Marisa Wexler, MS,  senior science writer—

Marisa holds a Master of Science in cellular and molecular pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. Her areas of expertise include cancer biology, immunology, and genetics, and she has worked as a science writing and communications intern for the Genetics Society of America.

Articles by Marisa Wexler

Compound ID’d that may reduce Parkinson’s brain inflammation

An experimental compound has been identified that shows the potential to reduce brain inflammation in neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. MFP-0012328 works by blocking FABP4, a protein that researchers have shown to be key in the inflammatory activity of microglia, the brain’s immune cells. While other FABP4…

Virtual reality therapy may aid mental health, quality of life

An intervention combining talk therapy with virtual reality may help improve mental health and life quality for people with Parkinson’s disease, a study reports. “The results of this study demonstrated that [virtual reality-augmented cognitive behavioral therapy] significantly enhanced emotional well-being and quality of life in the experimental group compared…

Adapted physical activity eases Parkinson’s motor symptoms

An adapted physical activity program may help ease motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, a study showed. Although patients’ motor symptoms eased immediately after the three-month program, there didn’t appear to be a long-term effect on motor symptom severity, emphasizing a need for longer programs and/or further resources to…