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Proteins involved in nerve cell communication — via the release of signaling molecules such as dopamine, which is abnormally low in people with Parkinson’s disease — are “spring-loaded” in advance of a triggering signal by calcium, supercomputer simulations showed. These findings, which were consistent with current experimental data, may help…

Carrying the G2385R variant in the LRRK2 gene is associated with a three times higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease among Chinese adults older than 50, according to a 10-year population-based study. Carriers of this mutation who were not diagnosed with Parkinson’s showed a trend toward greater motor…

A tailored three-month boxing exercise program significantly eased both motor and nonmotor symptoms — including depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and pain — in people with early Parkinson’s disease, a new study shows. While the program’s participants reported an improvement in their motivation, there was no evidence that boxing reduced…

Among people with Parkinson’s disease, lower levels of a bacterial compound called butyrate in the gut are associated with more severe depression, a new study indicates. Results also revealed that altered butyrate levels in Parkinson’s patients are associated with epigenetic changes in these individuals’ cells. The study, “…

A four-week, task-specific exercise program done at home can improve turning ability and balance, and ease disease severity for people with early- to mid-stage Parkinson’s, a small study suggested. This Parkinson’s exercise program focuses explicitly on rotating those parts of the body most involved in turning. It may be…

Fujirebio Holdings’ portfolio of biomarkers and diagnostic tools for Parkinson’s disease now includes tailor-made antibodies against the protein alpha-synuclein with the company’s acquisition of ADx NeuroSciences. The $40 million acquisition is expected to be complete in July, pending the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Impairment due to Parkinson’s disease of the involuntary nervous system, which controls heart rate, among other bodily functions, was associated with worse outcomes after five years — particularly relative to dementia, daily motor activities, and quality of life, a study suggested. In fact, worse cardiovascular assessment scores were linked to…

Two new mutations in the LRRK2 gene have been identified as likely causes of familial Parkinson’s disease, a study reports. Further studies on these potential “disease-causing variants should help us to better understand how LRRK2 dysfunction causes [Parkinson’s disease],” the researchers wrote. The study “Functional Analyses of…

Among people with Parkinson’s undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS), those who receive stimulation in a certain brain region — the medial and ventral subthalmic nucleus — are more likely to develop a distressing side effect known as mania, a yearlong study in more than 100 DBS patients reported.

Denali Therapeutics‘ DNL201, an investigational therapy for Parkinson’s disease, was well tolerated in healthy volunteers and patients, and showed evidence of engaging its target protein, according to multiple preclinical and clinical studies. LRRK2, a protein associated with Parkinson’s, is also the target of BIIB122 (formerly DNL151), which is…