Marisa Wexler, MS,  senior science writer—

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,…

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…

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…

For the first time, researchers have confirmed the existence of a system that helps to clear waste from the brain in mammals other than rodents. The findings may hold implications for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson’s and Azlheimer’s, researchers said. Results of the research were shared…

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…

An upcoming clinical trial, known as the AZA-PD study, will test whether limiting the activity of the immune system through the use of an immunosuppressant can slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. The Phase 2 trial (ISRCTN14616801) — officially Azathioprine immunosuppression and disease modification in Parkinson’s disease…

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…

Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) has been approved by Health Canada to treat adults with chronic sialorrhea — excessive drooling — a condition often experienced by people with neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease. “The reality is that uncontrolled salivation is underestimated in many neurological diseases,” Michel…

Aggregates of alpha-synuclein alter the electrical activity of dopamine-producing neurons, demonstrating a mechanistic link between two key features of Parkinson’s disease, a new study reports. The findings also suggest that glibenclamide, a medication used to treat diabetes, can block these effects and, as such, may be useful…

People with Parkinson’s disease who are lonely are more likely to have more severe symptoms and worse quality of life, a new study shows. The findings highlight the importance of social connection for people with Parkinson’s, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and its lockdowns. The study, “…