My project is COMPLETE!

I'm really pleased with the outcome of my report and I believe my argument about Parkinson's treatments turned out to be well corroborated but also interesting because it was unexpected that general management was the most effective form of treatment compared to drug medication and surgery. The poster that I showed in my presentation and explained what and why I displayed specific information made my presentation more appealing to the audience.

Keeping a record...

Here I kept a clear record of the notes I took from all the sessions I had with my supervisor. This has helped me to stay firmly on track throughout the project, as I kept referring to these notes in case I forgot anything important to do. It has also helped me to manage my time efficiently.

Appointment date	Queries	Outcome (From notes)
15/11/2011	- Not sure about topic choice and what I could do for the project - How long do I have to decide on a topic?	The topic can be about anything that I’m interested in. Maybe doing some research can help me decide. It will also be useful to choose a topic related to my studies and future studies in university. I could either produce an artefact and a small report plus presentation or a report (5000 words) and a presentation.
17/11/2011	- I want to talk about neurodegeneration and it’s disorders: Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and ALS. Is this an appropriate topic choice and how do I structure my title?	- Yes I could write about the different neurodegenerative conditions and how Neurodegeneration affects the brain. -Title: Neurodegeneration, impact and prognosis: An investigation into the effects of neurodegenerative conditions on the brain and what treatment is available.
24/11/2011	-Can I post new information I find on my blog and what sort of things do I need to include? - How often do I need to post a comment?	- Remember to update my blog regularly, at least twice a week - Post a comment called ‘bibliography’ with the references for all the sources I use. - I could write about the new information I find but I need to reference it. - I could also post my title and initial ideas.
27/11/2011	- I don’t think it’s going to be easy comparing 3 neurodegenerative diseases. I’m not sure what I can do. - I also don’t know what my focus point is.	- I could work on 1 neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson’s and compare the treatments available. - So my focus point will be comparing the treatments for PD and as a conclusion finding the most effective form of treatment.
1/12/2011	- I want write a bit about research projects for PD how could I incorporate this in my report? - Also I’d like to write about possible future treatments for PD, such as stem cell therapy as they could become a potential cure for PD.	- Use the information obtained from research projects to support my argument on the different type of treatments available for PD. - Also what research projects are doing for future treatments e.g. gene therapy. This could be a cure once researchers find ways to unlock the other barriers that prevent the complete success of alleviating PD symptoms.
03/12/2011	Show my work so far and ask for advice.	- Advised me to keep a record of my progress.
17/12/2011	Ask what I could do to improve report	- Find information from a variety of sources e.g. books, articles, magazines, news, internet, blogs etc.
01/01/2012	- What is the presentation based upon? - Is there a specific layout/structure the presentation needs to be in?	- Don’t worry about the presentation at this stage. First complete the report. - The presentation is based upon the planning of the project and evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of my learning etc.
16/01/2012	- Still confused about my focus point such as how I am supposed to structure my argument. So I’ll show an example to my supervisor	- She approved of the example I wrote Which is to back my ideas with evidence from research projects.
18/01/12	- How am I supposed to structure my references?	-  My supervisor gave me a short guide on using the Harvard Referencing System. It has examples on how to reference different sources.
20/01/12	Ask for any handouts that could help me with planning.	- She gave me a layout plan for the presentation.
28/01/12	- What to include for report introduction.	- Describe my choice of title and explain how I developed my ideas (I also have to change my title since I changed my focus point)
07/02/12	- Check my report introduction with my supervisor	- Start with a rationale and include why I have chosen to focus on Parkinson's and use secondary research rather than primary. Also write why I felt research into research projects about Parkinson's is important.
15/02/12	- Showed the sources I used and how I referenced them	- References are good, but I could still find more information from different sources other than internet and books to show a deeper understanding of the issues around Parkinson’s disease and it’s treatments.
08/03/12	- Check my completed report to make final adjustments	- I could asses the references I used - Reduce the words to 5000 - Add page numbers. - Write an abstract, 150 words long - Add an appendix page and move the drug table to that page. Also add a record of the Google calendar I used for planning and a copy of my blog.
11/03/12	- Should I make a poster about PD?	-Yes. But include interesting and informative information about PD.

