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

Companies Join Forces to Develop Vectorized Antibody Therapies

VectorY Therapeutics and Annogen have announced a new agreement to work toward developing vectorized antibody therapies for Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions. “We are delighted to work together with Annogen on novel tailored cell-specific promoters to enhance VectorY’s transformative AAV-vectorized antibody platform and its potential to…

Phase 2b Trial of Mesdopetam Misses Main Goal

A Phase 2b clinical trial testing the investigational oral therapy mesdopetam, which aims to reduce levodopa-induced dyskinesia (involuntary movements) in people with Parkinson’s disease, did not reach its main goal. However, some promising reductions in dyskinesia measures were seen with the treatment. Top-line results from the trial were…

Psychiatric Symptoms Show Link with Parkinson’s Social Functioning

A new metric called the Parkinson’s Disease Social Functioning Scale (PDSFS) can measure social functioning in people with Parkinson’s disease, a new study reports. PDSFS scores show associations with the severity of psychiatric symptoms, suggesting better treatment of symptoms could improve patients’ ability to function in social settings, researchers…

Seal Rock Says Parkinson’s Therapy SRT-055 Shows Promise in Lab

Seal Rock Therapeutics says its novel oral therapy program SRT-055, which aims to treat Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders, showed powerful neuroprotective effects in preclinical experiments. The company now plans to advance the program’s development for Parkinson’s — and then will move toward the treatment of…

Nuplazid Can Lower Risk of Death for Parkinson’s Psychosis Patients

Mortality rates appear to be lower among people with Parkinson’s disease psychosis (PDP) being treated with Nuplazid (pimavanserin) relative to those using other antipsychotic medications, according to a real-world study in the U.S. The study, “Mortality in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease-Related Psychosis Treated with Pimavanserin…

Sleep Benefit May Be Explained by ‘Direct Neurochemical Evidence’

Sleep benefit — a poorly understood phenomenon where people with Parkinson’s disease have fewer symptoms upon waking up — is associated with higher levels of dopamine transporter proteins in a region of the brain called the putamen, a study shows. These findings “are meaningful because they provide direct neurochemical…