EXERCISE MAY SLOW DOWN PARKINSON’S,
SAYS UH PROF
Vincent Lau Brings Exciting Research to College of Pharmacy
HOUSTON, Aug. 4, 2005 – There is now evidence that exercise
may slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s,
says a new pharmacy professor at the University of Houston.
Vincent Lau recently joined the UH College of Pharmacy faculty
as the new chair for the Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical
Sciences. His research goal is to understand the pathological mechanisms
in Parkinson’s disease by studying the effects of exercise
on neurological systems.
His research is funded by the NIH’s National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a leader in support for biomedical
research on brain and nervous system disorders.
According to Lau, the average human experiences a 30 to 40 percent
nerve loss during the course of his or her lifetime, exhibited by
slower movements and memory loss as a person ages. Dopamine is a
neurotransmitter in the brain essential for the normal functioning
of the central nervous system. In Parkinson’s patients, more
than 80 percent of the dopamine in neurons dies, resulting in muscular
dysfunction, such as difficulty walking and swallowing, speech impairment,
shaking palsy, loss of balance and other movement disorders.
“In Parkinson’s, we know particular nerves degenerate,
leading to a loss of dopamine within the neuron,” Lau said.
“We have not determined a mechanism for the loss of these
neurons, but are looking to answer whether or not endurance exercise
plays a significant role in slowing the progression of the disease.”
Clinical studies already have shown that exercise has a positive
effect on cardiovascular health and is thought to slow the general
process of aging. Lau hypothesizes the same effect to be true with
Parkinson’s disease. After reproducing the disease-like conditions
in a mouse model, Lau has been trying to determine the impact of
endurance exercise on neurons in the brain. In his ongoing research,
he has been able to determine that exercise might provide nerve
cell protection, meaning that if exercise preserves the neurons
from deterioration, then researchers can establish therapeutic outcomes
to reduce the severity of Parkinson’s disease.
“Currently, treatment for Parkinson’s disease only
temporarily reduces the symptoms,” Lau said. “If we
can show that exercise protects neurons from cell death, then we
can design physical therapies for individuals who show early symptoms
of the disease in an effort to stop it from developing.”
Among his many contributions to Parkinson’s research, Lau’s
most recent is the improvement of a mouse model. Unlike previous
models, this model displays the characteristics of a chronic, gradually
developing neurodegenerative disease, making it unique among existing
animal models. His current studies on the impact of exercise for
the treatment and progression of Parkinson’s disease and the
cellular mechanisms involved in neuronal degeneration also may aid
in understanding the development of other neurodegenerative diseases
such as Alzheimer’s.
“We are extremely excited about the addition of Vincent Lau
to our faculty roster,” said Sunny Ohia, dean of the UH College
of Pharmacy. “His forward-thinking work in how to potentially
treat Parkinson’s disease is the type of research that will
help to further enhance our presence in the Texas Medical Center
and foster collaborations with other member institutions.”
Lau graduated from the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, receiving
his B.S. degree in biology and Ph.D. degree in pharmacology. He
came to UH from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he
served as professor and chair of the Division of Pharmacology in
the School of Pharmacy. He became chair of the Department of Pharmacological
and Pharmaceutical Sciences in UH’s College of Pharmacy July
1 and was named a John and Rebecca Moores Professor at UH, taking
effect September 1.
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research
and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers
and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate,
civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university
in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and
service with more than 35,000 students.
About the UH College of Pharmacy
For more than 50 years, the University of Houston College of Pharmacy
has shaped aspiring pharmacists, scientists and teachers. The college
offers a Pharm. D. degree, a master’s in pharmacy administration,
a Ph.D. in pharmaceutics or pharmacology and combined Pharm.D./Ph.D.
degrees. As one of nearly 90 pharmacy colleges in the United States
recognized by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education,
the college consists of more than 45 basic science and clinical
faculty, nearly 610 adjunct faculty and preceptors and 900 current
pre-pharmacy and professional students. The college has facilities
both on the UH campus and in the Texas Medical Center. At TMC, students
have the opportunity to train with physicians, medical students
and members of UH clinical faculty. In addition to faculty and staff
offices, the TMC facility also houses research laboratories, classrooms
and the Contemporary Pharmacy Practice Laboratory.
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