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Parkinson’s disease

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 25, 2023·4 min read

RIT2 Gene’s Promise in Halting Parkinson’s Disease Progression

Researchers identified a protein that could play a significant role in preventing Parkinson's disease. The protein, linked to the RIT2 gene, is believed to control the accumulation of alpha-synuclein, which destroys neuronal cells and is a known indicator of the disease. Experiments conducted in cell models and on mice showed that increasing the expression of the RIT2 gene helped protect neurons from damage caused by alpha-synuclein.

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Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 18, 2023·5 min read

Identifying Pesticide Culprits in Parkinson’s Disease

Researchers pinpointed 10 pesticides that significantly damage neurons involved in the onset of Parkinson’s disease. The study utilized California's extensive pesticide use database and innovative testing methods to identify pesticides directly toxic to dopaminergic neurons, which are crucial for voluntary movement.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 17, 2023·4 min read

Regular Exercise Linked to Lower Parkinson’s Risk

Regular physical activity, from cycling and walking to gardening and household chores, may reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The study found that women who exercised the most had a 25% lower rate of Parkinson’s disease compared to those who exercised the least. This study does not establish that exercise directly lowers the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, but it does show a significant association.

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Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 16, 2023·6 min read

Prolonged TCE Chemical Exposure Linked to 70% Increased Parkinson’s Risk

A new study reveals a significant link between long-term exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) and a 70% increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Researchers compared Parkinson’s diagnoses in approximately 160,000 Navy and Marine veterans, half of whom were stationed at Camp Lejeune, where TCE contamination occurred.

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Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 12, 2023·4 min read

AI Reveals Distinct Speech Patterns in Parkinson’s Disease Patients

Researchers used artificial intelligence to analyze speech in Parkinson's disease patients, revealing distinct patterns. The AI found Parkinson's patients used more verbs but fewer nouns and fillers in their speech, even before cognitive decline typically associated with PD was evident. The analysis was capable of identifying Parkinson's patients with over 80% precision, offering a potential new tool for early diagnosis. This study underscores the potential of natural language processing, a branch of AI, in enhancing healthcare diagnostics.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 9, 2023·5 min read

AI Detects Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease in Patients’ Blood

Researchers developed an AI tool that can detect signs of Parkinson's disease in patients' blood samples, up to 15 years before the onset of symptoms. The tool uses machine learning to analyze combinations of metabolites in the body, revealing unique markers that may signal the onset of Parkinson's. Although validation studies are needed, the tool was able to predict Parkinson's disease with up to 96% accuracy in the study's limited cohort.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 8, 2023·5 min read

New Technique Rapidly Detects Parkinson’s and Chronic Wasting Disease

Researchers have developed a faster and more accurate diagnostic technique for the detection of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and chronic wasting disease (CWD). The method dramatically improves the performance of advanced protein-misfolding detection methods.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 23, 2023·3 min read

Advance in Intelligent Neuroprosthetics May Benefit Those With Motor Diseases

It may be possible to optimize the stimulation parameters of brain implants in animals without human intervention. The study highlights the potential for autonomous optimization of prostheses implanted in the brain. The advance may prove to be beneficial for those with spinal cord injury and diseases that affect movement.

This shows neurons and the olfactory bulb

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 21, 2023·3 min read

Sniffing Out the Mechanism Behind Parkinson’s Smell Loss

Up to 90% of patients report experiencing a diminished sense of smell, even prior to the onset of other symptoms of Parkinson's disease. A new study reveals the mechanism behind smell loss associated with Parkinson's, reporting mouse models with olfactory impairments had severe pathology in projection neurons of the olfactory pathway. The mice also had reduced neurogenesis in the olfactory bulb.

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Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 20, 2023·4 min read

Ear EEG Tests for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s at Home

Researchers are developing and testing a novel EEG system that is worn in the ear, similar to an earbud, that maps brain activities during sleep and could help diagnose neurodegenerative diseases from the data it collects.