Margarida Maia, PhD,  science writer—

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is encouraging scientists and drug developers to use an alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay (synSAA) to improve the development and efficiency of clinical trials seeking to delay or prevent the development of Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases that share toxic clumps of that protein…

The brain weakens unused neural connections in the striatum, a region involved in motor control and decision-making, through a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism that appears to be disrupted in Parkinson’s disease, a study in mice suggests. According to the researchers, these findings reveal some of the molecular mechanisms underlying the…

Having acute kidney injury increases the risk of developing dementia, including Parkinson’s disease with dementia, according to a study that suggests that people with kidney damage may benefit from close monitoring for early detection of cognitive decline. “Identifying acute kidney injury as a risk factor for dementia can lead…

GT-02287, an oral small molecule from Gain Therapeutics, was found to be safe and well tolerated in healthy volunteers. It was also able to reach its target area, the brain, showing it has potential as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease linked to the GBA gene. The company plans…

This fall, the Tampa Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) and Federation will host a symposium that aims to empower people with Parkinson’s disease by providing access to resources, the latest research, and opportunities to connect with the community. “The National Parkinson’s Project: Empowerment and Action” will be held…

Carbon monoxide (CO), a gas present in cigarette smoke, given at low dose may help to prevent Parkinson’s disease by activating protective mechanisms in the brain, a study in a rodent model reports. These findings aid in a better understanding of the processes by which smoking is associated…

Restoring the energy supply of nerve cells in the brain by activating a gene called PGK1 — which encodes an enzyme of the same name — could help protect these cells from damage and thus prevent Parkinson’s disease from developing or progressing over time, according to a new…

Cycling was more effective than electrical muscle stimulation at improving cognitive function, according to a small study. The results have implications for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s in which both movement and cognition can be affected. “Our results suggest that the relationship between exercise and brain activity is crucial for faster…

Taking levodopa before bedtime can reduce the number of times people with Parkinson’s disease wake up during sleep and the amount of time they remain awake at night — although such differences might not be obvious to patients. The findings, which came from a small study in patients…

A clinical trial will use a noninvasive, ultrasound-based technology to better understand how Parkinson’s disease develops and progresses at the molecular level. The technology, developed by researchers at Rice University in Houston, allows proteins to flow from the brain into the bloodstream, and was previously used in a mouse…