News

American scientists have formed what they call the BRAIN Center to develop, test and market innovative technologies to help people with neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, stroke and paralysis, and people who have lost limbs. The goal of BRAIN, which stands for Building Reliable Advances and Innovation in Neurotechnology, is to…

The fourth and last patient of the first group in a clinical trial of stem cell transplants in Parkinson’s disease has successfully received the transplant, the International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO) reported. Researchers are now preparing for the next stage, in which patients will receive a higher number of…

The latest result from Voyager Therapeutic’s Phase 1 clinical trial on gene therapy (VY-AADC01) for advanced Parkinson’s disease shows early promise for the improvement of motor functions and quality of life of patients. These data were presented as part of an emerging oral presentation session at the 2017 Annual Meeting…

Impax Laboratories is presenting data on its approved Parkinson’s disease treatment, Rytary, as well as findings in a clinical trial assessing a version of this extended-release carbidopa and levodopa mixture (IPX203) in people with advanced disease symptoms, including possible improvements in daily activities and quality of life. The presentations began Sunday and run…

Dancing helps prevent Parkinson’s disease, obesity, dementia, depression and anxiety, says Dr. Patricia Bragg, CEO of organic health company Bragg Live Food Products. “New studies show that dancing increases your memory and helps prevent a wide variety of diseases such as Alzheimer’s,” Bragg said in a press release.

Adamas Pharmaceuticals will make two presentations in Boston this month on ADS-5102 as a treatment for involuntary muscle movements associated with Parkinson’s disease. ADS-5102, a high-dose amantadine therapy, decreases the duration, intensity and debility of the muscle movements, clinical trials have shown. The problems, which range from slight hand tremors to uncontrollable upper…

British pharmaceutical firm Mission Therapeutics will test its potent, selective USP30-targeted inhibitors in stem cell-derived Parkinson’s disease models, as part of research funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF). Cells maintain healthy mitochondria — the cell’s power generators — by degrading damaged mitochondria in a process known as mitophagy. Defective…

Researchers have found that selective mutations in the protein alpha-synuclein affect its binding to cell membranes with potential implications in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and therapeutic strategies. The study, “Alpha-Synuclein Disease Mutations Are Structurally Defective and Locally Affect Membrane Binding,” was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Researchers have discovered a way to transform certain brain cells into the neurons that produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter whose loss is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. The findings could pave the way for a therapy that stops the disease’s progression by replacing lost or damaged dopamine-producing, or dopaminergic, neurons. The study, “…

Anavex Life Sciences therapies reversed Alzheimer’s-related cognitive deficits in mice and improved processes connected with the disease, according to presentations at an international conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The presentations at the 13th International Conference on Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Diseases dealt with the experimental treatments Anavex 2-73, Anavex 3-71, and Anavex…