Parkinson’s disease: EEG test may improve diagnosis, lead to new therapies

Researchers from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine have discovered a way to predict thinking problems, including dementia, in people with Parkinson’s using a widely available technology called electroencephalography (EEG).

Researchers believe that EEG tests could help improve the diagnosis of cognitive decline in people with Parkinson’s and lead to new biomarkers that could be used to target therapies to treat the disease’s cognitive symptoms.

The study was recently published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. Click here to learn more.

Stowers Institute research sheds light on the onset of Huntington’s disease

Scientists at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have identified the beginning structure of the amyloid protein aggregate responsible for causing Huntington’s disease and are proposing a potential treatment approach. “We’ve now figured out what the first link in the chain looks like. In doing so, we've discovered a new way to stop it,” said associate investigator Randal Halfmann, PhD.

According to the researchers, the structure, called “nucleus” is formed within a single protein molecule and leads to the huntingtin protein containing excessive repeats of an amino acid known as glutamine and abbreviated as Q. This causes the protein to misfold and damage the cell. Click here to learn more.

Cala Health expands tremor-treating neurostim system to Parkinson’s

Cala announces the launch of its new kIQ system. The FDA-cleared device is worn around the wrist, giving patients on-demand access to Cala’s Transcutaneous Afferent Patterned Stimulation therapy. The system has been cleared by the FDA to treat action hand tremor—that is, tremors associated with voluntary movements or postures—in people diagnosed with Parkinson’s or essential tremor. Click here to learn more.

Dosing beings in 2nd patient group in Phase 1/2 trial of gene therapy

A first group of patients has been treated with LX2006, an investigational gene therapy for heart disease in people with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial and dosing has begun in a second group. According to Lexeo Therapeutics, the treatment’s developer, LX2006 has been well tolerated and not associated with unexpected safety concerns or toxicity. “New treatment approaches, like LEXEO’s LX2006 gene therapy candidate, are critical for individuals and caregivers confronted with the debilitating realities of FA,” says Jennifer Farmer, CEO of the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance. Click here to learn more.

Singing may help voice problems in Parkinson's patients

Combining a singing program with conventional speech therapy could help to lessen the vocal problems facing people with Parkinson’s disease. According to findings from a small clinical trial published in the International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, vocal therapies that include singing might be beneficial for Parkinson’s patients. Researchers noted that singing might be an easy way for patients to engage in regular vocal exercise. Click here to learn more.