Thursday, March 7, 2024

Connection discovered between Parkinson's and ECM in brain

Researchers at the University of Haifa have discovered a connection between Parkinson's disease (PD) and the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the brain. (The ECM serves many functions, including the provision of support, separating the tissues from one another, and regulation of intercellular communication.) Among PD patients with a genetic background and those with sporadic Parkinson's, the researchers found evidence of changes in the genes that encode ECM proteins.

“Until now, most of the studies concerning Parkinson’s have focused on the cells and the synaptic connections. The results of our study found changes in the extracellular matrix, which have not been a focus of the Parkinson’s research,” explains study author Professor Shani Stern of the University of Haifa. Click here to learn more.

Phase 1 trial of oral therapy for healthy huntingtin protein advances

A first clinical trial of SKY-0515, an experimental treatment for Huntington’s disease, is starting to give multiple ascending doses to healthy adults randomized to the therapy rather than a placebo, Skyhawk Therapeutics, its developer, announced. Initiation of this part of the Phase 1 trial was contingent on results from its single-ascending dose portion.

“We are excited to announce that after successfully advancing in our SKY-0515 Phase 1 single ascending dose study, the safety review committee has recommended initiation of the multiple ascending dose portion of our Phase 1,” reports Douglas Faller, MD, chief medical officer of Skyhawk. Click here to learn more.

How impulse control disorders in Parkinson's patients alter processing of risky decisions

In a new study published in Scientific Reports, researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine explore how Parkinson’s disease patients, particularly those with impulse control disorders induced by dopaminergic medications, process the outcomes of risky decisions.

The research sheds light on the nuanced effects of Parkinson's treatment on behavior and suggests broader implications for understanding the psychological impacts of dopaminergic drugs on decision-making and risk perception. Click here to learn more.

How to diagnose restless legs syndrome across ages

“Diagnosing restless legs syndrome (RLS) is fairly straightforward when it’s clear patients meet the criteria,” says Andy Berkowski, MD, a neurologist specializing in sleep medicine at ReLACS Health. However, communication challenges can hinder a timely diagnosis.

Clinicians must navigate varied scenarios to diagnose RLS, from children who can’t articulate their feelings to middle-aged adults who find their symptoms so strange they won’t bring them up and older adults whose nighttime agitation is unknowingly related to RLS.

“When you have communication problems like that, it’s difficult because this is diagnosed completely on the interview with the patient and them communicating their symptoms,” says Mark Buchfuhrer, MD, a sleep specialist at Stanford Medicine. Click here to learn more.

Pacemakers – not just for the heart

“The pacemaker is being reinvented,” says Judson Haims, owner of Visiting Angels Home Care in Eagle County, Colorado. “Originally, it was developed to remedy heart rhythm irregularities. [Today], the conceptual design of using electrical stimulation [has] transformed the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, essential tremors and dystonia.” Click here to learn more.

Join Rocky Mountain HDSA for a Celebration of Hope: Wine & Shine on Saturday, May 11

The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Huntington's Disease Society of America invites you to the 2024 Celebration of Hope: Wine & Shine on Saturday, May 11, at 6:00 pm at the Bonacquisti Wine Company in Denver.

Enjoy dinner, wine and a silent auction including show tickets, spa certificates and a variety of beautiful gift baskets. Click here to purchase tickets online. For additional information, please contact Molly Kokesh at rockymountain@HDSAvolunteer.org.