Research on Parkinson's disease and its treatment. Covers mitochondrial protection, genetic progression markers, antibody therapies, and disease costs.
Researchers developed an automated MRI processing and machine learning software to diagnose Parkinson’s disease, reducing diagnostic time by up to 96%. The software uses diffusion-weighted MRI and a noninvasive biomarker technique to identify neurodegeneration in the brain, providing more precise diagnoses.
Researchers at the WEHI have made a major breakthrough in understanding Parkinson's disease by determining the first ever structure of human PINK1 bound to mitochondria. This discovery paves the way for the development of new drugs to treat the condition, which currently has no cure or drug to stop its progression.
Researchers have discovered a blood test that can identify patients with a sleep disorder who are most likely to develop Dementia with Lewy Bodies. The blood test analyzes two proteins in the blood associated with Alzheimer's disease and predicted dementia risk in almost 90% of patients, four years before symptoms appeared.
Researchers discovered genetic variants in ITSN1 significantly increase Parkinson's disease risk, especially among rare mutations. The study highlights ITSN1 as a promising therapeutic target and underscores the value of large-scale genetic sequencing.
The University of Texas at Arlington hosted the 74th Fort Worth Regional Science and Engineering Fair, attracting more students than ever. The fair featured original research projects on various topics, including using earthworms to remove toxic lead from soil and creating a robotic glove for people with Parkinson's disease.
A Phase 1 clinical trial is examining the safety and feasibility of a groundbreaking treatment approach for Parkinson's disease, in which a patient's stem cells are reprogrammed to replace dopamine cells. The trial uses autologous stem cell transplantation, avoiding immunosuppressive treatments, and has enrolled three patients so far.
The Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) initiative offers funding of up to $6M for research community members to develop sustainable tools for Parkinson’s disease research. The funding supports the development of preclinical models, detection reagents, and modulation agents to accelerate therapeutic research.
A new study projects that Parkinson's disease cases will increase by 112% to 25.2 million worldwide by 2050, mainly due to population ageing. The largest number of cases is expected in East Asia, with the highest prevalence among people aged over 80.
People with obstructive sleep apnea have an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) within two years of a sleep apnea diagnosis may reduce this risk, according to a preliminary study.
La Jolla Institute scientists found that a protein in brain cells drives Parkinson's onset and may explain why the disease is more common in men. PINK1 appears to mark brain cells for immune cell attack, leading to inflammation and death.
New study finds that limitations on working memory exist due to learning, rather than capacity, and shed light on dopamine-related disorders like Parkinson's, ADHD, and schizophrenia. By understanding this process, clinicians may adopt different treatment options for patients with these conditions.
The FDA has approved a new treatment for Parkinson's disease that can adjust to the individual's brain activity, providing precise stimulation. This technology, known as adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS), detects patterns of brain activity and delivers tailored electric pulses to reduce symptoms.
Researchers from Osaka University found that peristaltic pump action promotes amyloid nucleation in supersaturated fluids, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid. High shear stress caused by the pumping motion mechanically breaks supersaturation to induce amyloid formation.
Researchers have discovered how cells turn on their recycling process and create 'garbage bags' to remove proteins, shedding new light on a crucial aspect of maintaining health. The study may lead to future treatments that can promote healthy ageing and target diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
A global study analyzed brain images of over 2,500 people with Parkinson's disease to identify patterns of neurodegeneration and create metrics for each clinical stage. The research could lead to better diagnostic tools and enable new treatments to be tested and monitored.
A new study led by UCL researchers has found that the GLP-1 drug exenatide has no positive impact on movement, symptoms, or brain imaging in people with Parkinson's disease. The trial involved 194 participants and ran for 96 weeks, with no benefits shown in any of these areas.
McGill researchers found that music at an individual's natural tempo significantly reduces pain perceptions. The study discovered the greatest reductions in pain levels occurred when melodies were played at a rate matching the participant's own preferred tempo.
A Maynooth University study found that 84% of Parkinson's patients struggle with sleep issues, linked to depression, independent living difficulties and a decline in quality of life. Sleep problems worsen the severity of 'OFF periods' and are a significant burden on quality of life.
Researchers used AI to identify genetic factors in Parkinson's disease progression and FDA-approved drugs that can be repurposed for treatment. The study found potential risk genes like SNCA and LRRK2, which are known to cause inflammation, and identified candidate drugs such as simvastatin.
