https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/parkinson's/ Information on Parkinson's disease. Learn about Parkinson's disease treatments, symptoms, new research and medication. en-us Fri, 13 Mar 2026 23:50:26 EDT Fri, 13 Mar 2026 23:50:26 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/parkinson's/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260219040820.htm A groundbreaking clinical trial is testing whether specially engineered stem cells can help the brain restore its own dopamine production in people with Parkinson’s disease. Because the condition is driven by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing cells—leading to tremors, stiffness, and slowed movement—researchers are implanting lab-grown cells directly into the brain’s movement center to replace what’s been lost. Fri, 20 Feb 2026 04:03:58 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260219040820.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210040559.htm Human evolution has long been tied to growing brain size, and new research suggests prenatal hormones may have played a surprising role. By studying the relative lengths of index and ring fingers — a clue to oestrogen and testosterone exposure in the womb — researchers found that higher prenatal estrogen was linked to larger head size in newborn boys. Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:42:37 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210040559.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208203013.htm A new international study points to a specific brain network as the core driver of Parkinson’s disease. Scientists found that this network becomes overly connected, disrupting not just movement but also thinking and other bodily functions. When researchers targeted it with non-invasive brain stimulation, patients showed much stronger symptom improvement than with conventional stimulation. The discovery could reshape how Parkinson’s is diagnosed and treated. Sun, 08 Feb 2026 20:37:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208203013.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206020852.htm New research using rhesus monkeys suggests that the brain’s relationship with alcohol may begin forming long before a person ever takes a drink. Scientists found that exposure to alcohol before birth reshaped the brain’s dopamine system, a key player in motivation and reward, and those changes were linked to faster drinking later in adulthood. Fri, 06 Feb 2026 05:26:39 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206020852.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206012203.htm Scientists at Keck Medicine of USC are testing an experimental stem cell therapy that aims to restore the brain’s ability to produce dopamine, the chemical whose loss drives Parkinson’s disease. The early-stage clinical trial involves implanting lab-grown dopamine-producing cells directly into a key movement-control region of the brain, with the hope of slowing disease progression and improving motor function. Fri, 06 Feb 2026 06:57:35 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206012203.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260129080424.htm Scientists in Sweden and Norway have uncovered a promising way to spot Parkinson’s disease years—possibly decades—before its most damaging symptoms appear. By detecting subtle biological signals in the blood tied to how cells handle stress and repair DNA, the team identified a brief early window when Parkinson’s quietly leaves a measurable fingerprint. Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:26:14 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260129080424.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260128075319.htm A massive international study of more than 3,100 long COVID patients uncovered a striking divide in how brain-related symptoms are reported around the world. In the U.S., the vast majority of non-hospitalized patients described brain fog, depression, and anxiety, while far fewer patients in countries like India and Nigeria reported the same issues. The difference doesn’t appear to be about the virus itself, but about culture, stigma, and access to mental health care. Wed, 28 Jan 2026 08:59:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260128075319.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260127010138.htm Findings could create new opportunities to treat and study neurodegenerative diseasesScientists discovered that sugar metabolism plays a surprising role in whether injured neurons collapse or cling to life. By activating internal protective programs, certain metabolic changes can temporarily slow neurodegeneration—hinting at new ways to help the brain defend itself. Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:09:25 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260127010138.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120095111.htm Researchers have identified a key molecular interaction that accelerates Parkinson’s disease by damaging the brain’s energy systems. They designed a new treatment that intercepts this harmful process, protecting brain cells and restoring their function. In lab and animal models, the approach improved movement and cognitive performance while reducing inflammation. The findings point toward a new generation of Parkinson’s therapies aimed at the root cause, not just the symptoms. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:08:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120095111.