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Dr Bruno Bergmans discusses the symptom’s “huge impact”
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Global update

Scientists in Germany tested the impact of the protein Creld
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Global update

This month’s Parkinson’s stories from around the globe
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Parkinson’s disease symptoms linked to protein deficiency in fruit flies

Scientists in Germany tested the impact of the protein Creld

Ask the expert: Is drooling an “overlooked” symptom of Parkinson’s disease?

Dr Bruno Bergmans discusses the symptom’s “huge impact”

“Even ‘normal’ drinking comes with a risk”

Moderate alcohol consumption may be linked with Parkinson’s

Trolley California Street Sunrise in San Francisco

10 top tips for travelling with Parkinson’s

Finnish author and campaigner Timo Montonen shares his top tips

“What we have discovered is the tip of the iceberg”

A new method for early Parkinson’s disease diagnosis?

Combining film and poetry to send a message about Parkinson’s disease

Filmmaker Zack Grant highlights his mother’s experience

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Researchers are developing an autonomous vehicle for people with Parkinson’s disease

For some people with Parkinson’s, managing regular visits to healthcare professionals may prove challenging. Now, researchers from the University of Michigan, US, are developing an autonomous vehicle prototype designed specifically to help those living with the condition. Autonomous vehicles are defined by what a driver is exempt from doing in safety-critical situations, including braking and steering. “A recurring theme that has come up is that people with Parkinson’s disease have different lifestyles, but they share the desire to carry out tasks independently,” said Nathaniel Miller, associate professor of psychology at the University of Michigan-Flint, in a press release. To help address this issue, the project – currently in the early stages – will involve creating simulated driving scenarios in labs to inform the prototype car’s design. The researchers hope to understand which vehicle features people with Parkinson’s prefer, how to reduce barriers to entering and exiting cars and how to improve…

Parkinson’s disease genes activated in zebrafish exposed to aluminium

According to research on zebrafish in Naples, Italy, aluminium exposure may increase the activity of several genes associated with the development of Parkinson’s. The team investigated the impact of exposing zebrafish to aluminium for periods of 10, 15 or 20 days. Subsequent analyses revealed that effects in “cellular disorganisation” and swelling, brought on by the exposure, were highest after 10 or 15 days – and that around 10 Parkinson’s-related genes showed increased signs of activation. The researchers found that while fish exposed to aluminium showed signs of brain degeneration, brain tissue remained intact in the fish that were not exposed. When their results were published in the journal ‘Chemosphere’, the researchers noted that further investigation of the link between aluminium exposure and Parkinson’s is needed – but they wrote: “Overall, the data confirm the neurotoxicity induced by aluminium and shed a light on its involvement in neurodegenerative processes.”

Could wearable heart sensors help with diagnosing Parkinson’s disease?

Decreased heart rate variability (HRV) – that is, reduced time between heartbeats – has previously been associated with a greater risk of Parkinson’s. Now, researchers in Japan have suggested that using wearable sensors to measure this variability may help in diagnosing the condition at its early stages. As part of their study, the team analysed the heart rate variability of 27 people with Parkinson’s and 23 without the condition. The participants wore two heart rate sensors on their wrists for approximately 24 hours during a hospital stay. Results from the study showed that heart rate variability was “significantly decreased” in people with Parkinson’s, with the researchers reporting that the “assessment method was effective in detecting decreased HRV”. Noting the need for further research, the team wrote: “Our wearable sensor-based analysis should also be tested in subjects at the [early] stages” to determine the applicability for early diagnosis of Parkinson’s.

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Ask the expert: Is drooling an “overlooked” symptom of Parkinson’s disease?

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Parkinson’s disease symptoms linked to protein deficiency in fruit flies

Parkinson’s in the news: July

Special reports

Global update

Global update

Global update

Parkinson’s disease symptoms linked to protein deficiency in fruit flies

sponsored article

Special reports

Ask the expert: Is drooling an “overlooked” symptom of Parkinson’s disease?

Global update

“Even ‘normal’ drinking comes with a risk”

Perspectives

10 top tips for travelling with Parkinson’s

Advances

“What we have discovered is the tip of the iceberg”

Global update

Combining film and poetry to send a message about Parkinson’s disease

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Researchers are developing an autonomous vehicle for people with Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease genes activated in zebrafish exposed to aluminium

Could wearable heart sensors help with diagnosing Parkinson’s disease?

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Ask the expert: Is drooling an “overlooked” symptom of Parkinson’s disease?

sponsored article

Parkinson’s disease symptoms linked to protein deficiency in fruit flies

Parkinson’s in the news: July

Special reports

Global update

Global update

Global update

Parkinson’s disease symptoms linked to protein deficiency in fruit flies

sponsored article

Special reports

Ask the expert: Is drooling an “overlooked” symptom of Parkinson’s disease?

Global update

“Even ‘normal’ drinking comes with a risk”

Perspectives

10 top tips for travelling with Parkinson’s

Advances

“What we have discovered is the tip of the iceberg”

Global update

Combining film and poetry to send a message about Parkinson’s disease

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{title}

Researchers are developing an autonomous vehicle for people with Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease genes activated in zebrafish exposed to aluminium

Could wearable heart sensors help with diagnosing Parkinson’s disease?

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