News

New sensors with increased sensitivity and specificity to detect interactions between proteins, fat molecules, and other biological elements, represent a powerful tool to investigate mechanisms linked to human diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. Those findings were highlighted in the study “Resolving molecule-specific information in dynamic lipid membrane…

Antiparkinsonian medications may cause premature ejaculation in men with Parkinson’s, according to a case series that followed eight patients. The study, “Acquired premature ejaculation in Parkinson’s disease and possible mechanisms,” was published in the International Journal of Impotence Research. Premature ejaculation is a common male…

European experts have developed a set of technology-based solutions for the early detection of Parkinson’s disease and improvement of patients’ quality of life. Led by Greek researchers at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the four-year i-PROGNOSIS (Intelligent Parkinson eaRly detectiOn Guiding NOvel Supportive InterventionS) project is testing its first product…

Understanding how two proteins, both enzymes, work to disassemble “stress granules” — clumps of molecules that form when cells are stressed by external factors — may help in developing treatments for Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative disorders by creating enzymes that mimic their work, researchers report. The study, “Deubiquitylases…

People who take certain immunosuppressants — medicines that dampen the immune system’s response — appear to have a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, new research shows. These findings support a role for the immune system in Parkinson’s, potentially raise the possibility of developing treatments to alter disease progression, at…

First-degree relatives of Parkinson’s patients are more likely to develop the disease and are at a higher risk for other neuropsychiatric disorders, a study shows. The study, “Familial aggregation of Parkinson’s disease and coaggregation with neuropsychiatric diseases: a population-based cohort study,” was published in Clinical Epidemiology. Most…

A new and experimental deep brain stimulation (DBS) system uses feedback from the brain to fine-tune its signaling in response to signs of dyskinesia, potentially offering a more refined way to ease motor problems in Parkinson’s patients, a small feasibility study reports. The research, “Adaptive deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease…

Slower tongue movement may contribute to the swallowing difficulties experienced by Parkinson’s disease patients, researchers report in a study. Recognition of tongue movement patterns may help to detect and prevent swallowing problems, a condition known as dysphagia, earlier in this population. The study, “Tongue Pressure…

An abnormal brain activity pattern could be a common link between Parkinson’s disease, neuropathic pain, tinnitus, and depression, an international research team suggests. The brainwave abnormality is similar in all these disorders but occurs in different regions of the brain. This discovery could lead to therapies that target all four conditions,…

Impaired intake of neurotransmitters leads to accumulation of toxic dopamine and neurodegeneration in patients with Parkinson’s disease, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study. The study, “LRRK2 phosphorylation of auxilin mediates synaptic defects in dopaminergic neurons from patients with Parkinson’s disease,” appeared in the journal…