New ideas for my poster

I asked my supervisor if I should make a poster on Parkinson's disease and show it in my presentation. I wasn't sure if it would be relevant to my presentation but she thought that it would be good idea.
So far I know I want to include a diagram of how the brain is affected in PD. But I also want to add some interesting and informative facts that the audience can remember.

PD words in alphabetical order

I found this alphabetical list of Parkinson's related words that sort of help me remember the key characteristics of the disease. This list is from someones blog who actually suffers from Parkinson's disease. She talks about her disease but also informs us about any progress in Parkinson's disease research; explaining any experiments that have been carried out...(http://katekelsall.typepad.com/my_weblog/parkinsons_diagnosis/)

A-Anxiety, autonomic dysfunction, akinesia (loss of physical movement), apathy, anosmia (loss of sense of smell)
B-Bradykinesia, balance problems
C-Cognitive problems, constipation, choking
D-Depression, dementia, dysphagia (swallowing problems), driving difficulties, drooling, dystonia, denial, dyskinesia, delusions, death
E-Emotional lability, eating disorders
F-Fatigue, fidgeting, falling, freezing, finger motor problems, facial mask (hypomimia), foot cramps
G-Gait disturbance, gross motor problems
H-Hallucinations, hypotension (low blood pressure)
I-Impulsive dyscontrol disorders (pathologic gambling, compulsive eating, hypersexuality, compulsive spending), impotence
J-Jaw problems
K-Kinesia disorders (too much or too little movement)
L-Lethargy, loss of libido
M-Memory impairment, motor function abnormalities, micrographia (reduced size of handwriting)
N-Numbness, nausea, nightmares
O-Olfactory dysfunction (decreased ability to smell), on-off fluctuations
P-Psychiatric problems, psychosis, pain, panic attacks, pneumonia, postural instability
Q-Queasiness
R-Restless leg syndrome, REM behavior disorder, rigidity, reduced arm swing
S-Sleep disturbances (including sleep apnea, excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden sleep attacks), sexual dysfunction, sensory disturbances, seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff), sweating excessively, swallowing problems, shuffling, slowness, stooped posture, stiffness, social anxiety
T-Tremor, toe cramping
U-Urinary disturbances (including frequency, urgency, and incontinence)
V-Voice and speech problems (hoarse, monotone, imprecise articulation, slurred speech, low volume or hypophonia, voice tremor), visual problems, vomiting, vivid dreams
W-Weight changes, weakness
X-Xenophobia
Y-Yin, yang, yoga
Z-Zombie

Advice on presentation

I had discussion with my supervisor about the presentation. She advised me to write an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of my planning and a  detailed evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of my own learning. 

Ideas for the poster

I found this site that will help me with my poster (http://www.michaeljfox.org/living.cfm#) It has a short animated video that shows how the brain is affected in PD. Im also going to print images of the different features of the brain that are involved in Parkinson's and explain their functions and how they're affected.
The title for the poster will be: How is the brain affected in Parkinson's disease.

Planning for my presentation

Im using google calendar to set myself deadlines for the presentation. I've decided to make a poster, showing what happens in the brain of a person with Parkinson's.

Completed my report

I finished my report today and now I'm going to focuss on my presentation that's in for the 12th March.

Harvard generator for referrencing

Using the harvard generator for my references has made it easier to reference the big list of sources I found. I didn't know about the harvard generator until now but this meant that I relied on the harvard referencing guide which taught me how to reference different sources. But  I'm still concerned with my referencing structure for the books I used since I have to include the page numbers of where I got the information from.

Successes and Failures

Successes:
- Using my time effectively by taking notes and recording the things I need to do for my project when speaking with my supervisor.
- Being able to find lots of relevant information about Parkinson's from a variety of sources
- Although I failed to keep up to date with my calendar deadlines I rescheduled my project in a different way that was easier to follow.
- Even though I was unsure about the structure of my report I kept on asking my supervisor until I understood.
- Keeping a record of all the information I find on my blog in 'bibliography' so it was easier to find information when writing my report and referencing at the end.
- Being organised with the information I found by saving them on a separate document for later use on my report.
- Learned lots about the brain and ended up knowing parts of the brain before it was taught in my biology lesson, so it helped with my studies. I also gained lots of knowledge about Parkinson's disease, understanding its characteristics to what happens in the brain and the treatments available. 


