All articles tagged: Parkinson's & Movement disorders

As Mark Hasegawa-Johnson combed through data from his latest project, he was pleasantly surprised to uncover a recipe for Eggs Florentine. Sifting through hundreds of hours of recorded speech will unearth a treasure or two, he said.

For 12 years, Paul Stroud's done everything he can to combat the effects of Parkinson's disease. He had a pair of stimulators implanted deep in his brain. He takes the standard medications to treat symptoms. He even briefly tried out tai chi.

Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disorder globally, has long baffled scientists with its progressive nature and debilitating effects on motor function.

The number of people living with Parkinson's disease globally has doubled in the past 25 years. Yet the treatment and monitoring of the neurological disease seems many decades behind. Clinicians typically gauge the severity of the disease using subjective rating scales, and a shortage of doctors trained to treat Parkinson's means that people can go months—or years—between clinic visits.

Parkinson's comes on slowly, and diagnosing the often-devastating movement disorder, particularly in its early stages, usually entails having patients perform a variety of mobility tasks, observing their walking and movement patterns, and testing their reflexes. In all, it's a time-consuming and labor-intensive process for both clinicians and patients.

A highly accurate diagnostic blood test has been developed for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects neurons in the brain and spinal cord.

A study led by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) found the risk of developing Parkinson's disease was 76% higher among those with a history of damage to the lining of their upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract than among those without.

Researchers say we're on the cusp of a new era where physicians will personalize care, adjusting medications and pacemakers based on videos captured at home by patients that can be analyzed by artificial intelligence.

In 1817, a British physician named James Parkinson published An Essay on the Shaking Palsy, describing for the first time cases of a neurodegenerative disorder now known as Parkinson's disease. Today, Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the U.S. It affects about 1 million Americans and more than 10 million people worldwide.

The symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—a neurodegenerative disease that involves loss of nerve cells that control movement—tend to emerge in adulthood. To Davide Trotti, Ph.D., a neuroscientist at Thomas Jefferson University, this suggests that some unknown trigger causes a shift from a quiescent state to a biochemical storm causing neuronal death.

Researchers at TAU's Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences invited the international community of machine learning researchers to participate in a contest devised to advance their study and assist neurologists: developing a machine learning model to support a wearable sensor for continuous, automated monitoring and quantification of freezing of gait (FOG) episodes in people with Parkinson's disease

Two new studies from UC San Francisco are pointing the way toward round-the-clock personalized care for people with Parkinson's disease through an implanted device that can treat movement problems during the day and insomnia at night.

A technique that uses videos and machine learning to quantify motor symptoms in early-stage Parkinson's disease could help reveal signs of the disease and other movement disorders earlier, which could lead to better treatment outcomes.

The field of non-pharmacological interventions for the treatment of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) is reaching maturity and has the potential to substantially improve patient care in the future.

Pathological abnormalities associated with motor neuron disease have been identified using a new technique developed at the University of Birmingham.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is safe but does not offer clinically meaningful improvements for Parkinson's disease (PD), according to a study published online July 29 in JAMA Neurology.

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have used machine learning to define three subtypes of Parkinson's disease based on the pace at which the disease progresses. In addition to having the potential to become an important diagnostic and prognostic tool, these subtypes are marked by distinct driver genes. If validated, these markers could also suggest ways the subtypes can be targeted with new and

A major clinical trial, led by researchers at the University of Nottingham, has shown the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD) is more effective than the current speech and language therapy provided by the NHS, when treating patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Research led by UCLA Health reveals that Black patients with Huntington's disease in the U.S. and Canada received their diagnoses, on average, one year later compared to white patients after symptoms first appear.

Parkinson's disease is a significant health concern with profound impacts on individuals, the health care system and broader society. The current diagnosis model, which heavily relies on a medical professional interpreting data, often means the disease is nearly always diagnosed in the later stages, where more care and support is needed.

Despite recent advancements in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, it remains a challenge to accurately measure the progression of symptoms in this neurological disorder. While noticeable symptoms like tremors, stiffness and slowing of movement can be observed, there have previously been few precise ways to quantify changes in symptoms that can be used outside of research laboratories and in rou

For patients with mild Parkinson disease (PD), the structural and functional architecture of the brain connectome is associated with progression of gray matter (GM) atrophy, according to a study published online June 25 in Radiology.

Acupuncture is associated with improved sleep quality in patients with Parkinson disease, according to a study published online June 26 in JAMA Network Open.

The structural and functional organization of the brain as shown on MRI can predict the progression of brain atrophy in patients with early-stage, mild Parkinson's disease, according to a study published today in Radiology, a journal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

The risk of developing Parkinson's is at least twice as high in people with anxiety compared to those without, finds a new study by UCL researchers.

A team of researchers, led by scientists at UCL and University Medical Center Goettingen, has developed a simple blood test that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to predict Parkinson's up to seven years before the onset of symptoms. The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.

