Marisa Wexler, MS,  senior science writer—

A new digital tool called MAP DBS may help improve the efficiency of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for people with Parkinson’s disease, a new study suggests. “We showed that MAP DBS can improve the time spent at the initial DBS programming visit when compared to [standard-of-care] procedures, which has…

Several people with Parkinson’s disease were able to improve their ability to walk by using a “wearable cyborg” over their torso, a study reports. The study, “Gait improvement with wearable cyborg HAL trunk unit for parkinsonian patients: five case reports,” was published in Scientific Reports. The work…

A 12-week virtual music therapy program was found to reduce apathy and depression among people with Parkinson’s disease — and to help ease feelings of burden for their caregivers, a new study reported. “Group music therapy is an effective treatment for apathy in PD [Parkinson’s disease] and may improve…

At an upcoming free webinar, hosted by Synapticure, experts will discuss how the chemical trichloroethylene or TCE — a widely-used solvent now well known to have toxic side effects — may be a cause of Parkinson’s disease. The webinar, “TCE: An Invisible Cause of Parkinson’s,” is taking place via…

Anxiety is a common problem for people with Parkinson’s disease and can cause substantial difficulties in patients’ day-to-day lives, a new study based on patient interviews highlights. In some cases, anxiety can be more of a problem than motor symptoms: “I would put up with some of the…

The risk of Parkinson’s disease is increased among people who have been exposed to the chemical trichloroethylene (TCE), according to a new analysis of U.S. military personnel. The study, “Risk of Parkinson Disease Among Service Members at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune,” was published in JAMA…

BioVie is exploring a potentially pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial to test its experimental oral therapy NE3107 in people with Parkinson’s disease. “Throughout the past several months, data reported or presented at major medical conferences have established a compelling rationale for further clinical evaluation of NE3107 in Parkinson’s Disease,”…

Bacteria in the group Desulfovibrio may promote the disease-driving clumping of alpha-synuclein protein in Parkinson’s disease, a new study done in nematode worms suggests. “Our findings make it possible to screen for the carriers of these harmful Desulfovibrio bacteria. Consequently, they can be targeted by measures to remove these strains…

An inflammatory protein called ASC was found in laboratory models to help accelerate the toxic spread of alpha-synuclein through the brain in Parkinson’s disease, implying that this protein may be a useful disease target, a new study suggests. “Importantly, … the ASC protein presents as a promising target,” the…

Results from a Phase 1 clinical trial testing the experimental vaccine UB-312 in people with Parkinson’s disease are expected this summer, according to the therapy’s developer Vaxxinity. “Vaxxinity remains on track to meet critical milestones in 2023,” Mei Mei Hu, the company’s CEO, said in a press…