Researchers discover dopamine’s unexpected role in movement

Contrary to the widely accepted belief that dopamine neurons respond predominantly, if not exclusively, to reward-predicting cues, researchers in a new Northwestern University-led study uncovered a genetic subtype in dopamine neurons in the midbrain area of a mouse model that activated in response to bodily movement. Even more unexpected was that these neurons did not respond to rewards in any way.

This finding opens new research directions for further understanding and potentially even treating Parkinson’s disease. Click here to learn more.

Mindfulness meditation for anxiety and stress reduction

Living with dystonia can present unique physical and mental challenges, as stress and anxiety have been found to increase muscle tension and involuntary movements and amplify symptoms and discomfort. Mindfulness meditation, relaxation training and exercise can help people affected by dystonia better manage associated stress and anxiety while reducing tension and pain.

Click here to hear two mindfulness meditation programs created for the dystonia community by Karen Ross, PhD, Vice President of Mental Health Programming at the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation.

Swapping brain cells points to new Huntington's therapies

New research appearing in the journal Nature Biotechnology answers important questions about the viability of treatments that seek to replace diseased and aged cells in the central nervous system with healthy ones. Its findings have implications for a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders —including Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and schizophrenia —that have been linked to glia, a population of cells that support brain health and function. 

“A broad variety of disorders we associate with neuronal loss now appear to be caused by dysfunctional glial cells,” said Steve Goldman, MD, PhD, co-director of the Center for Translational Neuromedicine at the University of Rochester and lead author of the new study. “This makes these diseases attractive targets for stem and progenitor cell-based therapies.” Click here to learn more.

Botox in the neck may help to reduce anxiety in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease

Botox injections in neck muscles can ease anxiety in Parkinson’s patients, according to a study conducted at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Scientists studied 60 patients who had undergone Botox injections to treat cervical dystonia. Six weeks after the jabs, the frequency and intensity of their spasms were rated and compared to results collected beforehand. 

While the results showed both physical and mental symptoms had improved significantly, there was no link between the two factors – patients who saw no improvement in their physical symptoms still reported substantial relief from anxiety. The authors say their research indicates that the injections have a direct effect on mental health. Previous studies have also revealed links between reduced anxiety – and even depression – and Botox jabs. Click here to learn more.

Challenges in diagnosis and treatment for atypical Parkinsonian disorders

The diagnosis and management of atypical parkinsonian disorders, such as multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), remains a major challenge for the clinical community. Despite the complexities of these diseases, recent advancements in the field like biomarkers and other measurements for progression provide a way to combat those challenges.

David Shprecher, DO, MSci, FAAN is the director of movement disorders at the Banner Sun Health Research Institute. Click here to hear Dr. Shprecher's interview with NeurologyLive® and how the use of biomarkers can potentially improve the diagnostic confidence for atypical parkinsonian disorders.