Researchers found that biotin supplementation reverses neurotoxicity in human nerve cells, improving mitochondrial function and reducing cell loss. Biotin metabolism was identified as a modifier of manganese-induced neurodegeneration, offering potential therapeutic strategy for Parkinson's disease
Researchers have found that microglia function differently in adult male versus female mice when given an enzyme inhibitor, with potential broad implications for how neurological diseases are studied. This discovery highlights the necessity of gender-specific research and may lead to new disease-modifying therapies targeting microglia.
The NIH is leading the implementation of the Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act, which aims to coordinate research and services across federal agencies, speed treatment development, and improve early diagnosis for Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers developed a nanoparticle-based wireless DBS system that restores dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease models. The system uses near-infrared laser technology to activate thermosensitive TRPV1 receptors, clearing α-syn aggregates and improving motor function.
The Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s initiative is launching a new funding opportunity to support collaborative research teams focused on understanding Parkinson’s disease heterogeneity across six focus areas. The grants will provide up to $3 million per year over three years.
Researchers from Lancaster University found a significant link between hearing impairment and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The study analyzed data from the UK Biobank, revealing a 57% higher risk for every 10-decibel increase in baseline hearing loss.
The project aims to improve the design of clinical trials for neurological conditions like stroke, Parkinson's disease, and vascular cognitive impairment and dementia. Community partners will facilitate academic and community partnerships for clinical trial development.
An international team has presented the first detailed picture of Huntington's disease protein clumps, known as fibrils. These elongated shapes differ in important ways from those in other diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, offering new insights into their role in the disease.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have made groundbreaking discoveries about levodopa-induced dyskinesia, a common complication in Parkinson's disease patients. The study found that the motor cortex becomes disconnected during dyskinetic episodes, leading to indirect causation rather than direct involvement.
A study found that propranolol reduces tremors in Parkinson's disease by inhibiting brain activity and reducing the amplifying effect of the stress hormone noradrenaline. Propranolol also works to reduce tremors at rest, suggesting a role for the stress system even when not under stress.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys used two sequencing methods to reveal new mRNAs associated with Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and Parkinson's disease. The study found vast mRNA isoform diversity in genes related to neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that neuroinflammation in the hippocampus significantly alters motivation and behaviour in mice, particularly in females. This study suggests that treatments targeting hippocampal neuroinflammation could help reduce cognitive and behavioural symptoms in diseases such as Alzheimer's and Depression.
A new study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that dancing improves both self-reported questionnaires and MRI brain scans in people with Parkinson disease. The study, conducted by York University researchers, showed a cumulative effect of dance classes on depression rates over 8 months.
Worsening heat waves exacerbate symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and dementia due to impaired sweating and blood flow. Doctors can take proactive steps by regularly screening for social isolation, providing resources, and utilizing telemedicine to monitor high-risk patients.
Researchers achieved near-perfect accuracy in detecting Parkinson's disease by analyzing brain responses to emotional situations. The study identified distinct patterns in how patients processed emotions, enabling accurate differentiation between patients and healthy controls.
A team of researchers at USC will receive funding to test a novel approach to slowing age-related cognitive decline, targeting the brain's lymphatic system. The grant aims to delay the onset of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease by clearing waste buildup.
Researchers will test the hypothesis that environmental manganese exposure is associated with the progression of Parkinson's symptoms and measure neuroinflammation in the brain using MRI scans. The study aims to inform environmental regulations for manganese worldwide and address an environmental justice concern.
Researchers at the University of Bonn are developing an AI foundation model to improve radiology and detect Parkinson's disease earlier. The 'Re-Start PD' project aims to identify the condition before symptoms appear, with potential applications in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Ochsner Health has been chosen as a site for the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program, a study aimed at identifying genetic links to Parkinson’s disease in underrepresented populations. The study will genotype over 150,000 individuals from around the world, providing population-specific insights into the basis of PD.
Researchers from the University of South Australia and Middle Technical University have developed an AI-powered voice analysis tool that can detect subtle changes in a person's voice to diagnose Parkinson's disease. The algorithm achieved high accuracy rates, up to 99%, and has the potential to improve early detection and remote monito...
Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences have identified a potential new drug, PNA5, that targets cognitive symptoms in Parkinson's disease. The study found that PNA5 dials back inflammation in brain cells, which may prevent further degeneration and alleviate cognitive decline.
