My topic is Parkinson's Disease.

I chose this topic because the advances in Medical Science dealing with the CNS and this disease are amazing.

My topic relates to our A & P class because we are studying the CNS. Parkinson's Disease is a chronic, progressive disorder of the CNS that affects motor skills and speech.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkins...kinsons_disease.htm

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

This website is posted by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The institute is part of the National Institute of Health, which is one of eight agencies of the Public Health Service, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The mission of NINDS is “to reduce the burden of neurological disease.” They are doing this by researching the causes, prevention, treatment, etc., of the disease itself. The website covers what Parkinson’s disease is, possible treatments, and what types of research are being done on the disease.

http://www.michaeljfox.org/

Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

This website is posted by Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with an early onset of Parkinson’s in 1991, at age 30. He posts the website with the assistance of his Staff, Board of Directors, and Scientific Advisory Board. Founder, Michael J. Fox wants to close the gap between research and practical treatments, as he puts it. The research for treatment and a cure are close to his heart and he wants to share that research with all who are affected by the disease. The website covers topics such as, living with PD, research programs, and how you can help find a cure.

http://www.bcm.edu/neurol/jankovic/educ_dbs01.htm

Baylor College of Medicine

This website is posted by Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas by a collection of staff including nurses, physicians, and professors. The college has a research division led by Highly Cited Researcher, Joseph Jankovic, MD, called the Parkinson’s Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic. The PD center is currently running more than 4 different Parkinson’s Disease research studies. Their goal is to answer questions about PD and share information about PD studies. They want to find treatments for patients with Parkinson’s Disease. The website covers new treatments for PD like Deep Brain Stimulation, but also covers basic information like causes and treatments for PD.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinsons_disease

Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia

Wikipedia is a collaborative website built like an encyclopedia. More than 75,000 volunteers from all over the world write the content on the website. Because the website is written by volunteers who do not necessarily need any qualifications, the information may not be 100% correct. However, most of the articles written here are citied with reliable sources. The goal of the Wikipedia site is to have volunteers share what they know, preferably those who have experienced, or are close to someone who has experienced the topic at hand. The website covers topics of the disease such as causes, treatment, related diseases, and much more.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS:

This site is coming up a lot! In fact, it is one I chose myself. So, I know that the best thing about this site is that the information is impressively comprehensive. In addition to all of the information about ALD, a second plus to the site is the resource and links to resources. A godsend for caregivers and the afflicted alike. This site does have a drawback. Less than dazzling graphics!

MICHAEL J. FOX:

There are two features to this site that I liked. First, “Parkinson’s 101”…everything from what Parkinson’s is to what it is not! A good primer. Second, “Guide For the Newly Diagnosed”…if I had this disease I would be delighted to have found this little icon on this site. Everything from frequently asked questions to minutiae. Oddly, the type on this site was so small I almost could not read it, and in some places the text seemed blurred.


BCM-PARKINSON’S DISEASE CENTER AND MOVEMENT DISORDER CLINIC:

Wow! A great deal of informative info on Parkinson’s but I must confess I had no idea that there were so many so called “movement disorders”. Quite fascinating “to surf”! This site is nicely and logically constructed. Many tantalizing icons such as “Dementia with Dewey Bodies”…who knew? Graphics, however, are just not there.


WIKIPEDIA:

As many know, this site functions as an online encyclopedia. I liked how the information was laid out in paragraph form and was very comprehensive. I also actually liked that they threw in some graphics! There is a PET Scan showing a brain with and without Parkinson’s and a illustration of an electrode being placed deep in the brain. Interesting. One thing disappointed me. When you click on “discussions” you think that perhaps you will find a forum for Parkinson’s, but it is merely a forum to discuss how to make the article better.

NINDS website:

I really liked this website’s coverage of Parkinson’s disease. I was much more comprehensive then the NINDS site on ALS or ALD. I am sure that this is related to the relative amount of research being preformed on the respective diseases. Luckily, for those with Parkinson’s disease, it seems that research is abundant and the understanding of the disease is increasing rapidly. I loved all the links on this site to related NINDS publications. I felt like the vast amount of information on this page made up for the lack of graphics.

