Steve Bryson, PhD,  science writer—

People with Parkinson’s disease experienced significantly more pain during periods without levodopa therapy, a small study concluded. This finding suggests that the presence, or worsening, of pain could might alert doctors to the need to adjust or review current medication use in this patient population. The study, “…

Ineffective stimulation was the primary complaint among people with Parkinson’s disease who use a pacemaker-like device for deep brain stimulation (DBS), according to a 10-year analysis of a federal database that tracks reports of adverse events involving medical devices in the U.S. Battery-related problems, impedance issues, and infections…

A protein secreted by stem cells, known as pentraxin 3 (PTX3), promoted the repair of nerve cells damaged as a consequence of Parkinson’s disease in a mouse model, a study reported. These findings support further work into PTX3 as a potential therapy to slow or halt disease progression, its researchers noted.

Middle-aged and older autistic adults with no intellectual disabilities reported more prevalent Parkinson’s disease-like features — referred to as parkinsonism — compared with the general population, a study found. These findings provide important knowledge about aging disorders such as Parkinson’s among older people with autism spectrum disorder…

People who are gay, bisexual, or transgender with Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorders can be reluctant to disclose their sexual or gender identities for fear of being denied treatment or enrollment in clinical trials, a study found. Research is limited into this growing patient group, and best practice guidelines…

The formation of toxic clumps of the protein alpha-synuclein, a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease, was not affected by reducing levels of tau, a protein that also forms aggregates in both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, a mouse study suggested. These results imply that the role of tau in…

Exposing a molecule called PAI to light altered its shape, triggering an interaction with protein receptors — ones also associated with Parkinson’s disease — that control brain function, a study in mice demonstrated. The findings support the development of light-sensitive methods to understand the underlying impact of Parkinson’s on the…

Gut inflammation could play a critical role in the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease, a preclinical study shows. Specifically, this type of inflammation triggered the accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein clumps in the nerves lining the colon of a mouse model of…

Workplace exposure to the herbicide paraquat during its manufacture does not lead to a greater risk of dying of Parkinson’s disease or of developing the disorder, an analysis of death certificates in the U.K. found. Certificates, examined through December 2017, covered more than 950 people who had worked at four sites…

Scientists have discovered how misfolded proteins in brain cells — those carrying mutations associated with Parkinson’s disease — spread to nearby healthy cells, a study reported.  These findings support the development of therapies that may prevent Parkinson’s progression, the researchers noted.