Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

The activity of a molecular signaling pathway called Delta/Notch in cells of the blood-brain barrier is important for regulating the electrical function of nerve cells, according to a new study using fruit flies. The research, scientists say, could have implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, which are often…

Treatment with prasinezumab, a monoclonal antibody designed to break up toxic alpha-synuclein aggregates, failed to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease in a Phase 2 clinical trial. “In this placebo-controlled trial, treatment with prasinezumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting aggregated [alpha]-synuclein, had no meaningful effect on global clinical or…

A miniature antibody-like molecule called a nanobody effectively broke up toxic alpha-synuclein aggregates that are characteristic of Parkinson’s disease, and prevented the spread of these aggregates in the brains of mice in a disease model. The novel construct was described in the journal Nature Communications, in the study, “…

Treatment with Kynmobi (apomorphine hydrochloride), an approved under-the-tongue therapy for “off” episodes in Parkinson’s disease, does not substantially alter heartbeat dynamics at approved doses, according to new clinical trial data. The study, “A Randomized Thorough QT Study of Apomorphine Sublingual Film in Patients With Parkinson’s…

A new project by scientists at the University of Michigan (UM) aims to design a prototype autonomous vehicle that’s specifically designed to help meet the needs of people living with Parkinson’s disease. The project, called “Inclusive Design in Shared Autonomous Vehicles for People with Parkinson’s Disease,” is being funded…

A Parkinson’s-associated variant in the LRRK2 gene affects the gene’s activity in a single group of brain cells: microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain. “Our study demonstrates that cell type should be considered when evaluating the role of noncoding variation in disease pathogenesis [development],” the researchers wrote. The…

Among people with Parkinson’s disease, those with the skin disease psoriasis tend to experience slightly faster disease progression, according to a new analysis of genetic data. “These findings provided a better understanding of the role of psoriasis in the pathogenesis [disease development] of [Parkinson’s], and had clinical implications for…

Exposure to aluminum increased the activity of several genes related to Parkinson’s disease in zebrafish, a new study shows. While these data do not necessarily demonstrate a link between aluminum exposure and Parkinson’s development, they shed further light on the neurotoxic properties of aluminum, researchers said. The study, “…

Parkinson’s disease patients who have mild cognitive impairment tend to have lower levels of certain bile acids — substances made in the liver that are used to help digest fats — than patients with normal cognition, according to a new study. The study, “Distinct Bile Acid…

Day Three Labs, known as DTL, is launching an initiative to develop “consistent, reliable and repeatable” cannabis-based therapies for people with Parkinson’s disease. The work will be funded by CanNegev, a cannabis innovation incubator sponsored by the government of Israel. “Parkinson’s Disease and…