Research on Parkinson's disease and its treatment. Covers mitochondrial protection, genetic progression markers, antibody therapies, and disease costs.
Researchers found that PARIS protein accumulates in brain cells with mutated parkin gene, leading to decreased PGC-1alpha levels and neurodegeneration. This discovery offers promising new drug targets to slow or stop Parkinson's disease progression.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine successfully derived neurons with symptoms of Parkinson's disease from a patient's skin cells. These neurons exhibit key features of the condition, including oxidative stress and Lewy body formation, in a short timeframe.
Research suggests ibuprofen may protect against Parkinson's disease by targeting a specific receptor in the brain. Taking ibuprofen regularly reduced the risk of developing the disease by 38%, according to the study published in Neurology.
A new Harvard School of Public Health study found that adults who regularly take ibuprofen have a lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The researchers analyzed data from nearly 99,000 women and 37,000 men, finding that ibuprofen use was associated with a 38% reduced risk of Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at Iowa State University have discovered a protein pathway that may hold the key to understanding and treating Parkinson's disease. By modifying the production of a specific protein, they believe it is possible to inhibit the destructive effects on dopamine-producing cells.
Using amphetamines like Benzedrine and Dexedrine may increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to a new study. The research, which followed 66,348 participants in northern California, found that those who used these drugs were nearly 60% more likely to develop the condition.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine found that a protein called MEF2D plays a key role inside mitochondria in brain cells, and its impairment is linked to Parkinson's disease progression. The study suggests that problems with MEF2D could represent one of the earliest steps in neurodegeneration.
Researchers discovered a strong link between the use of pesticides rotenone and paraquat and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The study found that people who used these pesticides developed the disease around 2.5 times more often than non-users.
A study published in Neurology found that men who eat berries regularly have a lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Flavonoids, particularly anthocyanins from berries, were associated with a reduced risk in both men and women.
Researchers found that a naturally present brain chemical signal, CX3CL1, can suppress microglial activation and reduce inflammation in an animal model of Parkinson's disease. This suggests that the communication between neurons and glial cells may play a role in neurodegeneration.
A new compound has shown significant effectiveness in protecting brain cells directly affected by Parkinson's disease, a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder. The compound, SR-3306, aims to inhibit JNK enzymes that play a key role in neuron survival.
Preladenant significantly reduces off time and increases on time without worsening dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease patients. The study found that preladenant may offer a new supplemental treatment option for patients experiencing 'wearing off' symptoms from levodopa therapy.
SLU researchers found that DOPAL kills healthy dopamine cells, leading to Parkinson's disease. The study provides a promising new avenue for preventing dopamine neuron loss and progression of the disease.
A groundbreaking study found that mesenchymal stem cells delivered through the nose improved motor function and increased dopamine levels in rats with Parkinson's disease. This non-invasive approach offers a safer alternative to surgical transplantation.
Researchers aim to replicate Parkinson's disease in lab cells and investigate inflammation to find new therapies. Led by Fred H. Gage, the team will use human induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patients to study neurodegeneration.
Researchers have identified five additional genetic variations that contribute significantly to Parkinson's disease risk, with 20% of patients carrying high-risk variants being two-and-a-half times more likely to develop PD. The study highlights the importance of common genetic variation in the development of this debilitating condition.
Loyola University Health System neurologists Dr. José Biller and Dr. Michael J. Schneck predict an 'explosive growth in potential medical therapies' for age-related neurological disorders. New treatments and diagnostic tests have led to an increased demand for neurologists and interest in the field.
A recent study suggests that damaged alpha-synuclein proteins can spread between cells in a 'prion-like' manner, contributing to Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. This cell-to-cell transfer mechanism may play a significant role in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study by Michele Tagliati and colleagues found that patients with deep brain stimulation experienced no significant progression of motor symptoms over five years. The research suggests that the therapy may actually stabilize these symptoms, challenging previous assumptions about Parkinson's disease progression.
Researchers identify a key process leading to brain cell death in Parkinson's disease, offering hope for slowing progression and diagnosis. Blocking this process preserves parkin function and spares neurons.
A recent study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that African American patients and those with lower socioeconomic status have more advanced Parkinson's disease and greater disability when seeking treatment from specialists. This disparity is associated with earlier loss of independence and greater disease severity.