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116035348.htm Researchers have identified OTULIN, an immune-regulating enzyme, as a key trigger of tau buildup in the brain. When OTULIN was disabled, tau vanished from neurons and brain cells remained healthy. The findings challenge long-held assumptions about tau’s necessity and highlight a promising new path for fighting Alzheimer’s and brain aging. Scientists now believe OTULIN may act as a master switch for inflammation and age-related brain decline. Fri, 16 Jan 2026 03:53:48 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116035348.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001916.htm A familiar mouth bacterium best known for causing cavities may also be quietly influencing the brain. Scientists found that when this microbe settles in the gut, it produces compounds that can travel through the bloodstream and harm neurons involved in movement. In animal studies, this process triggered inflammation, motor problems, and brain changes linked to Parkinson’s disease. The findings hint that protecting oral and gut health could help protect the brain as well. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 22:25:32 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001916.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001913.htm Many people with multiple sclerosis struggle with balance and coordination, and this study uncovers a hidden reason why. Researchers found that inflammation in the brain disrupts the energy supply of vital movement-controlling neurons. As their mitochondria fail, these cells weaken and eventually die, worsening motor problems over time. Protecting brain energy systems could open the door to slowing these symptoms. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 03:18:40 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001913.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043225.htm A new study shows dopamine isn’t the brain’s movement “gas pedal” after all. Instead of setting speed or strength, it quietly enables movement in the background, much like oil in an engine. When scientists manipulated dopamine during movement, nothing changed—but restoring baseline dopamine levels made a big difference. The finding could reshape how Parkinson’s disease is treated. Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:38:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043225.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251210223635.htm Researchers uncovered how shifting levels of a brain protein called KCC2 can reshape the way cues become linked with rewards, sometimes making habits form more quickly or more powerfully than expected. When this protein drops, dopamine neurons fire more intensely, strengthening new associations in ways that resemble how addictive behaviors take hold. Rat studies showed that even brief, synchronized bursts of neural activity can amplify reward learning, offering insight into why everyday triggers, like a morning routine, can provoke strong cravings. Wed, 10 Dec 2025 22:41:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251210223635.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251127010319.htm Scientists studying young adults with obesity discovered early indicators of brain stress that resemble patterns seen in cognitive impairment. The group showed higher inflammation, signs of liver strain and elevated neurofilament light chain, a marker of neuron injury. Low choline levels appeared closely tied to these changes. The results hint that early metabolic disruptions may quietly influence the brain long before symptoms emerge. Thu, 27 Nov 2025 02:45:12 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251127010319.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251126095023.htm Spermine, a small but powerful molecule in the body, helps neutralize harmful protein accumulations linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It encourages these misfolded proteins to gather into manageable clumps that cells can more efficiently dispose of through autophagy. Experiments in nematodes show that spermine also enhances longevity and cellular energy production. These insights open the door to targeted therapies powered by polyamines and advanced AI-driven molecular design. Thu, 27 Nov 2025 07:35:52 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251126095023.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251121090740.htm Researchers uncovered how estrogen subtly reshapes learning by strengthening dopamine reward signals in the brain. Rats learned faster when estrogen levels were high and struggled when the hormone’s activity was blocked. The findings help explain how hormonal cycles influence cognitive performance and psychiatric symptoms. This connection offers a new path for understanding brain disorders tied to dopamine. Fri, 21 Nov 2025 23:32:51 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251121090740.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251106003155.htm Weill Cornell researchers uncovered how free radicals from astrocyte mitochondria can fuel dementia. Using new compounds that target these radicals at their source, they slowed brain inflammation and neuronal damage in mice. The findings reveal a potential breakthrough for treating diseases like Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia by focusing on the precise mechanisms driving degeneration. Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:31:55 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251106003155.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103092957.htm Duke-NUS scientists unveiled BrainSTEM, a revolutionary single-cell map that captures the full cellular diversity of the developing human brain. The project’s focus on dopamine neurons provides crucial insight for Parkinson’s treatment. Their findings reveal flaws in current lab-grown models while offering a precise, open-source standard for future research. It’s a leap toward more accurate brain modeling and powerful cell-based therapies. