Nanoplastics — very tiny particles found in the environment when plastic breaks down — that reach a person’s brain can increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease or its progression by prompting the protein alpha-synuclein to clump and turn toxic. “A recent study found that polystyrene plastic pollution, among a…
News
Two leading nonprofit institutes have launched the GA4GH & INCF Neuroscience Community to better connect researchers around the world studying Parkinson’s disease and other brain disorders, and to improve data sharing globally. The goal of this new network, its creators say, is to tackle the complexity underlying disorders like…
The Parkinson’s Foundation presented the Movement Disorders Clinic at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) with a plaque last month that marks its recent designation as a Comprehensive Care Center. The university was one of six centers named in June 2022 as part of the Foundation’s…
People with Parkinson’s disease at a higher risk of liver scarring, known as fibrosis, experienced faster cognitive declines compared with patients at a lower risk, according to a new analysis. In fact, over a five-year period, liver scarring was tied to a “more rapid decline in scores” across four…
People with Parkinson’s disease who maintain the recommended level of weekly physical activity tend to be those with critical health literacy, or the ability to understand health information and apply it in decisions regarding their well-being, a survey study reports. Offering targeted education about exercise and physical activity…
One month of a high-dose nicotinamide riboside (NR) supplement — thought to boost energy production in the body’s cells — was well-tolerated and eased motor symptoms among people with Parkinson’s disease in a small clinical trial. But the researchers caution that these results are preliminary, and note that data…
Scientists have developed a handheld device that can be used to measure levels of biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders. “This portable diagnostic system would allow testing at-home and at point of care, like clinics and nursing homes, for neurodegenerative diseases globally,” Ratnesh Lal, PhD, said in…
When an advanced treatment for Parkinson’s disease such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) stops working, changing treatments or adding a new treatment often can help control disease symptoms, a new study reports. “Based on the results of our study, we can now make a clear recommendation for action. If…
Bifidobacteria, a type of bacteria found at higher levels in the gut of Parkinson’s disease patients, is capable of breaking down levodopa, the gold-standard therapy for the neurodegenerative disease, according to recent laboratory studies. Levels of the bacteria in the guts of Parkinson’s patients correlated with the dose of…
Andrés Bratt-Leal, a co-founder of Aspen Neuroscience who is leading work there on a potential stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease, is among the recipients of the 2023 Life Science Catalyst Award given to young scientists and entrepreneurs in recognition of their contributions. Sponsored by…
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