News

Treatment with Copaxone (glatiramer acetate), an FDA-approved medicine for multiple sclerosis, can restore motor function and biochemical markers in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease, according to a recent study. The findings, “Glatiramer Acetate Reverses Motor Dysfunction and the Decrease in 9 Tyrosine Hydroxylase Levels…

Changes to the serotonin system in the brain occur years before the development of motor symptoms in Parkinson’s — and may be an important early warning signal for the disease, a study suggests. “Therefore, brain imaging of the serotonin system could become a valuable tool to detect individuals at…

Analysis of a natural motor event called “mirror activity” has revealed that the long contraction of muscles in one hand can cause frequent involuntary reactions from the muscles in the opposite hand. These findings provide detailed evidence on how brain-body connectivity works and regulates muscle behavior, which may help identify…

The Accordion Pill Carbidopa/Levodopa (AP-CD/LD) administered three times a day reduced the variability of blood plasma levels of levodopa in Parkinson’s disease patients, which suggests that the treatment may help to ease motor fluctuations, a Phase 2 trial shows. Warren Olanow, MD, professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine,…

N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), a compound that is used by the body to produce an antioxidant called glutathione, may improve dopamine function and ease Parkinson’s disease symptoms, researchers report. Their study, “N-Acetyl Cysteine Is Associated With Dopaminergic Improvement in Parkinson’s Disease” was published in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Low…

A new report describes two Indian men with Parkinson’s disease who experienced “creative awakenings” after they started being treated with levodopa. Appropriately titled, “A tale of two patients: Levodopa and creative awakening in Parkinson’s disease – A qualitative report,” the study was published in the Asian Journal…

A top progressive researcher at Bastyr University in Washington will lead a unique event — a five-day medical-educational retreat called PD Summer School — aimed at improving the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease. Touted as the world’s only event of its kind for those living with…

Not getting enough sleep may cause memory defects and emotional changes in Parkinson’s disease due to changes in dopamine metabolism, according to a study of zebrafish. The study, “Sleep Deprivation caused a Memory Defects and Emotional Changes in a Rotenone-based Zebrafish Model of Parkinson’s Disease,” was published in…

Using stem cells, researchers have recreated the complexity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) — a critical protective brain structure — in a chip roughly the size of an AA battery. This personalized BBB experimental model, which combines stem cell research with Emulate’s Organ-Chip technology, will allow scientists to better…

Binding to, or chelating, toxic levels of iron in the brain can slow the progression of a neurodegenerative disorder known as pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), results from a Phase 3 trial show. These findings may be relevant for other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and…