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Central Europe grapples with the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak
Authorities in several countries of Central Europe are working to contain an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among cattle populations that has caused widespread border closures and required the killing of thousands of animals. The outbreak was first detected on a cattle farm in northwestern Hungary in early March, and animals on three farms in neighbouring Slovakia tested positive for the highly transmissible virus two weeks later. Since then, animals from an additional three farms in Hungary and another three in Slovakia have tested positive for the virus, the first outbreak of the disease in either country in more than half a century. "Everything is completely upside down in the area as farmers fear for their own herds and transportation is disrupted by border closures, said Sándor Szoboszlai, a local entrepreneur and hunter in the Hungarian town of Levél where nearly 3,000 cattle had to be culled after the disease was discovered on a farm. We didn't even think such a thing could happen. Who could count on that? Nobody, he said. There are big farms in the area, but I don't think it was the fault of the animal owners, that's for sure. The wind blew it here, he added. Foot-and-mouth disease primarily affects cloven-hooved animals like cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and deer, and results in fevers and blisters in the mouth and hooves. The virus spreads through contact between animals, or on surfaces like clothing, skin and vehicles, or on the wind. It poses little danger to humans. On Friday, authorities in Hungary continued to conduct operations aimed at stopping the spread of the disease and disinfecting affected farms and vehicles in the area. Mats doused in a powerful disinfectant were placed at the entrances and exits of towns and villages across the region to eliminate virus molecules that may cling to tires though many of those mats quickly went dry and were swept partially off the road by passing vehicles. This week, the Slovakian government, citing insufficient containment measures by Hungary, closed 16 of their common borders and one with Austria, all of them lesser-trafficked crossings so authorities can focus on conducting border checks at the major ones. Last week, Austria where there have been no reported cases, closed 23 of its border crossings with Hungary and Slovakia. Authorities in the Czech Republic, relatively distant from the Hungarian and Slovakian farms where the disease has been detected, have introduced disinfection measures at all five border crossings used by freight trucks entering the country. Jiri Cerny, associate professor at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, said the most significant risk of transmission is through contaminated human objects such as tires and cars, on the soles of shoes, and through contaminated food. The Czech Agriculture Minister, Marek Výborný, has said the restrictions could be lifted 30 days after the last farm animal infected with foot-and-mouth disease has been culled in Slovakia. No new infections have been discovered in Hungary this week, and the cleanup of the last infected farms will likely be completed on Saturday, István Nagy, Hungary's agricultural minister said on Friday. Earlier this week, a Hungarian official said in a news conference that the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak may have been caused by an artificially produced virus." Without citing specific evidence to back his claims, Gergely Gulyás, chief of staff to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, said it couldn't be ruled out that the disease had been released in Hungary as a biological attack, adding that the suspicion was based on verbal statements from a laboratory in a foreign country that had begun initial analysis of viral samples. Hungary's government has promised to institute a loan payment moratorium for affected farmers, and to help compensate them for the loss of their animals and assist in developing measures on farms to prevent future outbreaks. Szoboszlai, the hunter in Levél, choked up when speaking about the local farmer who had to cull his entire herd when the virus appeared, saying the situation was "terrible.""I feel so sorry for him, because this is his life's work," he said, adding that It will be very difficult to start over." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
12 April,2025 05:20 PM IST | Hungary | PTI
Common respiratory condition fuels death risk by 3 times in adults up to a year
Adults with respiratory syncytial virus-associated acute respiratory infection (RSV-ARI) are likely to be at a 2.7-fold higher risk of death within one year, warned a study. RSV-ARI refers to a group of illnesses caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) -- a common and highly contagious virus that primarily affects the respiratory tract. The study presented at the Congress of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID Global 2025) in Austria, is based on an analysis of data from 5,289 adults (over 18 years) diagnosed with RSV-ARI between 2011 and 2022 in Denmark. They were compared to 15,867 matched controls from the general population and followed up to a year after RSV-ARI onset. “One of the most striking findings from this study was the prolonged and significant impact of RSV-ARI,” said lead study author, Maria Joao Fonseca, a researcher. “Even after the acute phase, patients continued to experience worse outcomes compared to the general population. This underscores just how serious and enduring the effects of RSV-ARI can be,” she added. While the impact of RSV on infants and young children is well-documented, it can also lead to serious complications in adults, including pneumonia and chronic respiratory disease. The findings underscore the significant, yet often under-recognised, long-term health and economic burden of RSV-ARI in adults, particularly among those with underlying conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. In addition to the increased risk of death, the study showed that adults with RSV also experience exacerbations of COPD and asthma, with increases in hospitalisation and intensive care unit. “Exacerbations of COPD and asthma were the most common adverse clinical outcomes. These pre-existing conditions are already challenging in themselves, and RSV-ARI exacerbates their severity,” Fonseca said, noting that the condition also raised healthcare costs. She urged healthcare to pay "closer attention to patients with these underlying conditions to prevent further, potentially life-threatening complications". This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
