Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Compounds extracted from chia seeds could lower the inflammatory activity of brain immune cells, a study suggests. Although additional research is needed, these findings could have implications for patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s. The study, “Neuroprotective effect from Salvia hispanica peptide fractions on…

People who have higher levels of vitamin B12 in their blood when they’re diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease may be less likely to develop dementia, a study suggests. The study, “Higher vitamin B12 level at Parkinson’s disease diagnosis is associated with lower risk of future dementia,” was…

Using an engineered sound-sensitive protein, researchers have developed neurons that can be activated by ultrasound. This could be useful in studying, and even developing therapies for, neurological diseases, including Parkinson’s. The study, “Sonogenetic Modulation of Cellular Activities Using an Engineered Auditory-Sensing Protein,” was published in Nano Letters.

People with Parkinson’s disease associated with mutations in the GBA gene have elevated levels of inflammatory signaling molecules in their blood, a new study suggests. The study, “Plasma Cytokines Profile in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease Associated with Mutations in GBA Gene,” was published in the Bulletin…

A non-contact boxing program could improve quality of life and willingness to exercise in people with Parkinson’s disease, new data shows. A preliminary study with these findings will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology‘s Annual Meeting, to be held in Toronto at the end of…

Tai chi improves motor function in people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease and may slow down disease progression, a new study has found. The study, “Tai Chi versus routine exercise in patients with early- or mild-stage Parkinson’s disease: a retrospective cohort analysis,” was published…

A new technique using tiny bubbles and ultrasound waves could ease the way for gene therapy to be delivered to the central nervous system, a mouse study suggests. The technique had a neuroprotective effect on mice, and those treated to model Parkinson’s showed improvements in measurements of motor function,…

Aggregates of the Parkinson’s disease-associated protein alpha-synuclein can spread from the gut to the brain in mice, but this process is dependent on aging, likely as a result of altered protein dynamics, a new study suggests. The study, “Gut-seeded α-synuclein fibrils promote gut dysfunction and brain pathology…

Oncodesign and Servier have reached the first key milestone months ahead of schedule in their partnership to develop LRRK2 inhibitors for Parkinson’s disease, the companies announced in a press release. “The collaboration works perfectly and both teams are up to the challenges,” said Philippe Genne, PhD,…

Mexico’s Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS) has granted approval for the first in-human clinical trial of Zhittya Genesis Medicine‘s (ZGM)’s investigational therapy for Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s is characterized by the death of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. A hypothesis that has gained traction in…