帕金森病的新疗法(2/2)
至今人类还不完全清楚帕金森氏症的发病原因，但是研究者们在探索治疗方法的道路上有了不小的进步。Hints:
Parkinson's
Northwestern University
Jim Surmeier
Skype
Tanya Simuni
Sarah Taylor
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http://t1.g.hjfile.cn/listen/201302/201302270905237655182.mp3There's currently no such test for Parkinson's, but at Northwestern University, researchers think they might have found a way to slow its progression.
Physiologist Jim Surmeier spoke to VOA by Skype. "We looked at the cells in the brain that were the most vulnerable to the disease. And what we saw was that they allowed lots and lots of calcium into their cell bodies."
The calcium eventually killed dopamine-producing cells and triggered Parkinson's symptoms. But the Northwestern University scientists found a drug that limits the brain cells' uptake of calcium, without harmful side effects. In a Skype interview, co-researcher Tanya Simuni told VOA another clinical trial is being planned. "And the primary question to be answered in that study is whether the drug is effective to slow progression of Parkinson's disease disability."
Current drugs used to control the tremors and walking difficulties work well for about five to ten years. If scientists could find a treatment that could double or triple that time, it would enable Sarah Taylor and the 10 million other people living with Parkinson's disease around the world to lead much more normal lives.现在还没有针对帕金森病症的体检。但是西北大学的研究者们认为他们找到了一种能延缓病情恶化的方法。
生理学家吉姆•瑟米尔通过skype表达了他的看法。“我们研究了大脑中那些最易受疾病影响的细胞，发现这些细胞摄入了大量的钙元素。”
这些钙元素致使多巴胺生成细胞死亡并引发帕金森综合症状。但是西北大学的研究者们发现一种药物不仅能减少脑细胞对钙的摄入量，而且还没有毒副作用。通过skype，研究者谭雅•西姆尼说他们正计划着另一个临床试验。她说：“这个实验要解决的首要问题是这种药物是否能有效地减轻帕金森对患者行动能力的影响。”
现有的治疗震颤和行动不便药物的疗效只能维持大约五至十年。但是如果研究者们能找到一种药效持续时间翻倍的治疗方法，那么包括萨拉•泰勒在内的全球一千万帕金森症患者的生活就方便多了。
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