Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

People with moderate or advanced Parkinson’s disease have abnormally low levels of caffeine in their saliva, despite normal caffeine metabolism, a new study indicates. The findings suggest that measuring caffeine in saliva could be useful for gauging Parkinson’s disease progression. The study, “Salivary caffeine in Parkinson’s…

Scientists have identified genetic variations that are associated with different rates of disease progression in people with Parkinson’s disease. The findings suggest that the genetic changes that affect disease progression are distinct from those that impact whether a person will get Parkinson’s at all, and that disease initiation and…

The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) is hosting its second virtual walk event this weekend, and for the first time a three-day effort spanning May 7–9, to raise money to support research for Parkinson’s disease. Registration for the Virtual 5K/10K/Half Marathon is available online. Runners and walkers…

Editor’s note: The Parkinson’s News Today team is providing in-depth coverage of the 2021 Virtual AAN Annual Meeting, April 17–22. Go here to read the latest stories from the conference. The investigational medication SEP-363856 might ease symptoms of Parkinson’s disease psychosis, according to data from a…

Dopamine-releasing cells in the brain, much like most other hormone-producing cells, have a self-regulating feedback mechanism that controls their activity, researchers have discovered. That is, healthy nerve cells themselves determine how much dopamine will be released, the research team found, in contrast with the prevailing view that nearby cells “control”…

A new research project aims to determine whether medications developed to treat depression might be viable candidates for easing some troubling side effects of treatments for Parkinson’s disease, including levodopa. Parkinson’s is caused by the death or dysfunction of cells in the brain that make a neurotransmitter (brain signaling…

Regular dental visits and routine tooth brushing with alternating hands are among recommendations for better oral health in people with Parkinson’s disease, researchers report. Tooth decay and receding gums are known problems for these patients, and often overlooked due to the nature of this neurodegenerative disorder, the team noted. The paper,…

Dopamine-producing neurons in the brain grow throughout life, but this growth is hindered by a genetic mutation that is associated with the development of Parkinson’s disease, a new study demonstrates. The researchers hope these findings will lead scientists to “focus on enhancing the generation of new dopamine-producing neurons, rather…

In Parkinson’s disease, iron accumulates in certain parts of the brain that have characteristic genetic profiles, according to a new study. This finding may help to explain the biological processes that cause Parkinson’s, which could be important for developing treatments. The study, “Regional brain iron…

The Parkinson’s Foundation has announced that this year’s Moving Day walk season will include virtual and contactless events. Moving Day, which is the Foundation’s signature fundraising event, aims to increase awareness about Parkinson’s disease, as well as raise money that will fund research and provide expert care for…