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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2005

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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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