News

Study Challenges View of How Alpha-synuclein Drives Parkinson’s

Alpha-synuclein clumps’ toxic effects — a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease — are independent of the production of the protein by neurons themselves, according to a study in mice. In mice lacking alpha-synuclein, exposure to toxic protein clumping resulted in comparable neurodegeneration, which was found to be related to the…

Trial of Supplement Nicotinamide Riboside to Include Extension Study

An open-label extension study has been launched for NOPARK, a placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial that’s assessing the effectiveness of nicotinamide riboside (NR) with Parkinson’s disease. NR is the active ingredient of Niagen, a dietary oral supplement that ChromaDex markets to promote “healthy aging.” Dietary supplements, unlike…

Eisai Expanding Research Into Parkinson’s Biomarkers, Treatments

Eisai is collaborating with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis in research into new treatments for Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The Japan-based pharmaceutical company’s aim is to meld the expertise of Washington University’s investigators in basic and clinical research for such disorders with its…

Incidence of Parkinson’s in US More Than Previously Estimated

Nearly 90,000 people, 65 or older, are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease every year in the U.S., representing an increase of about 50% relative to previous estimates of the disease’s incidence, a study showed. “These updated estimates of incidence are necessary for understanding disease risk, planning health care delivery, and…