Research on Parkinson's disease and its treatment. Covers mitochondrial protection, genetic progression markers, antibody therapies, and disease costs.
Researchers have identified two cell populations in the substantia nigra that control distinct phases of locomotion. The study reveals a critical role for these populations in maintaining correct movement, and their dysfunction may contribute to Parkinson's disease symptoms.
Researchers found a clear association between appendix removal and development of Parkinson's disease, with patients being over three times more likely to develop the condition. The study analyzed over 62 million patient records and found similar risk levels across all age groups.
Researchers at Osaka University developed a fully automated tool to assess α-synuclein aggregation in cerebrospinal fluid using ultrasonication. The HANABI device can accurately detect patients with Parkinson's disease and has potential for early diagnosis and treatment assessment.
A phase 3 study involving 336 participants found that isradipine did not slow the progression of Parkinson's symptoms over three years. Researchers will continue to work on finding a treatment for the disease despite negative results.
A new study suggests that older adults with poor sense of smell may be at a 46% higher risk for death at 10 years and 30% at 13 years compared to those with good smell. Poor sense of smell is linked to higher mortality in both healthy and unhealthy individuals, with most of the risk remaining unexplained.
A commonly used blood pressure medication has shown potential in slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and dementia. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that felodipine induced autophagy in mice with Huntington's disease and zebrafish models of dementia.
A new study reveals that neurofeedback can strengthen neural connections and communication among brain areas in under 1 hour, paving the way for optimizing therapeutic approaches against stroke and Parkinson's. The technique showed increased integrity of the corpus callosum and strengthened neural networks controlling body movements.
The €50 million MOBILISE-D project aims to develop a system using small sensors to monitor mobility and assess health. It will enable personalized healthcare, predictive diagnosis, and improved treatment for conditions like COPD, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
A new service in the UK uses wearable technology to monitor Parkinson's symptoms, enabling patients and specialists to identify and implement changes to therapy remotely. The project aims to reduce healthcare burden and improve quality of life for people with Parkinson's.
Researchers developed a virtual reality training system to aid people with Parkinson's disease in improving their balance and avoiding obstacles. The six-week program showed significant improvements in obstacle negotiation, balance, and range of motion.
Researchers suggest that bi-directional electrodes can both stimulate and record from deep brain structures, enabling closed-loop DBS for movement and psychiatric disorders. This technology could expand treatment possibilities beyond Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at University of the Basque Country have discovered that vitamin B12 inhibits the LRRK2 enzyme, a key target for developing treatments for hereditary Parkinson's. The study shows promise for a new class of neuroprotective therapies.
Researchers identified specific variations in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes associated with increased or decreased risk of Parkinson's disease. A history of cigarette smoking modified these associations, suggesting a possible explanation for the apparent protective effect of smoking on PD.
A team of researchers discovered the chemicals responsible for the distinctive smell of Parkinson's disease using a 'super smeller'. The finding could lead to an early diagnosis and monitoring of the condition. Hippuric acid, eicosane, and octadecanal were identified as biomarkers in sebum samples from patients with Parkinson's.
Researchers are seeking to recruit 10,000 participants over 60 without Parkinson's for an annual online questionnaire and tests to develop a predictive algorithm. Early detection could lead to treatments that slow or prevent the condition's progression.
A new study from Iowa State University researchers explores the biological processes by which exposure to metals can contribute to Parkinson's-like symptoms. The study found that manganese combines with a protein called alpha-synuclein, leading to misfolded proteins and a neurodegenerative response.
Researchers found that nilotinib increases dopamine levels by reducing toxic alpha-synuclein protein, allowing normal dopamine release. The study also showed a significant reduction in alpha-synuclein levels and increased TREM-2 activity, indicating an elevated immune response against misfolded proteins.
A €7 million Parkinson's research project, PD-MitoQUANT, will be coordinated by RCSI to deepen understanding of the disease and develop new treatments. The project aims to increase knowledge of how cells in the brain become damaged in Parkinson's, with a focus on mitochondria.
A new study suggests that deep brain stimulation boosts the number and strength of mitochondria in brain cells, which may help reduce Parkinson's symptoms. The treatment, used for late-stage Parkinson's disease, involves surgically implanting thin wires into the brain to deliver small electric pulses.
