News

Scientists at Cognition Therapeutics have found that compounds that are able to dampen the activity of sigma-2 receptors — receptors that are part of a network that controls the destruction of misfolded proteins — are highly effective at preventing molecule trafficking defects driven by the presence of misfolded alpha-synuclein inside…

Neurocrine Biosciences announced that it is stopping its work with Voyager Therapeutics to further develop VY-AADC (NBIb-1817) as a potential one-time gene therapy for Parkinson’s disease. The therapy, by Voyager and being advanced with Neurocrine’s support, is in a Phase 2 clinical trial (…

Due to negative clinical trial findings, Biogen has discontinued the development of cinpanemab (BIIB054), an investigational medication intended to treat Parkinson’s disease, the company announced in its 2020 investors report. Cinpanemab is a human-derived antibody that targets alpha-synuclein, thought to be one of the key hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease. In the…

Scientists have developed a new method of noninvasive electrical stimulation that can suppress tremors in people with essential tremor syndrome by interfering with the abnormal brain waves that trigger them. According to the research team, if proven effective in larger studies this new method may be adopted as a way…

Prolonged, low-level inhalation of the common weed-killer paraquat, implicated in the risk of Parkinson’s disease, caused male mice to lose at least some of their sense of smell, a study reports. This work also supported previous studies showing the inhaled chemical enters the brain via the olfactory nerve.

A scientist at the University of Latvia claimed a journal’s Young Investigator Award for her research showing how small vesicles derived from stem cells could lessen motor symptoms in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease. Karīna Narbute’s work establishes a proof of concept for the potential of small vesicles —…

Gocovri (amantadine) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an add-on therapy for off episodes in people with Parkinson’s disease. Adamas Pharmaceuticals, which developed the therapy, announced its approval in the U.S. for Parkinson’s patients currently taking levodopa and/or carbidopa. Off…

Eisai Korea has launched Equfina (safinamide) in South Korea as an add-on therapy to levodopa for people with Parkinson’s disease who are experiencing “off” episodes. Equfina was approved in South Korea last year and this represents the medication’s first launch in Asia outside of Japan. Marketed as Xadago…

Brain Neurotherapy Bio (BNB) has joined with Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio), a merger aiming to expand a gene therapy program for progressive neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and multiple system atrophy (MSA), a form of atypical parkinsonism. “I’m pleased to welcome the Brain Neurotherapy Bio team to AskBio,” Sheila…

New guidelines published by The British Psychological Society highlight the lack of mental health research and services for people living with Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions, and offers evidence-based recommendations for health professionals to help better serve patients. “We hope that our guidelines will add to…