News

Researchers have identified a gene that acts as a switch for genes regulating mitochondria metabolism in neurons. These findings suggest that gene activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is a potential therapeutic target for Parkinson’s disease, as the death of neurons in Parkinson’s has been linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. The study, “dATF4…

New brain imaging techniques are allowing researchers to explore the brain in ever greater detail,  helping them to better understand potential complications and new treatments for Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases. Three of these new technologies were recently showcased at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting. They…

A biomarker usually measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and used to differentiate Parkinson’s disease (PD) from similar diseases, has been found to have high diagnostic value when analyzing blood samples. These findings suggest that diagnosis can be obtained more easily without sacrificing accuracy. The study “A biomarker for differential diagnosis…

Axovant Sciences has announced the preliminary results of a Phase 2 clinical trial testing the investigational oral drug therapy nelotanserin in patients with either dementia caused by Lewy bodies (DLB), or Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). Nelotanserin is an investigational drug candidate that binds to a receptor of the central…

This year will mark the Parkinson’s Foundation‘s fifth annual Moving Day, A Walk for Parkinson’s fundraiser. Moving Days, held in cities across the country on different days, have raised $13.7 million for services that improve the quality of life of persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD). New Moving Days are being…

Lowering the level of a certain protein can prevent PINK1 gene mutations from triggering an inherited type of Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to a study. The research may provide new insights into the role of fat molecules in neurons — particularly those inside energy-creating mitochondria — in Parkinson’s. The disease is a progressive…

Acorda Therapeutics reported positive Phase 3 results demonstrating that CVT-301 improved motor function in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experiencing off periods. Such periods are times when background L-dopa therapy does not control Parkinson’s symptoms. About 50 percent of patients using L-dopa have off periods, which are very disruptive…

Aggregation of the alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein) protein – a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease – may be influenced by salt levels within neurons, according to results of a new study. Researchers expect these findings may bring insight into the pathology of Parkinson’s disease and other protein aggregation-related diseases. Results of the study,…

Parkinson’s disease patients now have two additional Centers of Excellence at their service: the NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center in New York and the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. The global network is run by the Parkinson’s Foundation, which supports initiatives of different types to help improve the…

A treatment widely used to help prevent rejection in organ transplants, called tacrolimus, appears to work to treat Parkinson’s disease (PD) and ideally should be tested in early-stage patients, researchers report. Tacrolimus, marketed under brand names including Prograf, works to suppress the immune system. It is used at high dose with…