Dan’s Diary — March 15, 2009
Just one week until the half-marathon, and I’m feeling pretty good about it — and am really looking forward to it. I ran 3.2 miles on Thursday, and 6.0 miles in 62:30 on Saturday. (The last time I did the six mile neighborhood run, it took me 66:00.) So, for the week, just over 20 miles.  And my training has made me confident that I’ll certainly finish the half-marathon, and may run pretty well (for a Parkinsonian!) in doing so.
Researchers are doing some very interesting work on the effects of exercise on Parkinson’s Disease. I believe exercise is very beneficial, though my evidence is anecdotal (for instance, I know that it’s helped me, and it’s clearly helped John Ball, as well).  Scientists studying the subject have been able to show that laboratory animals who had Parkinson-like symptoms were able to “recover” almost completely when given vigorous exercise every day. Now the question is whether this, or something like it,  holds true for humans, as well.Â
The direct cause of Parkinson’s is the death of critical dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain. But there is no easy answer as to why these cells have died, though it seems likely that a combination of genetic and environmental factors are involved. I’m especially intrigued by the idea that exercise can help us grow new brain cells, including replacement dopamine-producing cells. If this is true, then exercise may not “merely” treat the symptoms; it might actually help to reverse the course of the disease.
But regardless, I also know that for me, and for many others, exercise improves my mood, reduces stress, helps me sleep better, and gives me more energy. If someone offered you a pill that provided these benefits, you’d take it every day. So I try to take the exercise pill every day; exercise, for me, is the best medicine.