Articles tagged with Parkinsons Disease
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have discovered how the keto diet protects against epilepsy seizures by regulating brain cell activity. The team found that a specific cellular receptor, HCAR2, plays a crucial role in reducing seizures, and may be targeted for new treatments.
Researchers highlight shared and distinct immune features between neurodegenerative and neuroimmune diseases, pointing to novel treatment strategies. The study suggests that a deeper understanding of Parkinson's disease immunology informed by lessons from multiple sclerosis may bridge the therapeutic gap for PD.
A new UCLA study combines human and animal research to identify chlorpyrifos as a potential environmental cause of Parkinson's disease. Long-term residential exposure to the pesticide increases the risk of developing the condition by more than 2.5 times.
A McGill-led study found dopamine does not set movement speed but acts as a support system that makes movement possible. Restoring dopamine to normal levels may be enough to improve movement and simplify Parkinson's treatment.
A mouse study by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology researchers has found that acetylcholine release is essential for breaking habits and enabling new choices to be made. The study's findings may help understand diseases such as Parkinson's disease, addiction, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Researchers investigated a combination of stem cell therapy and BDNF enhancement to treat Parkinson's disease. The strategy aims to promote neuroregeneration and functional recovery by introducing progenitor cells genetically matched to the donors, while upregulating BDNF to mitigate neuronal loss and enhance motor function.
The International Linked Clinical Trials Program aims to change that by supporting and facilitating clinical trials of potentially disease-modifying treatments. Over 6,800 people with Parkinson's have participated in these trials, and approximately 40% of prioritized drugs have been approved for clinical trials.
A new study found that aerobic exercise can increase dopamine release and improve motor performance in middle-aged mice, suggesting a potential link to improved mobility and reduced symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The research team plans to repeat the study in genetically engineered mice models for neurodegenerative disorders.
Midbrain dopamine neurons create a glycogen fuel reserve but regulate it in a way that leaves them vulnerable to glucose shortages as they age. This vulnerability may explain the deaths of these neurons in Parkinson’s disease.
A new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease has shown that dance can be beneficial in halting cognitive decline associated with Parkinson's disease. The study found significant improvements in cognitive scores for participants who engaged in dance classes, compared to those who did not participate.
A new study highlights five ways microplastics can trigger inflammation and damage in the brain, including immune cell activity and oxidative stress. Microplastics weaken the blood–brain barrier, causing immune cells to attack them and leading to further damage.
The EBRAINS Summit 2025 will bring together experts to assess how neuroscience can drive medical progress, digital innovation, and responsible data use. Preliminary results from the EPINOV clinical trial, integrating virtual brain technology for epilepsy surgery planning, will be presented.
A large Korean cohort study reveals a link between restless legs syndrome and Parkinson's disease, highlighting opportunities for early detection. Dopamine-agonist therapy may reduce the risk of developing PD in RLS patients, according to the study's findings.
Studies have confirmed that liquid droplets formed by ubiquilin-2 (UBQLN2) facilitate the aggregation and fibril formation of α-synuclein protein. Researchers also discovered a compound that interacts with UBQLN2, preventing its self-association and liquid droplet formation, which may lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study examining millions of electronic health records suggests a strong link between untreated obstructive sleep apnea and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Researchers found that those with untreated sleep apnea were nearly twice as likely to develop Parkinson's as those who treated it with CPAP.
A recent University of Michigan study sheds light on the critical protein Sarm1, which controls both nerve breakdown and regeneration. The research found that blocking Sarm1 boosts nerve regeneration but only if it preserves a delicate balance between protection and repair.
A study from Gladstone Institutes finds that dysfunctional mitochondria can initiate Parkinson's disease. The researchers used a unique mouse model to demonstrate the link between mitochondrial dysfunction and energy breakdown in cells, shedding light on potential new treatments.
Researchers have successfully engineered functional brain-like tissue without animal-derived materials, opening doors to more controlled and humane neurological drug testing. The new material functions as a scaffold for donor brain cells and can be used to model traumatic brain injuries or neurological diseases like Alzheimer's.
Researchers at UGA engineered a live bacterium to deliver Levodopa steadily from the gut to the brain, alleviating motor deficits in models of Parkinson's disease. This breakthrough could lead to fewer pills, steadier symptom control, and better quality of life for patients.
The UT Health San Antonio Center for Brain Health is a $100 million facility that brings together clinical care, diagnostics and research under one roof. The center will redefine treatment of conditions including Alzheimer's, dementia, stroke and Parkinson's with multidisciplinary care teams.
