News

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…

Apathy is frequently found in people with Parkinson’s disease who also experience problems with impulse control, although the two might seem to be polar opposites, a study shows. “Clinicians should be aware that [impulse control behaviors] and apathy cannot be simply considered as independent and opposite ends of each…

A machine learning tool that analyzes voice recordings collected by telephone can accurately identify people with Parkinson’s disease, scientists in the U.S. report. This noninvasive and easy to use approach could allow for an earlier disease diagnosis and start with Parkinson’s treatments, which is “essential … as…

In a new policy paper, the Movement Disorders Policy Coalition — an advocacy group for people living with movement disorders — highlights barriers to care that prevent Parkinson’s disease patients from receiving optimal treatment. Now, the goal of the umbrella advocacy organization is to bring attention to these…

The Swiss company Vandria has been awarded a multimillion-dollar research grant to help advance the development of VNA-318, its therapy candidate for age-related neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease. Totaling 2.5 million Swiss francs (about $2.8 million), the grant is funded by the Swiss Innovation Agency Innosuisse, which provides…

Amneal Pharmaceuticals has resubmitted its application for IPX203, an investigational extended-release oral formulation of carbidopa and levodopa for treating Parkinson’s disease. The move follows a request by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2023 for more information on the safety of IPX203’s carbidopa component…

Vyalev, a brand name for AbbVie’s ABBV-951 (foslevodopa/foscarbidopa), is now available in Canada as a continuous, subcutaneous (under-the-skin) infusion treatment for people with advanced Parkinson’s disease and motor symptoms that cannot be well controlled with oral medications. “AbbVie is proud to deliver the first new treatment…

Long-term practice of the Chinese martial art tai chi for Parkinson’s disease was shown to ease nonmotor symptoms among patients in a yearlong trial in China. Specifically, improved cognition was seen among people with the neurodegenerative disease after one year of the exercise program, according to study data. Conversely, at…

A Phase 2b trial testing the ability of IRLAB Therapeutics’ investigational oral therapy pirepemat to reduce falls in people with Parkinson’s disease is now expected to complete enrollment by September. Recruitment began last May and was initially expected to finish by the end of 2023, but the…