José Lopes, PhD, managing science editor —

Having a higher number of comorbidities is associated with postoperative confusion in Parkinson’s patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS), according to a new study in Brazilian patients. The study, “Postoperative Confusion in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus,” appeared in…

A specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measure can accurately predict the development of eye movement abnormalities, helping to identify patients who develop progressive supranuclear palsy with parkinsonism (PSP-P) after an initial diagnosis of Parkinson’s, a study shows. The study, “Refining initial diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease after follow‐up:…

Chronic sleep restriction alters movement, worsens cognitive dysfunction and induces changes in the levels of several amino acids — the building blocks of proteins — and other markers in rats with Parkinson’s, according to a new study. According to researchers, these findings could enable the use of biomarkers to…

Vitamin A, or retinol, given as an oral supplement did not prevent the loss of dopamine-producing neurons or lessen motor deficits in a rat model of Parkinson’s, a study reports. Results also showed that retinol lowered levels of inflammatory markers in the blood and did not cause oxidative damage in…

A common depression treatment called agomelatine worsens Parkinson’s-related loss of dopamine-producing neurons, motor dysfunction, and protein oxidation, according to research in rats. The study with that finding, “Effects of Agomelatine in Rotenone-induced Parkinson’s Disease in Rats,” was published in the journal Neuroscience Letters. Neuroinflammation, oxidative…

Patients with hypertension may be at a higher risk for Parkinson’s disease, according to a review of population-based studies. The review, “Association between Hypertension and the Risk of Parkinson’s Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Analytical Studies,” appeared in the journal Neuroepidemiology. Hypertension may cause damage…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has told Sunovion Pharmaceuticals that it is unable to approve APL-130277 (apomorphine sublingual film) in its present form for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease “off”  periods. Sunovion submitted new drug application for APL-130277 in April 2018. Now the FDA has now…

The hallmark presence of Lewy bodies in the pathway related to sense of smell and in the gut years before a Parkinson’s diagnosis, as well as the potential cumulative impact of different triggers, may help researchers understand the environmental factors that contribute to the development of the disease, according…

A “PACT” formed by the Parkinson’s community — to prevent, advocate for increased resources, care for all those affected, and treat with new therapies — may help prevent a Parkinson’s pandemic, according to a review study. The study, “The Emerging Evidence of the Parkinson Pandemic,” appeared in…

Use of dopamine agonists, earlier disease onset, being male, and having personality traits such as impulsiveness and high novelty-seeking are among the risk factors for developing impulse control disorders (ICDs) in people with Parkinson’s, according to a review study. The research, “Impulse control disorders in Parkinson’s…