News

Scientists have discovered a mechanism preventing Lewy bodies from forming in laboratory animals, allowing for the development of better animal models of the disease. This will likely speed up research into the disease and aid in the development of drug therapies. The main feature of the brains of Parkinson’s patients is the presence…

In an editorial published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, scientists and clinicians working in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) voiced concern over largely ignored research indicating that certain microbes — namely, the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1), Chlamydia pneumoniae, and several types of spirochaete — might be involved in Alzheimer’s pathogenesis. The…

International Stem Cell Corporation is now enrolling patients in a Phase 1 clinical trial of its lead product candidate, ISC-hpNSC — human parthenogenetic stem cell-derived neural stem cells — for patients with moderate to severe Parkinson’s disease. Parthenogenesis uses unfertilized eggs to create pluripotent human stem cells and hopes to significantly advance the field of…

Early diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD) are crucial to halting its progression, since the process of neuron destruction is irreversible once it starts. However, only 50 percent of patients are correctly diagnosed with this neurodegenerative condition during a first visit with a neurologist. An international team of researchers, led by Dr. David…

An unparalleled dataset capturing the everyday experiences of the more than 9,500 people enrolled in the mPower mobile research study of Parkinson’s disease was released this month, and made available to the Parkinson’s research community worldwide. The ongoing study, which aims to help speed scientific progress toward treatments,…

Novel research could advance the basic understanding of the genetic causes behind Parkinson’s disease (PD). Researchers have examined the defective DJ1 (PARK7) gene, which controls cellular metabolism and may play a role in Parkinson’s, and their report, “Loss of DJ-1 impairs antioxidant response by altered glutamine and serine…

Zambon S.p.A. and partner Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. have announced the expansion of its European market by launching Xadago (safinamide) to treat mid- to late-stage Parkinson’s disease (PD) in Italy. The drug is already available in Switzerland, Germany, and Spain. Xadago is an add-on therapy to a stable dose…

“The importance of clinical trials to bring effective treatments to market is critical,” says American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) President and CEO Leslie A. Chambers. “However, many people with Parkinson’s disease lack a basic understanding of clinical trials or why participating in a trial can contribute…

The Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI) at Penn State awarded $50,000 to Harriet Nembhard, a professor of industrial engineering and director of the Penn State Center for Integrated Healthcare Delivery Systems, for new research involving the remote treatment and monitoring of people with Parkinson’s disease. Professor Nembhard, who is…

In a recent literature review, researchers from University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis found a link between Parkinson’s disease and melanoma, with possible causes including family history and genetic predisposition. The review was published in the journal Dermatologic Surgery and titled “A Review…