New research from the University of St Andrews and the University of Copenhagen has harnessed the power of AI to generate new insights into the progression of ALS.

Parkinson's disease touches every aspect of a person's life, from the physical to the emotional, often leaving individuals feeling isolated and overwhelmed.

Ubiquitous wearable technologies, like smartwatches, could help researchers better understand progressive neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease and speed up the approval of new therapies, a critical need given that no drugs exist to slow progression of the world's fastest growing brain disease.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has shown promise as a treatment for some symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, not all symptoms improve equally well with DBS. A better understanding of how different sites of electrical stimulation impact the wide range of motor symptoms associated with PD could help fine tune treatment.

For decades, Todd Vogt has been dedicated to the sport of rowing, believing he was in peak physical condition. Then, a series of symptoms began to emerge, turning his life upside down.

No pharmacological medication currently available can cure or slow down Parkinson's disease. However, based on an extensive literature review recently published in the journal Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, researchers from Aarhus University conclude that physical exercise should be a significant factor in the treatment of Parkinson's patients.

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have made a significant discovery, identifying genetic connections between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Published in Genome Medicine on May 14, their study highlights the potential for joint therapeutic strategies to target these two challenging disorders. The paper is titled, "The landscape of rare geneti

Parkinson's disease is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative conditions worldwide. It causes motor impairments such as tremors, slow movement, muscle stiffness, and balance problems. Memory can also worsen as the disease progresses. The individual course of the disease cannot be predicted, so experts recommend regular, close patient monitoring to allow for rapid responses to any changes in s

A team of Northwestern Medicine investigators has discovered novel DNA methylation patterns in the blood of patients with Parkinson's disease, according to findings published in Annals of Neurology.

April is Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month, which make this a good time to learn about the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

In an evolving journey toward understanding and supporting those living with Parkinson's disease, a new report offers fresh insights into the burden it places on those affected.

Researchers have used artificial intelligence techniques to massively accelerate the search for Parkinson's disease treatments.

Findings from a recent study in the Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases demonstrate the effectiveness of disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) in infants with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The study's results add further support for gene therapy as a treatment modality that can deliver durable transformative effects for these vulnerable patients.

Low-cost, wearable sensors could increase access to care for patients with Parkinson's disease. New machine-learning approaches and a baseline of data from healthy older adults improve the accuracy of the results from such sensors, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers and clinical collaborators found in a new study. The results were reported in the journal Sensors.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease mainly associated with the slowing down of information processing and a lack of motor coordination. It is an incurable disease that leads to degeneration of the central nervous system, manifesting as motor and sensory disturbances.

Scientists from the University of Aberdeen in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and international partners, have identified a new way to detect signs of motor neuron disease (MND) in brain tissue that can pick up indicators of MND earlier and with more sensitivity than currently used tests.

Neuroscientists at the University of Galway have made an exciting discovery that could revolutionize stem cell-based brain repair therapy for Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease patients who experience freezing of gait (a sudden inability to initiate or continue movement, often resulting in a fall) wake up several times during the night, feel sleepy during the day, and have REM sleep behavior disorder. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep plays a role in the maintenance of many cognitive processes.

Pesticides and herbicides used in farming have been linked to Parkinson's disease in the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains region of the country, according to a preliminary study released today, February 27, 2024, that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 76th Annual Meeting taking place April 13–18, 2024, in person in Denver and online.

High-intensity exercise induces brain-protective effects that have the potential to not just slow down but possibly reverse the neurodegeneration associated with Parkinson's disease, a new pilot study suggests.

Myotonic dystrophy 2 (DM2) is a form of muscular dystrophy, a disease that leads to progressive muscle degeneration. It is caused by the expansion of a repetitive DNA sequence containing multiple CCTG bases in the CNBP gene. In general, the sequence of nucleobases in the DNA carries the genetic information.

Multiple system atrophy is a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disease, where insoluble inclusions of the protein alpha-synuclein appear in oligodendrocyte cells of the brain. The resulting pathogenesis features neuroinflammation, demyelination and neurodegeneration. Oligodendrocytes produce myelin, an insulating sheath on the axons of nerves.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disorder, is a significant global health issue, affecting the voluntary motor nervous system in affected individuals. It is further compounded by a lack of effective treatment options. This treatment gap highlights the need to identify risk factors, particularly modifiable ones, that could potentially prevent the onset of ALS.

Roberta Wilson-Garrett looked at the glove keeping her right hand steady and smiled.

A team of physicians, neuroscientists and engineers at Duke University has demonstrated two new strategies that use deep brain stimulation to improve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

In the development of Parkinson's disease (PD), the changes that will lead to neurodegeneration take place in the brain long before patients show any symptoms. But without a test that can detect these changes, it's difficult to intervene early to more effectively slow disease progression.

