News

Special socks using a wearable fitness-tracking technology are being investigated in a pilot study to see if they can detect early signs of movement or walking disorders, like Parkinson’s disease. Inspired by technology like Fitbit  — wearable equipment that track fitness performance like daily steps and heart rate — researchers at Old…

Nearly lightning strikes might affect the systems used for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson’s patients and possibly the implants themselves, and particular safety measures should be taken, a case study suggests. The research, “Lightning may pose a danger to patients receiving deep brain stimulation: case report,” appeared in…

Blocking the activity of an enzyme found in immune cells of the brain may prevent the degeneration and death of nerve cells seen in Parkinson’s disease, new research shows. The study “Upregulation of HDAC2 in Laser Capture Nigral Microglia in Parkinson’s Disease,” was published in Neurobiology of Aging.

New nanoparticles containing a specific part of the rabies virus may improve brain-targeting therapy in Parkinson’s patients, study suggests. The research, “Targeted Brain Delivery of Rabies Virus Glycoprotein 29-Modified Deferoxamine-Loaded Nanoparticles Reverses Functional Deficits in Parkinsonian Mice,” was published in the journal ACS Nano. A common feature…

A perspective article summarizes what researchers have learned so far on the role of LRRK2 mutations in the development of Parkinson’s disease, and recommends the enzyme as a target for therapy development. The report, “LRRK2 kinase in Parkinson’s disease,”…

Deregulation of calcium levels in nerve cells has been linked to early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Now, researchers at Aarhus University have found that inhibition of a protein called SERCA can prevent calcium variations and protect nerve cells from degeneration. This finding may open new therapeutic avenues to treat…

Increased levels of certain lipids in the brain may be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and could help identify patients at risk, as well as provide opportunities for early treatment, a study has found. The study, “Glycosphingolipid levels and glucocerebrosidase activity are altered in…

Researchers have generated a new mouse model that can be used for in-depth studies of disease mechanisms and new therapeutic possibilities for Parkinson’s disease. Although the function of the protein α-synuclein is unknown, its accumulation in clumps known as Lewy bodies, hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease, suggests this protein plays a…

A mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), including a concussion, can increase a person’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by more than 50 percent, a study conducted in U.S. military veterans reports. The study, “Mild TBI and risk of Parkinson disease: A Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium Study,”…

The first patient with advanced Parkinson’s has been treated in a pivotal Phase 3 trial using MRI-guided focused ultrasound to address major motor symptoms of the disease. The multisite, randomized, and double-blinded clinical trial (NCT03319485) is evaluating the safety and effectiveness of MRI-guided focused ultrasound delivered to affected brain areas…