It has been an interesting few weeks. On 26th and 27th February, the results of the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of GDNF in Parkinson’s and of the open-label extension study were published in Brain and Journal of Parkinson’s disease respectively. The
Mind games
I’ll get straight to the point. This is an important paper, albeit one hiding behind the most reticent and least illuminating title. Let me translate it for you. In simple terms the scientists asked people to imagine one of two
The only way is up
Switching off Jeremy Kyle was probably as decisive a statement as anything I had managed thus far. More to the point, it was a tacit recognition that his sanctimonious custodianship of this toxic cockpit of raw emotion was not where
Speech to The Worshipful Company of Butchers, 7th February 2019
I received a clear brief for this speech. The brief was ‘be brief’. Well being brief is not really what people with Parkinson’s do well. We tend to be rather slow so bear with me. By any standard, James Parkinson
Rock bottom
I retired from the Cure Parkinson’s Trust at the end of April 2017. It was time to take a rest and continue my fight against Parkinson’s on a more local platform. I honestly felt I had done my bit.
“The will of the people”
I am puzzled by the resistance of many Brexit supporters to a second referendum. Surely this seems sensible. Let’s look at the facts. In 2016 voters in Britain decided (narrowly) to support the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
What if…?
Let’s put aside the politics of Brexit and all the name-calling from both sides. At the time of writing, it looks increasingly unlikely that a deal will be obtainable. At least obtainable on anything approximating to favourable terms for the
When Jon interviewed Dr Stamford
Jon: First of all, some introductions. My name is Jon Stamford. I am a person with Parkinson’s, diagnosed 12 years ago. It’s my pleasure today to interview Dr Jonathan Stamford, former head of the Neurotransmission Lab at the Royal London
A ripe old age
Where does old age begin? Don’t worry – I won’t be asking questions. It’s sort of rhetorical. I’ve been wondering but without really reaching a conclusion. My father defined old age as anything beyond 40. Until he was 40. Then
Hope is back on the agenda
The average person with Parkinson’s lot is not a happy one. An increasingly acknowledged litany of non-motor symptoms add to the obvious freezes, shakes, rattles and rules that make up our daily repertoire of silly walks. We shuffle and glide,