José Lopes, PhD, managing science editor —

A novel pain-sensing brain network links pain in Parkinson’s disease to a specific region of the brain, called the subthalamic nucleus, an animal study has found. The findings illustrate why this specific brain region is a potential target for pain relief in Parkinson’s, as well as in Huntington’s disease, and other…

The benefits of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on motor function in Parkinson’s patients are mediated by a different brain pathway than the one involved in the procedure’s unwanted cognitive effects, according to a new study. This finding may help improve the effectiveness and safety of DBS use in…

Alterations in certain types of fat in a brain area called the substantia nigra may result in elevated levels of the GPNMB protein and drive neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease patients, according to Harvard researchers. The study, titled “The glycoprotein GPNMB is selectively elevated in the substantia nigra of Parkinson’s disease patients…

Intramuscular treatment with Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) decreases tremor severity and improves hand function in patients with essential tremor of the upper limbs, according to Phase 2 trial results. Results of the trial, titled “Efficacy and safety of incobotulinumtoxinA for upper-limb essential tremor in a randomised, double-blind,…

Patients likely to have prodromal, or early, Parkinson’s disease tend to have a higher prevalence of pain, according to a new study. The findings indicate that pain may be a relevant disease marker before the appearance of motor disturbances. The study, “Pain: A marker of prodromal Parkinsons disease?”…

A newly developed rat model combining elevated levels of alpha synuclein — a key protein in both Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) — and related pathological changes may provide new insights into both disorders, according to a new study. The research, “…

Apathy is prevalent problem in Parkinson’s disease, but it is more evident in patients’ behavioral and social habits than in their emotional or cognitive ones, researchers in the U.K. report. Their study, Differential impact of behavioral, social, and emotional apathy on Parkinson’s disease,” also linked behavioral and social apathy to…

A whey protein-based nutritional supplement improved motor functions in patients with Parkinson’s or parkinsonism who were engaged in an intensive physical rehabilitation program, according to clinical trial results. The study, “PROtein, LEucine And vitamin D Enhancing Rehabilitation (PRO-LEADER) in patients with Parkinson’s disease or parkinsonism:…

Once-daily treatment with opicapone provides continued reductions of off periods in Parkinson’s patients taking levodopa, a Phase 3 clinical study shows. The findings also reveal that opicapone’s effectiveness was superior to that of Comtan (entacapone, marketed by Novartis). The results were presented in three scientific posters at the 2018 World…

Long-term daily use of Ingrezza (valbenazine) leads to a clinically meaningful easing of tardive dyskinesia (TD) — the repetitive and jerky movements caused by antipsychotics – and to high levels of patient satisfaction, data from a Phase 3 clinical trial of Neurocrine Biosciences’ treatment show. The results, “Effects of Long-Term Valbenazine on…