Aerobic exercise stabilizes progression of motor symptoms and improves cognitive function in people with Parkinson’s disease, according to additional data from the Park-in-Shape clinical trial. Notably, these benefits were found to be associated with increased neuronal connectivity in brain areas controlling such functions and with reduced brain atrophy (shrinkage). These…
In Parkinson’s patients, greater nerve damage in the skin around the ankle is significantly associated with subsequent progression of motor symptoms, while the presence of such damage in neck skin is linked to progressive cognitive decline, a study shows. Notably, this nerve damage progression was not related to increased…
Researchers have developed a highly-sensitive alpha-synuclein-based test that accurately distinguishes people with Parkinson’s from those without the disease and those with other alpha-synucleinopathies, which sometimes are difficult to distinguish based on symptoms alone. The test also was able to predict the future conversion to Parkinson’s among people with…
Parkinson’s-related mutations in the LRRK2 gene, in the presence of pro-inflammatory stimuli, affect the uptake and trafficking of iron in brain cells, leading to its abnormal accumulation and “mislocalization.” That’s according to a new study in mouse models and cells derived from Parkinson’s patients, which demonstrates “altered regulation of…
Having longer-than-normal fatty molecules and an inactive enzyme called cathepsin-B in nerve cells’ recycling centers may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in people with mutations in the GBA1 gene, the disease’s most common genetic risk factor. This is the hypothesis generated by a recent study, titled “Pathological…
People with Parkinson’s disease caused by mutations in the LRRK2 gene have a higher risk of stroke relative to other groups of Parkinson’s patients and healthy individuals, according to a study from Spain. These findings add to previous studies reporting a link between Parkinson’s and increased stroke risk, and…
A newly discovered oral molecule, called PD13R, significantly lessened levodopa-induced dyskinesia, its involuntary and jerky movements, while maintaining the therapy’s benefits in a non-human primate model of Parkinson’s disease. Notably, in contrast to Gocovri (amantadine) — an approved therapy to treat levodopa-induced dyskinesia — PD13R did not affect the…
Duodopa (levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel) reduces motor and non-motor symptoms and improves well-being and quality of life in adults with advanced Parkinson’s disease, according to six-month data from an observational study in Spain. These real-world findings add to previous clinical trial data showing an easing of symptoms and a better quality…
People with advanced Parkinson’s disease and freezing of gait (FOG) have higher levels of beta-amyloid — a protein that forms toxic clumps in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s disease — in their cerebrospinal fluid relative to patients without FOG, a small study reported. The presence of FOG was also associated with…
A heightened fear of falling — common for Parkinson’s patients due to balance and walking problems — is significantly associated with greater swallowing difficulties among these people, a small study shows. Notably, this association was observed even when adjusting for potential influencing factors such as disease duration, suggesting these symptoms…
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