Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

A biomarker usually measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and used to differentiate Parkinson’s disease (PD) from similar diseases, has been found to have high diagnostic value when analyzing blood samples. These findings suggest that diagnosis can be obtained more easily without sacrificing accuracy. The study “A biomarker for differential diagnosis…

Axovant Sciences has announced the preliminary results of a Phase 2 clinical trial testing the investigational oral drug therapy nelotanserin in patients with either dementia caused by Lewy bodies (DLB), or Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). Nelotanserin is an investigational drug candidate that binds to a receptor of the central…

Researchers have discovered that a protein called Nrf2 is capable of maintaining healthy levels of certain proteins linked to Parkinson’s disease, so as to protect neurons from cell death. The research could lead to new therapeutic targets for Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. The study, “Nrf2 mitigates LRRK2- and α-synuclein–induced…

An international post-mortem brain study of Parkinson’s disease shows altered levels of the LRRK2 protein are associated with different stages of the disease. The study, “LRRK2 levels and phosphorylation in Parkinson’s disease brain and cases with restricted Lewy bodies,” was published in the journal Movement Disorders. Previous studies…

Disruption of the brain’s structural network has been identified as the potential underlying mechanism for the onset of mild cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease patients. The study “Structural Brain Connectome and Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease” was published in the journal Radiology. Progressive decline in both motor function and…

Scientists using fat-coated microbubbles have possibly developed away of carrying therapies for Parkinson’s disease directly to areas of the brain where they are needed, without affecting other organs. The study, “Lipid microbubbles as a vehicle for targeted drug delivery using focused ultrasound-induced blood-brain barrier opening,” was published in the…

Researchers at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Florida have found a genetic mutation that may increase the risk for developing Parkinson’s disease earlier than usual. The study, “Heterozygous PINK1 p.G411S increases risk of Parkinson’s disease via a dominant-negative mechanism,” was published in the journal Brain. The result of a…

In a new study entitled “Elevated mitochondrial bioenergetics and axonal arborization size are key contributors to the vulnerability of dopamine neurons” scientists discovered why dopamine producing neurons are particularly vulnerable in Parkinson’s disease. These new findings point towards a key role for mitochondria and these neurons’ high energy requirements…

In a new study entitled “VPS35 in Dopamine Neurons Is Required for Endosome-to-Golgi Retrieval of Lamp2a, a Receptor of Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy That Is Critical for α-Synuclein Degradation and Prevention of Pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease” scientists discovered that loss of the VPS35 protein expression in Parkinson’s disease interferes…

In a new study entitled “Identification of neurodegenerative factors using translatome–regulatory network analysis” scientists at Rockefeller University identified two new proteins with key roles in Parkinson’s disease. The study was published in the journal Nature Neuroscience. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive degenerative disease of…