Alice Melão,  —

The findings of a Harvard University study are furthering understanding of the mechanisms involved in movement disorders and may open new therapeutic opportunities to treat Parkinson’s disease. The mouse study, “The Striatum Organizes 3D Behavior via Moment-to-Moment Action Selection,” was published in the journal Cell. The brain relies…

Parkinson’s disease is linked to impaired response of eyes to blue light, a finding that may provide new insights into the mechanisms involved in non-motor symptoms of the disease. The study, “Melanopsin-mediated pupil function is impaired in Parkinson’s disease,” was published in the journal Scientific Reports. Parkinson’s…

A gene called Ankrd16 can prevent the harmful protein aggregates that build up in neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, according to researchers. Their study, “ANKRD16 prevents neuron loss caused by an editing-defective tRNA synthetase,” published in the journal Nature, adds a new layer of knowledge about the underlying…

Anticholinergic medications used to treat depression, urinary incontinence, or Parkinson’s disease increase the risk of dementia, even if the therapy was taken 20 years before diagnosis of cognitive impairment, a study has found. The study, “Anticholinergic drugs and risk of dementia: case-control study,” was published in…

Blocking the activity of an enzyme found in immune cells of the brain may prevent the degeneration and death of nerve cells seen in Parkinson’s disease, new research shows. The study “Upregulation of HDAC2 in Laser Capture Nigral Microglia in Parkinson’s Disease,” was published in Neurobiology of Aging.

Deregulation of calcium levels in nerve cells has been linked to early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Now, researchers at Aarhus University have found that inhibition of a protein called SERCA can prevent calcium variations and protect nerve cells from degeneration. This finding may open new therapeutic avenues to treat…

The first patient with advanced Parkinson’s has been treated in a pivotal Phase 3 trial using MRI-guided focused ultrasound to address major motor symptoms of the disease. The multisite, randomized, and double-blinded clinical trial (NCT03319485) is evaluating the safety and effectiveness of MRI-guided focused ultrasound delivered to affected brain areas…

A protein abundant in fish, called β-parvalbumin, can prevent alpha-synuclein aggregation, which is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders, according to a recent study. This suggests that eating more fish may help prevent toxic events associated with alpha-synuclein aggregation and progression of several neurological diseases. This finding…

Two PatientsLikeMe studies have led to a checklist designed to help those with Parkinson’s and other debilitative diseaes find providers who can meet criteria for delivering good care. The questionnaire-based research also showed that patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s are among those who are more satisfied with…

AbbVie’s Duopa can reduce impulse control disorders in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease and mild-to-moderate neuropsychiatric problems, a study shows. The research, “Improvement of impulse control disorders associated with levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel treatment in advanced Parkinson’s disease,” was published in the Journal of Neurology. Parkinson’s disease is…