking into how cinnamon extract potentially could prevent Alzheimers or help existing patients with user-reported outcomes.
Katz, 46, had wanted to make movies since he was a child. In his 20-year career as a documentarian, hes covered an Israeli community formed in India, the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and stories of immigrants playing soccer around the world.
But for this documentary, Katz said, I can really believe I can make a change and impact millions of people.
Vesely had a chance to see the documentary at a private screening earlier this month. Its currently available on Vimeos on-demand service. He hates to see himself on screen, but it was well worth it for him.
I know it served the mission, that it will inspire other patients and spread the notion about mannitol, about recruiting the wisdom of the crowd to the conservative healthcare, Vesely said.
Treatments For Parkinsons Disease
Mount Sinai specialists are skilled in providing the full range of therapies for Parkinsons disease. While your treatment plan may include medications, and possibly surgery, we also believe in the importance of maintaining a regular exercise regimen and eating a healthy, balanced diet.
Medications: The most common treatment for Parkinsons disease is dopamine replacement therapy, usually levodopa, which generally produces significant improvements in walking and movement, as well as reductions in stiffness and tremors. We also use other medications that target either the synthesis or breakdown of dopamine in the body.
Deep Brain Stimulation: Mount Sinais Center for Neuromodulation is recognized for its excellence in performing deep brain stimulation surgery for selected patients with Parkinsons disease. In deep brain stimulation, electrodes are placed in the areas of the brain responsible for symptoms. We connect these electrodes through a wire to a neurostimulator, also called a battery pack, which delivers electrical stimulation to the brain and can modulate the symptoms of PD. We can adjust the electrical parameters of the device to obtain very good control over symptoms. Most patients experience dramatic improvement.
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Israeli Discovery Could Delay Parkinsons Progression
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered a new way to detect a protein associated with Parkinsonâs disease that could âsignificantly delayâ the progression of the disease, for which there is currently no cure.
According to the researchers, they have developed a new method for tracking the early stages of the accumulation of the alpha-synuclein protein, which slowly toxifies cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra. The scientists said that by the time most patients are diagnosed with Parkinsonâs, 50 percent to 80 percent of the cells in substantia nigra are already dead.
The study was conducted in collaboration with Cambridge University, which provided a mouse model for Parkinsonâs disease that allowed the scientists to study the different stages of the accumulation of alpha-synuclein.
The Israeli scientists also teamed up with Max Planck Institute in Gottingen and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München to study the effects of a drug called anle138b on the protein and found a reversal of motoric behaviors in the treated mice.
The research was published on June 5 in the Acta Neuropathologica medical journal.
Approximately 10 million people worldwide are affected by Parkinsonâs disease.