Patricia Inácio, PhD,  science writer—

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) has awarded about $1.5 million in grants to AC Immune to support work into small molecules against two proteins that are key players in the neurodegeneration underlying Parkinson’s disease. The two grants will fund research into molecules able to enter the brain…

A protein present in the SARS-CoV-2 virus — the virus that causes COVID-19 — is able to interact with alpha-synuclein and speed the formation of amyloid fibrils, the toxic clumps that trigger nerve cells death and are a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease, a study has shown. “We show, in…

People with age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease that blurs central vision, may have a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, a Taiwanese population‐based retrospective study suggests. The study, ‘Increased risk of Parkinson’s disease among patients with age-related macular degeneration,” was published in the journal BMC Ophthalmology. Age-related…

A new molecule — a peptide tweaked by scientists in the laboratory — has the potential to prevent the misfolding and toxic aggregation, or clumping, of misfolded alpha-synuclein protein, a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease, a study shows. This study, supported by funds from Alzheimer’s Research U.K., paves the…

Low oxygen levels during sleep and while exercising — resulting in poor endurance — are very common among Parkinson’s disease patients, despite dopaminergic treatment, an Italian study suggests. The findings indicate a need for combining motor and respiratory rehabilitation, particularly for patients with severe Parkinson’s, who show the lowest…

The cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the brain and spinal cord, of people with moderately severe Parkinson’s disease shows evidence that damage to blood vessels meant to protect the brain may be a key driver of disease progression, a study based on findings in a Phase 2 trial reported. This…

Supernus Pharmaceuticals’ portfolio of Parkinson’s disease therapies now includes Gocovri (amantadine) and Osmolex ER (amantadine hydrochloride), with the company’s acquisition of Adamas Pharmaceuticals now complete. “Adamas fits squarely within our corporate development strategy, adding a late-stage commercial product with significant revenue,” Jack Khattar, president and CEO of Supernus…

Cala Health has raised $77 million that will support further innovations of the company’s expertise — bioelectronic medicine — to explore conditions beyond essential tremor, including Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions. The funding also will help expand patient access to the company’s devices, which includes Cala Trio, a…

Two scientists at Yale University were awarded $2 million from the Michael J. Fox Foundation to conduct the first clinical trial investigating the use of ketamine — a powerful anesthetic — as a treatment for depression in people with Parkinson’s disease. The study will be led by Sophie…

An oral candidate therapy for Parkinson’s disease called GT-02287 lowered the levels of alpha-synuclein accumulation and inflammation, and lessened behavioral deficits in animal models of the disease. “We are working diligently to advance this breakthrough compound to the clinic and bring it one step closer to meeting the currently unaddressed needs…