Parkinson's and Vaping/Nicotine

[deannaAlex]

A friend of mine who vapes was recently diagnosed with early Parkinson's disease. She is still in denial and hasn't fully understood this diagnosis yet. She still vapes heavily, but I am thinking she is only nervous. After internet searching and visiting the local library, I cannot find enough info on nicotine use and this dreaded disease. would be thinking nicotine use would have to sease.
any info on this disease and nicotine use? how does nicotine affect the central nervous system?

 

[JoeChemo]

Parkinson's Disease: Nicotine Reduces Levodopa-induced Dyskinesias

Nicotine Slows Parkinson's Disease

 

[Vocalek]

Also see:

Targacept: Biopharmaceutical Company - Product Pipeline

Notice that Targacept is creating medications that target nicotinic receptors to treat and/or prevent Parkinson's. So IMO, ceasing nicotine use would be ill-advised for someone diagnosed with PD.

After watching my 88-year old mother's descent into madness and immobility caused by Lewy Body Disease (a type of PD), the FDA is going to have to pry my PV out my cold-dead hands. I do not know of any other substance on earth that has the capacity to prevent the build up of the alpha-sinuclean proteins (i.e., "Lewy bodies") in the brain.

If I were to be diagnosed with PD or LBD, I would be cranking up the volume on my liquid.

 

[cathysull]

I also have early Parkinson's and had reduced my nicotine to 0 after vaping for three months. I continued vaping 0 nic until I learned about the studies using nicotine to reduce motor symptoms. I put the nic back in my cartos and my symptoms drastically diminished. vape away!

 

[tababomb]

The nicotine will help excite the dopaminergic neurons that are degenerating in the Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta. In layman's terms, the nicotine prevents the slowing of muscular movement. Be advised that once off nicotine, the pre-parkinsonian symptoms will be exacerbated. To the OP, how was your friend "diagnosed" with this. To sufficiently diagnose with definite Parkinson's, she would have had to undergo radiologic or histological studies. Otherwise, the diagnosis was made on just clinical presentation, which is what I think is the most probable in this case.

 

[cathysull]

The nicotine will help excite the dopaminergic neurons that are degenerating in the Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta. In layman's terms, the nicotine prevents the slowing of muscular movement. Be advised that once off nicotine, the pre-parkinsonian symptoms will be exacerbated. To the OP, how was your friend "diagnosed" with this. To sufficiently diagnose with definite Parkinson's, she would have had to undergo radiologic or histological studies. Otherwise, the diagnosis was made on just clinical presentation, which is what I think is the most probable in this case.

"There is no objective test, or biomarker, for Parkinson's." - from the Michael J. Fox Foundation website. The only definitive test for Parkinson's Disease is in an autopsy of the brain. Perhaps you are confusing PD with MS, which shows changes on an MRI. Radiological and histological studies are done to EXCLUDE other diseases; a diagnosis of PD can only be made on clinical presentation by a qualified neurologist after other possible causes have been ruled out. Positive patient response to a medication trial provides the only proof of a correct diagnosis.

 

[tababomb]

Do you understand what a histological prep is? It IS a biopsy... As far as radiological studies go, a T2-weighted MRI can be used to determine reduced radiologic "intensity" of the SNpc. So, before you take the Michael J. Fox Foundation as an end all, look into what I say a bit further. Advances in medicine are being made daily.

"The Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) is an observational research study to identify biomarkers of Parkinson’s disease (PD) progression. A biomarker is a substance or characteristic in our bodies that is associated with the presence of disease, or that changes over time in a way that can be linked to the progression of disease. An observational study means that study participants will undergo numerous tests and assessments of bodily processes related to PD, but will not receive an experimental drug or treatment. This study will use a combination of imaging techniques, collection of blood, urine, and spinal fluid, and clinical tests." Straight from the one and only MJF foundation website.

Living With Parkinson's - The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

It seems as if he, himself has significant doubts that the study is worthwhile.

 

[cathysull]

Histological studies for Parkinson's are only done on animals or POST-MORTEM on humans. Not exactly the route a doctor would take to confirm a clinical diagnosis As for the PPMI, the study is LOOKING TO IDENTIFY a biomarker through evaluation of the tests on the subjects as quoted. None has yet been found.

I agree with you that advances are being made daily. I receive reports on a daily basis from a number of sources re: advances in the study of Parkinson's.

My objection to your post was in the inference that the OP's friend might not have the disease since, in your words, "To sufficiently diagnose with definite Parkinson's, she would have had to undergo radiologic or histological studies. Otherwise, the diagnosis was made on just clinical presentation, which is what I think is the most probable in this case." This statement is flat out wrong.

