News

Suppressing astrocytes’ release of the pro-inflammatory molecule interleukin (IL)-6 reduced the loss of dopaminergic neurons, the nerve cells that are progressively lost in Parkinson’s disease, a new study reports. In Parkinson’s, astrocytes, the star-shaped cells that provide physical support for neurons in the brain, secrete high levels of IL-6…

Using machine learning to analyze speech from speakers of different languages could help distinguish between Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor, two neurological disorders that can cause similar symptoms. That’s according to the study, “Automatic speech-based assessment to discriminate Parkinson’s disease from essential tremor with a…

A natural chemical modification — called O-GlcNAc — that occurs in specific building blocks of the alpha-synuclein protein can lessen its capacity to form toxic amyloid fibrils, a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease, a study shows. “Taken together, we believe that these results have important implications for … the exploitation…

Mutations in the PRKN gene, a common cause of early-onset Parkinson’s disease, were tied directly to low activity of the gene, a study reports. Because gene activity was measured by standard methods using cells in the bloodstream, the findings may support developing an “easily accessible screening test for PRKN mutations,”…

Parkinson’s disease patients who experience tremor are invited to complete an online survey aimed at assessing the difficulties due to this common disease symptom, with an ultimate goal of promoting more effective treatments. The survey, called the “Burden of Tremor in Parkinson’s Disease,” is a collaboration…

Treatment with CNM-Au8, an investigational gold nanocrystal suspension therapy, boosted energy production in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis (MS) in a pair of Phase 2 trials, indicating the medication works as intended. Findings also suggest functional gains in treated Parkinson’s patients. However,…

Scientists in Denmark have identified the specific nerve signaling pathway that runs from the brain to the spinal cord in mice to control whether the body makes right or left turns — findings that ultimately may help to treat problems with turning ability in people with Parkinson’s disease. Modulating…

Men with Parkinson’s disease exhibit more signs of accelerated brain aging than do women with the neurodegenerative condition, according to a new analysis that, its researchers say, bolsters the existing idea that a person’s sex plays a key role in Parkinson’s risk and progression. These findings were established by…

The easing of dyskinesia — the involuntary movements associated with advanced Parkinson’s disease — seen with use of the approved medication Duopa (levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel) was tied to reduced pain and improved health-related quality of life among patients following treatment. That’s according to a new analysis of clinical…

A metabolite called M324 of the cancer medicine rucaparib is able to reduce the abnormal accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein in nerve cells derived from people with Parkinson’s disease, showing its potential for treating the neurodegenerative disorder, according to a new study. Metabolites are molecules that result from the biochemical…