Articles tagged with Parkinsons Disease
A novel brain network has been discovered that links chronic pain in Parkinson's disease to a specific region of the brain, including the subthalamic nucleus. This research provides new insights into pain processing and suggests a potential target for pain relief in PD and other neurological diseases.
Researchers found that deep brain stimulation affects different neural pathways for motor and cognitive functions. The treatment shows improved effects on motor control and fewer adverse cognitive effects.
A study of 2.5 million Swedes found that high job demands and low control were associated with increased Parkinson's disease risk. High education level was a moderating factor for men, while low education level exacerbated the risk among women.
A new study has found that the thinning of the retina is linked to the loss of brain cells that produce dopamine, a substance that helps control movement. This discovery may lead to a simple eye scan being used to detect Parkinson's disease in its earliest stages.
Guidelines for discovering Parkinson's biomarkers aim to develop new treatments, focusing on biomarkers within the disease itself. The research emphasizes collaboration and access to biobanks containing thousands of biological samples.
Scientists at Michigan State University have discovered a navigational gene in glass catfish that responds to magnetic waves, which may one day be used to treat Parkinson's and epilepsy. The gene, called the electromagnetic-perceptive gene, can be activated using magnets and has shown promise in controlling movement in mice.
A team of scientists found that coral-algal partnerships are older and more diverse than previously thought, with a history dating back to the 'age of dinosaurs.' This relationship has enabled corals to adapt to environmental changes over millions of years.
A new study from Rice University links biological markers for cancer-related exhaustion to fatigue in Parkinson's disease, highlighting potential targets for treatment. Researchers found elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with Parkinson's who experienced fatigue, similar to those seen in cancer patients.
New research reveals that coral-algal partnerships date back to the Jurassic Period, approximately 160 million years ago. This finding challenges previous assumptions and provides evidence for a more diverse range of algal species worldwide.
Researchers at the University of Basel have identified a factor that could support the early detection of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. FGF21 is induced by cellular stress reactions after disturbances in mitochondria and can be detected prior to neuronal cell death.
A study published in eNeuro found a common neural signature of balance maintenance in the healthy brain, which could be used to assess balance in patients with movement disorders. The researchers used EEG and EMG to record electrical activity from the brain and muscles while participants walked or stood on a narrow beam.
Aryn Gittis' research establishes new therapeutic targets for Parkinson's therapies, using optogenetics to identify a subset of neurons in the globus pallidus that play a critical role in restoring movement. Her findings suggest targeting these cells could repair neural circuit dysfunction in diseases like Parkinson's.
Nir Grossman's temporal interference (TI) approach stimulates deep brain regions without surgery, offering a new treatment option for brain disorders. TI uses multiple electric fields to target specific brain areas, improving spatial resolution and non-invasiveness.
A post hoc analysis of the exenatide-PD trial results showed that patients on exenatide treatment experienced improvements in severity of depression, independent of motor function improvement. Additionally, self-reported apathy and cognition also improved with exenatide.
Ceria nanoparticles selectively remove reactive oxygen species from mitochondria, intracellular and extracellular spaces, improving Parkinson's disease symptoms in mice. Lowering oxidative stress in these compartments is crucial for treating the disease.
Researchers have discovered a new link between gene LLRK2 and Parkinson's disease, suggesting that therapies currently being developed for a small group of patients may benefit everyone with the disease. The study also found that LRRK2 plays a key role in clearing excess alpha-synuclein, a protein associated with Parkinson's.
Researchers developed a sensor to detect early-stage Parkinson's disease from patient breath, achieving 79% sensitivity and 84% specificity. The device detected differences in the exhaled breath of newly diagnosed patients, outperforming diagnostic smell tests and ultrasound scans.
Researchers found that LRRK2 protein activity may contribute to Parkinson's disease development in up to three percent of patients without gene mutations. The study identified LRRK2 as a key player in neurobiological pathways affected by the disease.
A new study finds contact sports associated with an increased risk of Lewy Body Disease (LBD), which can cause Parkinson's disease and dementia. LBD was linked to problems with movement, cognition, depression, sleep, and visual hallucinations, independent of CTE pathology.
Disrupted transportation routes in nerve cells cause Parkinson's disease by destroying synapses and leading to cell death. Researchers identified alpha-synuclein protein as the trigger for these traffic jams.
