New study hopes to reverse effects of Parkinson’s disease

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As much as she enjoys exercising, doing it with a tube in her mouth is not Pat Kawada’s normal workout routine.

By exercising with a breathing apparatus, Kawada, as a person living with Parkinson’s disease, is helping researchers in a new study.

“When I saw the word exercise, I thought, ‘Oh yeah, I like exercise,’” Kawada said. “Then I wanted to see if exercise does have an effect on the symptoms of Parkinson’s.”

She’s not the only one.

Researchers at Sacramento State University, including Gwenaelle Begue, an assistant professor of exercise science, and Dr. Matt J.N. Brown, an assistant professor of kinesiology and health sciences, in the spring of this year began studying the effects of exercise has on people with Parkinson’s.

“Very interested in someone’s fitness — their cardio fitness,” Begue said. “We want to link whether or not high fitness is related to lower disease severity, for instance, and how their bio markers change depending on fitness.”

Begue said when we exercise chemical signals or biomarkers are released into the bloodstream that flow to our brains and can promote new neurons being created, creating a healthier functioning brain.

She’s hoping the research can aid in slowing the incurable disease.

“Eventually we can prescribe exercise and specific exercise can maximize those types of responses,” Begue said.

Begue said Kawada’s blood is tested before and after her spin on the bike to measure those biomarkers, and that high intensity training such as this has shown good results for seniors, giving them further hope the research will be successful.

Kawada said she’s been living with Parkinson’s for five years now and so far, she’s been able to live a normal life, and said her shaking is manageable.

“Sometimes eating wise I may see it in my hand, but I haven’t been significantly affected by it,” Kawada said.

So even though it means an intense workout she might not otherwise do, Kawada said she’s happy to help with research that may help others for many years to come.