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Treadmill walking, but not over-ground walking, can improve gait stability in patients with Parkinson’s disease, a study has found. The research, “Treadmill walking reduces pre-frontal activation in patients with Parkinson’s disease” was published in Gait & Posture. It is widely known that Parkinson’s patients have difficulties preforming learned motor…

A modified form of the alpha-synuclein protein can be found in the salivary gland tissue of Parkinson’s patients even in the early stages of the disease, suggesting the protein could be a potential biomarker for this neurodegenerative disorder, a study reports. The study, “Nitrated alpha-synuclein in minor salivary gland biopsies…

Yoga focused on mindfulness — a mental exercise focused on accepting oneself in the present — could lower anxiety and depression as well as motor impairment in people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease, a study says. The study, “Effects of Mindfulness Yoga vs Stretching and Resistance…

The early signs can be subtle, and Parkinson’s disease is not a top-of-mind diagnosis for people younger than 50. So, Michael S. Fitts endured a battery of diagnostic tests with his primary care physician in Birmingham, Alabama, before seeking referral to a neurologist. “I was in denial,” said Fitts,…

A new study suggests a relationship between the use of statins (medications  used to lower cholesterol) and the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The study, “Association of statin use with Parkinson’s disease: Dose-response relationship,” was published in the journal Movement Disorders. Statins are one of the…

Social support, followed by satisfaction with life and economic status, are the three factors that most significantly influence how people experience living with Parkinson’s disease, according to a study of patients in five Spanish-speaking countries. That experience was not influenced by disease-related factors, such as its duration, stage, or the…

Parkinson’s disease patients have “significantly elevated” levels of c-reactive protein, an acute-phase biomarker for inflammation in the body, according to a recent literature review. It remains to be understood, however, if c-reactive protein is a risk factor for this neurodegenerative disorder, or if the disease itself triggers an inflammatory…

A Parkinson’s disease subtype characterized by postural instability and gait disturbance, usually referred to as PIGD, is associated with small amounts of bleeding in the brain, called cerebral microbleeds, a study reports. The study, “Cerebral Microbleeds are Associated with Postural Instability and Gait Disturbance Subtype in People with Parkinson’s Disease,” was…

Virtual reality gaming may improve the ability of Parkinson’s disease patients to perceive time, a skill that is often impaired in these individuals, a study suggests. Playing these virtual reality games may also benefit people with autism, schizophrenia, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conditions that can also affect time perception, according…

Tracer compounds with high affinity and selectivity to alpha-synuclein deposits have been identified that could be used to detect and track Parkinson’s disease progression, AC Immune announced. Findings were recently presented in the study, “Identification and Characterization of Selective and High Affinity Small Molecules for Positron Emission…