A nonsurgical approach has been demonstrated to quiet a specific brain circuit in an animal model by delivering engineered gene therapy only to the targeted region. The method uses low-intensity focused ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier, allowing precise control over brain activity without impacting off-target areas.
A team of researchers from Rice University and the Houston Methodist Research Institute will study how the brain responds to neural implants. They aim to develop more stable and longer-lasting brain-computer interfaces and neuroprosthetics, which could treat neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and stroke.
The study identified dozens of genetic regions that influence the size and thickness of the corpus callosum and its subregions. The research team created an AI-powered tool that finds and measures the corpus callosum in brain MRI scans automatically, allowing for unprecedented analysis of brain structure at scale and precision.
A U-M-led team is working to minimize latency in virtual and augmented reality games for people with Parkinson's disease. They are developing two games: an adaptive soccer game and a word game that enables players to fight the progression of the disease through physical and cognitive exercise.
Researchers at OIST discover a common molecular cascade disrupting brain signaling in both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. They identify a shared mechanism affecting synaptic vesicle recycling, leading to impaired communication between brain cells.
High-volume noise exposure in a mouse model of early-stage Parkinson's disease slowed movement and reduced balance, suggesting a connection between sound processing and movement areas. Chronic noise exposure mimicked Parkinsonian symptoms by damaging dopamine-producing cells.
A new study found that alpha-synuclein triggers early gene expression changes in a Parkinson's disease model, revealing brain region-specific and systemic transcriptomic alterations. These changes may contribute to disease development and serve as potential biomarkers.
New research from the University of South Australia highlights the need for personalized, multidisciplinary and empathetic care for people with Parkinson's disease. Researchers found that gaps in support lead many individuals to rely on trial-and-error approaches to manage their pain, resulting in reduced quality of life.
Researchers built a comprehensive atlas of the developing human brain, capturing nearly every cell type and their genetic fingerprints. The study provides a precise benchmark for testing new therapies for Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions.
Researchers have developed a blood test that detects Parkinson's disease by analyzing the activity of immune cells. The study found 22 genes whose expression was altered in patients with Parkinson's, suggesting potential diagnostic markers and insights into the disease's mechanisms.
Researchers at FAU Engineering have developed foot-mounted wearable sensors and a 3D depth camera that accurately measure how people walk, even in busy clinical environments. The study findings reveal that these technologies match the accuracy of traditional tools but are more scalable, remote, and cost-effective.
Case Western Reserve University researchers discovered pseudo leukotrienes, which may be the dominant players in the inflammatory cascade that causes disease. The findings open new avenues for treating asthma and other inflammatory diseases.
Researchers developed a computational tool to identify genetic vulnerabilities in memory-making brain cells linked to Alzheimer's. The 'seismic' algorithm integrates genetic data with single-cell RNA sequencing, revealing a detailed picture of affected cell types and their genetic programs.
A large international study reveals that women with a precursor condition to Parkinson's disease exhibit significantly less brain atrophy compared to men. The research suggests that estrogens may play a crucial role in protecting the brain from neurodegeneration.
Protein clumps associated with Parkinson's disease can actively break down ATP, draining brain cells of vital energy. Researchers discovered that these clumps transform into molecular machines when they bind to ATP, highlighting a new mechanism of damage.
A healthy microbiome promotes overall well-being, influencing areas like cognition, mood, immunity, and disease susceptibility. By incorporating proven dietary interventions, regular exercise, stress reduction, and adequate sleep, individuals can harness their microbiome for optimal health.
A study published in Annals of Neurology reveals a genetic connection between errors in the EPG5 gene, which causes Vici syndrome, and Parkinson's disease. Researchers found that individuals with rare errors in EPG5 were more likely to develop Parkinson's disease and dementia.
The UT Health San Antonio Center for Brain Health will unveil a 7-Tesla Terra.X MRI system, providing ultra-high-resolution brain images for diagnosing and studying conditions like dementia and Parkinson's. The technology expands what is possible in research and discovery.
A Barrow Neurological Institute study found a positive association between ambient trichloroethylene (TCE) and Parkinson's disease risk. The researchers identified a potential link between TCE exposure and an increased risk of Parkinson's disease, particularly in individuals living near facilities emitting the chemical.
