ON THE BUTTON! with Parkinsons ON THE BUTTON!

ATEAM of top scientists is aiming to develop better treatments for Parkinson’s with a pioneering study that uses a “Benjamin Button” reverse ageing technique

They are turning skin cells donated by people with the condition back into stem cells using a combination of “reprogramming factors”

This will allow a team at Cardiff University to investigate how cells in the brain deteriorate in those with the condition – information that could lead to earlier and better targeted treatments

Stem cells have the potential to become almost any other cell in the body, making them a good tool for studying conditions like Parkinson’s, as they can make the brain more accessible

This method of producing stem cells has been likened to something out of the 2008 fantasy movie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, in which Brad Pitt plays a character who ages in reverse

Explaining how they are created, Dr Beccano-Kelly, who is leading the study, said: “In essence they regress to their original form before starting to develop again You’re taking the skin cells and you’re pushing them all the way back to that stem cell state in a way that’s Benjamin Button-esque You’ve pushed them all the way to their origin

“You’ve reset the computer effectively It’s a fantastic piece of technology and it’s really useful because it’s giving us human cells to

Feelgood fitness videos whatever your symptoms

A NEW series of fitness videos are designed to help people with Parkinson’s be as active as possible

The Parkinson’s UK charity has joined forces with digital workout creator, 1FitLife, to produce the online videos, featuring specialist physiotherapists, as well as people living with Parkinson’s

With high intensity, moderate and low impact workouts, they are suitable for people with mild symptoms and those for whom the disease has progressed, as well as those with complex severe symptoms

All the videos are designed to be upbeat and positive, and each includes modifications and seated exercise options

Tim Morton, of Parkinson’s UK said: “Evidence shows being active for two and a work with a human disease It can’t be used to turn back time in the people with Parkinson’s But what it does allow is for us to reset the cells and assess them as they age!”

The three-year study is being funded by a £325,000 grant from Parkinson’s UK Dr Beccano-Kelly, added: “The communication between cells and how the cells get rid of old proteins within the cells are both things that are known to be affected in Parkinson’s But we don’t know how they interact with one another half hours a week or more can help manage Parkinson’s symptoms

“And the community are increasingly telling us that physical activity, especially vigorous workouts, are helping them temporarily alleviate symptoms

“We are excited to see what future research reveals, but it is clear that physical activity has a positive impact ” www fitlife com

“We think that those two functions actually directly relate to one another so we’ll be looking at that using some really cool wonderful techniques that will allow us to see if there is a direct link between those two things

“I’m optimistic that a cure for Parkinson’s will be found eventually I think that the work that we’re doing brings us ever closer to understanding the different aspects of the condition ”

There are nearly 100 identified autoimmune diseases, and they include MS, Alzheimer ’s, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, endometriosis, asthma, autism, Parkinson’s, Crohn’s, eczema and psoriasis

In the UK, 7% of the population, or four million people, are known to live with at least one autoimmune condition There is generally no cure, but the symptoms can be managed

Asal was initially misdiagnosed which led to more internal damage, affecting her physical and mental health

She said: “It’s all down to awareness and education We need everyone to be able to spot the signs and be able to access the right kind of tests quickly ” n Tel 0800 804 7142 n www asafoundation org uk

A second chance

SCIENTISTS have received new funding to improve survival rates for secondary breast cancer in the brain

Patients from six cancer centres across the UK, including Liverpool and Manchester, are being recruited for a study co-funded by secondary breast cancer charity Make 2nds Count

The £220K grant will enable researchers to investigate asymptomatic patients for brain metastases in the hope that early detection will improve survival rates.

Secondary breast cancer claims 1,000 lives each month in the UK.

Professor David Cameron, chairman of the Make 2nds Count board of trustees, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to fund this initial research which we believe could lead to more positive outcomes for greater numbers of patients.”

The study is expected to last for up to three years and led by Professor Carlo Palmieri, Professor of translational oncology at The University of Liverpool and a consultant at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, and Dr Sara Meade, consultant oncologist at University Hospitals

Birmingham NHS Trust.

Until Aug 27: The Great Gatsby Dolphin Pub, Mold Here’s your invitation to the best roaring 1920s party ever! Theatr Clwyd’s hit show returns and this is going to be the afterparty of the century Cocktails are flowing in an era of bootleg liquor and red-hot jazz 1920s dress code encouraged; dancing shoes recommended! Signed, July 22, Aug 23; audio described, Jul 28, Aug 25

Until Aug 27: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre Storyhouse, Chester

Jul 4-22: Alice in Wonderland

Playhouse, Liverpool A funked-up remix of Lewis Carroll’s classic, where musical streams and digital dreams collide in a riotous adventure for all the family!

Jul 4-8: Heathers the Musical Empire, Liverpool Westerberg High’s Veronica Sawyer is just another nobody dreaming of a better day But when she joins the beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers and her dreams of popularity may finally come true, mysterious teen rebel JD teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it is murder being a somebody Also at Palace, Manchester, Aug 8-12

Jul 4-8: Titanic the Musical The Lowry, Salford In the final hours of 14

April 1912, the RMS Titanic, on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, collided with an iceberg

The “unsinkable ship” slowly sank

1,517 men, women and children lost their lives Also at Empire, Liverpool, Jul 24-29

Jul 7: Steve Steinman’s Anything for Love Grand, Blackpool The Meat Loaf story

Jul 8: Arabs Are Not Funny Royal Court, Liverpool One of the hottest comedy nights among the Arab community and beyond!

Jul 8: Oh, What a Night Venue

Cymru, Llandudno A musical journey through the incredible career of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

Jul 10-15: The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Lyceum, Crewe

Jul 10-15: Greatest Days Empire, Liverpool

Box Office Contacts

BLACKPOOL

Grand Theatre: 01253 290190

BOLTON

Octagon: 01204 520661

CHESTER

Storyhouse: 01244 409 113

CREWE

Lyceum: 01270 368 242

LIVERPOOL Empire: 08444 999 999

Everyman & Playhouse: 0151 709 4776

Philharmonic Hall: 0151 709 3789

Royal Court: 0870 787 1866

Unity 0151 709 4988

LLANDUDNO

Venue Cymru: 01492 872000

MOLD:

Theatr Clwyd: 0845 3303565

Strictly for fun

MANCHESTER

Opera House: 0870 401 9000

Palace: 0870 401 3000

SALFORD

The Lowry: 0843 208 6000

Access line: 0333 320 2838

NEW BRIGHTON

Floral Pavilion: 0151 666 0000

RHYL:

Pavilion: 01745 330 000

RUNCORN

The Brindley: 0151 907 8360

ST HELENS:

Theatre Royal: 01744 756000

STOKE:

Regent Theatre: 0844 871 7627

CHESTER:

Storyhouse: 01244 409 113

BBC TV’s Strictly Come Dancing celebs

Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice have teamed up for their spectacular tour –Him & Me!

Joined by a cast of dancers and singers, the Ballroom King and the Jive Master have put together a show that’s guaranteed to lift your spirits.

Jul 15: Regent, Stoke

Jul 16: The Lowry, Salford

Jul 19: Venue Cymru, Llandudno

Jul 20: Empire, Liverpool