You Won't Believe How Elmwood Farmers Are Teaming Up to Fight Parkinson’s—Shocking Results Inside!

ELMWOOD & OMAHA, Neb. (KOLN) - In a significant healthcare development, Nebraska and Kansas have emerged as the states with the highest rates of Parkinson's disease in the United States. Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) are collaborating with a local farming family to explore a promising treatment derived from bovine colostrum. Statistics from a dual study by EPIC Research reveal that approximately 620 out of every 100,000 people in Nebraska suffer from Parkinson's disease, raising concerns about the factors contributing to this alarming prevalence.

Dr. Howard Gendelman, the lead researcher for this initiative, has dedicated around 30 years to studying Parkinson's disease. He notes that Nebraska's high numbers may be partly attributed to the state's pioneering Parkinson's registry and suggests that both environmental factors associated with agriculture and genetic predispositions might play a role in this troubling trend.

From Farm to Pharmacy

At the heart of this innovative research is the Oehlerking family, a sixth-generation farming household in Elmwood. John Oehlerking and his family are collecting colostrum—the first milk produced by cows after giving birth—and supplying it to UNMC in Omaha for this groundbreaking study. “Colostrum is critical; it provides essential vitamins and antibodies for newborn calves,” John Oehlerking explains, emphasizing its importance not just in animal husbandry but potentially in human health as well.

The collaboration initiated when researchers approached the Oehlerkings. “They came to our house and sat around our kitchen table and presented the project,” says Carae Oehlerking, John's wife, highlighting the personal nature of this partnership.

The Science Behind the Research

Dr. Gendelman’s research is inspired by the known benefits of human breast milk and its impact on infant health. He believes that bovine colostrum could replicate some of the positive effects of human lactation. “This bovine colostrum could mimic what actually was present in a woman who was breastfeeding a child,” he explains. This treatment's potential lies in extracellular vesicles found in colostrum, which have shown promise in halting the inflammation that damages neurons in Parkinson's disease models.

Supporting Dr. Gendelman's research are Joel Alperson and Dr. Carol Swarts, who have co-founded a biotechnology company called NeuralRegen. Alperson, who previously sold his own business in Omaha to focus on this venture, has a personal connection to Parkinson's disease, having witnessed his uncle suffer from its debilitating effects. “He lost his motor skills, and eventually he was even unable to swallow. And then he died. And so I saw firsthand how cruel the disease is,” Alperson reflects, expressing his commitment to producing a viable treatment.

Maintaining local production is a point of pride for Alperson. “There was a decision made to do the manufacturing here, which is also exciting, to keep production here, keep control here,” he states, underscoring the community's role in tackling this health crisis.

Dr. Gendelman is optimistic about the timeline for this innovative treatment, hoping to have a product ready within the next six months. Trials with healthy human volunteers are already underway, although transitioning to trials with individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's will take significantly longer.

John Oehlerking sees this project as a powerful symbol of the connection between rural and urban communities. “We’ve just always known that nature helps heal people. So we’re excited that the rural community is helping, getting to help the urban community as well,” he concludes, encapsulating the spirit of collaboration that defines this research initiative.

As Nebraska and Kansas grapple with the significant impact of Parkinson's disease, this partnership between researchers and the farming community may pave the way for groundbreaking treatments that could benefit countless individuals affected by this challenging condition.