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Sugar-coating proteins can help understand brain disease

Scientists at the University of Dundee have created a method to permanently attach a small sugar molecule called O-GlcNAc to proteins in human cells. This allows them to investigate its role in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, which are thought to be linked to O-GlcNAc disruption.

SourceUniversity of Dundee·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateNov 7, 2019

New strategy to treat Parkinson's disease

A new strategy to treat Parkinson's disease has been developed by amplifying healthy GCase enzymes, alleviating symptoms in both human brain cells and mouse models. This approach may be relevant for multiple forms of PD with reduced activity of wild-type GCase.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 16, 2019

Deciphering the early stages of Parkinson's disease is a matter of time

Scientists observed how alpha-synuclein protein variants change over time, identifying initial stages of protein aggregates linked to early onset familial cases. They also found evidence of which protein species are important for amyloid filament growth and distinct structures depending on the mutation.

Parkinson's disease is also present in the blood

Researchers from Aarhus University discovered that Parkinson's patients have an immune imbalance in their blood, affecting the regulation of immune cells and anti-inflammatory molecules. This finding advocates for immune modulation as a potential alternative treatment for the disease.

SourceAarhus University·JournalMovement Disorders·DateOct 3, 2019

Not just images

Researchers at Hebrew University have developed an MRI technique that can detect molecular changes in the brain, allowing for early disease diagnosis and treatment. This non-invasive method provides biological readouts of brain tissue, enabling doctors to compare scans over time and differentiate between healthy and diseased tissue.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 5, 2019

Parkinson's disease may originate in the intestines

Researchers at Aarhus University have found evidence that Parkinson's disease may arise in the intestinal system, with harmful proteins like alpha-synuclein migrating to the brain and heart. This new study suggests that understanding how the disease starts could lead to more effective treatments.

SourceAarhus University·JournalActa Neuropathologica·DateSep 2, 2019

Single atoms as catalysts

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have successfully incorporated individual metal atoms into a surface, enabling precise control over their chemical behavior. This breakthrough enables the creation of more efficient catalysts for environmentally friendly processes.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateSep 2, 2019

Estrogen improves Parkinson's disease symptoms

Research published in JNeurosci suggests that estrogen may protect movement neurons from Parkinson's disease, with brain-selective estrogen treatment reducing alpha-synuclein breakdown and severe symptoms in male mice. Female mice also showed less severe symptoms at a later age, indicating potential benefits of estrogen-based treatments.

Discovery could lead to new treatments for Parkinson’s, other brain diseases

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about the alpha-synuclein protein's function in repairing DNA breaks, which may lead to new treatments for Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The study reveals that alpha-synuclein plays a critical role in binding broken strands of DNA within the cell's nucleus.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 29, 2019

Parkinson's: New study associates oxidative stress with the spreading of aberrant proteins

Researchers at DZNE associate oxidative stress with the spreading of abnormal alpha-synuclein protein in Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder. The findings suggest that oxidative stress may trigger the formation and aggregation of toxic alpha-synuclein species, leading to progressive pathology and neuronal damage.

SourceDZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 17, 2019

Active sexual life may benefit men with early Parkinson's disease

A new study published in the European Journal of Neurology found that active sexual life is associated with reduced disability and improved quality of life in men with early Parkinson's disease. The analysis of 355 patients over two years suggests that exploring a patient's sexual life could be beneficial for their treatment.

SourceWiley·JournalEuropean Journal of Neurology·DateJul 3, 2019

Ultrasound method restores dopaminergic pathway in brain at Parkinson's early stages

Researchers developed a novel technique using transcranial ultrasound and microbubbles to open the blood-brain barrier, enabling drugs to penetrate the brain and restore dopaminergic pathways. The method has been approved by FDA for clinical trials in Alzheimer's patients and shows promise for treating Parkinson's disease at early stages.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·DateJun 6, 2019

Stopping Parkinson's disease before it starts

A research team from Osaka University has developed a novel gene therapy approach that targets α-synuclein, a protein associated with Parkinson's disease. By using amido-bridged nucleic acid-modified antisense oligonucleotides, the treatment effectively decreases α-synuclein production and reduces disease severity in mice models.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 5, 2019