A new study reveals that patients with Parkinson's disease who exhibit rest tremor have more dopamine preserved in the caudate nucleus, a part of the brain important for movement planning and cognition. This challenges traditional understanding of how dopamine loss relates to PD symptoms.
The Speech Accessibility Project is working with two new partners, The Matthew Foundation and the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, to recruit adults with Down syndrome and other conditions. The project aims to provide voice command devices to improve inclusion and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Mitophagy, a recycling process crucial for cellular health, increases and then declines in midlife brain cells, while lysosomes lose acidity with age. The study highlights the importance of developing new perspectives when studying brain aging in longer-lived species.
The C-Path initiative aims to generate drug development solutions that reflect each person's unique experience, leveraging diverse data and innovative technologies like AI and digital health. GEM-PD seeks to address unmet need in Parkinson's disease therapies by focusing on sex and gender differences.
Researchers have developed a simple model system to break down fibrils into their constituent single units or liquid droplets. This discovery has the potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's by targeting pathological fibrils.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered a variant of TMEM16F protein that enhances the spread of Parkinson's pathology, potentially leading to new treatments. The study found that cells with the mutation secrete more pathological α-synuclein, which can form Lewy bodies and damage brain cells.
A study published in NPJ Parkinson’s Disease identified ecto-GPR37 as a potential biomarker of Parkinson’s disease progression. Patients with slow progression showed significant increases in ecto-GPR37 levels, suggesting its potential use for stratifying patients and guiding treatment.
Critical Path Institute (C-Path) has announced key leadership appointments: Dr. Diane Stephenson promoted to Vice President of Neurology and Nadine Tatton welcomed as new Executive Director of CPAD Consortium. This move aims to advance neurodegenerative disease research, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Healthy mice swing their tails actively to counterbalance tilts, producing significant angular momentum. This study provides a new experimental setup for assessing mouse balance and improves understanding of neurological mechanisms behind balance issues.
Researchers have developed a new protocol to exclusively access and quantify proteins carried by extracellular vesicles in the blood. This breakthrough may lead to early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and other brain disorders, providing treatment opportunities before symptoms appear.
A new study led by the University of Michigan suggests that polyphosphate may play a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers discovered that polyphosphate is present in fibrils found in patients' brains, which could help explain their devastating effects.
Researchers at Kumamoto University identified G-quadruplexes as a central role in promoting alpha-synuclein aggregation, leading to neurodegenerative diseases. Inhibiting G4 assembly may prevent the onset of synucleopathies and position it as a promising target for early intervention.
Researchers found that participants with Parkinson's who performed rapid side-to-side eye movements showed reduced body sway and improved posture. In contrast, those with Parkinson's who made vertical saccadic eye movements experienced increased body instability.
Researchers develop transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) as a non-invasive therapy for brain-related issues, with potential for personalized treatments. A 'search and rescue tool' for the brain, TUS enables precise targeting of specific areas before treatment.
Danielle Mor, a neuroscientist at the Medical College of Georgia, has been awarded $2.3 million to study the progression of Parkinson's disease through the use of C. elegans and innovative research approaches. Her goal is to understand how misfolded proteins spread from the gastrointestinal tract to the central nervous system.
Researchers have unveiled a complex interplay between liver X and thyroid hormone receptors that regulates critical brain functions and protects against neurodegeneration. LXRs play a crucial role in regulating thyroid hormone function in the brain, while both receptors are essential for normal brain development and maintenance.
Researchers at Rutgers University found that people who took multiple courses of penicillin antibiotics had a modestly lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The study analyzed medical records from over 93,000 people in the UK and found an inverse dose-response relationship between antibiotic use and Parkinson's risk.
Researchers identified 254 genetic variants that shape key brain structures, including those controlling memory, motor skills, and addictive behaviors. The study provides a roadmap for understanding the genetic basis of brain-related disorders like Parkinson's disease and ADHD.
Scientists have identified a key driver of brain inflammation in neurological diseases, proposing a new treatment approach by neutralizing fibrin. This protein, involved in blood coagulation, triggers neurologic diseases by hijacking the immune system, resulting in damaged neurons.
A new study has identified two neuron types in the brainstem that induce REM sleep, revealing a potential cause of Parkinson's disease. The discovery provides insight into the neural circuitry underlying REM sleep and its relationship to neurodegenerative diseases.