NRG Therapeutics has been awarded a $500,000 grant by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to support the development of its potential disease-modifying therapy for Parkinson’s. That funding will go toward investigating how small molecules, developed by NRG, inhibit the opening of mitochondrial pores, known…
A new psychedelic drug formulation called AKO004 is now under development by Akome Biotech, a wholly owned subsidiary of Core One Labs, as a potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease. The company has filed a provisional patent application for AKO004 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The AKO004…
People with Parkinson’s disease who combine standard medication with various types of acupuncture treatments may see improvements in their motor function and quality of life, a review study from China suggests. However, its researchers noted that additional clinical trials are necessary to validate these findings. The study, “Acupuncture-Related…
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has awarded a Southern Research neuroscience lab $3.3 million to advance research in Parkinson’s disease. Rita Cowell, PhD, the funding recipient, was also granted $594,000 for the study of frontotemporal dementia, a disorder that is similar to…
A potential mechanism by which Hc-TeTx — a fragment of the tetanus toxin previously shown to have neuroprotective effects — enters the central nervous system (CNS) has been unraveled by researchers in Spain. Hc-TeTx appears to mimic a neurotrophin called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Neurotrophins are proteins that promote the…
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) and 23andMe are opening “robust” genetic data to researchers worldwide that could help in identifying markers of treatment response and disease progression, and ultimately may lead to better therapies for Parkinson’s disease. These new and de-identified (for privacy)…
A highly sensitive and specific blood test has been developed that can distinguish Parkinson’s disease from multiple system atrophy (MSA), a team at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Health reported. The test examines the levels of a protein called alpha-synuclein in exosomes — tiny vesicles released…
Structural changes — caused by a rare genetic mutation — to a protein called a dopamine transporter, which conveys dopamine into cells, may contribute to Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms, a study in fruit flies has found. Increasing the number of functional, or properly working, dopamine transporters in fruit flies…
Swallowing difficulties seem to be associated with progression of Parkinson’s disease, a study has found. Researchers found that high doses of levodopa can increase xerostomia — or dry mouth — and negatively affect the oral environment. Moreover, people with Parkinson’s seem to be unaware of their swallowing difficulties, which could lead to…
The Parkinson’s Foundation is investing an additional $10 million to support research, care, and education programs in order to improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease in the U.S. Part of the funding will go toward the PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson’s Disease initiative,…
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