Researchers explore two approaches to stem cell therapy for Parkinson's disease, one using patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells and the other utilizing parthenogenetic-derived neural stem cells. The latter approach offers advantages in terms of reduced immunogenicity and evasion of ethical issues surrounding embryos.
Researchers at FAU found that immune cells in Parkinson's patients, specifically T-cells, kill nerve cells producing dopamine. Antibodies blocking Th17 cells offer hope for new treatment methods.
A new method tracks mechanisms causing nerve cell damage in the heart, a previously unappreciated area affected by Parkinson's disease. The research has implications for testing therapies and exploring causes of fatigue, fainting, and falling.
Researchers develop experimental drug NLY01 that slows Parkinson's disease progression in mice by blocking degradation of brain cells and protecting nerve cells. The drug, similar to diabetes treatments, may offer a new treatment option for the progressive disorder.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy can slow the progression of tremor in early-stage Parkinson's disease patients. DBS applied in early-stage Parkinson's disease may slow the progression of tremor, a finding that suggests potential for new treatment options.
A new study reveals that half of Parkinson's patients taking dopamine agonist drugs may develop impulse control disorders such as compulsive gambling, shopping, or eating. The five-year cumulative incidence of these disorders is higher in those who have ever taken the medications compared to those who never took them.
The Hong Kong University (HKU) team designed the world's first intra-operative MRI-guided robot for bilateral stereotactic neurosurgery. This innovation enables accurate and safe brain surgery, targeting tiny nucleus structures with minimal damage to surrounding tissue.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine identified ceramides as key players in the development of early onset Parkinsonism. The findings propose a mechanism connecting previously identified cellular defects and genes associated with Parkinson's disease, suggesting novel strategies to prevent or treat the condition.
A large study found a strong link between type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's disease, with a 31% greater risk for those with diabetes. Younger people and those with diabetes complications had even higher risks, highlighting potential protective effects of insulin use on the brain.
A study published in Nature Communications has revealed how alpha-synuclein protein clumps cause neurons to die by damaging mitochondria and triggering a channel that leads to cell swelling and bursting. The findings were replicated in human brain cells generated from patient skin cells, providing valuable insights into neurodegeneration.
A team of researchers has identified lipid defects in the brain as the cause of sleep disturbances in Parkinson's disease. Restoring the balance of a key lipid, phosphatidylserine, improves sleep patterns in genetically modified fruit flies and suggests a potential new treatment direction.
A study published in Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology found that people taking immunosuppressant drugs are less likely to develop Parkinson's disease. Corticosteroids such as prednisone reduced the risk by 20%, while IMDH inhibitors were about one-third less effective.
A new, fully implanted deep brain stimulation device uses real-time brain signals to fine-tune its signaling, reducing side effects and improving symptom control in Parkinson's patients. The adaptive system was shown to be equally effective as traditional stimulation methods in initial short-term studies.
A new three-year trial, led by a geriatrician, aims to determine whether a commonly prescribed dementia drug can prevent falls in people with Parkinson's. The trial, funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme, will test a cholinesterase inhibitor treatment on 600 patients across UK hospitals.
A new University of Guelph study has discovered that exposure to pesticides like paraquat and maneb increases the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Low-level pesticide exposure disrupts cells in a way that mimics genetic mutations, drastically increasing disease onset risk.
Researchers have discovered a potential link between tuberculosis and Parkinson's disease, suggesting that drugs designed to treat Parkinson's may also work for TB. The study found that LRRK2 protein prevents immune cells from clearing bacteria, leading to build-up of protein in neurons that disrupts their function.
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at a 22% higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease compared to non-IBD individuals. Researchers found this association independent of age, gender, and length of follow-up.
Researchers studied Parkinson's patients with deep brain stimulation and found that brain activity alternates between the left and right sides of the brain while stepping. The introduction of a metronome improved accuracy and enhanced beta activity.
Researchers found changes in hippocampal neurons early after alpha-synuclein aggregates appear, suggesting potential therapeutic treatments to halt or reverse cognitive impairments. The study suggests defects in pre- and post-synaptic functions, indicating plasticity in the neurons.
