News

Aggregates of alpha-synuclein alter the electrical activity of dopamine-producing neurons, demonstrating a mechanistic link between two key features of Parkinson’s disease, a new study reports. The findings also suggest that glibenclamide, a medication used to treat diabetes, can block these effects and, as such, may be useful…

The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) has honored three people with humanitarian and research awards for their work and commitment to movement disorders. Lily Safra, chairwoman of The Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation, was awarded the Edmond J. Safra Humanitarian Award. Researcher Caroline Tanner, MD, PhD, received…

The Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Shake It Up Australia Foundation are supporting an international project investigating the role of fatty molecules — called lipids — in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease. “There is very little known about the role of changes in lipid metabolism…

Two nonprofits, Parkinson’s U.K. and The Michael J. Fox Foundation have partnered with Neurolixis to support a clinical trial testing the safety, tolerability, and early efficacy of NLX-112, the company’s candidate to ease  dyskinesia and the severity of some non-motor symptoms due to Parkinson’s disease. Data from…

A simple eye exam, coupled with artificial intelligence (AI) technology, could improve the diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders, according to researchers at the University of Florida who have applied AI technologies to detect early signs of Parkinson’s disease. These research findings are being presented in a scientific poster, titled…

Levodopa, and especially levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) — a formulation of levodopa and carbidopa infused directly into the intestines — can alter gut bacteria composition and metabolism, acting as drivers of bowel inflammation and possibly of disease progression in people with Parkinson’s disease, a study reported.

A Northwestern University-sponsored study will assess whether high-intensity treadmill endurance exercise is superior to its moderate-intensity version at slowing disease progression in adults with early Parkinson’s who have not yet started taking any medications for their disease. While anti-parkinsonian medication helps alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms, “endurance exercise is…

People with Parkinson’s disease who are lonely are more likely to have more severe symptoms and worse quality of life, a new study shows. The findings highlight the importance of social connection for people with Parkinson’s, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and its lockdowns. The study, “…

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SpeechVive is making remote calibration software and training free for its medical device — also called SpeechVive — which aims to help people with Parkinson’s disease overcome speech problems. “Approximately 89% of people with Parkinson’s disease will have speech issues. Access…

A new technique to isolate specific brain cells, used in a Parkinson’s mouse model, has revealed that genes involved in sensing and using oxygen grow more active in a specific type of nerve cells (neurons) in response to dopamine depletion. Loss of dopamine in the brain is a hallmark…