News

Parkinson’s Research to Gain in Van Andel Institute’s Expansion

The Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) has announced the expansion of its neurodegenerative disease research program, with Dr. Gerhard Coetzee and Dr. Viviane Labrie joining its Center for Neurodegenerative Science. The center’s focus is the development of new therapies for brain repair, the discovery of biomarkers, and the study of the molecular,…

Parkinson’s Diagnosis May Now Be Easier and Earlier

A team of specialists working for the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) have developed a novel tool for healthcare professionals that could have a significant impact in Parkinson’s disease (PD) diagnosis and treatment, particularly in its early stages. It also may benefit disease research. The development of the tool, actually a set of…

Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Reaches Out to Caregivers

As part of its National Family Caregivers Month effort, the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) a research, education and advocacy organization, is offering free resources to address the unmet needs of care partners of people living with Parkinson’s disease. PDF is inviting Parkinson’s disease care partners and loved ones to access…

Parkinson’s Patients Enrolling in Novel Stem Cell-Based Clinical Study

A currently enrolling clinical study observing Parkinson’s disease patients seeks to determine if those with the disease can benefit from the potential power of stem cells. The study, “Outcomes Data of Adipose Stem Cells to Treat Parkinson’s Disease,” is currently recruiting participants, and clinicians have begun to administer the investigative…

In Parkinson’s, There’s Growing Recognition of Cognitive Problems

When most people think about Parkinson’s disease (PD), they focus on movement problems almost exclusively. But mild cognitive impairment is among other potential disease symptoms, although medical professionals and researchers currently disagree on the extent and exact nature of this problem in Parkinson’s patients. Progressive tremors and rigidity occur in PD largely due to the…

Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms Traced to Excess Blood Vessel Formation

Lund University researchers have shown that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of angiogenesis are raised in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and are related to walking and balance difficulties, blood-brain barrier (BBB) increased permeability, and white matter lesions (WMLs). The research study, entitled “Increased CSF biomarkers of angiogenesis in Parkinson Disease”…

Caffeine May Prevent Parkinson’s Disease in Certain At-risk Individuals

A new case control study evaluated the association between caffeine consumption and risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD) in patients with high and low genetic susceptibility. The paper, entitled “Differential effect of caffeine intake in subjects with genetic susceptibility to Parkinson’s Disease,” was published in Scientific Reports. Parkinson’s disease,…