12 April,2025 01:31 PM IST | New Delhi | IANS
New blood test offers hope for early detection of Parkinson's disease
Israeli researchers have developed a new RNA-based blood test for detecting Parkinson's disease long before symptoms emerge. Parkinson's is often diagnosed only after significant brain damage has occurred, when most relevant neurons are already lost, underscoring the need for early detection. The new method, detailed in the journal Nature Aging, measures specific RNA fragments in the blood, Xinhua news agency reported. It focuses on two key biomarkers: a repetitive RNA sequence that accumulates in Parkinson's patients, and mitochondrial RNA -- which declines as the disease progresses, said the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU). By measuring the ratio between these fragments, the test can identify the disease in its early stages. "This discovery represents a major advancement in our understanding of Parkinson's disease and offers a simple, minimally invasive blood test as a tool for early diagnosis," said Prof. Hermona Soreq from the varsity. "By focusing on tRFs, we've opened a new window into the molecular changes that occur in the earliest stages of the disease." In experiments, the test successfully distinguished pre-symptomatic Parkinson's patients from healthy controls with an accuracy of 86 per cent, outperforming current diagnostic methods. Notably, the study also found that levels of the first type of fragments drop after deep brain stimulation, linking them to disease mechanisms and treatment responses. The researchers said that this discovery paves the way for early interventions and treatments that could change the course of the disease, potentially improving patient outcomes through timely diagnosis and care. Lead researcher Nimrod Madrer emphasised the importance of early detection, noting that Parkinson's disease is often diagnosed only after significant brain damage has occurred. "This test has the potential to alleviate the uncertainty faced by patients and clinicians, offering a reliable and rapid method to identify the disease in its earliest stages," Madrer stated. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
12 April,2025 01:26 PM IST | Jerusalem | IANS
Study shows new drug delivery system effective against rare eye cancer
A team of US researchers has found a new drug delivery system that showed more efficacy and improved the treatment of a rare eye cancer that spreads to liver. The multi-institutional study led by Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida, US, found that percutaneous hepatic perfusion using a melphalan hepatic delivery system may help patients with metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM) -- a traditionally hard-to-treat cancer and with usually poor outcomes. Melphalan/Hepatic Delivery System is a drug or medical device combination used for liver-directed treatment of unresectable mUM patients. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of the melphalan hepatic delivery system versus the best alternative care. The results, published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology, showed that the treatment with the melphalan hepatic delivery system can help control the cancer in the liver. “This new treatment gives hope to patients with this historically tough-to-treat cancer,” said lead author Jonathan Zager, surgical oncologist in the Cutaneous Oncology Department at Moffitt. “The treatment provides an option that does not interfere with their quality of life and gives patients a chance at longer survival,” Zager added. In the clinical trials, one group of patients received the melphalan hepatic delivery system treatment, while the other group received standard-of-care treatment. Compared to patients receiving alternative care, those treated with the melphalan hepatic delivery system experienced significantly improved outcomes. The study reported that the median progression-free survival for these patients was 9.1 months, compared with 3.3 months for those on standard treatments. The disease control rate also substantially increased from 46.9 per cent to 80.0 per cent. Patients treated with the melphalan hepatic delivery system lived a median of 18.5 months, compared with 14.5 months for those receiving other forms of care. Although there were some side effects, mostly related to blood cell counts, these were treated with standard care as an outpatient and mostly resolved with observation alone. The melphalan hepatic delivery system treatment was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in August 2023. Unlike regular chemotherapy, this treatment delivers a high dose of the drug directly into the liver, which is isolated with a series of catheters and balloons via percutaneous insertions. The chemotherapy is filtered out before it gets introduced to the rest of the body. This targeted approach helps reduce harmful side effects in the rest of the body. However, more research is needed to test the benefits of the melphalan hepatic delivery system.
