News

Disease-causing mutations in the LRRK2 gene may disrupt iron regulation and promote cell damage, potentially contributing to the loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells in Parkinson’s disease, a study found. The findings suggest that abnormal LRRK2 protein activity may contribute to iron accumulation inside cells and promote oxidative stress and…

The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) has launched a Spanish-language microsite aimed at expanding access to information and support for Spanish-speaking people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners. The new resource builds on existing website content on Parkinson’s symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, while…

A team of U.S. scientists has compiled a large data set of remotely collected data from people with and without Parkinson’s disease, which the scientists hope will serve as an important tool for developing strategies to diagnose the disorder remotely using artificial intelligence (AI). “By pairing task-derived behavioral features…

Hopledo (IPX203), an extended-release formulation of levodopa and carbidopa sold as Crexont in the U.S., has now won approval in the European Union as a treatment for adults with Parkinson’s disease who experience motor fluctuations despite medications. The decision, by the European Commission, was based in large part…

A score derived from gene activity measured in blood samples can predict a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment and gait freezing in people with Parkinson’s disease, according to a study. The findings demonstrate that gene activity signatures in blood capture aspects of Parkinson’s biology that are not fully…

A compound derived from a Himalayan herb may help boost the effectiveness of levodopa in Parkinson’s disease, according to a study done in rats. Data indicate that co-administration of the herbal compound with levodopa leads to higher dopamine levels in the brain due to changes in the activity of…

Blood levels of three biomarkers — clusterin (CLU), neurofilament light chain (NfL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) — may help identify cognitive impairment and assess its progression in people with Parkinson’s disease, a study suggests. A model combining the three blood markers with measures of motor disease severity was…

A trio of leading advocacy organizations has offered guidance to the U.S. federal government on key priorities for a national plan to end Parkinson’s disease. In June, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), issued a request for…

People with Parkinson’s disease who carry mutations in the GBA1 gene tend to have higher levels of inflammation-promoting gut bacteria and fewer protective microbes than patients without the mutation, according to a new study. While the overall diversity of gut bacteria remained similar between both groups, researchers uncovered key…

Digestive problems in Parkinson’s disease may be explained by the reduced activity of a specific type of nerve cells, called cholinergic neurons, in a particular brain region that helps regulate unconscious body functions, including digestion, a new study using a mouse model suggests. The scientists say diminished activity of…