Articles tagged with Parkinsons Disease
Researchers discover that amphetamines can alter movement independently of dopamine, opening up new directions in the search for anti-Parkinsonian drugs. The findings suggest that drugs with similar chemical attributes might offer useful alternatives to current therapies.
A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found a rare link between dopamine agonist drugs and pathological gambling in Parkinson's patients. The behavior can be reversed by stopping the medication, but it affects only a small number of patients.
Researchers report a link between dopamine agonist therapy and pathological gambling in Parkinson's disease patients. Treatment discontinuation resolves symptoms, suggesting dopamine D3 receptors may be responsible for the behavior.
Researchers have discovered that an experimental drug can reverse the loss of nerve fibres in Parkinson's Disease. The study found that dopamine-containing nerve fibres had sprouted back in the brain, leading to improved motor function and sustained benefits even after treatment cessation.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered a vicious cycle of protein formation involving alpha-synuclein, leading to fibril formation and further protein clumping. The study suggests that inhibiting the malicious form of an enzyme could potentially lead to new treatment avenues for Parkinson's disease.
Scientists at UCSD and Elan Pharmaceuticals have successfully vaccinated mice with a combination of human alpha-synuclein protein and adjuvant, reducing abnormal alpha-synuclein accumulation and promoting nerve cell survival.
Researchers made significant findings on the risk factors for Parkinson's disease, including active duty military service and ibuprofen use. Additionally, donepezil showed promise in slowing cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients, while essential tremor was linked to increased dementia risk.
A recent study published by the American Academy of Neurology suggests that long-term use of ibuprofen may lower the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The research found a 35% lower risk among ibuprofen users compared to non-users, with risks decreasing depending on weekly dosage.
A study at Mayo Clinic found an association between anxious and pessimistic personality types and the future development of Parkinson's disease. Individuals with these personality traits have a higher risk of developing the disease, but the exact reason for this link remains unclear.
A study published by Mayo Clinic researchers found that removing the ovaries elevates the risk of Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism in women. The study, which analyzed data from over 2,500 women, suggested that a reduction in estrogen levels after ovary removal may contribute to this increased risk.
Rufinamide shows promise in reducing seizures for patients with treatment-resistant Lennox-Gastaut epilepsy. A new gene mutation in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and a common mutation in Parkinson's disease were also identified, offering potential new avenues for research.
A study found that deep brain stimulation with STN and GPi targets improves off-medication motor scores and levodopa-induced dyskinesia for at least one year. STN stimulation may be better for younger patients with prominent bradykinesia, while GPi stimulation is better suited for dose-limiting dyskinesia.
Researchers have created a mouse model of multiple system atrophy, showing symptoms similar to human MSA, including protein accumulation in oligodendrocytes and progressive motor skill problems. The study points to potential new treatment targets for brain diseases and opens up possibilities for testing therapies.
A study published in The Lancet found that rasagiline significantly reduces disability and motor fluctuations in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, improving their motor function. Rasagiline was well-tolerated and convenient to administer, making it a promising treatment option for Parkinson's patients.
A recent study found that the LRRK2 gene mutation is associated with Parkinson's disease in several families, indicating a genetic component of the disease. The mutation was identified in 22 out of 42 family members who carried the G2019S mutation, and all shared a common ancestral pattern.
Men who were most physically active at start of study cut their risk by 50 percent, while strenuous activity in early adult life reduced risk by 60 percent. Physical activity was also linked to lower risk in women, although this relationship was not statistically significant.
A study published in NeuroToxicology reveals that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and low levels of maneb, a fungicide, can disrupt dopamine neurons and oxidative stress responses in the brain. This research aims to better understand Parkinson's disease and develop therapies to prevent or slow its progression.
Scientists prevented brain damage by producing therapeutic levels of GDNF, a protein that helps nourish brain cells, in small monkeys. The gene therapy approach aims to halt Parkinson's disease at its onset and treat devastating side effects.
Researchers at UCL discovered a new method to improve Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) that can produce effects on the brain for more than an hour. By adjusting stimulation patterns, they achieved rapid and consistent changes in the motor cortex area, outlasting conventional TMS.
A study found that a mutation in the LRRK2 gene appears in at least one of every 60 people with Parkinson's disease. The mutation may account for 1½ to 2 percent of cases, particularly those without a family history, and could lead to earlier detection of the disease.
A recent study found that the LRRK2 mutation is the most common genetic cause of Parkinson's disease, affecting approximately 5% of patients. This mutation is linked to slower disease progression, while symptoms are less severe compared to other mutations in the gene.