Back to the OP - these links will give you more info on Parkinson's and nicotine:

Nicotine Benefits

Research Page: Role of nicotine/nicotinic receptors in Parkinson's disease

I can provide additional material at your request.

Cathy

Kicking the can until they find the cure...

 

[tababomb]

"To sufficiently diagnose with definite Parkinson's, she would have had to undergo radiologic or histological studies. Otherwise, the diagnosis was made on just clinical presentation, which is what I think is the most probable in this case." This statement is flat out wrong.

There is actually nothing in my statement that is not absolutely factual. I never suggested that the OPs friend should have a histological prep done; however, the radiological studies are done antemortum with good sensitivity and specificity. I simply stated the gold standard for true Parkinson's diagnosis.

As it relates to the OPs case, there are a slew of other disorders that cause a Parkinsonian like clinical presentation. I am simply suggesting that your friend get another neurologist's opinion regarding her disorder. However, there are several medications that will help to alleviate the symptoms that she is experiencing if it is truly Parkinson's. I would leant toward these before self-medicating with nicotine. These medications are geared to preserve the remaining dopamine within the affected person's body. If you have any more questions regarding the mechanism of nicotine on dopaminergic neurons, please ask away. I will explain in basic terms, rather than linking studies that I find searching on google, but if you want some more scientific abstracts to sift through, here you go: http://www.google.com/search?&rls=en&q=nicotine+and+parkinson's&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

 

[Crimson]

I am glad to see a topic on this. I began having neurological problems back in 1999 (age 31) and my neurologist said he would NOT recommend I stop smoking. Not that he would suggest anyone start, but still it was proving there were some benefits to using nicotine with some neurological disorders. In 2005 I was finally diagnosed with early onset Parkinsons.

I had smoked since I was 9, heavily since my late teens, and with reading about how nicotine is believed to slow the progression of Parkinsons I had it in my mind that the only reason I would quit smoking was if I began having more health issues from smoking than I did from the PD. The thought of quitting and allowing the deterioration to progress faster honestly scared the hell out of me.

I recently found out 2 friends (non-smokers) from high school have also been diagnosed with the same, theirs began a few years after mine. I cannot say 100% that my over indulgence in nicotine made the difference, my PD still has progressed, but not as rapid as theirs.

I'm only about a month+ in analog free, but I am sooo excited that this round of attempting ecigs has 'stuck' (I tried once back in 2006), and finding a healthier alternative way to get my nicotine. I almost feel like I found religion and am constantly wanting to spread the good word.

 

[StormFinch]

Hyperthyroidism and Grave's Disease share some of the same symptoms as early Parkinson's, including the tremors. A second and even third opinion would be a definite if it were me.

Edited to add; As I started mulling this over, it occurred to me. Please make sure your friend has had a full battery of tests, and if she hasn't please encourage her to. I spent most of my teen and adult years being labeled alternately as "nervous" and "depressed". It wasn't until a few years ago that I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, and recently with probable Grave's Disease. Had I known then what I do now, or had at least one proactive doctor, maybe things would have been different. I am certainly a firm believer in taking control of your own health now, and hope that everyone, including your friend, will do the same.

 

[cathysull]

Crimson,

Good luck with sticking with the vaping! I'm a bit of a prosyletizer myself now! I've been analog free since March 17th and wouldn't go back if you paid me. I, too, hope the vaping will slow the progression of my PD; we need to keep kicking the can until they find a cure! Hang in there, Cathy

 

[jplanet]

This thread is such a coincidence, I was planning on posting a question about this here, but not related to nicotine. Earlier today, I watched a video describing how to de-bridge and de-wick an atomizer, and the demonstrator mentioned that the material in the atomizer was made of aluminum - which makes sense, as it conducts heat very well. But there has been some speculation that there is a link between exposure to aluminum and Alzheimer's - I would imagine that constantly inhaling air pulled through heated aluminum all day may be an awful lot of aluminum exposure over time.

Just a thought - probably, and hopefully, not an issue to worry about. (fingers crossed)...

 

[Indomitable]

Parkinson's disease is due to lack of Dopamine cells.
"Studies have shown that nicotine stimulates the release of dopamine in the brain region that is associated with Parkinson’s.

Aluminum is not considered in today's age to be the cause.

 

[jlarsen]

I think because of the lower heat in atomizers compared to combustion, that there is probably very little aluminum being inhaled, but I don't know that for sure. But it would be nice to see atomizers made from an alternative metal other than aluminum. Do you know if all atomizers are made with aluminum?