Articles tagged with Parkinsons Disease
University of Alabama researchers have identified the neuro-protective capability of the VPS41 gene in both animal models and human neurons, providing a potential step toward developing a new drug treatment for Parkinson's disease. The study found that specific changes in human DNA may impact how VPS41 functions.
The company will use the grant to develop a novel therapeutic for Parkinson's disease, targeting dopaminergic neurons with GDNF delivery. The goal is to improve patients' lives by treating or reversing the progression of the disease.
New technique allows scientists to observe development of brain cells for first time, shedding light on disease mechanism. The study could lead to new treatment options by understanding how these cells develop and function.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes discovered a protein called RGS4 that contributes to Parkinson's disease symptoms by disrupting brain circuits. Removing RGS4 can prevent these symptoms, offering a potential alternative to existing treatments like Levodopa.
Researchers found that a defect in energy production in the nervous system may be the cause of Parkinson's disease, particularly in younger adults. The study used fruit fly models to discover that a key protein, parkin, is linked to mitochondrial failure and oxidative stress.
A team of MSU researchers has identified slow-wriggling alpha-synuclein proteins as the cause of protein clumping, a key step in Parkinson's disease progression. They found that these proteins aggregate when they rearrange at a slower pace, leading to cellular damage and disease progression.
Researchers have discovered the unique walking mechanism of dynein, a critical motor protein in every cell. The 'drunken sailor' gait allows the protein to navigate obstacles while performing transport functions, potentially shedding light on neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that deep brain stimulation improved motor symptoms, including reduced tremors and dyskinesia, and increased periods of effective symptom control. Patients also reported improvements in daily activities, mobility, emotional state, social support, and physical comfort.
A new gene called RGS9-2 has been found to regulate body weight by modulating metabolism. The discovery was made by a University of Rhode Island researcher who initially studied the gene's role in brain protein dyskinesia, a side effect of certain medications.
A nationwide study found demographic and clinical factors associated with Parkinson's disease survival. Dementia was diagnosed in 69.6% of the study population, particularly among black patients, and significantly increased mortality risk. Environmental exposures also seemed to influence survival rates.
Researchers have discovered a new strategy to treat Parkinson's disease by injecting a viral protein that stabilizes mitochondria in rats with a PD-like disease. The approach has shown promising results, as rats treated with the protein performed better on behavioral and motor function tests.
Paul Ruby, diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's in 2006, founded the Paul Ruby Foundation to raise funds for Northwestern Medicine researchers working towards a cure. The foundation has contributed over $325,000 to Parkinson's research, including a recent $100,000 gift.
Parkinson's disease patients exhibit increased arm swing asymmetry and reduced coordination, which can be easily detected early with inexpensive accelerometers. This method may enhance early diagnosis and treatment opportunities, and researchers plan to further investigate its effectiveness.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have successfully reprogrammed astrocytes into dopamine-producing neurons, a crucial step towards treating Parkinson's disease. The study demonstrates conversion efficiency of up to 18%, paving the way for novel reprogramming strategies to treat Parkinson's disease.
Researchers are conducting a study to examine the effects of exercise and computerized memory training on executive function in people with Parkinson's disease. The goal is to determine if these interventions can slow or reverse memory changes and improve cognitive function.
Researchers developed a method to detect cognitive decline in Parkinson's patients using MRI brain scans, revealing higher Alzheimer's patterns of atrophy predict worsening cognition. The study found an overlap between the two neurodegenerative diseases, raising hopes for early diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers detect hippocampal atrophy in Parkinson's patients with cognitive impairment, leading to early cognitive decline. A newly developed structural pattern identifies diffuse gray and white matter atrophy associated with dementia in Parkinson's disease.
A new blood test detects phosphorylated alpha-synuclein, allowing for early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease before symptoms appear. This could help patients prepare for potential neurological problems caused by the disease.
Researchers discovered a statistically significant association between occupational exposure to trichloroethylene, percholorethylene, and carbon tetrachloride and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The study suggests a lag time of up to 40 years between exposure and onset of the disease.
A study in twins found a significant association between trichloroethylene exposure and an increased risk of Parkinson's disease, with a more than 6-fold increased risk. The study also suggested a lag time of up to 40 years between exposure and symptom onset.