Researchers can submit study information to a new patient website, www.PDtrials.org, designed to improve access to Parkinson's clinical trial information. The site currently lists over 30 studies recruiting patients in the US and aims to educate patient communities on the value of clinical research.
A single gene mutation in the LRRK2 gene has been identified as a cause of around one in 25 cases of Parkinson's disease worldwide. The mutation is associated with both inherited and sporadic forms of the disease, suggesting new diagnostic and treatment options on the horizon.
A new genetic mutation on the LRRK2 gene is responsible for 5% of inherited Parkinson's disease cases, with patients having longer disease duration but less severe symptoms. The discovery has a broad implication for genetic screening for the disease, highlighting the need to include studies of the LRRK2 gene in future testing.
Researchers identified a novel oncogene in Chernobyl residents with papillary thyroid cancer, resulting from the fusion of the AKAP9 and BRAF genes. This study provides evidence that chromosomal inversions are a common molecular lesion in post-Chernobyl thyroid cancers.
Researchers successfully transplanted monkey embryonic stem cells to reverse Parkinson's disease symptoms in primates. The study demonstrated the potential of this approach to treat neurodegenerative diseases, despite low survival rates of transplanted neurons.
A recent study published in NEJM found that levodopa did not accelerate Parkinson's disease progression but may actually slow it. The multi-center trial involved 361 newly diagnosed patients and showed a clear-cut benefit of levodopa, with higher dosages producing more beneficial results.
Researchers found that brain surface stimulation significantly reduced Parkinson's symptoms in animals, restoring normal activity in the striatum and motor cortex. The study suggests that this method could be an effective alternative to deep-brain stimulation with major advantages in simplicity and safety.
Researchers found that viral delivery of a parkin gene protected dopamine-producing neurons from degeneration, offering new hope for treating Parkinson's disease. The study demonstrates the feasibility of gene therapy in a genetic model of the disease.
Researchers found that rifampicin stabilizes alpha-synuclein in a soluble form, preventing fibril formation and disaggregating existing fibrils. This finding suggests potential therapeutic benefits for Parkinson's disease when administered early in the disease process.
Researchers found a mutation in the LRRK2 gene that plays a central role in developing Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The discovery has major implications for understanding mechanisms of these diseases and potentially leading to curative treatments.
Chronic exposure to pesticides like rotenone has been linked to Parkinson's disease pathology in monkeys. Exercise has shown potential in protecting against dopamine neuron loss and slowing disease progression in rats. Rotigotine, a new drug, may also offer neuroprotective properties.
A study in rats found that exercising limbs can protect brain cells from degeneration caused by Parkinson's disease. Exercise was shown to increase the production of key proteins that promote neuronal survival, such as glial cell line-derived neurotropic factor (GDNF), which may help offset cell vulnerability to oxidative stress.
Scientists have identified two genetic mutations in the PARK8 gene that contribute to Parkinson's disease, a condition characterized by tremors and motor impairments. The discovery provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease and may lead to targeted interventions.
Researchers pinpointed a specific gene, dardarin, causing PARK8-linked Parkinson's disease, affecting approximately 8% of Basque people with PD. The mutation is expressed throughout the brain and has characteristics of a molecular switch, suggesting a potential role in protein phosphorylation.
A study by Johannes Schwarz and colleagues tracked molecular changes in brains of Parkinson's patients over 7.5 years using SPECT to measure dopamine transporter binding, revealing a single exponential decline rather than linear loss. This advancement enables the development of individualized treatment for advanced Parkinson's patients.
Researchers found that bilateral motor performance improvements were seen in patients with Parkinson's disease, regardless of where the stimulation was applied. The study suggests that unilateral deep brain stimulation could be a more effective and lower-risk treatment option for some patients.
Research by FSU scientist Cathy Levenson reveals that dietary iron imbalances trigger a chain of cellular events increasing the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Excessive iron levels precipitate symptoms in healthy mice, while low levels delay onset and slow disease progression in those already infected.
The grant will fund research on dopamine neurons and brain adaptation in Parkinson's disease, with the goal of developing new treatments for patients. Northwestern University's expertise in neuroscience and molecular imaging will be utilized in this effort.
Researchers created a mouse embryonic stem cell model to study Parkinson's disease, revealing that DJ-1-deficient cells exhibit heightened sensitivity to oxidative stress. The model also linked DJ-1 dysfunction to alpha-synuclein aggregation, a hallmark of Parkinson's neuropathology.
