News

The key factor that deals the final death blow to nerve cells exposed to all sorts of injuries, including neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease, has been identified. The factor’s finding, and the molecular pathway leading to its activation, may open up new research into ways of stopping or mitigating such events and preserving neurons.

Researchers have synthesized two compounds that resemble caffeine and prevent the misfolding of alpha-synuclein — the culprit of neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease. These compounds were shown to effectively prevent the cells from dying. The findings by researchers from University of Saskatchewan in Canada advance the understanding of processes that…

People carrying the most common Parkinson’s disease-related mutation in the LRRK2 gene may start showing symptoms at an earlier age if they also have a mutation in another gene. The findings prompted researchers to suggest that tests for this newly identified mutation could be valuable for genetic counseling of LRRK2…

Researchers have developed a new “cell-free” approach — one derived from stem cells — that may treat Parkinson’s disease while avoiding the immune system risks of other stem cell therapies, according to two studies conducted by researcher Leo Behie, from the University of Calgary, in Canada, and collaborators in Portugal. The newly developed…

Immune reactions, originating in the gut, protect neurons from the damage or death associated with Parkinson’s disease by keeping a check on the mitochondrial health of these nerve cells — at least in the brains of roundworms. The study, “The Mitochondria-Regulated Immune Pathway Activated in the C. elegans…

Great Lakes NeuroTech (GLNT) announced that it will partner with UCB to develop quantitative tools that will help Parkison’s disease (PD) patients and their clinicians to better assess the impact of  treatment. The goal is to improve patients’ individual experiences as well as, ultimately, improve their quality of life.

Researchers have discovered a way to block the spread of alpha-synuclein between neurons, which is believed to be at the core of the progression of the neurodegeneration seen in people with Parkinson’s disease. Interestingly, the drug that was able to block the spread and prevent neuron death is currently in clinical trials…

A new device that may improve the autonomy and quality of life of patients with Parkinson’s disease will be tested in a 19-month study that combines the products and skills of two companies, Aguettant and  French company Biocorp. The collaborative study, part of the APOKONNECT project, will be funded…

 Global Kinetics Corporation, specialized in developing health technology for people with Parkinson’s disease, has received premarketing clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the next generation of its wrist-worn Personal KinetiGraph (PKG) system. The PKG records movement symptoms of the Parkinson’s wearer, provides programmed medication…

The 4th World Parkinson Congress, held in Portland, Oregon, on Sept. 20-23, opened each day with a Hot Topics session, with the general public invited to listen to research presentations of particular interest. Topics ranged from complex scientific studies to children’s books, and a few of them caught…