Patricia Inácio, PhD,  science writer—

In patients with Parkinson’s disease, dopamine-producing neurons and microglia cells — the “immune cells” of the brain — accumulate fatty molecules that may promote inflammation and disease progression, a new study has found. The findings, according to researchers, suggest that therapies capable of restoring the balance of…

PointClickCare has developed a new software tool to aid in the early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease psychosis. The tool, developed in partnership with the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), is programmed to ask patients a series of questions regarding hallucinations and/or delusions. Based on the responses, senior care…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will review Acadia Pharmaceutical’s application asking that Nuplazid (pimavanserin) also be approved to treat hallucinations and delusions associated with various forms of dementia-related psychosis, the company announced. The supplemental new drug application (sNDA) was granted standard review status, and the…

A new Phase 3 clinical trial will test PhotoPharmics‘ light-based, at-home therapy device — called Celeste — for Parkinson’s disease. The “Celeste Light for PD Trial” — a collaboration between PhotoPharmics and the Center for Health + Technology (CHeT) at the University of Rochester Medical Center — will be conducted at…

Distinct connections between nerve cells in the brain may explain why some Parkinson’s disease patients develop impulsivity and behavioral problems after deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy, according to a recent study. These findings may help make DBS safer and more effective by adequately targeting the regions in the…

Long-term deep brain stimulation (DBS) is cognitively safe and does not increase the risk for dementia in people with Parkinson’s disease, according to the results of a 10-year follow up study. However, being male, older, having hallucinations, scoring low on cognitive tests, and perioperative cerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the…

Ongentys (opicapone) has been approved in Japan as an oral, add-on daily treatment for Parkinson’s disease patients experiencing off periods while on a levodopa/carbidopa regimen. This decision adds Japan to the list of countries where Ongentys is available as an add-on treatment for Parkinson’s motor symptoms, including the U.S. and…

The University at Buffalo has received a $2.2 million grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to develop a new method for diagnosing Parkinson’s disease before the onset of clinical symptoms, according to a university press release. Called “Molecular Segregation of Parkinson’s Disease…

Equfina (safinamide) has been approved in South Korea as an add-on therapy to levodopa for Parkinson’s disease patients who experience “off” episodes, Eisai, which is marketing this medication in parts of Asia, announced. The approval makes South Korea the first country in Asia outside of Japan to sell…

Structural changes within alpha-synuclein can make this protein more prone to clumping — a common feature of Parkinson’s — a research group found, a discovery that might lead to ways of stopping this disease in its early stages. The study, “Extent of N-terminus exposure of monomeric alpha-synuclein…