Scientists have found that an abnormal version of brain cells called astrocytes contribute to the accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein, the main component of Parkinson’s disease hallmark Lewy bodies. Their study, “Patient-specific iPSC-derived astrocytes contribute to non-cell autonomous neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease,” was published in Stem Cell…
Researchers have found that Parkinson’s patients whose cognitive ability is intact, but who have a specific genetic variant, have significantly less gray matter in the regions of their brain that are related to dementia. The study with that finding, “Reduced gray matter volume in cognitively preserved COMTÂ 158Val/Val Parkinson’s…
Changes in gait and cognition precede a diagnosis of idiopathic (without known cause) Parkinson’s disease, and may occur earlier than typical non-motor symptoms, a study has found. The study, “Prediagnostic markers of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease: Gait, visuospatial ability and executive function,” was published in Gait & Posture. Motor symptoms in …
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Inbrija (levodopa inhalation powder) for the treatment of Parkinson’s off periods in patients on a carbidopa/levodopa regimen. Acorda Therapeutics’ therapy is expected to be available by prescription in the first quarter of 2019. It will be distributed through a…
The ongoing Phase 2 study of the gene therapy VY-AADC will enroll more Parkinson’s disease patients than originally planned, Voyager Therapeutics announced. The company’s revised trial protocol will include more patients — up from 75 to 100 — in the RESTORE-1 Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT03562494). Voyager…
Gout appears to be associated with a higher risk of incident Parkinson’s disease in older adults, according to a study that looked at Medicare data in the U.S. The study, “Gout and the risk of Parkinson’s disease in older adults: a study of U.S. Medicare data” was published…
An ongoing pilot trial is evaluating a computer-based, non-pharmacological cognitive approach to improve motor function and ease fatigue in people with Parkinson’s disease. “Study protocol for a randomised pilot study of a computer-based, non-pharmacological cognitive intervention for motor slowing and motor fatigue in Parkinson’s disease,” appeared in…
Biogen and C4 Therapeutics (C4T) have joined efforts to develop therapies using a cell’s natural protein degradation system as a way of treating neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This agreement allows the two to combine Biogen’s expertise in neuroscience and therapy development with C4T’s…
Patients with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers are usually active and ready to adopt strategies to improve their quality of life and disease management, but lack self-management support, a study finds. The study, “Development of the Integrated Parkinson’s Care Network (IPCN): using co-design to plan collaborative care for…
Together with aging, the disruption of a cell’s waste disposal system and exaggerated immune responses can lead to the progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons seen in diseases like Parkinson’s, according to new research in fruit flies. The study, “Hyperactive Innate Immunity Causes Degeneration of Dopamine Neurons upon…
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