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:09:14 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103092957.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000713.htm Researchers discovered that altering the body’s natural rhythm can help protect the brain from Alzheimer’s damage. By turning off a circadian protein in mice, they raised NAD+ levels and reduced harmful tau buildup. The findings suggest that adjusting the body’s clock may one day help prevent neurodegeneration. Sat, 01 Nov 2025 09:20:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000713.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251024041757.htm Researchers have finally seen and measured the tiny alpha-synuclein oligomers that may ignite Parkinson’s disease. With the ultra-sensitive ASA-PD imaging method, they captured these clusters in brain tissue, finding larger and more numerous versions in patients with Parkinson’s. The discovery could mark a turning point in diagnosing and treating the disease, revealing the first visible signs long before symptoms appear. Fri, 24 Oct 2025 10:58:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251024041757.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251014014312.htm Researchers have synthesized enhanced vitamin K analogues that outperform natural vitamin K in promoting neuron growth. The new compounds, which combine vitamin K with retinoic acid, activate the mGluR1 receptor to drive neurogenesis. They also efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier and show stability in vivo. This discovery could pave the way for regenerative treatments for Alzheimer’s and related diseases. Tue, 14 Oct 2025 11:08:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251014014312.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251008030949.htm Researchers have designed a peptide that prevents the deadly misfolding of alpha-synuclein, the protein behind Parkinson’s and some dementias. In lab and animal tests, it stabilized the protein and improved motor function. The work demonstrates the power of rational drug design in tackling brain diseases that have long lacked effective treatments. Wed, 08 Oct 2025 03:09:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251008030949.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251005085616.htm Stanford scientists found that aging disrupts the brain’s internal navigation system in mice, mirroring spatial memory decline in humans. Older mice struggled to recall familiar locations, while a few “super-agers” retained youthful brain patterns. Genetic clues suggest some animals, and people, may be naturally resistant to cognitive aging. The discovery could pave the way for preventing memory loss in old age. Sun, 05 Oct 2025 08:56:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251005085616.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251003033913.htm A massive nationwide study has linked long-term exposure to the industrial chemical trichloroethylene (TCE) with a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease in older adults. Researchers examined over 1.1 million people, finding that those living in areas with the highest outdoor TCE levels faced a 10% greater risk of developing Parkinson’s. Fri, 03 Oct 2025 03:39:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251003033913.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250924012257.htm For decades, scientists believed Alzheimer’s was driven mainly by sticky protein plaques and tangles in the brain. Now Purdue researchers have revealed a hidden culprit: fat. They found that brain immune cells can become clogged with fat, leaving them too weak to fight off disease. By clearing out this fat and restoring the cells’ defenses, researchers may have uncovered an entirely new way to combat Alzheimer’s — shifting the focus from plaques alone to how the brain handles fat. Wed, 24 Sep 2025 23:56:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250924012257.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250922074954.htm Researchers found that pancreatic pre-cancer cells mimic dementia by forming clumps of proteins due to faulty recycling processes. These insights could shed light on why pancreatic cancer develops so aggressively and why it is difficult to treat. By studying overlaps with neurological diseases, scientists hope to identify new strategies for prevention and treatment. Mon, 22 Sep 2025 23:30:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250922074954.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250902085158.htm Overactivation of dopamine neurons may directly drive their death, explaining why movement-controlling brain cells degenerate in Parkinson’s. Mice with chronically stimulated neurons showed the same selective damage seen in patients, along with molecular stress responses. Targeting this overactivity could help slow disease progression. Wed, 03 Sep 2025 04:57:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250902085158.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250829022829.htm Harvard scientists have uncovered that lithium, a naturally occurring element in the brain, may be the missing piece in understanding Alzheimer’s. Their decade-long research shows that lithium depletion—caused by amyloid plaques binding to it—triggers early brain changes that lead to memory loss. By testing new lithium compounds that evade plaque capture, they reversed Alzheimer’s-like damage and restored memory in mice at doses far lower than those used in psychiatric treatments. Fri, 29 Aug 2025 02:57:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250829022829.