Parkinson

Scientists probing the biological underpinnings of Parkinson's disease have made an important discovery, shedding new light on the demise of cells that drives neurodegeneration linked to the condition.

For around a decade, scientists researching Parkinson's disease have been probing a pathway involved in the way brain cells process energy, and now a mystery around the role of a particular protein has been solved thanks to a new live action view.

Having studied the brushstrokes in thousands of paintings from famous artists, researchers say that certain variations in the works over the artists' careers can point to an ongoing decline in cognitive function. ​

​An ability to detect Parkinson's before it imparts irreparable damage on the brain would be a game changer when it comes to treatment. New research has raised the prospect of a low-cost eye test to catch the disease before it evolves into telltale symptoms like tremors and muscle stiffness.

​​If you've ever tried holding onto a spinning gyroscope, then you'll know how it "fights" you if you try to suddenly tip it over. Well, Imperial College London spinoff company GyroGear is utilizing that same principle in its new GyroGlove, which is designed to minimize hand tremors.​

A team of researchers at La Trobe University is developing a blood test for earlier detection of Parkinson's disease. The team estimates that it could be available within the next five years.

Scientists have identified a compound that can reverse symptoms of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. The method hasn't been tested on human patients just yet, but it's been found to be effective in genetically modified fruit flies.

​Injecting reprogrammed stem cells into the brain to tackle neurodegenerative diseases isn't a new idea, but a new technique might significantly improve the treatment. A team of scientists has developed a 3D polymer micro-scaffold that improves cell survival rates following transplantation.​

Researchers have identified a key obstacle in cell conversion, the manipulation of which allows for much easier transitions between cell types. The breakthrough allows scientists to create functional neurons to replace those damaged by Parkinson's disease.​

King's College London (KCL) researchers have identified a gene that regulates nerve function, and could be switched off as part of a new Parkinson's treatment. The breakthrough was made by studying the disease in fruit flies.

Noting that most current methods of diagnosing cognitive diseases can only detect impairment after the disorders have taken hold, researchers at MIT have combined digital pen technology and some custom software to develop an objective model for early detection.

A team of graduate students has created a prototype device that delivers non-invasive brain stimulation to sufferers of Parkinson's disease. The brain-zapping headwear, dubbed STIMband, helps to reduce the severity of symptoms without requiring a visit to a hospital or doctor's office.