Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Some medications currently used to treat enlarged prostate, such as alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonists — called alpha-blockers — might lower the risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study. While more research is needed to fully determine a causal effect of alpha-blockers in treating the neurodegenerative disease, scientists…

Due to negative clinical trial findings, Biogen has discontinued the development of cinpanemab (BIIB054), an investigational medication intended to treat Parkinson’s disease, the company announced in its 2020 investors report. Cinpanemab is a human-derived antibody that targets alpha-synuclein, thought to be one of the key hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease. In the…

New guidelines published by The British Psychological Society highlight the lack of mental health research and services for people living with Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions, and offers evidence-based recommendations for health professionals to help better serve patients. “We hope that our guidelines will add to…

Sleep problems associated with Parkinson’s disease, as well as ways of managing such problems, were the focus of expert discussion in a recent webinar.  The webinar, “Night Fight with Parkinson’s: Acting Out Dreams, Insomnia and Other Sleep Issues…

Neither a patient’s sex nor the degree of disease progression substantially affects the manifestations of sleep disturbances in Parkinson’s disease, a study reports. More research into this “very common” and life-affecting problem — and into other non-motor symptoms — of Parkinson’s is needed, its researchers said. The study,…

As Parkinson’s disease progresses, the symptoms that are most bothersome to patients change, a survey study reports. Specifically, hallmark motor symptoms like dyskinesia (involuntary movements) and those affecting walking, balance and speech were mentioned most by those with longer disease duration, while tremor ranked high among people at earlier stages. The…

Most people who undergo genetic testing and counseling related to Parkinson’s disease are satisfied with their experience and feel no substantially adverse psychological effects, a study reported. However, its findings also indicated that people with diagnosed Parkinson’s, or in whom Parkinson’s-linked mutations are identified, are more likely to be…

For the first time, researchers have confirmed the existence of a system that helps to clear waste from the brain in mammals other than rodents. The findings may hold implications for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson’s and Azlheimer’s, researchers said. Results of the research were shared…

Participants are now being recruited for several clinical trials testing investigational treatments for Parkinson’s disease, The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) announced. Clinical trials are well-designed experiments conducted on human participants. Since such trials actually test a treatment in people, these studies are essential for understanding whether a given…

An upcoming clinical trial, known as the AZA-PD study, will test whether limiting the activity of the immune system through the use of an immunosuppressant can slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. The Phase 2 trial (ISRCTN14616801) — officially Azathioprine immunosuppression and disease modification in Parkinson’s disease…