News

Microglia, the brain’s resident immune cells, may contribute to Parkinson’s disease by releasing tiny vesicles filled with alpha-synuclein — the protein that builds up to toxic levels in Parkinson’s — a mouse study suggests. This release, which was associated with greater nerve cell damage and worse motor function, was…

The Black and African American Connections to Parkinson’s Disease (BLAAC PD) study, a research effort to understand the genetic complexities of Parkinson’s disease among traditionally underrepresented people, has now expanded to six clinical sites. A better understanding of genetic variants associated with the neurological condition specific to this…

A mutation in the SH3GL2 gene that’s associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease contributes to a buildup of cellular debris in brain cells, a study discovered. According to researchers, that mutation was found to impair autophagy, an essential process by which cells recycle or breakdown components that…

Aptinyx’s investigational therapy NYX-458 failed to be superior to a placebo at improving cognitive function in people with dementia due to Parkinson’s disease or Lewy body dementia in a Phase 2 clinical trial. These findings prompted the company to stop development work on NYX-458. “We are very disappointed…

Jotrol, Jupiter Neuroscience’s oral formulation of resveratrol, significantly improved muscle strength, motor coordination, and behavior in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease, the company reported. “This research demonstrates the neuroprotectant abilities of Jotrol as a potential treatment to prevent onset and progression of PD [Parkinson’s] symptoms,” said Alison…

People living in areas with high levels of an air pollutant called fine particulate matter (PM2.5) — whose sources include power plants, motorized vehicles, and fires — are at greater risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to a U.S. study. “We found a nationwide association between Parkinson’s disease and air pollution…

Using a roundworm animal model, researchers identified a crucial mechanism for how signals from the environment can be combined with genetic susceptibility to influence the development of Parkinson’s disease. Mutations in the TNK2 gene, which have been reported in people with familial Parkinson’s, were found to lead to…

Insightec’s incision-free brain “surgery” technology — Exablate Neuro — leads to significant and sustained reductions in tremors, mobility problems, and other motor symptoms in advanced Parkinson’s disease patients with a fluctuating response to standard medications. That’s according to one-year data from a pivotal trial (NCT03319485) that tested the…

Havas Health Plus and the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) have launched a guide to intimacy meant to help Parkinson’s patients and their partners deepen their connections and improve their sexual life. Sexual dysfunction is common among people with Parkinson’s, and other symptoms such as rigidity,…

C4X Discovery (C4XD) has launched PatientSeek, a precision medicine platform that can help identify which people, including those with Parkinson’s disease, will likely benefit most from new therapies, based on their genetics. The launch follows a research collaboration with the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Australia, which validated…