Lindsey Shapiro, PhD, science writer —

Electroconductive hydrogels prevented the loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells (neurons) and motor function when injected into the brain, a study in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease showed. The gels were also able to promote neuronal growth and prevent inflammation in cell cultures. “Our work is the first to…

A team of researchers has designed nanoparticles able to restore the function of mitochondria — cells’ energy production centers — and improve motor behavior in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. Experiments in cell cultures revealed that the nanoparticles could restore function of reversibly damaged mitochondria and promote the…

Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics reported that it has developed, using stem cells from people with Parkinson’s disease, dopaminergic neurons containing two common, disease-associated mutations for use in Parkinson’s research. Stem cell donors were patients involved in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) through the Michael J. Fox Foundation…

Blood levels of c-reactive protein (CRP) and the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), two indicators of systemic inflammation, were associated with the presence of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in people with Parkinson’s disease, a study found. Patients with RBD also had worse cognition than those who did…

A prior COVID-19 infection in mice increased their susceptibility to nerve cell loss caused by MPTP, a neurotoxin known to cause symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, according to a recent study. The findings suggest that while COVID-19 alone likely does not cause Parkinson’s, it may make nerve cells more sensitive…

A group of cells in the hypothalamus, a specific brain region, are responsible for stimulating the production of adult-born nerve cells, or neurons, in another region called the hippocampus. Activating these new nerve cells leads to better memory performance in mice, a study reported. These findings suggest that stimulating the…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has upheld its decision that the Evo stereoelectroencephalography (sEEG) electrode, designed to monitor brain activity in people with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions in a minimally invasive way, cannot be marketed for long-term use until more safety data is provided. Last…

Gait variability, or changes in stride while walking that associate with a greater risk of falls in people with Parkinson’s disease, significantly eased with patients’ use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) but not dopamine-increasing medications, a study showed. “We found that … DBS reduced step-to-step variability in a range…

Olfactory hallucinations (OH), or phantom smells, were present in over 18% of people with Parkinson’s disease and were associated with the presence of other hallucination types, but not objective sense of smell, according to a recent study. The findings overall suggest that olfactory hallucinations are a more prevalent Parkinson’s…

A previously identified risk factor for the development of Parkinson’s disease  — indigestion — and two protective factors (exercise and caffeine consumption) are associated with the severity of symptoms after disease onset, a study has found. Caffeine use also was tied to a later age of disease onset. “Our…