Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

A specific mutation in the LRRK2 gene — whose variants are often associated with Parkinson’s disease – renders immune cells called macrophages more susceptible to death after infection, according to new research that the scientists say gets back to basics. The team say this genetic variant, known as the…

A new machine-learning algorithm — a type of artificial intelligence or AI — that integrates facial expression and voice recordings using just a smartphone camera could help clinicians in the early detection of Parkinson’s disease, a study has found. Combining data on changes in voice and facial features with…

New scientific evidence supports a link between exposure to toxic environmental factors — pesticides, air pollutants, man-made materials, and more — to an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s. The evidence, which has spearheaded a new research area in neuroscience, was presented at the 147th Annual…

Enterin has teamed with Parkinson’s UK to launch a Phase 2 trial evaluating the ability of ENT-01, its investigational compound, to lessen Parkinson’s disease-associated dementia. The clinical trial will be led by Parkinson’s Virtual Biotech, the treatment development arm of Parkinson’s UK, and will be conducted at…

A new strategy that combines online cognitive therapeutic games with a noninvasive brain stimulation technique – called COGNISANT – may help boost short-term memory in older people, according to a new study. The findings may prove important for people with Parkinson’s disease who often experience a decline in short-term,…

Researchers have developed a software that can accurately identify people with Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis (MS) from healthy controls based solely on their gait. The software, which analyzes gait video data collected at patients’ homes using simple digital cameras, may provide an inexpensive tool to identify and…

Muna Therapeutics has received a $4.9 million grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to advance  development of its first-in-class small molecules used to halt neuroinflammation and restore nerve cell function in people with Parkinson’s disease. The grant will fund preclinical research into small molecules…

Two clinically-proven speech therapy programs tailored to Parkinson’s disease patients, SPEAK OUT! and The LOUD Crowd, are now available at the Hackensack Meridian Johnson Rehabilitation Institute at Ocean University Medical Center, New Jersey. Both programs, developed by the nonprofit Parkinson Voice Project, are designed to help patients “speak…

The risk of developing dementia appears to be higher among people with Parkinson’s disease when compared to age and sex-matched controls, according to the findings of a 25-year follow-up study of more than 1,000 patients in Sweden. The study, “High risk of developing dementia in Parkinson’s disease: a…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants more information before it will approve Supernus Pharmaceuticals’ new drug application (NDA) resubmission of SPN-830, its apomorphine infusion pump. Supernus is seeking the approval of SPN-830 for the continuous treatment of “off” episodes in adults with Parkinson’s disease. These…