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

PharmaTher seeks fast-track status for ketamine

PharmaTher Holdings has applied to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking that ketamine be given fast-track designation as a potential treatment for dyskinesia, or uncontrolled movements, that occur as a side effect of levodopa being used by people with Parkinson’s disease. The fast-track designation is designed…

AAN 2023: Poorly controlled disease’s long-term burden evaluated

Abbvie is funding a clinical trial called PROSPECT to assess how clinical outcomes and disease burden change over time for people with Parkinson’s disease whose symptoms are not adequately controlled with available treatments. Interim data from the trial, presented at this year’s American Academy of Neurology (AAN) annual…

AAN 2023: Skin test ably detects alpha-synuclein clumps in trial

An assay using skin biopsies, called the Syn-One Test, was able to detect the alpha-synuclein protein that characterizes Parkinson’s disease and like conditions in more than 90% of the patients enrolled in a clinical trial. “These results validate cutaneous [skin-based] alpha-synuclein as a reliable biomarker for Parkinson’s disease and…

AAN 2023: Blood pressure, asthma meds tied to lower Parkinson’s risk

People prescribed certain medications to treat asthma or high blood pressure are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, according to an analysis of healthcare data in Norway. The finding implies these therapies may have protective effects in Parkinson’s, which are currently being explored in preclinical models. Trond Riise, PhD,…

AAN 2023: P2B001 controls symptoms with less sleepiness

The investigational combination therapy P2B001 was similar to Mirapex (pramipexole) at controlling symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in a clinical trial. But patients treated with P2B001 were less likely to experience sleepiness and fewer had orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure on standing) as side effects. Lawrence Elmer,…