Zinc levels were found to have a causal effect on the risk of Parkinson’s disease, while other oxidative stress biomarkers showed no significant association. Highlights: A study identified a significant causal relationship between higher zinc levels and increased risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). No causal effects were found between PD and other oxidative stress biomarkers …
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) reveals significant retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, correlating with disease severity and suggesting OCT as a potential biomarker for PD diagnosis and monitoring. Highlights: RNFL Thinning: Parkinson’s disease patients exhibit significant thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) compared to non-PD individuals (p = …
PCSK9 inhibitors significantly reduce the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) but increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Highlights: ALS Risk Reduction: PCSK9 inhibitors marginally reduced the risk of ALS with an odds ratio of 0.89 (p = 0.048). PD Risk Increase: PCSK9 inhibitors increased the risk of Parkinson’s disease, with an odds ratio …
A study identified a panel of eight plasma biomarkers that can predict Parkinson’s disease up to seven years before motor symptoms appear. Highlights: Biomarker Panel: The study validated a panel of 8 proteins, including Granulin precursor and Complement C3, using mass spectrometry, which can differentiate Parkinson’s patients from healthy controls and identify pre-motor individuals with …
TLDR: A study identified specific gut microbial features in Parkinson’s disease (PD) across different countries, highlighting increased α-diversity, altered bacterial species, and decreased metabolites in PD patients. Highlights: Increased α-Diversity: The study found higher α-diversity in PD patients across six datasets from different countries. Altered Bacterial Species: Species such as Akkermansia muciniphila were increased, while …
New research reveals that people with a history of methamphetamine dependence face a startling elevated risk of developing Parkinson’s disease or related movement disorders later in life. Key Facts: Individuals dependent on methamphetamine had almost 3 times the rate of Parkinson’s outcomes compared to matched controls from the general population. For women with methamphetamine dependence, the risk …
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective but not perfect therapy. A large new study found that over 4-7 years, a majority of patients experienced adverse events, though most were not severe. Key facts: 86% of 123 DBS patients experienced adverse events over an average 4.7 year follow-up. There was no mortality directly from DBS …
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons. Dopamine plays an important role in PD development. Here are some key facts: Dopamine is a chemical messenger in the brain involved in movement, motivation, and mood. Loss of dopamine-producing neurons causes the motor symptoms of PD like tremors, rigidity, and …
A new study in mice shows how the immune system may play a role in the early gastrointestinal symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, decades before movement problems develop. Researchers found that injecting a specific piece of the alpha-synuclein protein into genetically modified mice triggered inflammation and loss of nerve cells in the gut, leading to constipation …
A new neurology study provides compelling evidence that retinal imaging can detect Parkinson’s disease years before diagnosis. Researchers found thinning of two inner retinal layers – the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and inner nuclear layer (INL) – in people who went on to develop Parkinson’s disease up to 7 years later. These findings suggest …
