Thursday, November 9, 2023

PET scans may predict Parkinson’s disease in at-risk individuals

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have found that PET scans of the heart may identify people who will go on to develop Parkinson’s disease (PD) among those at-risk for the disease. The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation and led by scientists at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the NIH, may advance efforts to detect the earliest changes that years later lead to PD.

The study supports the view that synuclein disorders such as PD affect the nerves of the autonomic nervous system, which regulates automatic body processes like heart rate and blood pressure. Work by Principal Investigator David S. Goldstein, M.D., Ph.D., NINDS and others has shown synuclein aggregation occurs in nerves to the gastrointestinal organs, skin and glands in PD and and Lewy body dementia. Click here to learn more.

Case report details “promising” first use of bilateral cerebellar rTMS to treat post-stroke ataxia

In a new case report, researchers at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Health have described “promising results” using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the management of post-stroke cerebellar ataxia—a debilitating condition marked by impaired coordination and balance.

“This case represents the first instance of bilateral cerebellar rTMS used to treat post-stroke cerebellar ataxia,” reports research lead Evan Hy Einstein, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.

“Further research is warranted,” continues Einstein, “to ascertain long-term clinical benefits and explore the underlying neural mechanisms of this innovative treatment. But it underscores the potential of tailored treatment protocols that consider the specific aetiology of ataxia.” Click here to learn more.

Biological subtyping: the future of neurodegenerative diseases

Alberto Espay, MD, MSc, University of Cincinnati, explains the importance of biological subtyping for future successes in personalized treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. The current diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases considers the symptoms of the disease but not the underlying biological processes. Understanding the biological cause of the disease will allow for treatment with therapies that target the specific process, meaning increased efficacy of treatments.

This interview took place at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting 2023 in Boston, MA. Click here to watch Dr. Espay's interview.

eNews subscribers can view HDSA Rocky Mountain Family Education Day - now online

Click the accompanying video screen to begin viewing the 2023 Rocky Mountain Huntington’s Disease Family Education Day, originally held on October 21 in Englewood, Colorado, featuring presentations by the region's leading physicians and medical experts on Huntington's disease research, social work, advocacy, and palliative and spiritual care.

The video will be streamed for general viewing at www.movementdisordersfoundation.org on Saturday, November 11, at 9:00 am MT and available thereafter on the MDF website.

Circuit-specific gene therapy brings new hope for treatment of Parkinson’s disease

Experts from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a gene therapy strategy that allows selective manipulation of Parkinson's disease (PD)-affected circuitry. It also attenuates the core motor symptoms of PD in rodents and nonhuman primate animals. The result of the study reveals that typical motor symptoms like rigidity, bradykinesia, and tremor were improved in primate models after applying the circuit-specific approach. 

Besides showing potential for treating Parkinson's disease, this circuit-manipulating gene therapy paves the way for future development of targeted, circuit-based therapeutic strategies for other brain disorders. Click here to learn more.