Rodent neurons (nerve cells) in cell cultures form complex interaction networks that seem designed to maximize information processing, but are distinct from many well-understood mathematical models, new research suggests. Understanding how these networks form and interact within the brain could have applications in understanding neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and…
News
Dopamine and serotonin — two brain chemicals involved in reward processing and whose pathways are treatment targets for diseases such as Parkinson’s — also play a key role in controlling the way people perceive the world and make decisions based on those perceptions, a study reported. According to its…
Certain types of anti-diabetic medications may lower the risk of Parkinson’s disease in people with type 2 diabetes, a population-based study suggests. In particular, the risk of Parkinson’s was found to be 36–60% lower in diabetic patients who were being treated with GLP-1 agonists or DPP4…
The interplay between different genetic and environmental factors, from a family history of disease to smoking habits, contributes to Parkinson’s risk and can help in designing tests that better allow for its early detection, a study suggests. The study, “Parkinson’s disease determinants, prediction and gene–environment interactions in the UK…
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) is partnering with Acadia Pharmaceuticals to provide patients and caregivers with free educational materials focused on cognitive changes and other non-motor symptoms of the disease. Of the roughly six million people globally who live with Parkinson’s, some 40%…
An innovative computational approach for identifying new alpha-synuclein tracer molecules could be used to track the progression of Parkinson’s disease, according to a recent study. The study, “Identification of a nanomolar affinity α-synuclein fibril imaging probe by ultra-high throughput in silico…
A new compound called CLR01, which works like a “molecular tweezer” to clear toxic protein clumps that accumulate in brain cells, could become a promising therapy to slow Parkinson’s disease progression, a study suggests. The study, “CLR01 protects dopaminergic neurons in vitro and in mouse models of Parkinson’s…
Previous falls, hallucinations, and cognitive problems are among the factors that predict a risk of recurrent falls in elderly people with parkinsonian gait, a study suggests. The study, “Parkinsonian gait in elderly people: Significance of the threshold value of two and more falls per year,” was published in the…
News
Discovery of Key Feature of Alpha-synuclein May Lead to New Treatment Strategies for Parkinson’s
Targeting certain regions of the alpha-synuclein protein could be a viable therapeutic strategy for Parkinson’s disease, a study suggests. The study, “Two C-terminal sequence variations determine differential neurotoxicity between human and mouse α-synuclein,” was published in the journal Molecular Neurodegeneration. Parkinson’s disease is characterized by…
Through a partnership, the Parkinson’s Foundation and Amazon’s Alexa cloud-based voice service are helping to make Parkinson’s (PD) education and resources available to more people. Alexa-enabled devices now cite Parkinson’s Foundation sources, in English or Spanish, when answering questions about the disease. Alexa is available on Amazon Echo…
Recent Posts
- Fecal transplants ease motor symptoms in early Parkinson’s: Study
- ‘Moving Day, A Walk for Parkinson’s’ marks 15th year with events across US
- Choosing when to share a Parkinson’s diagnosis isn’t one-size-fits-all
- Parkinson’s Awareness Month to focus on education, finding real answers
- Our solution for staying on top of my husband’s Parkinson’s medications