Joana Carvalho, PhD, managing science editor —

Joana holds a bachelor’s in biology, a Master of Science in evolutionary and developmental biology, and a PhD in biomedical sciences from Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal. Her work has been focused on the impact of non-canonical Wnt signaling in the collective behavior of endothelial cells — those that make up the lining of blood vessels — found in the umbilical cord of newborns. In addition to several research fellowships, she was awarded two Erasmus scholarships to conduct part of her studies in France.

Articles by Joana Carvalho

Plant Compound Berberine May Boost Brain Function

Scientists have found that berberine, a natural plant compound that has been used in China as an over-the-counter medicine for diarrhea, can promote the production of l-dopa, a precursor of the brain chemical dopamine that is missing in patients with Parkinson’s disease, in the gastrointestinal tracts of mice. The…

Yumanity Shares Update on Potential Treatment YTX-7739

YTX-7739, a potential disease-modifying therapy for Parkinson’s disease, was safe, well-tolerated, and found to have a favorable pharmacological profile when given to a group of healthy volunteers. Yumanity Therapeutics provided those early findings from a recently completed single ascending-dose (SAD) Phase 1 clinical trial. Based on the results, Yumanity…

Investment Backs Vibrating Device That Eases Motor Symptoms

The Imperial College Investment Fund (ICIF) has invested £205,000 (about $283,000) in Charco Neurotech to support the development of CUE1, a non-invasive wearable device that uses controlled vibration to ease stiffness and slowness of movement in people with Parkinson’s disease. According to Lucy Jung, former student at…

Research Targets Misfolded Alpha-synuclein

Scientists at Cognition Therapeutics have found that compounds that are able to dampen the activity of sigma-2 receptors — receptors that are part of a network that controls the destruction of misfolded proteins — are highly effective at preventing molecule trafficking defects driven by the presence of misfolded alpha-synuclein inside…

FDA Approves Gocovri as Add-On Therapy for Off Episodes

Gocovri (amantadine) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an add-on therapy for off episodes in people with Parkinson’s disease. Adamas Pharmaceuticals, which developed the therapy, announced its approval in the U.S. for Parkinson’s patients currently taking levodopa and/or carbidopa. Off…

Hoffmann Reflex Test Useful During DBS Surgery

Scientists have found that the Hoffmann reflex — a test often used to evaluate reflexes in the upper extremities — can be used as a biomarker to assess the correct placement of electrodes during deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease. This reflex test,…