A study found that African American patients with Parkinson's disease have more severe parkinsonism and greater disability compared to white patients. Lower socioeconomic status is also associated with increased disease severity and reduced access to effective treatments, such as newer dopaminergic medications.
Researchers at Southern Methodist University and The University of Texas at Dallas have discovered a family of small molecules that protect brain cells against nerve-degenerative diseases. The compounds, developed by SMU and UT Dallas scientists, showed promise in tissue culture models and animal models of neurodegeneration.
A study of 88 Parkinson's outpatients found that 72% experienced fatigue or excessive daytime sleepiness, with 60% of fatigued patients also experiencing EDS. Fatigue was more common in those without EDS, while EDS worsened with dopamine agonist treatment.
Researchers used a new brain imaging technique to test an investigational drug for Parkinson's disease, finding it may be effective when combined with levodopa. The study suggests the method could speed drug development and improve treatment outcomes.
A new tool has been developed to measure the quality of patient care for people with brain disorders, including Parkinson's disease. The tool evaluates non-motor symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, safety, and more, providing a comprehensive assessment of care.
The American Academy of Neurology has developed a new quality measures tool to help doctors gauge how well they are caring for people with Parkinson's disease, focusing on non-motor symptoms such as depression and falls. The measures aim to improve the quality of care for individuals with neurologic disorders like Parkinson's disease.
Researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center presented findings on how a gene regulating dopamine affects communication between brain regions during memory tasks. They also explored the neural processing disrupted in neurological disorders like semantic dementia and stroke, as well as the mechanisms underlying tinnitus.
A Northwestern Medicine study found that stressed dopamine-releasing neurons in the brain die prematurely, triggering Parkinson's disease symptoms. The research suggests that controlling this stress with a drug already approved for high blood pressure may delay disease progression.
A new mouse model created by Japanese scientists confirms the link between mutated beta-synuclein protein and neurodegeneration in diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The discovery establishes B-synuclein as a potential target for developing new therapies.
Researchers at Concordia University have discovered how the brain chemical dopamine regulates daily sleeping and eating patterns by altering PER2 protein activity. The study, published in Journal of Neuroscience, may have implications for individuals with Parkinson's disease who experience disrupted 24-hour rhythms.
A new analysis suggests that Parkinson's disease can be understood in terms of damage to control circuits in the brain responsible for habits. Removing part of the brain can help patients regain smooth initiation of movements by reducing inhibitory signals from malfunctioning habitual control systems.
Research consensus establishes DBS as a treatment option for patients with severe Parkinson's symptoms, including tremors and motor fluctuations. The study provides guidelines for patient selection and surgical approach, emphasizing the importance of experienced teams and neurosurgeons.
Researchers found that brain cells in Parkinson's patients abandon their energy-producing machinery, the mitochondria. Boosting the mitochondria with FDA-approved drugs may prevent or delay the onset of Parkinson's disease.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation awarded $10.1 million for five new clinical studies and 14 pre-clinical therapeutic development projects. The funding aims to improve treatment regimens for Parkinson's patients, reduce complications, and develop novel therapies.
Researchers found that people with Parkinson's disease who developed symptoms earlier in life had a shorter survival time, averaging 16 years from symptom onset. Those with psychotic symptoms or dementia were also at higher risk of early death.
Researchers have discovered that over-activation of the c-Abl protein can shut down parkin's protective function, leading to a build-up of toxic proteins and neuron death. Inhibiting c-Abl with existing drugs like imatinib may provide a new treatment approach for Parkinson's disease.
Two new Udall Centers will advance Parkinson's disease research, focusing on genetic studies, brain circuit disruption, and novel treatments. The NINDS investment aims to accelerate basic, translational, and clinical research to find a cure for the devastating illness.
The Penn Medicine Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center is one of 18 official study sites for the PPMI, a $40 million, 5-year observational clinical study that aims to identify biomarkers of Parkinson's disease progression. The study will use advanced imaging, biologics sampling, and behavioral assessments to provide valuab...
Researchers at Florida State University found that people with Parkinson's disease alter their gait when asked to perform verbal tasks while walking, increasing the risk of falls. Even healthy adults without a neurological impairment demonstrated similar difficulties walking and talking, highlighting the need for healthcare professiona...
A study found that excess alpha-synuclein blocks the formation of autophagosome precursors and omegasomes, leading to impaired autophagy in neurons. This can result in the gradual accumulation of toxic proteins and dysfunctional mitochondria, sensitizing neurons to cell death.