Failures:
- Indecisive about my focus point which prevented me from starting my report much earlier.
- Not following my plan on google calendar at the start
- Spending too much time researching rather than starting to write up my report
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Appointment with my supervisor

I arranged a time tomorrow to see my supervisor and check my report with her to make adjustments before handing it in on Friday. I'm relieved that although I just understood my focus point for the report I still managed to complete most of it. I think because my new focus point made sense to me and was easier to work towards I was able to get on with it straight away whereas my other focus points were challenging when it came to finding specific information that I thought I had but didn't.

My new focus point...

I spoke with my supervisor and I explained that i couldnt find research projects that presented their results and only had background information about the research going to be done. Then we decided to go through everything i'd done on my report and came to a solution of comparing the treatments that are available for Parkinson's and explaining why they might be good or bad with evidence from the results of research projects i find. Im happy with this structure as it makes more sense and is much easier to make comparisons and construct my opinions to. 

Completing report this week!

I'm going to show my report to my supervisor on Tuesday to make final adjustments before I hand it in. I've also started working on my presentation which has to be ready by 12th of March. Unfortunately I couldnt complete my report on the weekend which I had planned to do so. 

a SMALL plan...

Im planning to complete my report on the weekend and maybe start working on my presentation. 

Decision made!

I think I might stick to my original idea about looking for research projects that are working to find a cure or better treatment. I decided on this when I found this site :(http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/current_research/better_treatments_and_a_cure.aspx)
For example investigating if LRRK2 may provide a target for new treatments for Parkinson's or whether we can personalise treatment for Parkinson's disease.

Websites on Parkinson's

1. http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/research_achievements/better_drug_treatments.aspx
2. http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/research_achievements/hopes_for_a_cure.aspx
3. http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/get_involved_in_our_research/list_of_uk_research_studies.aspx

These are sites that I might want to come back to when I writing my report.

Research Projects

I found research programmes not to do with finding a better treatment or cure Parkinson's but on ways to manage the symptoms of condition. Now I'm not sure whether I should only focus on projects that are searching for a better treatment.
This site (http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/current_research/life_with_parkinsons.aspx#compulsivebehaviour_piccini) gives a list of the research projects that Parkinson's UK is funding. But there is one that I found interesting: 


Should we start Parkinson's treatment earlier?


Professor Kailash wants to know if treating people with Parkinson's earlier helps the brain cope with losing dopamine nerve cells. If early treatment is beneficial this project could lead to changes in clinical practice.

• Project will cost  £109,795 and take over 2 years

Google calendar...

I've decided to change my deadline for the literature review for this Thursday. The hand in date for the report and log is getting closer so I might have to complete my report by this week to have time to check it with my supervisor and then work on improvements.

Gene therapy successful in Parkinson's

Treating Parkinson's disease with gene therapy has been shown to be successful in clinical trials for the first time


Patients with Parkinson's have reduced levels of a chemical - GABA - in part of the brain known as the subthalamic nucleus.The researchers created a virus which "infects" cells with a gene to increase GABA production.

In the trial, 22 patients had the virus injected into their brains while 23 patients had "sham surgery", to make them think they had the virus injected. Their motor function was then scored over six months.

Patients who had gene therapy showed a 23.1% improvement in their motor score, those with sham surgery improved by 12.7%.

However there have been concerns about the safety of gene therapy. In 1999, Jesse Gelsinger died during a trial in the US and there were cases of leukaemia after treatment in France.

Dr Michelle Gardner, research development manager at Parkinson's UK, said: "This research shows the promise of gene therapy for neurological conditions like Parkinson's, but further research is still needed.

"We still don't know for how long the benefits of this treatment may last, or whether there may be long-term problems due to introducing viruses into the brain."

(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12758230)

Skin cells to brain cells...

A Californian team say they have managed to convert human skin cells directly into functioning brain cells.

The scientists used genetically modified viruses to introduce four different "transcription factors" into foetal skin cells. These transcription factors play a role in the "reading" of DNA and the encoding of proteins within the cell.

