News

Six Parkinson’s community leaders have received 2018 Advocacy Awards for their efforts to push policies that benefit patients, families, caregivers and others. Two of the winners were recognized for their role in establishing the Accelerating Medicines Partnership Program, which in January 2018 announced a new Parkinson’s disease focus. Representatives…

Researchers have validated a software that evaluates typing patterns with keyboards to detect Parkinson’s disease-specific motor impairment. This approach, done in an at-home setting, may allow early detection of the disease, as well as monitor disease progression. The study, “Detecting Motor Impairment in Early Parkinson’s Disease via Natural…

A new smartphone application can be used to remotely assess Parkinson’s disease symptoms in a rapid and objective way, with the potential to transform how a range of neurological diseases are evaluated, the research team that created it report. The study, “Using Smartphones and Machine Learning to Quantify Parkinson…

Two PatientsLikeMe studies have led to a checklist designed to help those with Parkinson’s and other debilitative diseaes find providers who can meet criteria for delivering good care. The questionnaire-based research also showed that patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s are among those who are more satisfied with…

A simple bedside test measuring heart rate and blood pressure after a patient stands may help doctors come up with an early diagnosis of Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative disorders, a study suggests. Besides Parkinson’s, the test could help diagnose other synucleinopathies, such as Lewy Body dementia and multiple system atrophy. These are…

AbbVie’s Duopa can reduce impulse control disorders in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease and mild-to-moderate neuropsychiatric problems, a study shows. The research, “Improvement of impulse control disorders associated with levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel treatment in advanced Parkinson’s disease,” was published in the Journal of Neurology. Parkinson’s disease is…

Finnish and Japanese researchers have developed a new algorithmic approach to user interface optimization that takes individual differences into account. This approach could be beneficial for patients with Parkinson’s disease or other disabilities. The research, “Ability-Based Optimization of Touchscreen Interactions,” was published in the journal IEEE Pervasive Computing. Among the…

A protein found on the surface of cells mediates nerve cells’ susceptibility to damage and death. This discovery may open new therapeutic avenues to prevent neuron degeneration associated with Parkinson’s disease. The study, “Targeted deletion of the aquaglyceroporin AQP9 is protective in a mouse model of Parkinson’s…

Acorda Therapeutics has asked the European Medicines Agency to approve Inbrija (CVT-301) to reduce the periods when the standard Parkinson’s treatment carbidopa/levodopa is not working. Inbrija is a self-administered, inhaled levodopa therapy. Acorda developed it to reduce the time when standard levodopa treatment wears off — periods known as off times.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) will fund a new program to investigate the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease called “PATH to PD.” The two-year program includes three research teams that will collaborate to investigate risks associated with genetics, environment and aging, while working with a…