Researchers have identified neuroimaging abnormalities in patients with rapid-eye-movement sleep behaviour disorder that predict the development of neurodegenerative diseases. The study found decreased striatal dopamine transporters uptake and midbrain hyperechogenicity to be risk factors for developing Parkinson's disease, dementia wi...
Researchers have identified neuroimaging techniques that can predict Parkinson's disease in patients with REM sleep disturbances, enabling early neuroprotective treatment strategies. A study found that 19% of patients developed a neurodegenerative disorder within two and a half years, with 5 cases of Parkinson's disease among those sho...
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have identified a novel molecular pathway underlying Parkinson's disease, which involves polyamines and toxic proteins in neurons. The study suggests that polyamine-lowering drugs may be able to slow the disease's progression and potentially lead to early detection tests.
Researchers are uncovering the molecular basis of Parkinson's disease by studying alpha-synuclein in yeast cells, which could lead to new therapeutic drugs. Small compounds found effective in preventing Parkinson's disease in worms and blocking toxic effects in rat neurons may form the basis of future treatments.
Parkinson's disease affects brain circuitry that impacts cognitive functions like planning and decision-making. Researchers discovered patients can perform automated tasks better than non-patients, yet struggle to adapt to changing behaviors.
Moussa B.H. Youdim, a renowned neuroscientist, receives the 2010 ECNP Lifetime Achievement Award for his groundbreaking work on neuroprotective therapies for Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. His research focuses on the role of monoamine oxidase enzymes in neurotransmitter metabolism and brain iron metabolism.
A genome-wide association study has revealed a strong link between a gene in the human leukocyte antigen region and Parkinson's disease, implicating the immune system. The study suggests that inflammation is involved in the origin of the disease, not just a symptom.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have identified two drugs that can protect nerve cells in mice from the lethal effects of Parkinson's disease by blocking the overactive LRRK2 protein. This finding suggests a promising target for developing treatments against Parkinson's disease.
A team of researchers has discovered a genetic link between the immune system and Parkinson's disease, finding a new association with the HLA region. The study, which analyzed over 2,000 patients and healthy volunteers, suggests that immune function may play a role in the development and progression of Parkinson's disease.
Individuals with Parkinson's disease who were told they had a higher chance of receiving an active drug showed a stronger neurochemical response to placebo. The expectation of symptom improvement is associated with the release of dopamine in patients with Parkinson's disease and can affect motor performance.
Researchers found that a gaseous molecule called nitric oxide can trigger brain cell death in neurodegenerative diseases. The study discovered a new molecular pathway that leads to cellular suicide, offering new potential for diagnosis and treatment.
A recent study found that REM sleep behavior disorder can be an early warning sign of dementia or Parkinson's disease, with some patients experiencing symptoms for up to 50 years before diagnosis. The research suggests that the brain may be actively affected by these disorders for an extended period.
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a molecular pathway responsible for the death of key nerve cells whose loss causes Parkinson's disease. The study found that a genetic mutation linked to Parkinson's causes impaired activity of microRNAs, leading to premature cell death.
Researchers are investigating how parkin protein can rescue certain neurons from injury induced by Parkinson's disease. The study aims to understand the steps underlying parkin's ability to promote neuron recovery and identify targets for therapies.
Researchers discovered that specific brain circuits in the basal ganglia signal the start and stop of new actions, a process compromised in Parkinson's and Huntington's patients. Genetic manipulation of these circuits in mice impaired sequence learning, echoing human patients' struggles with movement initiation and termination.
Researchers are using induced pluripotent stem cells from skin tissue to grow dopamine neurons and study Parkinson's disease. The goal is to better understand the cause of the disease by comparing healthy cells with those affected by Parkinson's.
A 29-year follow-up study of Finnish men and women found that individuals with higher vitamin D levels had a significantly lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The study suggests a potential link between chronic inadequacy of vitamin D and the development of Parkinson's disease.
A new study reveals that low vitamin D levels can predict the development of Parkinson's disease, with individuals having the lowest levels being three times more likely to develop the condition. Researchers are calling for public health authorities to consider raising the target vitamin D level above the current recommended level.
Researchers identify pedunculopontine nucleus as key brain region in Parkinson's disease-related gait disorders. Targeting acetylcholine-producing nerve cells may alleviate falls and improve walking abilities.