Greater proportions of immune regulatory B-cells were associated with better motor performance in people with early Parkinson’s disease, a study revealed. Regulatory B-cell subsets may be protective by limiting pro-inflammatory responses that contribute to disease progression, data showed. Meanwhile, elevated levels of antibodies produced by regular B-cells against the…
Remote assessments using smartphones and smartwatches could be used in clinical trials to track the severity of Parkinson’s disease, a new study indicates. “In this multicenter study, a commercially available smartwatch and a smartphone research application captured key motor and non-motor features of early, untreated” Parkinson’s, the researchers wrote,…
Changes in the electrical activity of a brain region called the left inferior frontal cortex (LIFC) may underlie certain speech difficulties in people with Parkinson’s disease, a study found. Patients with more severe articulation problems had higher frequency activity in the LIFC, and more limited communication between the LIFC…
A molecule associated with oxidative stress, called allantoin, is found at higher levels in the blood of people with Parkinson’s disease relative to their peers without the neurodegenerative disorder, according to a new study. Allantoin and its ratio to uric acid (UA) — the antioxidant molecule from which it’s…
NeuroPoint Alliance’s (NPA) registry for people with Parkinson’s disease eligible for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery announced that it has completed its initial pilot phase, collecting information on more than 170 patients who underwent the treatment. Called the Registry for the Advancement of DBS in Parkinson’s Disease, or…
Heavier coffee drinkers, based on the number of cups consumed daily, have a lower volume of the striatum, a brain region affected in Parkinson’s disease, whether or not they have Parkinson’s, a study from China using MRI data reported. Regular coffee consumption, without an emphasis on cups per day,…
Mutations associated with a rare genetic neurological disorder called neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) do not appear to be risk factors for Parkinson’s disease, a study reported. NBIA refers to a group of extremely rare genetic conditions characterized by a buildup of iron in the brain, damaging and…
People with Parkinson’s disease who smoke cigarettes are less likely to die of neurological problems than non-smokers, a new study shows — though Parkinson’s smokers were found to have a higher risk of death due to related smoking-related complications such as lung cancer. The findings support the idea that…
Women with Parkinson’s disease are less likely to be referred for deep brain stimulation (DBS) evaluation than men, a study has found. Moreover, women with essential tremor, a disease that shares symptoms with Parkinson’s and can also be treated with DBS, were more likely to decline surgery, once approved.
The Van Andel Institute has awarded scientist Virginia M.Y. Lee the 2023 Jay Van Andel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Parkinson’s Disease Research. in recognition of her pioneering work in Parkinson’s disease. “It is an absolute honor to present Dr. Lee with the Jay Van Andel Award for…
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