Researchers at the University of Bath develop a peptide fragment that locks alpha-synuclein into its healthy shape, blocking toxic clumps that cause nerve cell death. The breakthrough demonstrates the potential of rational peptide design to transform large proteins into compact drug-like molecules.
Scientists have developed an imaging technique to visualize and quantify alpha-synuclein oligomers in human brain tissue, a major advance in Parkinson's research. The study found that oligomers exist in both healthy and Parkinson's brains, but are larger, brighter, and more numerous in disease samples.
A new study published in Biomaterials has developed a tiny, bioengineered system to deliver anti-inflammatory proteins to specific targets in the brain. The AstroCapsules, which are 300 micrometers in diameter, were confirmed to function when implanted into the brain and reduced neuroinflammation by measuring inflammatory biomarkers.
Researchers have found that tiny worms can help understand how memories fade, with dopamine playing a major role. Without dopamine, the worms held onto memories longer than usual, revealing that forgetting is a finely tuned process essential for staying focused and flexible.
Researchers highlight NAD+ supplements as potential key to healthier ageing and disease prevention, but call for larger studies. Early trials report improvements in memory, movement, and metabolism.
Research links oral bacteria to Parkinson's disease via the gut-brain axis, finding Streptococcus mutans produces metabolite imidazole propionate that contributes to disease progression. Targeting the oral-gut microbiome may offer a new therapeutic approach for Parkinson's treatment.
A Chinese Medical Journal study reviews the association between lipid metabolism and Parkinson’s disease. The research highlights how lipid disruptions contribute to α-Syn aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation, suggesting lipids as a promising therapeutic target for PD.
A study found that older adults with Parkinson's disease have a higher rate of brain amyloid positivity compared to younger patients, even without dementia. The researchers suggest this may indicate an accelerated transition from healthy cognition to dementia in PD patients.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin discovered that nanoplastics can interfere with brain energy production by disrupting the electron transport chain in mitochondria. This finding may have implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases and learning/memory issues.
Increasing PI31 levels demonstrates neuroprotective effects in mice, preventing neuronal degeneration and restoring synaptic function. The study also shows promise for treating Alzheimer's and slowing age-related cognitive decline.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a 'molecular magnifying glass' that allows them to visualize subtle environmental changes in proteins, which can indicate the earliest stages of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and cancer. This tool provides real-time monitoring of protein microenvironment changes in living cells.
Researchers used AI-powered video analysis to identify early motor function changes in Parkinson's disease and idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder. The study found that even healthy-looking individuals had subtle movement alterations that could indicate underlying brain disorders.
A new study from Aarhus University reveals microscopic pores in brain cells formed by toxic α-synuclein oligomers, which constantly open and close like tiny revolving doors. This dynamic behavior may help explain why brain cells don't die immediately, but further research is needed to replicate the findings in biological tissue.
Researchers found that increased levels of EPS8 drive pathological protein aggregation and neurodegeneration in worms and human cell models. By reducing EPS8 activity, they prevented toxic protein accumulation and preserved neuronal function.
Scientists have discovered a distinct neurochemical signature that sets Parkinson's disease apart from essential tremor, two common movement disorders. In a new study published in Nature Communications, researchers identified unique chemical signaling patterns of dopamine and serotonin that distinguish these conditions.
Researchers found that a high fiber diet reduced Alzheimer's-related frailty and tremor in mice by restoring balance in the gut immune system. This discovery provides a potential new therapeutic pathway for the disease.
Researchers at POSTECH and Korea Brain Research Institute unveil NeuO's mechanism of selective neuron staining through PAK6 kinase phosphorylation. This breakthrough opens path for precise tracking and study of living neurons in brain.
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes discovered that overactivated dopamine neurons degenerate and die, leading to Parkinson's disease symptoms. Chronic activation of these cells can cause cell death, potentially triggered by genetic, environmental toxins, and compensating for lost neurons.
Dr. Rentería's Australian Parkinson's Genetics Study (APGS) includes nearly 20,000 volunteers, generating a comprehensive genetic database to understand Parkinson's disease variability. He incorporates wearable sensors and digital biomarkers to address clinical heterogeneity.
Researchers at Lund University found that specific sequences within non-coding genome help shape the developing human brain. Disrupting these sequences leads to abnormalities in gene activity and brain organoid growth, highlighting their importance in regulating genes and development.
Researchers discovered a significant association between metabolic syndrome and an increased risk of Parkinson's disease. The study found that people with metabolic syndrome were about 40% more likely to develop the disease than those without it.