Parkinson’s Disease Research News

Felodipine, a common hypertension medication, induces autophagy and clears aggregate-prone proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The study reveals the drug clears mutant alpha-synuclein in the brains of mice at plasma concentrations to those seen in humans taking the medication. Felodipine appears to have some neuroprotective properties in mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases. ... read more

A prescribed drug to treat high blood pressure has shown promise against conditions such as Parkinson's, Huntington's and forms of dementia in studies carried out in mice and zebrafish. ... read more

(University of Cambridge) A prescribed drug to treat high blood pressure has shown promise against conditions such as Parkinson's, Huntington's and forms of dementia in studies carried out in mice and zebrafish at the University of Cambridge. ... read more

(Florida Atlantic University) Adjusting the frequency and dosage of Parkinson's patients' medication is complex. In their 'ON' state they respond positively to medication and in their 'OFF' state symptoms return. Addressing these fluctuations requires a clinical exam, history-taking or a patient's self-report, which are not always practical or reliable. A new technology that combines an algorithm with a senor-based system ... read more

(D'Or Institute for Research and Education) Less than one hour of brain training with neurofeedback leads to a strengthening of neural connections and communication among brain areas. This is the main finding of a new study conducted at D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), published today in Neuroimage. According to the authors, the study may pave the way for ... read more

PET imaging of former NFL players who exhibited cognitive decline and psychiatric symptoms linked to CTE showed higher levels of tau in areas of the brain associated with the neurodegenerative disease. ... read more

  As the amazing Australian Parkinson’s Mission project prepares to kick off, across the creek in my home land of New Zealand, another very interesting clinical trial programme for Parkinson’s is also getting started. The study is being conductetd by a US biotech firm called resTORbio Inc. The drug being tested in the study is called RTB101. It is ... read more

Researchers are reporting early success with a new tool to help people with Parkinson's disease improve their balance and potentially decrease falls with high-tech help: virtual reality. After practicing with a virtual reality system for six weeks, people with Parkinson's disease demonstrated improved obstacle negotiation and balance along with more confidence navigating around obstacles in their path. ... read more

Researchers propose adapting computer technologies to help those with depression recall positive memories. Most existing technologies focused on supporting memory impairments are geared towards episodic memory recall and cognitive impairments related to neurodegenerative diseases. ... read more

Researchers discuss the potential of deep brain stimulation in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, OCD, Tourette syndrome and other disorders. ... read more

Neuroimaging reveals those who have spent more years studying have increased cortical thickness in the medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate and orbitofrontal areas of the brain. Researchers also identified enhanced gene expression profiles in these brain regions that promote information processing and provide protection against some age-related neurodegenerative diseases. ... read more

A new article suggests that recent advances in deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson disease could lead to treatments for conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Gilles de la Tourette syndrome and depression. The authors of the article argue that bi-directional electrodes which can both stimulate and record from deep brain structures -- known as closed-loop DBS -- could have ... read more

In response to injury, microglia cross the spinal boundary from the central nervous system to the peripheral nervous system. While in the PNS, microglia provide the function of clearing cellular debris at the point of injury, then return to the CNS in an altered state. Researchers propose this could account for some damage associated with neurodegenerative diseases. ... read more

  Nuclear receptor related 1 protein (or NURR1) is a protein that has been shown to have a powerful effect on the survival of dopamine neurons – a population of cells in the brain that is severely affected by Parkinson’s. For a long time researchers ... read more

Zebrafish study reveals how key dopaminergic neurons, which are damaged as a result of Parkinson's disease, can be regenerated. Researchers report the immune system plays a critical role in the process. ... read more

Vitamin B12 significantly prevents the neurotoxicity of LRRK2 genetic variants associated with hereditary Parkinson's disease. The findings may help with the development of new therapies to combat the neurodegenerative disease. ... read more

Parkinson's patients could be helped by fresh insights gained from studies of tiny tropical fish. Research using zebrafish has revealed how key brain cells that are damaged in people with Parkinson's disease can be regenerated. ... read more

Parkinson's is the most common, chronic neurodegenerative movement disorder affecting 1% of the global population over seventy years of age. Right now, there is no cure for this disease and the available treatments focus on addressing its symptoms but not its progression. ... read more

  On the 26-31st March, the 14th International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases (or ADPD meeting) was held in Lisbon, Portugal. For 5 days – between 8:30am and 7:30pm each day – over 4000 researchers were able to attend lectures of new results and ... read more

MW-151, a new drug that blocks 'bad' inflammation in the brain is about to be tested in a new human trial. Researchers believe the new drug could help stave off dementia. ... read more

Reproductive spans of less than 34 years were linked to an increased risk of developing dementia in women. In those who had hysterectomies, the associated Alzheimer's risk was elevated by 8%. ... read more

PET imaging that helps detect dementia-related amyloid plaques significantly influences the clinical management of patients, a new study reports. ... read more

Disrupted sleep patterns may help to protect neurons in the brain in Huntington's disease. ... 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 March 2019. The post is divided into seven parts based on the type of research: ... read more

Virtual reality can help recalibrate time perception and sensorimotor actions. Researchers believe the technology could help in the treatment of ASD, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. ... read more