Michael J. Fox Foundation website:

It really seems like without the Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s disease research would be significantly less then it is now. Thanks to the efforts of Michael J. Fox there is more money and more effort going into finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease. I liked how accessible the foundation is, you can find out who is doing the research, what research is going on, and where your donations fit into the research. I also found the information about Parkinson’s disease and info for those suffering from and caring for those with the disease to be spectacular.

Baylor College of Medicine website:

This website is rather straightforward with a lot of information about Parkinson’s disease and treatment options. There is also a lot of interesting information about many other movement disorders. The section on deep brain stimulation fascinated me because I was unfamiliar with this method before. I would recommend that this website incorporate more graphics.

Parkinson’s Disease Wikipedia page:

This website provided a lot of information about Parkinson’s disease. From pathology to pharmacology there is extensive information here. The graphics were all very helpful and interesting, albeit infrequent. The external links were all to very reputable Parkinson’s disease research organizations. The only caution I have of this site is that the information is not guaranteed 100% accurate because it comes from varied sources.

1. This page tells us all the very basic information about Parkinsons and what kind of treatment and what kind of research is being conducted to learn more about it.

2. It's a website about how Michael j Fox got this disease and he created this foundation to further the research on this disease and not only help people learn how to live with it but to also give results to the disease as well.

3. This site has an introduction that tells us what kind of medicines people with parkinsons have to take and also tells us that this disease is that people experience embarrassing, troublesome or even disabling symptoms.

4. This page tells you the information you would need to know about this disease. Basic information and in depth information.

Edited by author 11-07-2007 12:03 AM
Tammy, interesting topic and website that you do a great job telling us about. Your peers have also provided wonderful feedback and I have little to add. My only concern is that you don't really have a "lesser" website to review...perhaps the Michael J. Fox website, but these are all really big-name institutions??? I guess you could do that one??
thanks for your peer evals,

LF
Choose topic: 10 points
Find four websites: 20 points
Peer reviews: 10 points

Edited by author 11-19-2007 11:19 PM
The Inside Scoop on Parkinson’s Disease

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

This website is posted by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. It is part of the National Institute of Health, which is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They are posting the website to help those dealing with Parkinson’s Disease understand the disease itself, prognosis of the disease, and what research is being done to help with the disease. The website deals with all of these topics and also gives links to many other organizations that can help people dealing with PD.

PD is considered a motor system or neurological disorder in which the main symptoms are tremors in the face, jaw, etc, slowness of movement, stiffness in the limbs and trunk, and gait problems. These motor system disorders happen because dopamine-producing brain cells are lost. PD relates to the basic anatomy and physiology of the body because it is a neurological disorder that affects the motor system and speech. PD also relates to basic anatomy and physiology because it deals with the CNS. The website explains all of these affects in greater detail.

One of the best features of this website is the link to more information about PD research. This link takes you to a page that shares information on research funding, events & activities. This page also allows you to join their electronic mailing list so you can stay up to date on new information. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/research/parkinsonsweb/index.htm

This website however has no graphics at all. The website would be greatly improved by adding graphics throughout the website. A few pictures of the CNS and the brain cells affected by PD would be helpful. The website is also describes the disease and its prognosis, but not in length.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkins...kinsons_disease.htm
However, the site makes up for that with what they call a “Feature” link to a page that discusses the disease in more detail including information about different drugs and surgical treatments like Deep Brain Stimulation.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkins...insons_research.htm


Jamie Hudder



The Personal Fight Against Parkinson’s Disease

http://www.michaeljfox.org/

This website is posted by Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease, led by Michael J. Fox who is personally affected by PD. Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with young-onset PD in 1991, but took until 1998 to share his illness with the world and devoting himself to PD research. I believe Michael and his Foundation post this website to help others dealing with PD. The website answers questions about PD, research, and living with the disease. It also shares information about the foundation and its mission.

Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects the CNS and motor function of the body. The website relates to basic anatomy and physiology in it discusses the cause of PD, a loss of cells in many areas of the brain. This cell loss happens in an area called substantia nigra where the cells produce dopamine. Dopamine allows for signals in the brain that allow for coordination and movement, without this dopamine, this coordination is affected.

There is a page on the website called Parkinson’s 101 that answers all your questions about PD. Here the foundation discusses diagnoses, other causes of symptoms, & what drugs are used to treat symptoms. The best part of this page is that the foundation does not endorse or advocate any specific drug treatment plan for people looking at the site, so you get unbiased information.
http://www.michaeljfox.org/living_aboutPar...s_parkinsons101.cfm

I must say I was a bit disappointed with the About Michael page. I was looking for a more personal connection written by Michael J. Fox himself. However it is a very small snapshot mostly about his acting career, lacking a personal point of view. This page links you to a site where Michael’s personal memoir can be purchased. By ordering the book online, a percentage of the proceeds benefit the foundation.
http://www.michaeljfox.org/about_aboutMichael.cfm
http://www.michaeljfox.org/about_aboutMichael_inHisOwnWords.cfm


Jamie Hudder

Jamie,

I have just finished reading your review of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. All the key elements required for our assignment seem to be in place.

I realize this is a large website covering many neurological disorders and can be a bit daunting to navigate. Therefore I think the best aspect of your review is the links you provide for learning more in depth information, staying up to date on new information, and treatments.

About the only thing I would suggest that might improve your review would be just a bit more detail on how Parkinsons disease relates to our studies in Anatomy and Physiology. Just a sentence or two of nitty gritty information that makes me think "oh yes, I remember learning about that".

Jamie,

Your review of the Michael J. Fox foundation for Parkinson's Disease looks all in order. No missing assignment requirements.

You do a very nice job of telling us who is posting the website and why, as well as the kinds of information we can expect to find.

My favorite part of your review is your personal assessment of the "About Michael" page. I remember when I first looked at this website I felt a feeling of dissatisfaction without realizing quite why, but you hit the nail on the head. Like yourself, I wanted more about Michael's trials and tribulations with this disease. Michael J. Fox is a beloved film and t.v. personality and I think it is just human nature to want to know more about how he has been affected personally by this disease, and I honestly do not want to pay for that privilege. Perhaps we are being unfair to fault him as the proceeds from his book do go to "the cause", yet when there are so many ordinary souls who do share with us THEIR trials and tribulations, it is hard not to feel disgruntled.

Jamie,

Regarding your review of the Michael J Fox Foundation website, I thought all aspects required by step 4 of the website reviews were covered.

I completely agree with you, when you said that the best part of the website was that the foundation does not specifically endorse one drug or treatment plan, and therefore feels like very unbiased information. I felt that was the best aspect of your review.

You give a good overview of the anatomy and physiology of Parkinson’s disease, my only suggestion would be one or two sentences reminding us exactly which of those aspects we covered in our class specifically.

Good job!

Jamie,

Regarding your review of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website I felt that all aspects required were present.

I felt the best aspect of your review was your description of the anatomical and physiological aspects of the disease because I found it very clear and thorough. However, I would suggest again just one or two sentences stating which of those aspects we have specifically covered in class.

Also I just want to note for you that the link that you have in your title is to the home page of NINDS, not the Parkinson’s disease page. This is not necessarily wrong, but just wanted to point it out in case you wanted to change it.

Again Good Job!

Edited by author 12-11-2007 10:07 PM
Dr. Frolich,

After reviewing the feedback from my peers, I went over my website reviews again. In both of my website reviews, I included "explanations of how my website relates back to the basic anatomy and physiology of the body". This is what was specifically requested in Step 4 of the Write Your Website Reviews. Another suggestion from my peers was that I change my website link, although Step 4 again specifically asks us to include a link to the website home page, not the page addressing our topic. After reviewing my paragraphs again, I cannot see anything that I can add to make my reviews any better.

Thanks so much!