A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that misfolded α-syn proteins embedded in brain cells cause different Parkinson's-related disorders, depending on the type of cell. The researchers discovered a distinct strain of α-syn protein, which is 1,000-fold more potent in causing disease in animal models.
Researchers at McLean Hospital found that elevated levels of certain lipids in the brain are associated with Parkinson's disease. The study suggests that lipid alterations may precede some of the disease's hallmark features and could provide an early warning sign for patients.
Researchers use rabies virus machinery to deliver deferoxamine, a metal-grabbing compound, directly to brain cells, reducing iron buildup and reversing disease symptoms. The therapeutic agent is composed of nanoparticles stuffed with deferoxamine and is already approved for use in the clinic.
Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology have discovered that a protein called parvalbumin, found in many fish species, can form amyloid structures that bind to and neutralize the 'Parkinson's protein' alpha-synuclein. This could potentially help prevent the formation of harmful amyloids associated with Parkinson's disease, a...
A recent Mount Sinai study reveals individuals with IBD have a 28% higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease; treated patients show significant reduction in risk after anti-TNFα therapy. The study suggests exploring anti-TNFα to prevent Parkinson's disease in high-risk individuals.
Researchers from Aarhus University found a significant decrease in calcium levels when nerve cells are affected by Parkinson's disease. Treating calcium disturbances may inhibit symptoms, particularly sleep disorders and anxiety.
A new study found patients with inflammatory bowel disease are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease. Anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy for IBD was associated with a reduced incidence of Parkinson's in over 170 million patient records analyzed.
Researchers at UCSF found a 56% increased risk of Parkinson's disease among veterans with concussion compared to those without traumatic brain injury. The study followed over 300,000 veterans for an average of 4.6 years and adjusted for age, sex, and other health conditions.
A large population of U.S. veterans with mild, moderate, or severe traumatic brain injury were found to have a higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Those with mild traumatic brain injury had a 56% increased risk, while those with moderate to severe injuries had an 83% and 71% increased risk respectively.
Researchers discovered that specific RNA molecules recognize and combine based on complex shapes to form cellular droplets. This understanding may help prevent the transition to an aberrant, solid state associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers developed a smartphone app to generate an objective score that reflects symptom severity in patients with Parkinson's disease. The app uses machine learning and existing smartphone components to collect data on movement, speech, and daily tasks.
A three-month project by Queensland Ballet and QUT found participants experienced higher energy levels, greater flexibility, improved posture, and enhanced sense of achievement. Ballet participation was also linked to a general feeling of wellbeing and social connections.
A study published in Neurology found that people with Parkinson's disease are more likely to be demoralized than those without the disease. Demoralization is distinct from depression, and treatment approaches may differ.
A new EIT Health project, 'MoveIT', aims to analyze gait patterns and warn patients of potential falls. The project uses sensors placed on patients' shoes and upper body to gather data for further research.
Researchers discover bassoon gene mutations associated with a rare brain disorder, PSP-like symptoms, and cognitive decline. The study highlights the importance of analyzing BSN gene mutations in patients with neurological disorders.
Researchers discovered that a common Parkinson's gene mutation alters immune cells' reaction to generic infections like colds, triggering an inflammatory reaction in the brain. This 'second hit' initiates the destruction of brain areas responsible for movement.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have uncovered a link between a genetic mutation in the GBA1 gene and the formation of fatty plaques in the brain that contribute to Parkinson's disease. The study found that changes in the mixture of fatty molecules cause protein pieces to stick together, forming 'dead zones' in the brain.
SLU researchers determined the structure of calcium-independent phospholipase A2β, a key enzyme involved in the body's inflammatory response. This discovery opens up possibilities for developing new therapies for neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease.
A new study suggests that transcranial direct-current electrical stimulation can significantly improve gait impairment in Parkinson's disease patients by simultaneously targeting both motor and cognitive networks. The treatment shows promising results in reducing freezing of gait and improving executive functions and mobility.
A new approach filters genes for study, reducing false leads and accelerating research on diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The strategy focuses on active genes, group interactions, mutation vulnerability and past studies to narrow down gene candidates, saving researchers time and money.
Researchers at TSRI have discovered a toxic protein that travels to mitochondria, causing damage and leading to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons. This finding offers new insights into the mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease.