Parkinson’s Research News

A new computerized assessment appears to be effective in screening for mild cognitive impairment and dementia within five minutes. ... read more

Study reveals the immune system constantly communicates with the brain during the early developmental phase of Parkinson's disease. Changes in the immune system influence the condition of neurons. ... read more

A smoking cessation drug called cytisine may be a helpful new tool for the treatment of Parkinson's disease in women. Cytisine was found to reduce the loss of dopamine neurons. The effect was more pronounced when estrogen was present. ... read more

(Texas A&M University) Texas A&M University College of Medicine ressearchers have recently discovered that cytisine -- a smoking cessation drug commonly used in Europe -- reduces the loss of dopamine neurons in females. These findings provide potential evidence for the use of the drug to treat Parkinson's disease or stop its progression in women. ... read more

(Aarhus University) A group of people with sleep disorders have helped researchers from Aarhus make an important discovery about Parkinson's disease. The study could pave the way for new diagnostic tools and forms of treatment in the future ... read more

For Parkinson's patients, golf is better than tai chi at improving movement and balance. ... read more

Sesaminol, a chemical byproduct of sesame seed shells, has neuroprotective properties against Parkinson's disease. ... read more

The SARM1 protein triggers a cascade of degeneration associated with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers hope new drugs can be developed to directly target this protein to fight neurodegeneration. ... read more

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease are in the firing line after researchers identified an attractive therapeutic drug target. ... read more

(Osaka City University) Researchers find that the chemical sesaminol, naturally occurring in sesame seeds, protects against Parkinson's disease by preventing neuronal damage that decreases the production of dopamine. In vitro experiments show sesaminol handle oxidative stress in cells by regulating the production of reactive oxygen species and the movement of antioxidants. In vivo experiments reveal that a diet of sesaminol ... read more

(The Francis Crick Institute) Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute and UCL have identified the trigger of a key cellular change in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a type of motor neurone disease. The findings could help develop new treatments for many neurological diseases with the same change, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. ... read more

(University of Queensland) Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease are in the firing line after researchers identified an attractive therapeutic drug target. ... read more

Grafting neurons derived from a monkey's own stem cells reversed the debilitating and mental health symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease. The treatment shows promise for alleviating the symptoms of Parkinson's in humans. ... read more

Grafting neurons grown from monkeys' own cells into their brains relieved the debilitating movement and depression symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease, researchers report. ... read more

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disorder primarily characterized by autonomic failure plus parkinsonism or cerebellar ataxia. The diagnosis may be challenging and is usually made at a tertiary care center. The long-term management issues are equally challenging and frequently require collaboration with the patient’s local care providers. Whereas there is currently no cure for MSA, treatment focuses on ... read more

# # # # At the end of each month the SoPD writes a post which provides an overview of some of the major pieces of Parkinson’s-related research that were made available during February 2021. The post is divided into eight parts based ... read more

Amyloid plaques can cling to newly developed bowl-shaped nanoparticles. The findings provide a new way to study the Alzheimer's related plaques and provides novel treatment options for dementia. ... read more

Embarking on a six-month aerobic exercise regime may help reduce cognitive decline for older adults living with Alzheimer's disease. ... read more

Plant-based diets, such as the DASH diet and MIND diet, can reduce the risk of heart failure and ultimately decrease the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. ... read more

Genetically engineering botulinum toxin could help advance new treatments for everything from neurodegenerative disorders to cytokine storms. ... read more

Older adults with higher fear of memory loss and dementia report a significant decrease in their quality of life and reported more failures in memory. ... read more

People with prediabetes who have higher than average blood sugar levels are at increased risk of cognitive problems and vascular dementia. ... read more

# # # # Over the last 20 years, researchers have identified a number of genetic variations that can confer an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s. Tiny alterations in regions of DNA (called genes) – which provide the instructions for making a protein – can increase one’s chances of Parkinson’s. A better understanding of the biological pathways associated ... read more

(Henry Ford Health System) The Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Center at Henry Ford Health System was the first in the United States to offer a new FDA-approved device to help treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. ... read more

Study reveals those with frontotemporal dementia have greater white matter hyperintensity than those with other forms of dementia. The amount of white matter hyperintensity was associated with the severity of FTD symptoms. ... read more