They found the introduction of these four transcription factors had the effect of switching a small portion of the skin cells into cells which functioned like neurons.

"It was known that it was possible to change a specialised cell back into a stem cell, what's called an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS), but it was not known whether a specialised cell could be pushed into another direction, other than backwards."

The technique might one day also be used to create new brain cells which could be transplanted into patients with neurological disorders such as Parkinson's.

The advantage of these neurons is that its created from the patient's own skin, these cells would be an exact match for the patient, although there would be many obstacles to overcome, not least the challenge of producing enough of the right type of brain cells. 

(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13567321)

Vitamin D and Parkinson's

Looking at the health sector of BBC news I found recent information on Parkinsons: http://www.bbc.co.uk/search/news/?q=Parkinsons


For example I found out that there is shown to be a link between vitamin D and Parkinson's disease.


Previous studies have shown that the substantia nigra, part of the brain that's most affected in Parkinson's, has high levels of vitamin D receptor, suggesting vitamin D may be important for normal functions of dopamine producing cells

One theory is that people with Parkinson's may be particularly vulnerable because their condition limits the amount of time they spend out of doors. However, scientists say it may also be possible that low vitamin D levels are in some way related to the genesis and origin of the disease.

The researchers examined vitamin D levels in 100 people with Parkinson's, 100 with Alzheimer's disease and 100 who were healthy. The groups were matched for age, and economic circumstance. Among the Parkinson's group 23% of patients had vitamin D levels so low that they could be described as deficient. In the Alzheimer's group the figure was 16%, and in the healthy group 10%.

researchers do not yet know if the vitamin deficiency is a cause or the result of having Parkinson's. Therefore Further research is required to determine at what stage the deficiency in vitamin levels occur in the brains of people with Parkinson's and whether the provision of a dietary supplement, or increased exposure to sunlight may help alleviate symptoms or have an effect on the rate of the condition's progression.
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7666749.stm)

I'm wondering now if further research has already been done and whether findings show that its a cause or result of having Parkinson's

Literature review

I've started working on the literature review of my report, where I present my arguments on the different research programmes for Parkinson's. I spoke to my supervisor and she advised me to use information from a range of sources to show a deep understanding of the issues around my topic and that I will also need to assess the sources I've used.

New deadlines to meet

I completed my report introduction, checked it with my supervisor and now i'm going to set myself new deadlines to complete the literature review.

Brain basics

Today I read more about the human brain from a book called 'The Human Brain and its disorders'. I feel like I've gained a better understanding of the different features of the brain and their specific functions which I believe I need to know as it will help me to comprehend the changes that occur in the brain of a patient suffering Parkinson's for when I write about the characteristics of the disease. I also think that I will be able to understand the information I find on research programmes so I can construct my opinions based on their work. From reading this book I found that a specialised region of the brain called the basal ganglia that lies beneath the cortex plays a critical role in movement control. This region is damaged in patients suffering Parkinson's disease that is shown from their unsteady movements. The book also provides case studies bringing theory to life, showing the practical relevance of the theoretical concepts introduced. The chapter I read is called 'brain basics' written by John Jefferys and Alison Cooper. This is a reliable source of information because each chapter is written by experts in their field and its a book published by the well trusted Oxford University Press. The book is also edited by Doug Richards, Tom Clark, Carl Clarke who all have some background knowledge about neurology.

Understanding the structure and functions of the human brain

I found a website for understanding how the brain works called http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/human-biology/brain.htm. It has useful diagrams and information on brain structure and its functions for example "Substantia nigra, is involved in voluntary movements; when it does not function, you have the tremored movements of Parkinson's disease". 


-The cerebral cortex is the largest part of your brain. It contains the frontal lobes, the motor cortex, sensory cortex and parietal lobes


-The brain is made up of around 100 billion nerve cells called neurons. Neurons have different functions and therefore come in different shapes for example motor neurons carry signals from the central nervous system to the outer parts (muscles, skin, glands) of your body. They have a cell body on one end, a long axon in the middle and dendrites on the other end . Neurons gather and transmit electrochemical signals to each other as way of communicating and transporting the signal around the body.


-Your brain is connected to your spinal cord by the brain stem


-Different areas of your brain control different activities: