News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted Neurocrine Biosciences’ new drug application for opicapone as a potential add-on therapy to levodopa/carbidopa for Parkinson’s disease. The FDA has set a 12-month review process, with a decision expected by April 26, 2020. If approved, the FDA will…

Patients in Canada with diagnosed Parkinson’s disease can now receive Onstryv (safinamide) to help manage their symptoms and their “off” episodes. This follows the approval of Onstryv by Health Canada in January 2019 as an add-on treatment to improve motor function in Parkinson’s patients who experience…

The National Stem Cell Foundation (NSCF) announced it will launch the first 3D cellular models of Parkinson’s disease, and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), to the International Space Station (ISS) to study the cells in low-gravity conditions. “This innovative approach to study has the potential to provide…

A protein that has sugar molecules attached to it, called neurexin 1-beta, helps alpha-synuclein enter and accumulate within neurons contributing to the progression of Parkinson’s disease, a study has found. The study, “Identification of N-linked glycans as specific mediators of neuronal uptake of acetylated α-Synuclein,” was published in…

Small amounts of a particular form of alpha-synuclein, known as beta-sheet, may cause a significant loss of dopamine-releasing neurons by recruiting more alpha-synuclein molecules, leading to Parkinson’s-like symptoms and disease progression, according to a recent lab study. The study, “Defining α-synuclein species responsible for Parkinson disease phenotypes…

An active sexual life is associated with less severe motor and non-motor disability and a better quality of life in men with early Parkinson’s disease, a study reports. Its findings are “in line with data showing a close relationship between sexual health and general health both in…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to Prevail Therapeutics’ lead gene therapy candidate, PR001, for the treatment of people with Parkinson’s disease associated with GBA1 gene mutations. Fast Track status will support and expedite the clinical development, regulatory review,…

Emerald Health Pharmaceuticals announced that two of its cannabinoid-derived candidates — CBGA-Q and CBGA-Q-Na Salt — showed anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. However, these benefits were not superior to those obtained from treatment with the company’s already patented EHP-102 compound. The findings,…

D-mine Pump, a portable micro-infusion pump designed to continuously deliver apomorphine under the skin (subcutaneously) to patients with Parkinson’s disease, has received the European CE approval and now will be marketed in several European countries. CE means “European Conformity,” a certification mark that indicates conformity with European health, safety,…

Direct delivery of two dopamine-synthesizing enzymes to the midbrain, using a safe and inactive form of an adenovirus, was able to effectively ease signs of motor difficulties in a primate model of Parkinson’s disease, a study reports. Continuous dopamine production via a gene therapy approach may be a promising one-time…