News

Researchers have developed a new suppressor of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) — an enzyme whose activity is associated with neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions — that can robustly enter the brain and appears to be more potent than previous, similar molecules. When injected into the bloodstream, the new molecule, named 25-106,…

The European Patent Office (EPO) has nominated a 22-year-old woman for its inaugural Young Inventors prize in recognition of her artificial intelligence (AI)-powered app that can detect Parkinson’s disease early through facial expressions and might assist in work toward better Parkinson’s treatments. Erin Smith of San Francisco is…

Accidental falls and co-existing conditions, or comorbidities, like fatigue, depression, and sleeping problems are frequent in older adults with either Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor syndrome, suggesting “similar central origins” for these two disorders, a study reported. Its data also support essential tremor being found in older Parkinson’s patients, and Parkinson’s in those…

A prior COVID-19 infection in mice increased their susceptibility to nerve cell loss caused by MPTP, a neurotoxin known to cause symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, according to a recent study. The findings suggest that while COVID-19 alone likely does not cause Parkinson’s, it may make nerve cells more sensitive…

AbbVie has submitted a new drug application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ABBV-951 (foscarbidopa/foslevodopa), its investigational under-the-skin formulation of carbidopa/levodopa for the treatment of motor fluctuations in advanced Parkinson’s disease. If approved, ABBV-951 will provide patients in the U.S. with a first-of-its-kind, 24-hour, continuous…

A protein called STING, which normally helps sense infectious threats like viruses, may help to drive the inflammation that spurs neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease, according to a study in mouse and cell models. The study, “STING mediates neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation in nigrostriatal α-synucleinopathy,” was published in …

In people with Parkinson’s disease, patterns of brain atrophy over time are consistent with patterns of alpha-synuclein spreading through the brain, an imaging study in patients suggests. The study, “Regional changes of brain structure during progression of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease – A longitudinal study using deformation…

A group of cells in the hypothalamus, a specific brain region, are responsible for stimulating the production of adult-born nerve cells, or neurons, in another region called the hippocampus. Activating these new nerve cells leads to better memory performance in mice, a study reported. These findings suggest that stimulating the…

Deterioration in a small brain region called the locus coeruleus is associated with worse apathy and cognitive problems among people with Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study. The study, “Locus Coeruleus Integrity from 7 T MRI Relates to Apathy and Cognition in Parkinsonian Disorders,” was published in …

Curcumin, an antioxidant naturally found in turmeric, was well tolerated by participants in a small Parkinson’s disease clinical trial. However, trial results did not show evidence that taking curcumin improved quality of life or eased symptoms for Parkinson’s patients. “Our study failed to show that curcumin can improve the…