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

Disturbed Sleep Common, But Not Tied to Patient’s Sex or Disease Stage

Neither a patient’s sex nor the degree of disease progression substantially affects the manifestations of sleep disturbances in Parkinson’s disease, a study reports. More research into this “very common” and life-affecting problem — and into other non-motor symptoms — of Parkinson’s is needed, its researchers said. The study,…

Array of Motor Symptoms Seen to Most Bother Patients, Changing Over Time

As Parkinson’s disease progresses, the symptoms that are most bothersome to patients change, a survey study reports. Specifically, hallmark motor symptoms like dyskinesia (involuntary movements) and those affecting walking, balance and speech were mentioned most by those with longer disease duration, while tremor ranked high among people at earlier stages. The…

Genetic Testing and Counseling Mostly Seen Favorably in Study

Most people who undergo genetic testing and counseling related to Parkinson’s disease are satisfied with their experience and feel no substantially adverse psychological effects, a study reported. However, its findings also indicated that people with diagnosed Parkinson’s, or in whom Parkinson’s-linked mutations are identified, are more likely to be…

MJFF Announces 5 Parkinson’s Clinical Trials in Need of Recruits

Participants are now being recruited for several clinical trials testing investigational treatments for Parkinson’s disease, The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) announced. Clinical trials are well-designed experiments conducted on human participants. Since such trials actually test a treatment in people, these studies are essential for understanding whether a given…

FDA Approves Nuplazid for Capsule Sprinkling

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an update to the prescribing information for Nuplazid (pimavanserin) that will allow the medication to be taken more easily by Parkinson’s patients who have difficulty swallowing. Nuplazid, by Acadia Pharmaceutical, is an oral medication that was approved…