News

A positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for the alpha-synuclein protein, whose damaging clumps mark Parkinson’s, captured its toxic aggregates in a living brain for a first time — instead of in post-mortem tissue as is done to date, scientists reported. The tracer, called ACI-12589, is a diagnostic tool designed to…

Combining a 12-week program of virtual reality (VR) training and motor imagery exercises with standard physical therapy (PT) significantly lessened motor symptoms — including tremors, slow movements (bradykinesia), and postural instability — among people with Parkinson’s disease, according to a recent study. “To the best of our knowledge, this…

A Phase 4 clinical trial called OCEAN is testing whether Ongentys (opicapone), an add-on therapy for “off” periods, can ease pain in people with Parkinson’s disease. The placebo-controlled trial (NCT04986982), which opened in February 2021, is evaluating Ongentys’ effectiveness in up to 140 adults with idiopathic (non-familial)…

JOGO-Gx, a device powered by an artificial intelligence-driven mobile app and wearable sensors, has shown early positive signs as a method to lessen motor symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease. According to JOGO Health, the company that owns JOGO-Gx, using the device at least twice a week led…

Early results from the Phase 2 clinical trial of oral SAGE-718 showed the investigative therapy’s use was associated with cognitive gains in people with mild impairment due to Parkinson’s disease. These findings were presented at the AD/PD 2022 Advances in Science & Therapy International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s…

Anavex 2-73 (blarcamesine), an investigational oral therapy for Parkinson’s disease dementia, led to clinically meaningful improvements within all four MDS-UPDRS assessments for patients treated daily at high dose, according to new data from a completed Phase 2 trial. These benefits, in both motor and non-motor Parkinson’s…

Nurses emphasize the importance of developing relationships with Parkinson’s patients in their care and getting to know these people as individuals for effective communication in healthcare settings, a study from Australia reports. The study, “Communication strategies used by Parkinson’s nurse specialists during healthcare interactions: A qualitative descriptive study,” was published…

People who consume more coffee and fish are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study from Italy. Results also indicate that exposure to agricultural chemicals may increase the risk of Parkinson’s. The study, “Relationships of Nutritional Factors and Agrochemical Exposure with Parkinson’s…

Excessive sweating, known as hyperhidrosis, is fairly common among people with Parkinson’s and can worsen as the disease progresses, a three-year study of patients in early disease stages reported. Researchers also observed that hyperhidrosis was associated with motor symptoms like dyskinesia (uncontrollable movements) and often accompanied non-motor symptoms…

Multidisciplinary rehabilitation for Parkinson’s disease is associated with reduced disability and better functional status and quality of life relative to conventional rehabilitation, according to a review study. However, these differences failed to reach statistical significance. This means that either of the two approaches provide equivalent benefits, or the small number…