News

Commonly used in household products, the antimicrobial agents known as quaternary ammonium compounds, or “quats,” were found to inhibit mitochondria function and to impair estrogen signaling. The findings raise serious questions regarding the safety of these products, which include toothpastes, shampoos, and lotions, among many others, as exposure to other mitochondrial-inhibiting…

A new algorithm can accurately predict cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease patients within 10 years of disease onset, a study shows. The study, “Prediction of cognition in Parkinson’s disease with a clinical–genetic score: a longitudinal analysis of nine cohorts,” was published in the journal…

AC Immune has developed antibodies against two proteins that are key players in the neurodegeneration underlying Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases. The Swiss biopharmaceutical company used its proprietary SupraAntigen platform to create the next-generation antibodies, which target abnormal versions of the alpha-synuclein and TDP-43 proteins. AC Immune has already used the platform to produce…

The antidepressant drug nortriptyline — approved more than 50 years ago for depression and nerve pain — may also slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease by halting the formation of toxic alpha-synuclein aggregates, say researchers at Michigan State University (MSU). Their study, “Nortriptyline inhibits aggregation and neurotoxicity of alpha-synuclein…

Researchers at Australia’s RMIT University have developed the first tool capable of diagnosing early signs of Parkinson’s disease even before symptoms are visible — offering new prospects for more effective treatments. Their study, Distinguishing Different Stages of Parkinson’s Disease Using Composite Index of Speed and Pen-Pressure of Sketching a Spiral,” appeared…

GeneFo, an internet resource on genetic diseases, is offering a free online lecture featuring humorist and author Yvonne deSousa, who has a neurodegenerative illness. The topic of the Sept. 27 discussion is how humor and laughter can help you to improve well-being and quality of life and to better manage…

An ongoing Phase 1b trial of VY-AADC01, a gene therapy for the treatment of advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD), is showing positive results, including improvement of motor function and activities of daily living, durable clinical effects, and good tolerability. The announcement was made by Voyager Therapeutics, the gene therapy company specialized…

Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma has asked Japanese authorities to approve its Trerief (zonisamide) as a new therapy for parkinsonism in dementia patients with Lewy bodies, the company announced in a press release. Trerief went on sale in Japan in March 2009 as a treatment for Parkinson’s patients who saw insufficient…

Oral health is essential for everyone, but people living with Parkinson’s disease need to pay particular attention to their mouth, teeth and gums to limit any problems. MORE: Three causes of psychosis in Parkinson’s disease According to the National Parkinsons Foundation, Parkinson’s disease can affect oral health in a number of…

In an unexpected finding, researchers demonstrated that certain asthma drugs might protect from developing Parkinson’s disease by lowering the production of the disease-linked protein alpha-synuclein. But researchers caution against attempting to medicate with such drugs before clinical trials establish they are safe in this patient group, and that they really…