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Health Check: 11/10/2010

11/10/2010

BBC World Service - Health Check, 11/10/2010

Scientists have made a breakthrough in Parkinson's Disease, giving hope of new therapies

Claudia Hammond discusses a new hope for Parkinson's Disease sufferers, whether we should change the way we give aid, and why the drug Ketamine is so popular in Hong Kong.

There is a breakthrough in the treatment for those with Parkinson's Disease.  Dr Haydeh Payami has identified genes that can reduce the symptoms of the disease when stimulated by caffeine, smoking or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.  This means a future drug treatment could be identified that could help about 40% of sufferers alleviate symptoms. 

Also, following our recent discussions, we ask whether changing the way we give aid would help us reach the Millennium Development Goals sooner. 

Ketamine is a horse tranquilizer, but is also a very popular recreational drug, particularly with young people in Hong Kong.  However, regular use can shrink your bladder and the more you use it, the more the the damage becomes irreversible.  We speak to doctors working on how to improve the situation for drug users in Hong Kong.  

There is a good news story for child-bearing women: a drug used in car accidents to stop bleeding could also be useful to stop haemorrhage after childbirth and thus help reduce the number of deaths of new mothers around the world.

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