Patricia Inácio, PhD,  science writer—

The immune response triggered by UB-312, an experimental vaccine by Vaxxinity, effectively targeted alpha-synuclein protein aggregates and slowed their toxic buildup in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of Parkinson’s disease patients in a Phase 1 trial, compared with those given a placebo, data show. The full target engagement triggered…

Scientists have shown that co-transplanting stem cells with regulatory T-cells — immune cells known as Tregs that dampen excessive inflammatory and immune responses — can boost cell survival in the brain in rodent models of Parkinson’s disease, and also ease motor symptoms. These findings propose a new strategy…

Plant compounds extracted from the Amomum subulatum fruit, also known as greater cardamom, were found to ease Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms — lessoning tremors and reducing muscular rigidity — in a rat model of features that are hallmarks of the neurodegenerative disorder. The greater cardamom extracts, given orally, worked to increase…

Scientists have identified a nine-gene signature model to predict the risk of Parkinson’s disease by integrating data from blood and brain tissue gene expression studies. The blood levels of two genes in particular — PLOD3 and LRRN3 — stood out as potential biomarkers to diagnose the disease in its…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed that a 42-year-old man with prodromal, or early stage, multiple system atrophy (MSA) , a form of atypical parkinsonism, be treated with ENT-01, Enterin’s investigational therapy for reducing the accumulation of toxic alpha-synuclein in gut nerve cells. Treatment will…

Enrollment is now open across all 38 clinical sites in the Phase 2b trial testing pirepemat  (previously known as IRL752), IRLAB Therapeutics’ investigational therapy intended to treat impaired balance and prevent falls in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The Phase 2b trial (NCT05258071) is recruiting Parkinson’s…

Alterity Therapeutics’ new Phase 2 clinical trial testing ATH434 in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), a form of atypical parkinsonism, has enrolled its first patient, the company announced. The open-label, biomarker ATH434-202 study (NCT05864365) is enrolling 15 adults, ages 30-75 years, with advanced MSA and…

The first patient has been dosed in a Phase 2 trial testing BIA 28-6156, Bial’s investigational therapy for Parkinson’s disease patients with mutations in the glucocerebrosidase 1 (GBA1) gene. The ACTIVATE (NCT05819359) study is currently screening Parkinson’s patients, ages 35 to 80 years, across multiple sites in…

NurrOn Pharmaceuticals has partnered with South Korean HanAll Biopharma and Daewoong Pharmaceutical to continue developing its candidate therapy for Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. A Phase 1 clinical trial of its lead oral investigational therapy ATH-399A is expected to start this year. Before testing it…

The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) is partnering with H1 to enhance the connections between physicians, researchers and patients with Parkinson’s disease. MJFF will use H1’s Trial Landscape platform to identify and communicate with lead researchers and physicians treating Parkinson’s patients, including those in populations typically unrepresented…