News

Dopaminergic neurons — nerve cells gradually lost to Parkinson’s progression — that contain an enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 are essential for acquiring the motor skills needed for proper movement in given situations, a mouse study reports. The research, “Distinct connectivity and functionality of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1-positive nigrostriatal dopaminergic…

Under-the-skin infusions of low-dose apomorphine using a wearable device called h-Patch may help in avoiding off periods and improving motor function in Parkinson’s patients, Valeritas, the technology’s developer, reports. A preclinical study found that apomorphine delivered using h-Patch could be detected in the blood within two hours, with a…

Women with Parkinson’s are more likely than men to have disease-related complications within five years of diagnosis and more likely to access healthcare services sooner, findings from a Dutch study suggest. The study, “Sex-Specific Patient Journeys in Early Parkinson’s Disease in the Netherlands,” was published in Frontiers in Neurology.

The Parkinson’s Foundation has added three Centers of Excellence to its international network of expert care providers for Parkinson’s disease  patients. The new centers are the University of Colorado Movement Disorders Center, Jefferson Health’s Comprehensive Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorder Center, and Indiana University…

Scientist Wenquan Zou, MD, PhD, has received a two-year grant to develop a non-invasive skin test for diagnosing Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders. Diagnosing these disorders currently requires invasive analysis, either by imaging brain tissue or analyzing the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the…

An online survey by the nonprofit group PMD Alliance found that care partners are more likely to report Parkinson’s disease-related non-motor symptoms than are patients themselves, and to feel more affected by them. These responses underscore the need for better recognition and education about Parkinson’s non-motor symptoms, many of…

A virtual reality game being created by engineering students, called “Overcome,” aims to offer Parkinson’s patients safe and fun ways of taking part in rehabilitation sessions that might preserve walking and mobility skills. Though players of all ages may find the game entertaining, “Overcome” is intended for adults…

A highly sensitive “sniff-cam” is able to detect tiny levels of ethanol in the breath even without alcohol consumption, according to new research. The findings suggest potential applications in studies of Parkinson’s, diabetes, and cancer. The study, “Ultrasensitive Sniff-Cam for Biofluorometric-Imaging of Breath Ethanol Caused by…

The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s Tissue Bank at Imperial College London, is the largest repository of brain and spinal cord tissue samples in Europe. Now, the MS Society and Parkinson’s UK has announced a £3 million grant (about $3.6 million) to support its transition into a…

Grants totaling nearly $29,000 will enable the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)  to establish a free exercise program for patients with Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s-like symptoms. Some $13,924 from the Parkinson’s Foundation will go toward program staffing, training and other support. A $15,000 grant from the Philip…