News

A startup developing a device for more affordable and efficient magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans was recently awarded a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant from the National Institutes of Health. MR-Link, a technology company affiliated with Purdue University, will receive $228,325 to develop the device. Researchers say it will…

The Parkinson Voice Project will be live-streaming an expert’s presentation on the misconceptions about Parkinson’s disease on April 14. Columbia University Professor Stanley Fahn’s presentation will start at 10 a.m. U.S. Central Daylight time. It will be followed by speech therapy award presentations and a choir performance. The title of the…

Long waits for diagnosis, limited access to specialized treatments and services, and out-of-pocket healthcare costs are among key concerns of Parkinson’s patients, caregivers, and medical-service providers, according to a Parkinson Canada survey. The organization created the 30-minute online survey to better understand the challenges that patients, caregivers, and…

During Parkinson’s Awareness Month the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) wants to help those making summer plans turn their hobbies into a fundraiser for Parkinson’s disease research. As part of the effort, the foundation has selected some of the best outdoors fundraisers taking place this year, including cycling, walking,…

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) has launched an educational suite called “Parkinson’s Clinical Trial Companion” to increase patients’ participation in clinical trials. The new resource educates patients and families about the benefits of participating in research, and provides teams conducting clinical trials with high-quality…

The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) launched a series of public service announcements via television stations and social media channels to promote a richer understanding of Parkinson’s disease and how it affects and inspires those touched by it. Look Closer, the centerpiece the group’s monthlong campaign that coincides with Parkinson’s Disease Awareness…

Clinical trials in patients with early stage Parkinson’s may benefit from assessing markers of disease progression — namely, changes in the Movement Disorder Society (MDS)-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) and dopamine transporter imaging, according to five-year results in a major observational study. The study, “Longitudinal Change of Clinical…

A recent case report describes a 70-year-old woman with Parkinson’s disease who developed psychosis after taking nabilone, a man-made form of cannabis often used to treat severe nausea caused by cancer chemotherapy. The study, “Exacerbation of psychosis triggered by a synthetic cannabinoid in a 70-year-old woman with Parkinson disease,” was…

Montreal researchers have developed a scale that doctors can use in their office to predict Parkinson’s patients’ risk of developing dementia. Not only is it accurate, but it’s also cheaper, easier to use and more practical than other methods, the team said. The research, “Office-Based Screening for Dementia in…

Two Parkinson’s organizations are joining forces with the Davis Phinney Foundation and Lundbeck to start a program that connects people with Parkinson’s disease and school-aged youth through fun and creative story-sharing. A key goal of  Sidekicks is to let Parkinson’s patients and youths share stories about each other…