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

Chaperone proteins may help lower alpha-synuclein in Parkinson’s

Higher levels of proteins called chaperones are linked with lower levels of disease-driving toxic protein clumps in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease, a new study shows. The findings suggest that increasing chaperone proteins may be a viable therapeutic strategy for Parkinson’s. Data from the study also revealed…

Side-to-side eye movement can improve stability in Parkinson’s

Side-to-side eye movements can help reduce body sway and improve postural stability in people with Parkinson’s disease, even though Parkinson’s patients generally have difficulty coordinating their eye movements, a new study reports. The study, “People with Parkinson’s Disease Are Able to Couple Eye Movements and Postural…

Cleveland Clinic named Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence

The Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Neurological Restoration, which specializes in medical and surgical approaches for treating Parkinson’s disease and other neurological and movement disorders, has once again been recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Parkinson’s Foundation. It was previously awarded the designation in 2018. That designation…

Speech changes before, after diagnosis evident in celebrities

Analyzing vocal recordings could help in detecting Parkinson’s disease at early stages, according to a study that tested the idea using decades’ worth of recordings from celebrities who went on to develop the neurodegenerative condition. “This study shows that early patterns of [speech changes] are detectable up to 10…

Genetics that control size of brain regions linked with Parkinson’s risk

Genetic variations that influence the size of specific brain regions are associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, a study reports. “Our findings suggest that genetic influences that underpin individual differences in brain structure may be fundamental to understanding the underlying causes of brain-related disorders,” Miguel Rentería,…

System uses sensors, machine learning to detect Parkinson’s

Integrating wearable sensors and machine learning has enabled researchers to develop a simplified method to diagnose Parkinson’s disease. The technology was described in the study, “Simplification of Mobility Tests and Data Processing to Increase Applicability of Wearable Sensors as Diagnostic Tools for Parkinson’s Disease,” published in…