News

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…

Herantis Pharma has created an educational video about the way its Parkinson’s treatment CDNF works. The explainer comes as the company has begun recruiting patients for a Phase 1/2 clinical trial (NCT03295786) of the potential therapy. Hallmarks of Parkinson’s include damage to dopamine-producing nerve cells in a brain area…

BurnAlong, an exercise and wellness platform, is inviting Parkinson’s disease patients, caregivers, family members, and advocates to join a special awareness day and participate in free online fitness classes. In connection with World Parkinson’s Day on April 11, BurnAlong, together with its partners, is offering a…

An initiative called Live Well. Do Tell is trying to help Parkinson’s patients do a better job of letting others know about the manifestations of their disease, particularly the return of movement problems during periods when standard treatments wear off. In addition to these off periods, many people are unaware…

Brain training can improve the mobility and reduce the risk of falls among older people with dementia and cognitive impairment, a study reports. Another finding was that medication that improves cognition can decrease the risk of Parkinson’s patients falling. The research, “Falls in Cognitively Impaired Older Adults: Implications…