News

Investigative collaborators from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and the University of Rome Tor Vergata in Italy have been awarded the fifth annual Bachmann-Strauss Prize for Excellence in Dystonia Research. The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) for Parkinson’s Research presented the awards recently to UAB’s David…

Tiny and traceable man-made crystals, known as quantum dots, may be useful in carrying toxins to select cells in the brain, allowing researchers to better understand Parkinson’s neurodegenerative processes by being able to model and visualize them, researchers in Canada report. Their study, “Quantum dot conjugated saporin activates…

A medical device worn in the ear can help people with Parkinson’s speak louder and more clearly, by working on a natural reflex that aids in overcoming difficulties with speech brought on by disease progression. Hypophonia is the tendency to speak softly, generally as a result of impaired coordination in…

Cooper concentrations are significantly affected in the blood serum of Parkinson’s patients, suggesting this metal metabolism could somewhat influence the mechanisms behind this neurodegenerative disorder, a study reports. The results, “Assessment of copper, iron, zinc and manganese status and speciation in patients with Parkinson’s disease: A pilot study,”…

Video games carefully designed to improve the upper limbs — including grip strength, dexterity, and coordination — may be a rehabilitation aid for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), a small study in patients suggests. The study, “Leap motion controlled video game-based therapy for upper limb rehabilitation in…

Inflammation in the gut, a hallmark of autoimmune disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, may contribute to an earlier risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to a recent review of genetic, epidemiological and animal model studies. The risk, however, is very small with only 3% to 5%…

There currently is not enough data to support the use of fecal transplants as a treatment in Parkinson’s disease, a new review suggests. Published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, the review is titled “Faecal Transplantation, Pro- and Prebiotics in Parkinson’s Disease; Hope or Hype?”…

Enterin’s ENT-01, a compound that targets and reduces the accumulation of alpha-synuclein in nerve cells found in the gut, may slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease, according to a review study. The review, “Gastrointestinal Immunity and Alpha-Synuclein,” was published in the Journal…

A calcium channel called Cav2.3 plays a role in neuronal death, and may be a useful therapeutic target in Parkinson’s disease, suggests a new study done primarily in mice. The study, titled “Cav2.3 channels contribute to dopaminergic neuron loss in a model of Parkinson’s disease,” was published…

A new application for Android tablets, called SleepFit, may help to monitor the daily progression and response to treatment of motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease, according to a study. The application was evaluated in the study “A New Prospective, Home-Based Monitoring of Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s…