A novel pain-sensing brain network links pain in Parkinson’s disease to a specific region of the brain, called the subthalamic nucleus, an animal study has found. The findings illustrate why this specific brain region is a potential target for pain relief in Parkinson’s, as well as in Huntington’s disease, and other…
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Deep brain stimulation (DBS) can effectively reduce tremor in people with Parkinson’s disease, regardless of the brain region stimulated, according to a recent review study. The review, “STN vs. GPi deep brain stimulation for tremor suppression in Parkinson disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” was published in…
The benefits of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on motor function in Parkinson’s patients are mediated by a different brain pathway than the one involved in the procedure’s unwanted cognitive effects, according to a new study. This finding may help improve the effectiveness and safety of DBS use in…
High levels of blood cholesterol may decrease the risk of men developing Parkinson’s disease, according to a large-scale clinical study. The study, “Higher serum cholesterol and decreased Parkinson’s disease risk: A statin‐free cohort study,” was published in the journal Movement Disorders. High blood cholesterol, in particular,…
Alterations in certain types of fat in a brain area called the substantia nigra may result in elevated levels of the GPNMB protein and drive neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease patients, according to Harvard researchers. The study, titled “The glycoprotein GPNMB is selectively elevated in the substantia nigra of Parkinson’s disease patients…
A new process to select and purify stem cells that hold therapeutic potential to replace dopamine-producing neurons may hasten clinical development of this promising avenue to treat Parkinson’s disease. Upon being transplanted, these cells promoted dopamine production and reduced the severity of disease-related motor symptoms in an animal model…
Intramuscular treatment with Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) decreases tremor severity and improves hand function in patients with essential tremor of the upper limbs, according to Phase 2 trial results. Results of the trial, titled “Efficacy and safety of incobotulinumtoxinA for upper-limb essential tremor in a randomised, double-blind,…
Patients likely to have prodromal, or early, Parkinson’s disease tend to have a higher prevalence of pain, according to a new study. The findings indicate that pain may be a relevant disease marker before the appearance of motor disturbances. The study, “Pain: A marker of prodromal Parkinsons disease?”…
An analysis of the protein content in tears may offer a non-invasive and inexpensive way of identifying people with probable Parkinson’s disease. A study led researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California reports that Parkinson’s patients have different levels of alpha-synuclein protein in tear fluid…
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Cognitive, Pathological Changes Seen in Parkinson’s and Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Rat Study Shows
A newly developed rat model combining elevated levels of alpha synuclein — a key protein in both Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) — and related pathological changes may provide new insights into both disorders, according to a new study. The research, “…
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