News

Improved software for deep brain stimulation wins FDA approval

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Boston Scientific’s software called Vercise Neural Navigator 5, which provides visual guidance on how to best program deep brain stimulation (DBS) settings for Parkinson’s disease. The improved software features an enhanced user-friendly interface that presents simplified patient data and…

Plant compounds found to ease Parkinson’s-like symptoms in rats

Plant compounds extracted from the Amomum subulatum fruit, also known as greater cardamom, were found to ease Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms — lessoning tremors and reducing muscular rigidity — in a rat model of features that are hallmarks of the neurodegenerative disorder. The greater cardamom extracts, given orally, worked to increase…

Parkinson Voice Project grant aids SPEAK OUT! at Northeastern

The Parkinson Voice Project (PVP)’s SPEAK OUT! Therapy & Research Center at Northeastern University will receive a $280,000 PVP grant for training, services, equipment, and supplies over the next five years. The four-week program, running at the university’s Speech-Language and Hearing Center for more than two years,…

Cannabinoid that might help in Parkinson’s entering Phase 2 trial

Gcanrx soon will open a Phase 2 clinical trial of a neuroprotective cannabinoid treatment that the company expects could benefit people with a range of neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease. The safety and efficacy trial, approved to take place in Israel, is expected to begin enrolling children with…

Study explores factors that shape patients’ quality of life

People with Parkinson’s disease tend to have different coping strategies depending on factors such as age, gender, and education, a new study shows. Findings suggest that differences in demographic and clinical factors, but not differences in coping strategies, are the main factors that determine patients’ quality of life, according…

FDA asking for more safety data on extended-release IPX203

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is asking for more information concerning the safety of  IPX203, an extended-release oral formulation of carbidopa and levodopa, before a final approval decision in treating Parkinson’s disease symptoms can be made. In a complete response letter to Amneal Pharmaceuticals,…