News

Patients, families differ on views of Parkinson’s: Symptom survey

People with Parkinson’s disease see movement-related symptoms like walking, balance, and tremor as the most bothersome aspects of their disease, while family members are more concerned about physical impacts like mobility and psychosocial aspects like interpersonal interactions and independence, according to a large-scale international survey. At later stages…

Healthcare costs factor high in Parkinson’s economic burden

Healthcare services contribute to nearly half the total expenses associated with Parkinson’s disease, but the loss of productivity and the financial burden on patients and their families also have a substantial impact, a study shows. The study estimated the average annual cost per patient with Parkinson’s disease is about…

Study review highlights limits of levodopa effectiveness

Note: This story was updated Sept. 16, 2024, to correct that A-dopamine is a form of dopamine. Levodopa, a mainstay in treating Parkinson’s disease, isn’t always well absorbed by the brain or digestive tract, doesn’t last long in the body, and often loses effectiveness with age and disease…

Electroacupuncture reduced cellular signs of Parkinson’s in mouse model

Electroacupuncture reduced cellular hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease, including alpha-synuclein accumulation and nerve cell degeneration, in a mouse model of the disease. That’s according to the findings from a study that also found the treatment, a type of acupuncture where small needles inserted at specific points in the body are…

New panel of cell-based tests may help screen potential treatments

Ncardia has launched a panel of ready-to-use cell-based assays to simplify the screening and selection of treatment candidates for neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease. The assays are based on human-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), a type of stem cell that can generate nearly all types of cells.

APDA awards $2.6M to support Parkinson’s research projects

The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) has awarded a total of $2.6 million for the 2024-2025 funding year, to support a range of research projects that aim to advance understanding of Parkinson’s disease. The nationwide grassroots network increased its funding package by more than 30% over last year,…

FDA clears brain mapping tool for neuromodulation therapies

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared Turing Medical’s automated brain mapping technology designed to help doctors develop personalized plans for deep brain stimulation (DBS) and other neuromodulation therapies in people with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. Called Bullsai Identify, the platform uses artificial intelligence…