Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

A Parkinson’s-associated variant in the LRRK2 gene affects the gene’s activity in a single group of brain cells: microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain. “Our study demonstrates that cell type should be considered when evaluating the role of noncoding variation in disease pathogenesis [development],” the researchers wrote. The…

Among people with Parkinson’s disease, those with the skin disease psoriasis tend to experience slightly faster disease progression, according to a new analysis of genetic data. “These findings provided a better understanding of the role of psoriasis in the pathogenesis [disease development] of [Parkinson’s], and had clinical implications for…

Exposure to aluminum increased the activity of several genes related to Parkinson’s disease in zebrafish, a new study shows. While these data do not necessarily demonstrate a link between aluminum exposure and Parkinson’s development, they shed further light on the neurotoxic properties of aluminum, researchers said. The study, “…

Parkinson’s disease patients who have mild cognitive impairment tend to have lower levels of certain bile acids — substances made in the liver that are used to help digest fats — than patients with normal cognition, according to a new study. The study, “Distinct Bile Acid…

Day Three Labs, known as DTL, is launching an initiative to develop “consistent, reliable and repeatable” cannabis-based therapies for people with Parkinson’s disease. The work will be funded by CanNegev, a cannabis innovation incubator sponsored by the government of Israel. “Parkinson’s Disease and…

Among pairs of genetically identical twins, one with Parkinson’s disease and the other twin without it, minimal variation is evident in the makeup of bacteria living in the digestive tract, according to a new study. This finding highlights the role of person-to-person variability in influencing the gut microbiome, which researchers…

Scientists have developed a new technique that can detect Parkinson’s disease-related degeneration in a part of the brain, called the striatum, that’s key to movement. This type of analysis — which can be done for individuals with early-stage Parkinson’s — will allow researchers to distinguish different subgroups within this…

People with Parkinson’s disease have less variability in their heart rate than adults of a similar age, and this difference can be detected with noninvasive, wearable sensors, according to a new study. Because lesser heart rate variability is associated with a greater disease risk, its researchers proposed that measuring…

An increase in a type of cellular damage called oxidative stress in certain brain regions may be the reason dementia develops in people with Parkinson’s disease, according to a study in rat models. The study, “Investigating key factors underlying neurodegeneration linked to alpha-synuclein spread,” was published…

Although common, delirium often goes undocumented in the medical records of many Parkinson’s patients who experience the symptoms, results from a new study show, and those who have been diagnosed with delirium often lack instructions for future care. The study, “Documentation and Diagnosis of Delirium in Parkinson’s…