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New molecule could reverse neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s

Researchers at a university in Spain have discovered a new molecule which they claim can block and reverse neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s. The molecule – named SynuClean-D – is able to reduce alpha-synuclein aggregations which cause degeneration. The study – published in science journal ‘PNAS’ – explains how researchers at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain, tested over 14,000 molecules before discovering SynuClean-D. They then tested the molecule on a Caenorhabditis worm – one of the most commonly used animals when researching neurodegenerative diseases – finding that it boosted its mobility and protected it from neural degeneration. Salvador Ventura, the study coordinator, said: “Everything seems to indicate that the molecule we identified, the SynuClean-D, may provide therapeutic applications for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s in the future.”

Could art therapy help people with Parkinson’s?

A new study by US researchers will investigate the impact of art therapy on Parkinson’s motor symptoms. The study – which will be conducted by researchers at the Marlene and Paolo Fresco Institute for Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders, US – will focus on 40 participants, half of which have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The sessions will be led by professionals with a master’s degree in art therapy. It is hoped the approach will help people with Parkinson’s restore functional independence and maintain a high quality of life. Writing in the ‘Complementary Therapies in Medicine’ journal, the authors commented: “[Art therapy] could be used to improve impaired visuospatial functions in patients with PD, including visually-guided attention, shape recognition, motion perception, abstraction, sensory-motor integration, and hand-eye coordination.” In addition, the researchers believe art therapy may help improve the emotional wellbeing of participants.

Study finds that typing speed could indicate Parkinson’s

New research from Charles Sturt University, Queensland, Australia, has suggested that a person’s typing speed could be an early indicator of Parkinson’s. As part of the study, researchers used a computer programme to record the typing speed of 76 individuals – 27 of which had Parkinson’s – over a period of nine months. Researchers found they were able to detect Parkinson’s with a 78% accuracy rate – as the speed at which participants used their keyboards indicated whether or not they had a tremor. It is hoped that these findings will lead to the development of a diagnostic tool that will help medical professionals diagnose the condition in the future. Warwick Adams, who authored the study, said: “The end-game is to develop a widely-available screening test for both GPs and individuals.”

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New molecule could reverse neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s

Could art therapy help people with Parkinson’s?

Study finds that typing speed could indicate Parkinson’s

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New molecule could reverse neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s

Could art therapy help people with Parkinson’s?

Study finds that typing speed could indicate Parkinson’s

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