Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Measuring levels of lipids (fat molecules) in the blood may help predict the severity of symptoms in Parkinson’s disease, a new study suggests. The study, “Prediction of motor and non-motor Parkinson’s disease symptoms using serum lipidomics and machine learning: a 2-year study,” was published in npj…

Blocking the activity of a protein called activin A was shown to prevent the development of levodopa-induced dyskinesia in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease in a recent study. “By prohibiting the protein from functioning, we were able to halt the development of dyskinesia symptoms in the mouse…

Researchers have developed an implantable device, dubbed ImPULS, that can stimulate brain cells using high-frequency sound waves, or ultrasound, in mice. The researchers said they hope the device may be useful for deep brain stimulation in people with disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and as a research tool to…

In a first-of-its-kind development, a team of scientists created a lab model of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) surrounding the brain. The new model represents “a game-changing technology with broad implications for neuroscience, drug discovery, and personalized medicine,” Ziyuan Guo, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati department of pediatrics…

Participating in a weekly dance class may not only help people with Parkinson’s disease improve their mobility, but also can be an important source of joy that helps patients feel closer to their loved ones. That’s according to a new study from Sweden that investigated the impact of the…

People with Parkinson’s disease who have clinically significant anxiety tend to walk more slowly and with shorter steps than people with the disease who don’t have anxiety. That’s according to the study, “The impact of anxiety on gait impairments in Parkinson’s disease: insights from sensor-based gait analysis,” which…

Variations in genes that are important for the function of lysosomes — the cellular equivalent of garbage disposals, which are responsible for removing molecular waste from cells — may help set the stage for the development of Parkinson’s disease in people who’ve had long-term pesticide exposure, a new study…

Self-care is important for people with Parkinson’s disease, and patients should be armed with tools for tracking symptoms, keeping informed about the disease, and leaning on support from others. That’s according to a study, “Balancing feeling ‘prepared’ without feeling ‘devoured’: A qualitative study of self-care from…

ND0612, a formation of levodopa/carbidopa administered continuously by an under-the-skin pump, led to better symptom control for people with advanced Parkinson’s disease in a Phase 3 trial, and the therapy’s efficacy and safety were consistent irrespective of patient factors like age, weight, and medication dosage. That’s according to…

Treatment with prasinezumab — an experimental therapy designed to stop toxic alpha-synuclein protein clumps from spreading through the brain — seems to slow the progression of motor symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease. That’s according to the results of a new analysis that compared the findings of a…