Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Cantabio Pharmaceuticals has been awarded a grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to develop a small molecule that can reduce the aggregation of a protein called tau. The research may have applications in treating Parkinson’s and other brain diseases. “We are proud…

A clinical trial in the U.S. is evaluating whether home visits from healthcare providers might improve the quality of life for people with advanced Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers. The trial’s protocol was detailed in the paper, “Longitudinal, Interdisciplinary Home Visits Versus Usual Care…

Measuring changes in the temperature of the hands after immersion in cold water could be useful in making an early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, a small study suggests. The study, “A Non-Invasive IR Sensor Technique to Differentiate Parkinson’s Disease from Other Neurological Disorders Using Autonomic Dysfunction…

In treating Parkinson’s symptoms that aren’t being adequately controlled by levodopa, monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitors are better than catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors, according to patient-reported assessments in a clinical trial. The real-world study found no difference in effectiveness between MAO-B — like COMT, a dopamine reuptake inhibitor —…

Early treatment with Gocovri (amantadine) may delay the onset of dyskinesia, the uncontrolled movements that are a common side effect of levodopa use, according to a new study. The study, “Amantadine Treatment and Delayed Onset of Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia in Patients with Early Parkinson’s Disease” was published…

All through 2021, Parkinson’s News Today brought you coverage of cutting-edge science and developments in treatment related to Parkinson’s disease. Here are the top 10 most-read Parkinson’s news stories of the year. We look forward to continuing to cover news for the Parkinson’s community in 2022. No. 10 – “…

In a “world-first,” scientists in Australia report in detail what happens to the PINK1 protein when it is activated, helping to clear the “confusion” that has surrounded this support protein for cells that include dopamine-producing neurons. Since mutations in the PINK1 gene that codes for this protein are known to cause…

In the United States, the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease is higher in states with more lead pipes that carry water to households, according to a new study. The results add to a growing body of evidence that exposure to lead could increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s. The…

People with Parkinson’s disease tend to have high numbers of pro-inflammatory bacteria in their noses, according to a new study. Researchers think these bacteria may be a trigger for inflammation in the brain, which could help to set the stage for the development of Parkinson’s. The study, “Deep…

More people with Parkinson’s disease than previously estimated experience pseudobulbar affect, and its emotional outbursts can be especially common in patients with depression, a study in patients at a single U.S. institution reported. “Our data suggest that the prevalence of PBA [pseudobulbar affect] is possibly higher in the PD…