A recent NIH-funded twin study found a significant link between occupational chemical exposure and the development of Parkinson's disease. The study, published in Annals of Neurology, suggests that two common solvents, trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PERC), may increase Parkinson's risk sixfold and ninefold, respectively...
Researchers discovered that genetic mutations causing hereditary Parkinson's disease cause mitochondria to run amok inside cells. Damaged mitochondria produce toxic compounds and fuse with healthy ones, leading to neuronal death.
Dopamine-deficient C. elegans worms offer a promising new approach to identifying potential treatments for Parkinson's disease, with researchers able to test over 1,000 drugs per year. The 'motor switching' problem faced by people with Parkinson's can be replicated in the worms, allowing scientists to quickly identify effective therapies.
A recent study published in Neurology found that people with Parkinson's disease are nearly three times more likely to experience leg motor restlessness than those without the disease. However, restless legs syndrome was not significantly more common among patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease.
Pitt mathematicians collaborate with neurobiology researchers to study the transfer of signals between brain regions and develop less invasive treatments. Their study may guide the creation of more effective deep brain stimulation procedures.
A team of researchers at the University of Western Ontario has demonstrated that eliminating a specific neurotransmitter in the striatum may improve brain function in Parkinson's disease. By using genetically-modified mice and high-level behavior and imaging techniques, the researchers found that neurons responsible for this neurotrans...
Researchers discovered that eliminating acetylcholine secretion boosted dopamine actions, potentially improving motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. The study used genetically modified mice to investigate the role of neurotransmitters in the striatum, a region affected by the disease.
Research at National Institute for Physiological Sciences found abnormal 'oscillatory' electrical signals in subcortical nuclei cause severe motor deficits in Parkinson's disease. Chemical inhibition of the subthalamic nucleus improved motor impairments by reducing oscillations, providing clues for new treatments.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation has awarded a grant to develop cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) as a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease. CDNF has shown promising properties in pre-clinical models and future studies aim to evaluate its efficacy.
A Scripps Research scientist has been awarded a $500,000 grant to study the genetic mutations associated with Parkinson's disease. The researcher will investigate two genes, LRRK2 and SGK1, which have shown a link between their mutations and reduced risk of Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at 23andMe have identified the potential protective nature of the SGK1 gene against Parkinson's disease, particularly for individuals carrying high-risk LRRK2 mutations. This discovery has the potential to inform therapeutic approaches and diagnostics for Parkinson's disease.
Brandeis researchers have produced and determined the structure of alpha-synuclein, a key protein linked to Parkinson's disease. The findings may lead to the development of new treatments by stabilizing the protein.
A new brain stimulation technique has been developed that makes real-time adjustments in response to Parkinson's disease dynamics, potentially improving symptoms. The study found that this approach alleviated motor symptoms and reduced abnormal neural activity more efficiently than standard deep brain stimulation.
A study found that an exercise program improved balance and reduced fear of falling in people with Parkinson's disease who had a history of falls. The research team tracked significant improvements in physical recreational activity, supporting the effectiveness of physiotherapy and exercise in managing Parkinson's disease.
Researchers developed a mathematical model of the brain's neural circuitry to better understand how Parkinson's disease patients' brains transmit information incorrectly. The model reveals that repetitious neuron firing can lead to overly synchronized brain activity, which could aid in developing therapies for Parkinson's disease.
A Wayne State University professor is developing multifunctional therapeutic agents to slow Parkinson's disease progression and alleviate symptoms. The research aims to promote survival of dopamine neurons, which degenerate in the disease.
Researchers found that the medial prefrontal cortex recruits the subthalamic nucleus to ward off impulsive urges, allowing time for informed decisions. This understanding may lead to mitigating the side effect of DBS on decision-making and developing more sophisticated treatment systems.
A group of neurologists reviewed the most frequently watched YouTube videos about movement disorders and found that 66% were identified as showing 'psychogenic' movement disorders. The doctors agreed on diagnoses in 87-100% of all cases, highlighting the need for careful consideration when seeking medical information online.
Researchers identify EIF4G1 gene mutation that leads to death of brain cells, resulting in Parkinson's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. The study offers insights into how the gene controls protein levels to cope with biological stress.