Researchers have successfully pharmacologically activated Nurr1, a key molecule implicated in Parkinson's disease, offering a potential new treatment strategy. The breakthrough discovery provides valuable leads for developing drugs to restore proper dopamine balance and slow the progression of the disease.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Health will investigate deep brain stimulation as a potential therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease, building on previous studies that showed significant improvements in cognitive function in young nonhuman primates. The five-year study aims to determine if DBS can improve memory and counteract...
A Michigan State University researcher is investigating the role of pesticides in olfactory impairment and their relevance to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Researchers will assess over 2,200 farmers using a standard smell test and conduct home visits to evaluate cognitive function and motor symptoms.
A device called VibeForward reduces symptoms of freezing of gait in patients with Parkinson's disease by providing vibration therapy through a portable, non-invasive shoe. The technology has shown early evidence to help improve daily life for those with the condition.
Researchers tested an experimental treatment boosting Glial Cell Line Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) to regenerate dopamine brain cells in patients with Parkinson's. After nine months, the group receiving GDNF showed a 100% improvement in affected brain areas, offering hope for a potential reversal of the condition.
A lab study found that a substance called Emapunil alleviated motor disorders in mice, potentially slowing down Parkinson's disease progression. The compound targets microglia and TSPO, a molecular receptor involved in neurodegeneration.
A pioneering clinical trial has shown promising effects on restoring brain cells damaged in Parkinson's. While the treatment did not significantly impact symptoms, it demonstrated significant improvements in brain scans, suggesting long-term beneficial effects may be possible.
A new study finds that Parkinson's disease patients treated with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) do not exhibit increased impulsive decision-making when faced with immediate or delayed rewards. The research challenges existing notions about the technique's impact on behavior and cognitive processes.
Using a mouse model of Parkinson's disease, researchers identified unusual patterns of brain activity that appear to underlie its signature symptoms. The striatal neurons' normal pattern of activity warps when dopamine levels are low, leading to synchronized cell firing and repetitive movements.
Scientists at the University of Virginia Health System identified a potential explanation for the death of specific brain cells seen in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The discovery suggests that naturally occurring gene variation, called 'somatic mosaicism,' may be responsible for this selective vulnerability.
Researchers at the Buck Institute have identified a novel molecular mechanism that orchestrates harmful inflammatory signaling in glial cells, contributing to Parkinson's disease pathology. Blocking Furin 1, a catalytic protein, in dopaminergic neurons reduces toxic cross-talk and protects neurons from degeneration.
Recent advances in understanding Parkinson's disease have identified promising developments to slow or stop its progression. Researchers explore new therapeutic targets, targeting non-motor features of the disease, and repurposing drugs for their potential disease-modifying properties.
Researchers at Osaka University developed a neurofeedback system allowing Parkinson's patients to control β waves in their deep brain. The system enables voluntary control of beta wave activity, which is associated with symptoms of the disorder.
A new study is analyzing blood samples from over 2,500 participants to identify biomarkers of Parkinson's disease. The researchers aim to find molecular indicators in DNA that can aid in early diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers review novel research hypotheses and approaches to understand the role of environment in Parkinson's disease, particularly before diagnosis. The study suggests targeting specific environmental factors via the nose or gut may help prevent or modify the disease's progression.
Researchers found that gut microbiota can convert levodopa into dopamine, reducing its effectiveness in treating Parkinson's disease. The study suggests that the presence of bacterial tyrosine decarboxylase enzyme contributes to this effect.
Researchers discovered manganese's role in disrupting protein transport, leading to parkinsonian symptoms. Manganese accumulates in cellular vesicles, disturbing nerve cell function and affecting Parkinson's disease-like symptoms.
A study suggests defective astrocytes contribute to α-synuclein accumulation, leading to neuronal degeneration. Researchers discovered that healthy astrocytes can prevent α-synuclein buildup and restore neuronal function when cultured with Parkinson's disease neurons.
The FDA has approved focused ultrasound treatment for reducing medication-resistant Parkinson's disease tremors, allowing doctors to perform brain surgery without cutting into the skull. Researchers are now exploring its potential for treating other conditions, including breast cancer and epilepsy.
Researchers at Clemson University discover Mojave rattlesnakes have a wider distribution of life-threatening venom types than expected. The study reveals a peculiar variability in the species, with local optima favoring different venom types depending on location.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a gene therapy that could reduce and possibly eliminate dyskinesia, a frustrating side effect of levodopa treatment in Parkinson's patients. The study focuses on brain cells and has shown promising results in preventing the development of dyskinesia over extended periods.
