Marisa Wexler, MS,  senior science writer—

People with Parkinson’s disease who experience side effects from their medications are more likely to require a blood transfusion, a new analysis indicates. Digestive problems, particularly bleeding in the gut, also was associated with a higher likelihood of Parkinson’s patients needing a blood transfusion. “The findings of this study…

Nanoparticles that simultaneously deliver levodopa and curcumin, a potentially neuroprotective compound, directly to the brain may be “a promising novel therapy for treating Parkinson’s disease,” researchers in Brazil and France reported. The tiny particles created by these scientists might also help to overcome some of the drawbacks of current …

Two different types of rehabilitation-focused exercise programs — activity-based training and strength exercises — improved measures of dexterity and upper limb function in a small clinical trial of people with Parkinson’s disease. The study, “Effect of Activity-Based Training Versus Strengthening Exercises on Upper Extremity Functions in Parkinson’s Patients; A…

People with Parkinson’s disease who have higher levels of vitamin D in their blood are less likely to experience cognitive impairment or dementia, a new study suggests. The results provide support for future research to test whether vitamin D supplements could reduce the risk of cognitive problems for Parkinson’s…

UB-312, an experimental vaccine targeting aggregated and toxic forms of alpha-synuclein to treat Parkinson’s disease, was generally well tolerated at multiple doses in a clinical trial in healthy adults. Study data also suggest that UB-312 prompted an immune response, as designed, against the alpha-synuclein protein. With two doses now selected…

Parkinson’s patients who have more severe motor symptoms are more likely to derive a benefit from high-cadence dynamic cycling, an analysis of two cycling studies indicates. Findings were in the study “Body Mass Index and Exercise Effort Influences Changes in Motor Symptoms After High-Cadence Dynamic Cycling in…

Electrical implants in the spine can clear up feelings of lightheadedness upon standing — the result of a condition called orthostatic hypotension — in people with neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, new research shows. Orthostatic hypotension refers to a sudden drop in blood pressure when a person moves from…

Treatment with GT-02287, an experimental oral therapy for Parkinson’s disease, corrected numerous damaging abnormalities associated with Parkinson’s in cell models, according to new data shared at a recent conference. “The data we presented at the Synuclein Meeting demonstrates further encouraging disease modifying potential for patients with Parkinson’s disease who currently…

A loss of social support due to the COVID-19 pandemic is tied to poorer mental health and more severe cognitive problems in people with Parkinson’s disease, a study based on a patient and caregiver survey reported. The study, “Impact of Isolation During the COVID-19 Pandemic on…

Markers of age in the retina — the layer of tissue at the back of the eyeball chiefly responsible for sensing light — can be used to predict the risk of future Parkinson’s disease, a new study indicates. The study, “Retinal age gap as a predictive…