A newly discovered gene mutation in EIF4G1 has been linked to Parkinson's disease, affecting protein translation and cellular recycling. This finding provides a new potential target for treatments and highlights the importance of gene-environmental interactions in neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have discovered how dopamine levels affect brain cells involved in movement control, offering new hope for treating Parkinson's disease. A study found that a lack of dopamine alters the interaction between two groups of brain cells, leading to difficulties controlling movement.
Researchers found a genetic variation in the LRRK2 gene that reduces the risk of Parkinson's disease by nearly 20% in many populations. The study also identified different variants of the same gene that increase Parkinson's risk in Caucasians and Asians, providing evidence for multiple genetic risks contributing to the disease.
Researchers have found that Parkin, a protein linked to early-onset Parkinson's disease, regulates how cells take up and process dietary fats. This discovery suggests that defective Parkin may contribute to the development of some cases by changing fat levels in the body.
Researchers have created brain nerve cells affected by Parkinson's using skin samples from a patient with the most progressive form of the disease. This breakthrough study enables scientists to model the condition in a laboratory, shedding light on why certain nerve cells die.
Scientists at UCSF have discovered two distinct pools of vesicles in neurons, each with unique proteins that determine their behavior. The finding sheds new light on neurotransmitter packaging, transport, and release from neurons, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treating neurological diseases like Parkinson's.
Researchers at UCLA found that traumatic brain injury increases risk of Parkinson's disease, with a moderate injury causing a 15% loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. Exposure to the pesticide paraquat doubles this risk and accelerates neuronal degeneration.
Researchers discover that alpha-synuclein, key to Parkinson's disease, forms complex folded tetramers in healthy cells rather than a single, randomly-coiled chain. This finding challenges existing disease paradigms and suggests a new therapeutic approach.
People with Parkinson's disease who see a neurologist are more likely to live longer, less likely to be placed in a nursing home, and have fewer hip fractures. The study also found disparities in access to care based on gender and ethnicity.
Patients with advanced Parkinson's disease who received deep brain stimulation implants showed sustained motor function improvement, including reduced tremors and rigidity, even after 10 years. However, axial signs such as posture and balance progressively declined over time.
New research in the FASEB Journal suggests that nicotine can protect dopamine neurons in the brain from Parkinson's disease. The discovery of how nicotine does this may lead to entirely new types of treatments for the disease.
Researchers are investigating Fasudil, a drug that has shown positive outcomes in improving blood flow and reducing disease risk for Alzheimer's and stroke victims.
Patients with REM sleep behavior disorder experience nightmares and increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. A new study using brain SPECT technology found that dopamine levels in the brain drop quickly in these patients, making it a potential early indicator of disease progression.
A new study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that people who abused methamphetamine had a 76% higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease compared to those with no disorder. The study analyzed nearly 300,000 hospital records in California over 16 years.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered a genetic mutation in VPS35 that causes Parkinson's disease, leading to protein buildup in the brain. This finding opens up new avenues for understanding and treating the complex disease.
Researchers found that virtual reality (VR) and physical reality exercises can increase movement speeds in PD patients, especially when moving targets are provided. The study shows promising results for VR as a tool to improve movement in persons with PD, similar to the benefits of physical reality cues.
Researchers found that SUMO proteins can hinder the formation of insoluble protein clusters, a hallmark of Parkinson's disease. The study suggests that sumoylation, the process by which SUMO molecules attach to alpha-synuclein, may play a role in preventing protein aggregation.
The Parkinson's Disease Foundation has awarded over $1 million to 11 innovative researcher-initiated projects focused on understanding the cause and finding a cure for Parkinson's. These projects range from basic science investigations to potential new therapies, including studies of norepinephrine's role in the disease.
Researchers found that practitioners' judgments of patients with Parkinson's disease were influenced by cultural and gender stereotypes, leading to inequitable healthcare. Facial masking, a condition where faces lose expression, was particularly stigmatizing for women and men from different ethnic backgrounds.
Researchers have identified a new potential target for treating Parkinson's disease by blocking T-type calcium channels, which may alleviate movement disorders. This approach has shown promise in a rat model of PD, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy.
A team of McMaster researchers is using tiny worms and microtechnology to search for effective new drugs to treat Parkinson's disease. They hope to accelerate the process of drug discovery, which could have direct application to human health.