About three years before he retired, David Campbell noticed something weird happening as he typed. Whenever he tried to hit a letter, say "a," he'd get "aaa," like the keyboard was jamming or his finger was triple-tapping the key. That wasn't the only thing that seemed off—his sense of smell was faltering. "Little things," he says, "that I didn't think of as being a big deal."

Freezing is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms of Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 9 million people worldwide. When individuals with Parkinson's disease freeze, they suddenly lose the ability to move their feet, often mid-stride, resulting in a series of staccato stutter steps that get shorter until the person stops altogether. These episodes a

Patients with Parkinson's disease call it "D-Day," the date they were told they had the incurable movement disorder.

As Parkinson's disease diagnoses continue to rise in the U.S., limited patient access to movement disorder specialists means the job of delivering the often-devastating, life-changing news falls on primary care physicians or community neurologists who may not have the necessary expertise for this sensitive task.

In neuromuscular diseases, neurons and muscle cells stop communicating properly. Researchers led by Mina Gouti can now model this in 2D in a culture dish. Writing about their findings in Nature Communications, they say the new model promises to revolutionize high-throughput drug screening studies.

New research published by neurology researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in npj Parkinson's Disease found that preventable risk factors play a significant role in a person's potential of developing Parkinson's disease.

While previous studies suggest Parkinson's disease begins in the gut and spreads to the brain, how the process occurs has been elusive. Now, a pre-clinical study led by Duke Health researchers provides new evidence that bolsters the gut-brain connection.

While the European Union has just renewed the approval of the use of herbicide glyphosate for another 10 years, scientists issue a call to action to reduce or replace the use of agrochemicals. Pesticides have a long-recognized link to Parkinson's disease (PD) based on epidemiological and experimental evidence from animal models.

Research carried out at Oxford's Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences has led to the development of a new blood-based test to identify the pathology that triggers Parkinson's disease before the main symptoms occur. This could allow clinicians to screen for those individuals at high risk of developing the disease and facilitate the timely introduction of precision therapies that are curren

In a small study, researchers at the National Institutes of Health have found that positron emission tomography (PET) scans of the heart may identify people who will go on to develop Parkinson's disease or Lewy body dementia among those at-risk for these diseases.

The centuries-old martial art of tai chi is shown to have many health benefits—including improving balance, reducing anxiety and preventing cardiovascular disease.

A new research perspective titled "Cholinergic centro-cingulate network in Parkinson disease and normal aging" has been published in Aging.

A new study led by researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute has found that people living in regions with median levels of air pollution have a 56% greater risk of developing Parkinson's disease compared to those living in regions with the lowest level of air pollution.

Over the last decade, research at Michigan Medicine has shown how exposure to toxins in the environment, such as pesticides and carcinogenic PCBs, affect the risk of developing and dying from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

It's the day after the Baltimore Orioles clinched the American League East Championship with their 100th win of the season, and lifelong fan Tim Evans is showing his pride on his sleeve.

Tai chi, the Chinese martial art that involves sequences of very slow controlled movements, may curb the symptoms and complications of Parkinson's disease for several years, reveals research published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.

A team of researchers from the University of Oxford has shown for the first time that it is possible to track the progression of Parkinson's disease accurately using specially trained machine learning algorithms to analyze data derived from sensor devices worn by patients.

Trying to get a full night's rest while living with Parkinson's disease is often easier said than done. Patients often face frequent interruptions and irregular sleep due to a number of issues, such as poor nap patterns, abnormal movements during sleep, medication side effects, and difficulties surrounding sleep-improving exercise.

Parkinson's disease is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that leads to the deterioration of specific types of neurons in the brain, resulting in a number of motor and non-motor symptoms. It is currently estimated that more than 10 million people in the world are living with Parkinson's disease, the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's. That number is expected to swell

For several years, scientists have known that Parkinson's disease is related to misfolding of the protein alpha-synuclein. Deposited aggregates of a protein called alpha-synuclein (α-syn) can damage and kill nerve cells, leading to neurological dysfunction. It has been known that lipid layers on cell surfaces can accelerate the misfolding process; however, the microscopic mechanisms involved have

An augmented-reality headset is an effective digital tool for improving posture and gait in people with Parkinson's disease, according to a recent Cleveland Clinic trial. Findings were published in Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair.

Finding the right medication regimen to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex health care challenge. Wearable health trackers provide physicians with a detailed window into patients' symptoms, but translating this complex data into useful treatment insights can be difficult.

Even the best treatment approaches for Parkinson's disease are inadequate if they do not address patients' feelings of social rejection, isolation, loneliness and other psychosocial effects of stigma, according to a report from experts specializing in Parkinson's and other movement disorders.

An artificial intelligence tool developed by researchers at the University of Rochester can help people with Parkinson's disease remotely assess the severity of their symptoms within minutes. A study in npj Digital Medicine describes the new tool, which has users tap their fingers 10 times in front of a webcam to assess motor performance on a scale of 0–4.