11 April,2025 02:13 PM IST | New Delhi | IANS
Parkinson’s Disease Day: 5 notable figures who have lived with the disorder
Every year, World Parkinson’s Disease Day is observed on April 11 around the world to raise awareness about the progressive neurological disorder, that currently has no cure. While a lot more people know about the disease now than before, there is still a lot more research needed to be done to find a cure, apart from medical assistance. Over the years, there are many people who have been diagnosed with the condition, and among them have been several celebrities including actors, musicians, sportspersons and even a religious head. While there may be many more, they have chosen to keep it private, however, some of these celebrities have chosen to raise awareness, and even advocate for it through their initiatives. Here are five notable figures who suffer from Parkinson’s Disease: Michael J Fox Michael J. Fox has been one of the most popular celebrities to speak about Parkinson's Disease, after his diagnosis in 1991, at the age of 29. While the 63-year-old initially kept it private, he went on to make it public in 1998. Ever since then, he has been a strong advocate for the disease, as he also started the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. The actor is popularly known for his role as Marty McFly in the 1985 film 'Back to the Future' and the subsequent films that make up the trilogy. While he has done many films over the years, his acting stints are known to have reduced because of the disease, which he has spoken about in many interviews over the years to raise awareness and even help research about it.Muhammad Ali A little before Fox, world-renowned boxer Muhammad Ali, who was born as Cassius Clay, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1984. Incidentally, the diagnosis came three years after his retirement, according to parkinsons.org. Known to be outspoken about several issues, he also helped raise awareness about the disease in the 2000s till the time he passed away in 2016. During this time, just like Fox, even he started the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in Phoenix, Arizona, in the USA.Neil Diamond In 2018, celebrated American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond announced that he would be retiring from touring because of his diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. It was after he cancelled the third leg of his 50th anniversary tour. Having won many awards over the years, Neil Diamond is popularly known for the song ‘Sweet Caroline’ among others. Seven years since his diagnosis, he still continues to talk about living with the disease and coming to terms with it. Ozzy Osbourne Like Diamond, even English singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, which has taken a toll on his health over the years. The 76-year-old popularly known as the lead singer of the band, Black Sabbath, made the revelation in 2020 to fans. Having been active for over 50 years, his unique voice has produced some of the biggest hits not only with the band, but also during his solo career that started in the 1980s.Pope John Paul IIEven Pope John Paul II, who was born as Karol Józef Wojtyła, and was the head of the Roman Catholic church from 1978 till his death in 2005, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2001 before the Vatican announced it in 2003. Incidentally, the religious also has a connection with Mumbai, as he visited the city, and even Vasai, as a part of his 10-day pilgrimage to the Indian subcontinent in 1986.
11 April,2025 01:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
New genetic method turns tumour-supporting cells into killers
An international team of researchers from Israel, the US, and China has developed a genetic method to reprogramme a type of immune cell, turning them from cancer promoters to inhibitors. The team, led by Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science, focused on macrophages -- a type of immune cell that can induce immune responses. But in many cancers, macrophages become allies that protect the tumour, help it grow, and even aid in spreading it to other tissues, Xinhua news agency reported. Using advanced gene-editing tools and artificial intelligence, the researchers analysed human tumour samples and identified 120 genes potentially responsible for the transformation. “Macrophages are highly versatile cells, sort of a ‘Swiss knife’ of the immune system, capable of activating multiple types of functions for different tasks and in different situations,” said Prof. Ido Amit, a faculty member of Weizmann’s Systems Immunology Department. These cells can potentially be highly effective cancer eradicators that can perform multiple antitumor functions, such as promoting anticancer inflammation or alerting the rest of the immune system to the dangers posed by tumour cells. That’s precisely the reason most solid cancers need to convert macrophages to their side to develop. “By doing that, the tumours protect themselves from the macrophages’ ‘nasty’ side, and also turn on macrophage functions that help them grow, such as suppressing the activity of other immune cell types and encouraging blood vessel growth for supplying oxygen to the tumour,” Amit added. Through CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and single-cell analysis, they zeroed in on a gene named Zeb2. The researchers found that Zeb2 acts as a master switch. When the gene is active, it turns macrophages into cancer supporters. When silenced, macrophages revert to their natural, cancer-fighting role. Further studies showed that Zeb2 alters the epigenome -- the genome's control centre -- unlocking genes that help cancer and shutting down those that fight it. The team designed a DNA molecule that delivers a gene-silencing agent directly into macrophages. In mice with bladder cancer, injecting the molecule into the tumour successfully reprogrammed the macrophages. The tumours got significantly smaller. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
11 April,2025 11:50 AM IST | Jerusalem | IANS
40-yr-old suffering from Parkinson's finds new hope with life-changing procedure
