News

Compounds from marigold flowers show promise as treatment

Compounds extracted from marigold flowers may be useful in treating Parkinson’s disease, according to a study done in laboratory models. The study, “Active compounds from Calendula officinalis flowers act via PI3K and ERK signaling pathways to offer neuroprotective effects against Parkinson’s disease,” was published in Food…

6 Latin American countries asked to OK Inbrija for off periods

Biopas Laboratories has asked the regulatory agencies of six countries in Latin America to approve Inbrija for Parkinson’s disease off periods, according to Acorda Therapeutics, the therapy’s developer and Biopas’ partner. Inbrija is a self-administered, inhaled levodopa therapy developed to reduce periods when motor symptoms are…

DBS offers lasting motor benefits in GBA-associated Parkinson’s

For people with Parkinson’s disease associated with mutations in the GBA gene, deep brain stimulation (DBS) may offer lasting motor benefits and help manage impulsive-compulsive behaviors, a study suggests. Despite experiencing faster cognitive decline following DBS when compared to patients with these mutations, most patients had not developed dementia…

Swallowing problems may be due to poorer sensation in the airways

Major problems with sensation in the airways — essential in preventing the dysphagia or swallowing difficulties that can lead to complications like aspiration pneumonia — were not observed between Parkinson’s disease patients and healthy adults in a small recent study. But given the proposed relationship between airway sensory impairments…

Trial to determine if SIS imaging system makes DBS more effective

Surgical Information Sciences (SIS) has opened a clinical trial to evaluate whether its visualization technology system for locating brain structures can enhance the accuracy of implant placement during deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in people with Parkinson’s disease. Called VISION (NCT05774041), the observational and postmarketing study…

Report: Addressing swallowing issues requires carer-clinician effort

Swallowing problems can cause deadly complications for people with Parkinson’s disease, if not handled appropriately, making it critical that hospital clinicians partner with caregivers to help address the needs of patients. That’s the argument made by Annie Brooks, director of strategic initiatives at the Parkinson’s Foundation, in “Dysphagia…

Lightweight gloves reported to ease tremor due to Parkinson’s

Scientists in Thailand have developed lightweight gloves that help to lessen the tremors affecting daily life for people with Parkinson’s disease. The gloves currently are available at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok, but the researchers plan to partner with entrepreneurs to further refine the devices. One goal is…

Low oxygen may help to ease symptoms in Parkinson’s: Report

Exposure to low oxygen may help to ease the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease — but a lot more research is needed to conclusively determine the safety and effectiveness of this strategy for use among people with the neurodegenerative disorder, according to a new report. “From a clinical perspective, hypoxia…

FDA sets date in 2024 for decision on SPN-830 apomorphine pump

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted Supernus Pharmaceuticals‘ new application seeking approval of its apomorphine infusion pump — known as SPN-830 — to treat motor fluctuations in people with Parkinson’s disease. A decision on the company’s request, resubmitted last month in the form…