A potential blood test for Parkinson’s disease

In a recent NIH-funded study, a new blood test that measures damage to cells’ mitochondria was able to distinguish people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) from those without. The lack of simple blood tests to diagnose Parkinson's early has long hampered drug development. Such a test, however, could identify people with PD who might benefit from studies of new treatments to reverse mitochondrial damage. Click here to learn more.

Free health data collection app now available to Huntington’s patients

Folia Health is expanding the use of its Folia app, designed to collect and manage patient-reported health data, to people with Huntington’s disease. The free app lets patients with certain conditions — now including known or suspected Huntington’s — to record and visualize information about their day-to-day experiences living with the disease. The aim is to better track disease progression and an individual’s treatment response. Click here to learn more.

Previously unknown gene function could be linked to Parkinson's disease, researchers say

New research indicates that the earliest signs of Parkinson's disease are different than what was previously believed. According to a study from researchers at Northwestern University, published in the medical journal Neuron, Parkinson's first sign could be a dysfunction in neural synapses and cell function that was not previously understood.

"Based on these findings, we hypothesize that targeting dysfunctional synapses before the neurons are degenerated may represent a better therapeutic strategy," said study author Dimitri Krainc. Click here to learn more.

Movement symptoms in dystonia found to be caused by spinal cord dysfunction

New research, published in Science Translational Medicine, used state-of-the-art mouse genetics to distinguish whether the brain or spinal cord was responsible for the disorganization of movement experienced by dystonia patients. Focusing on the most commonly inherited form of dystonia, scientists confined a genetic mutation to the spinal cord of mice, while sparing nerve cells in the brain. They discovered that the mice consequently developed signs of dystonia that were remarkably similar to those seen in people with the condition.

The researchers also observed how specific nerve cells in the spinal cord were affected through the course of the disease. The team hope that their findings will help towards the development of new treatments. Click here to learn more.

Learn about palliative care at the 2023 Rocky Mountain HDSA Family Education Day, Oct. 21

As the Division Chief of Neuropalliative Care and Professor of Neurology and Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Dr. Christina Vaughan cares for patients with serious or life-limiting neurologic diseases, focusing on symptom management, coping, planning next steps and aiding in difficult decision-making. 

She specializes in movement disorders and hospice and palliative medicine and is experienced in movement disorders to include Huntington's disease, dystonia, essential tremor, ataxia and Parkinson's disease. "I have a keen interest," explains Dr. Vaughn, "in identifying the unique palliative care needs of populations with neurologic diseases to identify how best we can help them as a team." 

Dr. Vaughn joins us at the 2023 Rocky Mountain Huntington's Disease Family Education Day on Saturday, October 21, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village, CO, to present on palliative care for people living with HD and practical solutions for their care partners. Admission to this event is free. Click here for program information and to register online.