A 40-year-old man struggling with severe tremors and involuntary movements due to Parkinson’s Disease has found new hope after a life-changing procedure. His condition had worsened to the point where medications were no longer effective, leading to drug-induced dyskinesia that significantly impacted his daily life. Seeking specialised care, he consulted Dr Sheetal Goyal, consultant neurologist & movement/memory disorders specialist at Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai Central. She assessed his symptoms and recommended Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) as the most effective treatment option. Given the advanced stage of his condition, a multidisciplinary team of experts collaborated to ensure the best possible outcome. Under Dr Goyal's leadership, the team including functional neurosurgeons Dr Bhushan Meshram along with Dr Naren Nayak, and a team of radiologists Dr Manish Pithwa and Dr Mayur Vira, meticulously planned the complex DBS procedure and executed it. The surgery was successfully performed, providing the patient with immediate relief from dyskinesia. Over the three months now, DBS continued to enhance his motor functions through specialised programming and monitoring by Dr Goyal on OPD basis.Dr Goyal highlights, "The patient was experiencing severe drug-induced dyskinesia, characterised by uncontrolled, “dancing” movements. He had advanced Parkinson’s disease, with debilitating tremors, more pronounced on the left side." Despite being on medications, the city doctor says his condition had progressed to the point where drugs were no longer effective and had begun causing significant side effects. "His quality of life had deteriorated—basic activities like sitting still, eating, writing, or resting had become difficult. Emotionally, he faced anxiety, frustration, and loss of independence, common among patients whose disease becomes resistant to medical therapy. The condition had also taken a toll on his mental well-being and family life, as movement disorders often affect social interaction and confidence. He had likely undergone years of trial-and-error with medications, only to face worsening symptoms and increasing helplessness." After the treatment, reflecting on this milestone, she stated, “Deep Brain Stimulation is a transformative option for individuals battling Parkinson’s, offering them an improved quality of life. Through real-time monitoring and personalised adjustments, we can optimise treatment outcomes and help our patients regain control over their lives.”Incidentally, World Parkinson's Day is observed on April 11 to raise awareness and understanding about the progressive neurological disorder and to support the community.
10 April,2025 05:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maternal diabetes may raise child's risk of neurodevelopmental disorders: Study
A large study of 56·1 million pregnancies, published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology on Tuesday, has reinforced the link between maternal diabetes and the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Researchers from the Central South University in China conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 202 studies, involving 56,082,462 mother-child pairs. The results showed that maternal diabetes was associated with increased risks of all types of neurodevelopmental disorders as well as lower intelligence and psychomotor scores. Children exposed to maternal diabetes had an increased risk of any neurodevelopmental disorder including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, intellectual disability, specific developmental disorders, communication disorder, motor disorder, and learning disorder, compared with unexposed children. "Maternal diabetes is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and impaired neurodevelopmental performance in children,” said the researchers. Maternal diabetes which includes both pre-gestational diabetes (also known as preexisting diabetes) and gestational diabetes -- high blood sugar during pregnancy -- has become increasingly prevalent, affecting millions of pregnancies worldwide. The global prevalences of pre-gestational diabetes and gestational diabetes have also steadily increased over the past four decades, with pre-gestational diabetes affecting about 2·4 per cent and gestational diabetes affecting 27·6 per cent of pregnancies worldwide. Obesity and metabolic syndrome -- a cluster of conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, excess abdominal fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels -- are known to be the major drivers. Besides negative impacts such as caesarean section, macrosomia (excessive birth weight), and neonatal jaundice, affecting both mothers and neonates, previous studies have shown maternal diabetes might alter foetal brain development. Notably, pre-gestational diabetes was more strongly associated with the risk of most neurodevelopmental disorders in children than gestational diabetes. The findings also emphasise “the importance of proactive interventions for women at risk of developing diabetes and continuous monitoring of children with a history of in-utero exposure to maternal diabetes", the researchers added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
10 April,2025 12:36 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Poor oral health linked to body pain, migraines in women: Study
