Exercise all day to keep Parkinson’s away

The study conducted by University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that exercise prevents degeneration of nerve cells that are normally impaired or destroyed by &to=http://english.pravda.ru/world/2001/01/04/1837.html' target=_blank>Parkinson's in an animal model of the disease.

In Parkinson's, cells in the brain that contain dopamine, a neurotransmitter essential for purposeful and facile muscle control, progressively die until only a small percentage remains, thus resulting in uncontrollable tremors, rigidity of limbs, slow movements and stooped posture, reports New Kerala.

According to BBC, in Parkinson's disease, cells in the brain that contain a messenger called dopamine progressively die out.

This means messages don't get through in the normal way, which causes the tell-tale signs of the disease such as uncontrollable tremors, slow movements and rigid limbs.

There is some disagreement within the Parkinson's research community as to the benefits of intense exercise for people with PD.

While none have reported harm caused by &to=http://english.pravda.ru/printed.html?news_id=14464' target=_blank>physical activity, some studies have shown no statistical positive influence of exercise.

About 10,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s each year in the UK. Although the disease normally affects older people, one in 20 are under the age of 40.

Rats in the study had one foreleg immobilised in a cast for seven days, placing more physical demands on the opposite limb. A toxin called 6-OHDA was then injected into the brain on the side with the immobilised leg. This would normally be expected to induce Parkinson’s symptoms in the free limb on the opposite side. Next the cast was removed, and the toxin delivered to the other side of the brain. No Parkinson’s-induced movement problems were seen in either limb in the exercised animals.