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Older patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than those without the condition, a meta-analysis suggests. Whether the same association exists for younger patients — ages 59 or younger — remains to be determined, according to the researchers. The study, “Older…

Ingesting a once widely used herbicide called paraquat along with lectins — proteins in common foods that bind carbohydrates (e.g., sugars) — can lead to symptoms typical of Parkinson’s disease and known as parkinsonism, a study reported. Importantly, this animal research provides a new preclinical model for testing…

With the goal of establishing a consensus on medical marijuana use by Parkinson’s patients — which a recent survey co-sponsored by the Parkinson’s Foundation put at 80 percent — the group will host its first conference focused on this compound and the disease. Set for March 6-7 in Denver, the invitation-only meeting…

Dimercaprol, an antidote to a World War II chemical weapon, was shown to be effective in removing a neurotoxin associated with Parkinson’s, revealing it as a possible treatment for the neurodegenerative disease. Purdue University researchers report that the antidote can safely and effectively remove acrolein, a…

Inhibiting an enzyme that regulates the production of fatty acids may protect against brain toxicity induced by alpha-synuclein in Parkinson’s disease and may become a therapeutic target for these patients, a study reports. The study, “Lipidomic Analysis of α-Synuclein Neurotoxicity Identifies Stearoyl CoA Desaturase as a Target…

Impaired sense of smell or taste can raise a person’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease 2.5 times, a study suggests. The study, “Incidence of Parkinson’s disease in a large patient cohort with idiopathic smell and taste loss,” was published in the Journal of Neurology. Currently, Parkinson’s…

Treating tremor in Parkinson’s patients using non-invasive and focused-ultrasound lesion surgery is associated with better quality of life when compared to deep brain stimulation, although both approaches are equally effective in easing this disease symptom, a review study reports. The study, “Outcomes in Lesion Surgery versus Deep Brain…

Essential oil extract from the leaves of a Brazilian plant can protect nerve cells from damage and prevent progressive physical impairment in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease, a study shows. The study, “Eplingiella fruticosa leaf essential oil complexed with…

  AZD0328 and nicotine, two nicotinic receptor agonists, lose their effectiveness in treating involuntary muscle movements as a consequence of long-term levodopa treatment throughout the course of Parkinson’s disease, a mouse study finds. The study, “Dyskinesia and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels after long-term levodopa and nicotinic receptor agonist treatments in female mice…

An experimental gene therapy called AAV2-GAD, previously shown to improve motor function in Parkinson’s patients, works by creating new circuits in the brain involving motor regions, researchers have discovered. Their findings were published in the study, “Gene therapy reduces Parkinson’s disease symptoms by reorganizing functional brain connectivity,”…