News

Mutations in the LRRK2 gene might contribute to Parkinson’s disease by suppressing the activity of lysosomes, the cell compartments responsible for clearing misfolded proteins and other cellular waste, according to a recent study. In cell culture experiments, Parkinson’s-associated LRRK2 mutations were linked to reduced lysosome activity in microglia and macrophages,…

The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) has launched a free online course to help healthcare workers better understand advanced Parkinson’s disease and how to best manage the challenges that come with caring for their patients with the disease. The educational module, titled…

A new campaign from Acorda Therapeutics encourages people with Parkinson’s disease to consider whether an on-demand treatment, such as its approved therapy Inbrija (levodopa inhalation powder), is right for them when faced with off episodes — periods of time when medication stops working and symptoms return.

The experimental oral therapy UCB0599 — now in clinical trials — improves motor coordination and reduces inflammation and levels of the disease-related protein alpha-synuclein in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. “This comprehensive package of [Parkinson’s]-relevant improvements supports the rationale of directly targeting misfolded [alpha-synuclein] with the small molecule minzasolmin…

Quansys Biosciences and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) are teaming up to develop tests that can help monitor Parkinson’s disease progression and evaluate treatment effectiveness in clinical trials. The partnership builds on the company’s expertise in immunoassays, a type of test that uses…

A research lab at the University of Denver in Colorado has received $300,000 in funding from the Parkinson’s Foundation to develop and test potential treatments for Parkinson’s disease. The Foundation’s Stanley Fahn Junior Faculty Award was granted to Sunil Kumar, PhD, an assistant professor of molecular and…

Activating a specific group of nerve cells in the brain leads to a sudden and total halt in movement in mice, a study shows. Since freezing and slowed movement are common motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, scientists think these nerve cells may play a role in the condition.

A specific protein associated with sex hormone production may shed light on the sex-related differences in Parkinson’s disease observed between men and women, according to a recent study. Levels of this protein, called retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor alpha (RORA), are higher in the blood of men with the…

The Parkinson’s Foundation has designated the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) a Comprehensive Care Center, making it the first such center in Texas and expanding the organization’s Global Care Network. The designation heightens access to specialized multidisciplinary care…

Medications that lower blood pressure don’t appear to influence the progression of Parkinson’s disease, a study reports. The study, “Antihypertensive drugs may not delay the symptom progression of Parkinson’s disease: A 2-year follow-up study,” was published in Heliyon. The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are caused…