Andrea Lobo,  —

Andrea Lobo is a Science writer at BioNews. She holds a Biology degree and a PhD in Cell Biology/Neurosciences from the University of Coimbra-Portugal, where she studied stroke biology. She was a postdoctoral and senior researcher at the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health in Porto, in drug addiction, studying neuronal plasticity induced by amphetamines. As a research scientist for 19 years, Andrea participated in academic projects in multiple research fields, from stroke, gene regulation, cancer, and rare diseases. She authored multiple research papers in peer-reviewed journals. She shifted towards a career in science writing and communication in 2022.

Articles by Andrea Lobo

Gene therapy AAV-GAD wins RMAT designation for Parkinson’s

The U.S. Food and Drug Administrated (FDA) has granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) status to AAV-GAD, MeiraGTx’s gene therapy for Parkinson’s disease, the company has announced. The designation was granted based on data from three clinical studies showing the treatment eased motor symptoms and improved the quality…

Students aim to boost diversity in Parkinson’s exercise providers

Two University of Michigan-Flint doctorate students received a $50,000 grant to support diversity among exercise providers offering care to people with Parkinson’s disease. The grant, from The Michigan Health Equity Challenge, will help the pair’s Move to Represent initiative train 10 physical and occupational therapists of color to…

MJFF expands training program for movement disorder specialists

The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) is expanding the size and reach of its global Edmond J. Safra Fellowship in Movement Disorders program, which trains specialists in improving access to Parkinson’s disease care. The program provides funding each year for medical centers to train physicians to become Parkinson’s specialists.

RNA-editing enzyme may be novel treatment target in Parkinson’s

The dysregulation of RNA editing within astrocytes (neuron-supporting cells) seems to induce chronic inflammation and ultimately contributes to the loss of nerve cells in people with Parkinson’s disease, according to a recent study. This dysregulation is triggered by alpha-synuclein clumping, which is a characteristic feature of Parkinson’s. RNA editing…

Psilocybin eases depression, anxiety in Parkinson’s: Pilot trial

Low-dose psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound, may be a promising therapy for mood issues including depression and anxiety in people with Parkinson’s disease, according to data from a pilot Phase 2 clinical trial. In addition to significant reductions in depression and anxiety, results from the trial (NCT04932434)…

IC 100 reduces inflammasome activation, alpha-synuclein clumps

Blocking the inflammatory protein ASC with IC 100, ZyVersa Therapeutics’ experimental therapy to reduce inflammation, prevented the activation of the inflammasome in microglia — the brain’s resident immune cells — and the start and perpetuation of an inflammatory response. That’s according to results from a study announced by the…

STING protein-linked inflammation may have role in Parkinson’s

The STING protein, which has been linked to cell damage and brain inflammation — two known contributing factors to Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases — has a dual function, a study found. The researchers said their finding could have implications for treating Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. Lysosomes,…

New AI tool may predict different structures of amyloid fibrils: Study

A new artificial intelligence (AI) tool may help predict the structure of amyloid fibrils, that is, misfolded protein fibers that accumulate in the brain of people with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s. Called Ribbonfold, the tool is designed to address the complex and variable structures of misfolded proteins by…