Research on Parkinson's disease and its treatment. Covers mitochondrial protection, genetic progression markers, antibody therapies, and disease costs.
Researchers found that vitamin K2 can restore energy production in defective mitochondria, similar to those found in Parkinson's patients. This discovery offers potential treatment options for patients with the disease.
Dr. Samuel Young receives grant to develop critical technology for researching potential therapies targeting LRRK2, a key Parkinson's-related gene. The technology aims to overcome challenges in expressing the gene using commonly used neuroscience research tools.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University develop a peptide therapy that mimics DJ-1's normal function, protecting dopamine-producing neurons and reducing mobility dysfunctions. The treatment has shown promising results in pre-clinical trials on mice, indicating a viable option for Parkinson's patients.
Dr. Timothy J. Collier received the 2012 Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award for Brain Repair for his work on cellular repair for Parkinson's disease, while Dr. Sean I. Savitz was honored with the Molly and Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award for his contributions to cell-based therapies for ischemic stroke.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have discovered a specific brain circuitry associated with addictive and depressive behaviors. The study found that an imbalance in medium spiny neurons controlling movement also contributes to psychiatric disorders.
Researchers found that alpha-synuclein protein aggregates in ring structures within neuron membranes, causing cell damage and symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The study provides a step-by-step explanation of how these aggregates form and offers hope for developing drugs to slow disease progression.
A phase three clinical trial shows LCIG reduces 'off' time by an average of nearly two extra hours per day compared to standard levodopa-carbidopa therapy. This innovation delivers levodopa-carbidopa continuously, minimizing fluctuations that contribute to wearing off.
Researchers found that alpha-synuclein fibrils can induce normal a-syn to misfold, leading to neurodegeneration. The study suggests that the corrupted form of a-syn can be transmitted from diseased neurons to healthy ones via white-matter tracks.
A team studied mice with a mutated form of alpha-synuclein, finding that injected clumps accelerated disease onset and severity. The clumps seemed to hijack brain signals, spreading throughout the brain.
A study published in Neurology found that certain antidepressants decrease depression in people with Parkinson's disease without worsening motor problems. The study used paroxetine and venlafaxine, two types of antidepressants with fewer side effects, and showed significant improvements in depression scores.
A new study published in Neurology found that antidepressant medications can effectively treat depression in Parkinson's patients without worsening their motor symptoms. The study, led by Irene Hegeman Richard, M.D., showed significant improvements in depression scores with paroxetine and venlafaxine, two commonly used antidepressants.
A study of 112 patients with Parkinson's disease and 60 controls found that persistent ocular tremors were universally present in patients with PD, regardless of medication use. This finding suggests that precise oculomotor testing could be a valuable tool for early diagnosis.
A new study published in Neurology finds that consuming flavonoids, particularly anthocyanins found in berries, can significantly reduce the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Male participants who ate the most flavonoids were 40% less likely to develop the disease than those who ate the least.
A PET imaging agent has been shown to reverse neurotoxicity and improve motor skills and memory in animal models of Parkinson's disease. The compound works as a scavenger of peroxynitrite, reducing neuronal death and promoting revival of neuronal function.
A Mayo Clinic study found that people with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder are twice as likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or Parkinson's disease within four years. Researchers used the Mayo Sleep Questionnaire to diagnose probable RBD in neurologically normal individuals.
A study published in Archives of Neurology found a possible association between statin use and reduced risk of developing Parkinson's disease, particularly among younger individuals. The research included over 38,000 men and women and followed them for 12 years, documenting 644 incident PD cases.
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute have discovered a compound, SR 3306, that blocks the destruction of brain cells in animal models of Parkinson's disease. The new compound could potentially be the first to protect the brain from the ravages of the disease.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a novel compound called CLR01 that prevents α-synuclein protein aggregates from forming, stopping their toxicity and even breaking up existing aggregates in the brain. This breakthrough holds promise for slowing or stopping Parkinson's disease progression and may lead to human clinical trials.
Researchers found that Parkinson's disease patients who took dopamine therapy showed improved creative skills, including drawing, painting, poetry, and sculpture. However, the study also revealed a lack of correlation between creative thinking scores and impulsivity measures.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a protein mutation that disrupts the protective function of DJ-1, a key player in preventing neuronal death in Parkinson's disease. This finding may lead to new treatment strategies by targeting this error in the protein.
A two-year clinical trial showed that weight training significantly improved motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease compared to stretching and balance exercises. Weight training led to a 7.3 point improvement in UPRDS scores after two years, while fitness counts group returned to baseline scores.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a tailored Tai Chi training program significantly improved postural stability and walking ability in Parkinson's disease patients. The program resulted in reduced falls and demonstrated potential as an add-on to current physical therapies.
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.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo discovered how parkin gene mutations cause Parkinson's disease by studying live human neurons. The study identified potential new drug targets and a screening platform to discover treatments, providing hope for a cure.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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...
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.
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.
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 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.
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.