Patricia Inácio, PhD,  science writer—

The natural brain-produced steroid pregnenolone showed benefits in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease, where it was found to slow the development of levodopa-induced dyskinesia, or uncontrollable involuntary movements. Importantly, the treatment did not affect levodopa-induced motor improvements in the model. “Our data suggest that restoring…

The Van Andel Institute has awarded scientist Virginia M.Y. Lee the 2023 Jay Van Andel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Parkinson’s Disease Research. in recognition of her pioneering work in Parkinson’s disease. “It is an absolute honor to present Dr. Lee with the Jay Van Andel Award for…

NeuroRPM, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered app designed to continuously monitor hallmark symptoms of Parkinson’s disease has been cleared for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “The clearance of NeuroRPM is a major milestone in the fight against Parkinson’s disease,” Alexander Ksendzovsky, MD, PhD, cofounder and chief…

Note: This story was updated March 24, 2023, to correct the name of CND Life Sciences.  CND Life Sciences has signed a licensing and collaboration agreement with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston to develop minimally invasive, diagnostic tests for Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. The…

People with physical frailty have a nearly twofold higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease than those who aren’t frail, according to an analysis of 12-year data from a U.K. study. Being frail and carrying several genetic variants linked to Parkinson’s further enhanced the chances of developing the neurodegenerative disease…

Cure Parkinson’s and the Van Andel Institute (VAI) will continue to support a global program that seeks to develop disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson’s — to which the two donated $4.5 million in 2020. Now, the U.K. charity and the Michigan-based research institute have renewed their previous funding agreement…

Eating a tailored prebiotic fiber bar — meant to help nourish good bacteria in the gut — for 10 days boosted the abundance of anti-inflammatory bacteria in the microbiome of people with Parkinson’s disease, a proof-of-concept clinical trial reported. These effects were associated with better intestinal health and protection…

Parkinson’s UK is continuing to support work into a wearable device — called Cue Band — aiming to lessen chronic sialorrhea, the excessive drooling that often accompanies Parkinson’s disease. Having helped with Cue Band’s early development, the nonprofit is funding a planned test of the device’s at-home use in up to…

Jotrol, Jupiter Neuroscience’s oral formulation of resveratrol, significantly improved muscle strength, motor coordination, and behavior in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease, the company reported. “This research demonstrates the neuroprotectant abilities of Jotrol as a potential treatment to prevent onset and progression of PD [Parkinson’s] symptoms,” said Alison…

Insightec’s incision-free brain “surgery” technology — Exablate Neuro — leads to significant and sustained reductions in tremors, mobility problems, and other motor symptoms in advanced Parkinson’s disease patients with a fluctuating response to standard medications. That’s according to one-year data from a pivotal trial (NCT03319485) that tested the…