Lindsey Shapiro, PhD, science writer —

A first study in patients of an intranasal-delivered  therapy for Parkinson’s disease is now complete, and early findings support the treatment being safe and leading to improvements in motor function, Zhittya Genesis Medical, the therapy’s developer, announced. Zhittya is offering a first look at the trial data via a…

The buildup of alpha-synuclein in cells and brain tissue in Parkinson’s disease patients is linked to the disruption of processes involved in degrading RNA, the template used for protein production, a study has found. The findings uncover a new biological role for the alpha-synuclein protein, its researchers said. “Our…

A clinical trial will evaluate how well a wearable “exoskeleton” device aids rehabilitation training to improve walking mechanics and neuromuscular function in people with Parkinson’s disease. “Findings linked with the proposed study will likely give substantial solutions to the management of gait and postural disorders (posture, balance, and gait) in [Parkinson’s]…

Inhibition of a DNA-destroying enzyme called PAAN protected against nerve cell death and lessened motor symptoms in mouse models of Parkinson’s disease, a study found. The findings overall demonstrate an important role for PAAN in Parkinson’s disease mechanisms and highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting this enzyme as a…

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…