Parkinson's disease is often associated with depression, a condition that can significantly impact patients' lives. Research suggests that depression is part of the illness and not just a reaction to the disease.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have found that Sonic Hedgehog and Gli-1 proteins delivered to lab rats via a genetically engineered virus prevented progressive nerve cell loss in the brain. This study may lead to a new way to treat patients with advanced Parkinson's Disease.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center discovered that mutant alpha-synuclein protein causes blockage in dopamine neurons, leading to their death and eventually Parkinson's disease. This finding may aid in the development of new treatments to slow or stop disease progression.
The study found that pramipexole and levodopa both significantly reduced motor complications and improved functional outcomes. However, pramipexole had a lower risk of dyskinesias and wearing off compared to levodopa. Both treatments provided similar quality of life, but long-term follow-up is needed to determine superiority.
Researchers found a moderate association between the APOE-2 gene and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease, with a 20% higher chance. In contrast, the APOE-4 gene was not linked to Parkinson's disease, contrary to its established role in Alzheimer's risk.
Researchers have found that proteasome inhibitors can cause a model of Parkinson's disease in rats, mirroring symptoms such as slowness of movement and tremors. The study suggests that environmental factors, including exposure to toxins, may contribute to the development of Parkinson's.
A study of 97 Parkinson's disease patients found that those with elevated homocysteine levels were more depressed, had worse cognitive functioning, but no difference in physical functioning. High homocysteine levels are likely due to the use of levodopa in these patients.
Researchers developed a regulatable gene therapy that can be turned on and off using doxycycline, offering potential for treating Parkinson's disease. The treatment uses the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) protein to promote survival and differentiation of dopamine neurons.
A study found that 18% of early-onset Parkinson's disease patients have a single parkin gene mutation, raising questions about the clinical implications of this finding. The study's results challenge the long-held assumption that two mutations are required to develop Parkinson's disease.
A recent OHSU study found that Parkinson's caregivers experience dramatic declines in physical and mental health over 10 years, with increased strain and depression. The study identified predictors of caregiver risk, highlighting the importance of supporting family caregivers to improve patient outcomes.
A study by OHSU found that methylphenidate, Ritalin, increases the effects of levodopa on dopamine levels, improving symptoms such as tapping and walking speeds. In contrast, paroxetine had no effect on physical symptoms but increased walking speed in Parkinson's patients.
Researchers have found that dental pulp cells can provide support and survival for nerve cells affected in Parkinson's disease, potentially leading to a new cell-based therapy. The study suggests that these cells produce beneficial 'neurotrophic' factors, promoting nerve cell survival.
Researchers presented promising results of a long-term gene therapy trial in monkeys with Parkinson's disease, showing improved symptoms with reduced levodopa doses. Genetic studies identified a new risk factor for early symptom onset linked to the GST gene, emphasizing the importance of both environmental and genetic factors in PD dev...
A recent study by American Academy of Neurology found that patients taking pergolide for Parkinson's disease have a higher risk of developing valvular heart disease. Eighty-nine percent of pergolide-treated patients showed some degree of valvular insufficiency, with increased risks in the mitral and aortic valves.
A new study found that infusing a molecule called glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) directly into the brain improved Parkinson's disease symptoms in 41% of patients. The GDNF infusion resulted in significant increases in dopamine production and was sustained for at least two years, according to the research.
Researchers analyzed brains of deceased men with Parkinson's disease and found a significant decrease in neurons compared to those without the disease. The study suggests that neuron loss starts approximately 13 years before diagnosis, paving the way for potential preclinical intervention.
A new study has found that the APOE-2 form of the gene increases the risk of developing Parkinson's disease by 20 percent compared to other forms of the gene. The study analyzed data from 22 studies and 9,988 participants, providing strong evidence for the link between the APOE gene and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that nitric oxide attaches to parkin protein, reducing its ability to mark proteins for destruction. This process may contribute to Parkinson's disease progression, providing a potential new target for treatment.
Researchers have identified a novel gene linked to familial Parkinson's disease, revealing a new pathway for therapeutic treatment. The discovery places mitochondrial function at the centre of Parkinson's research, particularly in relation to oxidative stress and brain cell degeneration.
A 12-month quality of life study with Parkinson's patients shows significant improvement in movement and quality of life after receiving a transplant or sham surgery, regardless of actual treatment. The study suggests that the placebo effect plays a crucial role in this disease.