AutismFeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscience·March 7, 2025·4 min readGenetic Variant in ITSN1 Linked to Higher Parkinson’s and ASD RiskA new study has identified genetic variants in the ITSN1 gene that significantly increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Researchers analyzed nearly 500,000 genetic profiles and found that individuals carrying ITSN1 variants face up to a tenfold higher risk of Parkinson’s.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·February 25, 2025·4 min readFDA Approves Adaptive DBS for Parkinson’s PatientsThe FDA has approved adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS), a breakthrough therapy that adjusts in real time to Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Unlike traditional DBS, which delivers constant stimulation, aDBS monitors brain activity and responds with precise electric pulses to prevent stiffness and involuntary movements.Read More
Auditory NeuroscienceFeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·January 14, 2025·5 min readHearing Loss May Signal Increased Risk of Parkinson’s DiseaseA new study has identified a potential link between hearing impairment and an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Researchers analyzed data from over 159,000 individuals, finding that every 10-decibel increase in hearing loss corresponded to a 57% higher risk of Parkinson’s.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·January 3, 2025·5 min readKetamine Offers Hope for Parkinson’s Treatment-Linked DyskinesiaResearchers have uncovered a new understanding of levodopa-induced dyskinesia, a common side effect in Parkinson’s patients, revealing that the motor cortex disconnects rather than directly causing these movements.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·December 16, 2024·4 min readAccurate Parkinson’s Detection via Emotional Brain ResponsesA new study has achieved near-perfect accuracy in detecting Parkinson's disease by analyzing brain responses to emotional stimuli using EEG and AI. Researchers found that Parkinson's patients process emotions differently, struggling with recognizing fear, disgust, and surprise and focusing more on emotional intensity than valence.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·November 21, 2024·5 min readParkinson’s Medication Alters Microbiome, Induces Iron DeficiencyThe Parkinson's drug entacapone disrupts the gut microbiome by inducing iron deficiency, favoring the growth of potentially harmful bacteria like E. coli. Using advanced molecular techniques, researchers identified that entacapone interferes with iron availability, a critical resource for many gut microbes.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·November 18, 2024·7 min readParkinson’s Tremor Linked to Dopamine in Caudate NucleusRest tremor in Parkinson’s disease is linked to dopamine activity in the caudate nucleus, challenging conventional beliefs about dopamine loss and motor symptoms. Surprisingly, patients with stronger tremor preserved more dopamine in the caudate, highlighting a complex relationship between tremor severity and neural circuits.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscience·November 13, 2024·6 min readParkinson’s Progression Linked to New Protein PathwayResearchers have identified a protein, TMEM16F, that appears to aid the spread of Parkinson’s pathology in the brain. They found that a mutation in this protein promotes the secretion of a harmful form of α-synuclein, which moves through nerve cells, forming toxic Lewy bodies.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscience·November 3, 2024·3 min readRNA Structures Linked to Parkinson’s Protein AggregatesResearchers have identified unique RNA structures called G-quadruplexes (G4s) that promote harmful α-synuclein protein aggregation linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s. Elevated calcium levels trigger these G4s, acting as "scaffolds" for α-synuclein clumping. Administering 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) to model mice prevented aggregation and reduced motor symptoms. This breakthrough suggests that G4-targeted therapies could offer early intervention for neurodegenerative diseases.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·November 2, 2024·8 min readNew Blood Test Shows Promise for Early Parkinson’s DetectionResearchers have developed a method to analyze extracellular vesicles (EVs) in blood for early detection of Parkinson’s disease (PD). By isolating EVs and assessing their contents, the team identified a protein called phosphorylated α-synuclein that appears in elevated levels in PD patients.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·October 23, 2024·5 min readPenicillin Use Linked to Lower Parkinson’s RiskA new study found that people who took multiple courses of penicillin antibiotics had a 15% lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Researchers analyzed medical records of over 93,000 individuals and discovered a connection between gut health and the disease, suggesting that altering the gut microbiome may influence Parkinson’s risk.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscience·October 21, 2024·5 min readGenetic Variants Linked to Brain Volume Shed Light on ADHD, Parkinson’sA large-scale study identified 254 genetic variants that shape the volume of key brain regions responsible for memory, motor control, and behavior. Researchers analyzed DNA and brain scans from nearly 75,000 people, uncovering links between these variants and conditions like ADHD and Parkinson’s disease.Read More