Researchers found defective astrocytes cause accumulation of toxic alpha-synuclein, leading to neuronal death and degeneration. Healthy astrocytes protect neurons from cell death through restored cellular degradation processes.
A new mouse model has revealed the crucial role of PARL in maintaining mitochondrial respiratory chain function and structural integrity. The study found that mice lacking PARL display symptoms reminiscent of Leigh syndrome, highlighting the importance of understanding the protein's mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases.
A new neurostimulator, WAND, can stimulate and record electric current in the brain simultaneously, potentially delivering fine-tuned treatments to patients with diseases like epilepsy and Parkinson's. This closed-loop system allows for real-time adjustments, enabling improved outcomes and accessibility.
Researchers have discovered that protein clumps, particularly pα-syn*, recruit enzymes and tau to damage brain cells, leading to mitochondrial destruction. This study provides insight into the molecular mechanisms of Parkinson's disease, shedding light on potential treatment targets.
Researchers have discovered how a protein called Parkin protects neurons in the brain by repairing internal damage that may otherwise kill them. The study found that Parkin 'buys time' for cells to respond to damage and triggers cell death, potentially leading to neuronal loss in Parkinson's disease.
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have created stem cells that can transform into brain cells and produce dopamine, a key neurotransmitter lost in Parkinson's. The gene-edited cells resisted developing Lewy bodies, a hallmark of Parkinson's disease.
Researchers developed a method to translate brain activity into visual representations, enabling patients to increase or decrease beta waves associated with symptoms. Although no improvement in symptoms was observed, the study demonstrates a new approach toward managing disease-related brain activity that could inform new treatments.
Researchers at Rutgers University discovered that a fatty acid derivative of serotonin in coffee beans' waxy coating, EHT, combined with caffeine can protect against brain degeneration. This combination boosts the activity of a catalyst that prevents protein accumulation associated with Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia.
Researchers found that combining low doses of paraquat herbicide with sugar-binding proteins called lectins triggered Parkinsonism-like symptoms in rats. The study suggests that the toxin travels from the stomach to the brain, forming a misfolded protein alpha-synuclein that causes the disease.
The company's discovery engine identified a series of compounds that shielded cells against alpha-synuclein-induced toxicity by inhibiting stearoyl-CoA desaturase. This finding suggests that inhibition of fatty acid desaturation could be a potential therapeutic approach for treating Parkinson's disease and other synuclein-based disorders.
Research reveals that coffee compounds eicosanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamide and caffeine work together to maintain enzyme PP2A activity, dephosphorylating pathogenic α-synuclein proteins. This synergy prevents neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease models.
A Finnish study of 68,800 patients found that hip fracture surgery is associated with a significant risk of surgical complications. Patients with osteoarthritis, Parkinson's disease, and rheumatic diseases are particularly at risk, with 4.6% experiencing complications within three months of surgery.
Research found that more Oregonians filled out POLST forms between 2015-16, with a 45% increase compared to 2010-11. The study also showed changes in how people use the form, including increased use by middle-aged individuals and those with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Scientists have discovered that an emerging Parkinson's gene therapy called AAV2-GAD creates new brain circuits associated with improved motor movement. The therapy has shown therapeutic effects for patients by forming new neural pathways in the brain, connecting the subthalamic nucleus to other motor regions.
A new series of studies assesses death and disability from neurological disorders between 1990 and 2016, finding one in four people worldwide suffered from headaches in 2016. Parkinson's disease has more than doubled since 1990, with motor neuron diseases causing severe disability and high fatality rates.
Researchers at UC Berkeley found that humans rely on two distinct neural networks to predict the future in tasks like music and sports. The basal ganglia system is sensitive to rhythmic cues, while the cerebellum relies on interval timing based on past experiences.
A team of neurologists at Georgetown University Medical Center found that inhibiting the USP13 protein eliminates Lewy bodies and stops their buildup in mouse models of Parkinson's disease. The study suggests targeting USP13 as a therapeutic target for treating Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study found that focused ultrasound thalamotomy improves quality of life in people with medication-resistant Parkinson's disease. The procedure showed significant and sustained benefits in functional disability and overall well-being.
A molecular pathway previously studied in laboratory conditions has been verified to be disrupted in Parkinson's disease patients. The study identifies a key enzyme switch that plays a pivotal role in protecting the brain against stress.
Researchers found that singing reduced physiological indicators of stress, improved mood, and enhanced motor symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease. The therapy showed promise as a non-pharmacological approach to manage the condition.