Patricia Inácio, PhD,  science writer—

Two small clinical trials are assessing MRI-guided focused ultrasound as a nonsurgical alternative for targeting the striatum — a brain region involved in voluntary movement control — to better treat Parkinson’s patients and possibly stop disease progression. Both trials, in Spain and Canada, are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of MRI-guided…

Women who adhere closely to a Mediterranean diet in their 30s and 40s have a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease later in life, particularly once they reach their mid-60s, a large population-based Swedish study found. The study, “Mediterranean Dietary Pattern at Middle Age and Risk of Parkinson’s Disease: A…

A new method, originally developed to diagnose mad cow disease, shows effectiveness in measuring the buildup of alpha-synuclein in the skin of Parkinson’s disease patients, a new study reports. According to study authors, the findings indicate that using easily collectable patient skin samples may be a feasible method…

The Healthy Longevity Global Grand Challenge, founded by the U.S. National Academy of Medicine, has awarded a grant to develop Entopsis’ non-invasive, urine- and skin swab-based OpsisDx test for the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. The research to bring OpsisDx as a diagnostic test for Parkinson’s will…

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…