News

Hoffmann Reflex Test Useful During DBS Surgery

Scientists have found that the Hoffmann reflex — a test often used to evaluate reflexes in the upper extremities — can be used as a biomarker to assess the correct placement of electrodes during deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease. This reflex test,…

Gut Fungi Not Linked to Parkinson’s Development

While scientists continue to shed light on a connection between gut bacteria and Parkinson’s disease, one study has found that gut fungi appear not to contribute to the neurodegenerative disorder. This result might serve as a useful warning against investing in potentially futile anti-fungal treatments for people with…

Patients Report Higher Stress, Telemedicine Use Due to COVID-19

Expanding telemedicine services and their accessibility could support people with Parkinson’s disease through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond by addressing unmet needs and economic disparities. These are some of the conclusions of a survey conducted by the Parkinson’s Foundation, in collaboration with Columbia University, that revealed key…

Vercise Genus, 4th-generation DBS Treatment, Coming Soon to US

Vercise Genus, a fourth-generation system for deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat people with Parkinson’s disease, is now available in the U.S.,  Boston Scientific, which markets the system, announced. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the system’s conditional use with full-body MRI scans, following a similar…