News

RAD-PD, registry into DBS use with Parkinson’s, finishes pilot phase

NeuroPoint Alliance’s (NPA) registry for people with Parkinson’s disease eligible for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery announced that it has completed its initial pilot phase, collecting information on more than 170 patients who underwent the treatment. Called the Registry for the Advancement of DBS in Parkinson’s Disease, or…

Coffee drinking may diminish volume of striatum, key brain region

Heavier coffee drinkers, based on the number of cups consumed daily, have a lower volume of the striatum, a brain region affected in Parkinson’s disease, whether or not they have Parkinson’s, a study from China using MRI data reported. Regular coffee consumption, without an emphasis on cups per day,…

AlphaSyn-SAA test accurately detects Parkinson’s, study finds

A test called the alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay, or alphaSyn-SAA, can detect Parkinson’s disease with high accuracy, a new study reveals. The research was conducted as part of the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), an international study led by the The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research…

Greater apathy, depression at diagnosis tied to cognitive decline

People with Parkinson’s disease facing anxiety, depression, apathy, and other mental health challenges when diagnosed are more likely to experience a decline in their cognitive abilities with disease progression, a study reported. “Considering the importance of cognitive dysfunction … it is critical to identify factors that could predict a…