Suffering from migraine headaches and body pain? Blame your poor oral health, according to a study on Wednesday. The study, which focussed on women, identified specific oral microbes correlated with certain pain conditions. It also suggested a potential relationship between the oral microbiome and the nervous system. The research examined associations between self-reported oral health, the oral microbiome, and various pain presentations in a group of 67 women from New Zealand with and without fibromyalgia -- a chronic condition characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. The results, published in the journal Frontiers in Pain Research, showed that lower oral health was a statistically significant predictor of frequent and chronic migraine. “This is the first study to investigate oral health, oral microbiota, and pain commonly experienced in women with fibromyalgia, with our study showing a clear and significant association between poor oral health and pain," said lead investigator Associate Professor Joanna Harnett from the Faculty of Medicine and Health. Participants with the poorest oral health were more likely to suffer from higher pain scores. About 60 per cent of women were more likely to experience moderate to severe body pain, and 49 per cent were more likely to experience migraine headaches. Four oral microbial species from the Dialister, Fusobacterium, Parvimonas, and Solobacterium genera were significantly associated with pain after age, BMI and added dietary sugars were considered. “Our findings are particularly important to fibromyalgia which, despite being a common rheumatological condition, is often underrecognised,” said Sharon Erdrich, doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Medicine and Health. The team also observed a weak but significant inverse correlation between diet quality and oral health. However, the researchers note this has yet to be investigated in detail. The researchers recommend regular oral hygiene appointments and dental health checks, in addition to twice daily teeth brushing and flossing. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
10 April,2025 09:46 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
First baby born from transplanted womb in UK
A baby girl has become the first in the UK to be born from a womb transplant, after her aunt donated her uterus to her mother, a London hospital said Tuesday. Amy was born on February 27 at the Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital in London, two years after her mum, Grace Davidson, received a womb transplant from her older sister. "We have been given the greatest gift we could ever have asked for," the new mum said. She added that she hoped "going forward this could become a wonderful reality, and provide an additional option, for women who would otherwise be unable to carry their own child". "The room was full of people who have helped us on the journey to actually having Amy," her father Angus Davidson told the Press Association news agency. "We had been kind of suppressing emotion, probably for 10 years, and you don't know how that's going to come out -– ugly crying it turns out," he added. Grace Davidson, 36, suffers from a rare condition known as Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome and was born without a functioning womb, the hospital said in a statement. She became the first woman in the UK to receive a womb transplant, which was donated by her sister Amy Purdie, 42, who has two daughters, aged 10 and six. The transplant was performed in February 2023 at the Oxford Transplant Centre, part of the Oxford University Hospitals foundation. Professor Richard Smith, a consultant gynaecological surgeon who co-leads the UK living donor programme, said Amy's birth was the "culmination of over 25 years of research". More than 100 womb transplants have been carried out worldwide since the first ones in Sweden in 2013, and around 50 healthy babies have been born. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 April,2025 04:10 PM IST | London | AFP
World Parkinson's Disease Day: Causes, symptoms, and need for early detection
Every year, World Parkinson’s Disease Day is observed on April 11 around the globe to raise awareness about the progressive neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Parkinson’s Disease (PD) impacts movement, and while it mostly affects individuals over 60, early-onset cases can occur too but what are the causes, symptoms and the importance of timely detection? CausesParkinson’s Disease is caused by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain called the Substantia Nigra. So, dopamine is a chemical messenger that helps control movement and coordination. When dopamine levels drop, it leads to symptoms that affect the body’s ability to move smoothly and efficiently. Symptoms Dr Upasana Garg, regional technical chief, Apollo Diagnostics Mumbai, says, "The symptoms for Parkinson's early on may be mistaken for normal aging or other conditions. However, one has to be aware of the signs and symptoms such as tremors that are slight shaking, often in the hands or fingers while at rest, slowed movement interfering with one’s daily routine, stiffness in the arms or legs, limiting range of motion, inability to balance and poor posture causing falls, changes in the handwriting and slurred speech. Not every individual will experience the same symptoms. It is imperative to seek timely attention after noticing the symptoms. The exact cause of Parkinson’s is still unclear. However, according to various studies, a combination of genetic and environmental factors contributes to the disease. Exposure to certain toxins, head injuries, and a family history of Parkinson’s may increase the risk. Ageing is also one of the risk factors for Parkinson’s. Early detectionDr Garg adds, "Early diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease allows for timely intervention with medications, lifestyle changes, and therapies that can ease symptoms and enhance quality of life. A neurological exam of the patient, medical history, DaTscan (dopamine transporter scan), or MRI can help with the diagnosis. Timely diagnosis is key to managing this disease. Parkinson’s disease has no cure, but treatment focuses on managing symptoms for successful patient outcomes. This includes medications, physical therapy, and even deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery to improve motor control. The doctor will decide the line of treatment for you." Dr Vishwanathan Iyer, neurosurgeon, Zynova Shalby Hospital in Mumbai concludes, “Since Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects each individual differently, recognising the early signs like tremors, and stiffness can lead to timely management of the disease. While there's no cure, today’s treatment options, from medications to therapies, help patients maintain independence longer. Public awareness is key in helping families seek help early and manage the condition with expert advice.”
09 April,2025 12:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent