Nicotine may protect the brain from manganese and iron metal trace elements thought to be involved in the onset of Parkinson’s disease, a study based on a disease cell model reported. The study, “Nicotine protects against manganese and iron-induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells: Implication for Parkinson’s disease,” was published…
Two compounds found in coffee — caffeine and EHT, a fatty acid molecule derived from serotonin — work together to protect the brain from damage induced by alpha-synuclein, a study in mice reported. The study, “Synergistic neuroprotection by coffee components eicosanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamide and caffeine in models of Parkinson’s disease and…
A concoction made from several Chinese herbal medicines helped reduce brain inflammation and promoted nerve cell survival in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease, a study finds. The study, “Curative Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Chinese Optimized Yinxieling Formula in Models of Parkinson’s Disease,” was published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
AZD0328 and nicotine, two nicotinic receptor agonists, lose their effectiveness in treating involuntary muscle movements as a consequence of long-term levodopa treatment throughout the course of Parkinson’s disease, a mouse study finds. The study, “Dyskinesia and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels after long-term levodopa and nicotinic receptor agonist treatments in female mice…
Although the structure of dopaminergic neurons gradually deteriorates before cell death, these alterations do not seem to account for the subtle impairments seen during the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, a mouse study has found. The study, “Progressively Disrupted Somatodendritic Morphology in Dopamine Neurons in a Mouse Parkinson’s…
A compound found in various types of plants, called astilbin, can protect neurons by preventing over-activation of glia cells (nerve cells that support neurons), excessive alpha-synuclein production, and oxidative stress, researchers working in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease report. Their study, “Neuroprotective effects of Astilbin on…
Research into the best ways of managing visual hallucinations in patients with Parkinson’s disease over the long term is severely limited and affecting treatment, a review study has found. In particular, the lack of a universal rating scale renders data interpretation and comparison between studies difficult. To overcome this limitation,…
Proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid that were seen as possible diagnostic biomarkers of Parkinson’s disease cannot serve in this role, because they lack robustness and reproducibility in earlier stages of the disease, a study has found. The study, “Evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid proteins as potential biomarkers for early stage…
There is a substantial lack of data describing the link between the genetic mutations identified as inheritable causes of Parkinson’s — those that affect the SNCA, LRRK2, and VPS35 genes — and patient symptoms, a review study has found. Despite this missing information, the researchers conducting the review…
Although no marked differences in the asymmetry of facial expressions distinguished Parkinson’s disease patients and healthy individuals in a study, patients most clearly expressed an emotional reaction on the side of the face corresponding to the side of the body less affected by Parkinson’s motor symptoms, a study found. Its researchers concluded patients’…
Get regular updates to your inbox.