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

New panel of cell-based tests may help screen potential treatments

Ncardia has launched a panel of ready-to-use cell-based assays to simplify the screening and selection of treatment candidates for neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease. The assays are based on human-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), a type of stem cell that can generate nearly all types of cells.

New biosensor can detect dopamine in unprocessed blood samples

A newly developed biosensor that can rapidly detect and quantify levels of dopamine — a chemical messenger nerve cells use to communicate — may serve as a low-cost and efficient tool to diagnose and monitor people with Parkinson’s disease or other conditions marked by abnormal dopamine levels. Developed by…

Mood, cognition issues tied to deficit recognizing, describing emotions

Having difficulty recognizing and describing emotions may be associated with cognitive issues and with mood disorders such as depression, apathy, and impulse control problems in people with Parkinson’s disease, a review study suggests. As a result, the condition, called alexithymia, or emotional blindness, may reduce patients’ health-related quality of…

Rebrain’s AI software to optimize brain targeting approved by FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has again cleared Rebrain’s OptimMRI software, this time including a new machine learning model to assist in targeting specific brain regions for lesioning techniques such as MR-guided focused ultrasound and radiosurgery. Lesioning techniques involve the destruction of small areas of abnormal brain…

Parkinson’s Foundation awards 33 research grants worth $3M

The Parkinson’s Foundation said it awarded nearly $3 million in research grants to 33 recipients, aiming to accelerate innovative studies towards the development of potential new therapies, treatments, and ultimately a cure for Parkinson’s disease. “We are excited to fund these promising grant recipients as they develop more…

Phase 2 trial of VG081821 to ease motor symptoms fully enrolled

Enrollment is complete in a Phase 2 trial of VG081821, an investigational therapy to treat early to mid-stage Parkinson’s disease, the therapy’s developer, Vimgreen, announced. A total of 150 patients have been randomized to receive a low or high dose of VG081821 or a placebo for 12 weeks, or…

Actor Ryan Reynolds headlines Parkinson’s awareness campaign

Ryan Reynolds is the face of an educational campaign aiming to raise awareness of lesser-known Parkinson’s disease symptoms: the hallucinations and delusions that can be related to the disease. The ‘More to Parkinson’s’ initiative, sponsored by Acadia Pharmaceuticals, features a six-part series in which the actor…

Smart shoes designed to ‘walk with confidence’ available in EU, US

Sensor-equipped shoes — called NUSHU smart shoes — that are designed to support people with walking difficulties due to Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions have received the CE mark of approval in the Europe Union (EU). The shoes perform clinical-grade gait analysis in real time, with biofeedback given…