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250811104227.htm Scientists have discovered a direct cause-and-effect link between faulty mitochondria and the memory loss seen in neurodegenerative diseases. By creating a novel tool to boost mitochondrial activity in mouse models, researchers restored memory performance, suggesting mitochondria could be a powerful new target for treatments. The findings not only shed light on the early drivers of brain cell degeneration but also open possibilities for slowing or even preventing diseases like Alzheimer’s. Tue, 12 Aug 2025 04:02:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250811104227.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250714052239.htm Researchers in Australia have created a biodegradable gel that delivers Parkinson’s medications through a single weekly shot, replacing the need for multiple daily pills. Injected just under the skin, the gel steadily releases levodopa and carbidopa for seven days, helping keep tremors and stiffness in check while easing side effects linked to fluctuating doses. Mon, 14 Jul 2025 12:04:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250714052239.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250705083956.htm Scientists at the University of Sydney have uncovered a malfunctioning version of the SOD1 protein that clumps inside brain cells and fuels Parkinson’s disease. In mouse models, restoring the protein’s function with a targeted copper supplement dramatically rescued movement, hinting at a future therapy that could slow or halt the disease in people. Sat, 05 Jul 2025 23:13:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250705083956.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250703230641.htm Stanford researchers discovered that dialing down an overactive enzyme, LRRK2, can regrow lost cellular “antennae” in key brain cells, restoring vital dopamine communication and neuroprotective signals in a mouse model of genetic Parkinson’s. After three months on the LRRK2-blocking drug MLi-2, damaged circuits revived and early signs of neuronal recovery emerged, hinting that timely treatment could not only halt but reverse disease progression—and perhaps benefit other Parkinson’s forms. Thu, 03 Jul 2025 23:44:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250703230641.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250630073442.htm Scientists have uncovered a surprising sugar-related mechanism inside brain cells that could transform how we fight Alzheimer’s and other dementias. It turns out neurons don’t just store sugar for fuel—they reroute it to power antioxidant defenses, but only if an enzyme called GlyP is active. When this sugar-clearing system is blocked, toxic tau protein builds up and accelerates brain degeneration. Mon, 30 Jun 2025 10:04:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250630073442.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250629033415.htm Researchers are using an advanced brain imaging method called MEG to understand why Parkinson’s drug levodopa doesn’t work equally well for everyone. By mapping patients’ brain signals before and after taking the drug, they discovered that it sometimes activates the wrong brain regions, dampening its helpful effects. This breakthrough could pave the way for personalized treatment strategies, ensuring patients receive medications that target the right areas of their brain more effectively. Sun, 29 Jun 2025 04:35:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250629033415.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527180932.htm A new study reveals the biological secret to the Zika virus's infectious success: Zika uses host cells' own 'self-care' system of clearing away useless molecules to suppress the host proteins that the virus has employed to get into those cells in the first place. Tue, 27 May 2025 18:09:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527180932.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250516133225.htm While Alzheimer's disease is mostly considered a disorder of the brain, emerging evidence suggests that the condition also affects other organs of the body. Working with the laboratory fruit fly, researchers provide a new understanding of how Alzheimer's disease affects different tissues across the entire body. The findings reveal new insights into brain-body communication in neurodegeneration and pave the way for identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease. Fri, 16 May 2025 13:32:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250516133225.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514141651.htm For millions of people around the world with essential tremor, everyday activities from eating and drinking to dressing and doing basic tasks can become impossible. This common neurological movement disorder causes uncontrollable shaking, most often in the hands, but it can also occur in the arms, legs, head, voice, or torso. Essential tremor impacts an estimated 1 percent of the worldwide population and around 5 percent of people over 60. Investigators have now identified a specific subregion of the brain's thalamus that, when included during magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment, can result in optimal and significant tremor improvements while reducing side effects. Wed, 14 May 2025 14:16:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514141651.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111059.htm Neuroscientists have discovered that the brain uses a dual system for learning through trial and error. This is the first time a second learning system has been identified, which could help explain how habits are formed and provide a scientific basis for new strategies to address conditions related to habitual learning, such as addictions and compulsions. The study in mice could also have implications for developing therapeutics for Parkinson's. Wed, 14 May 2025 11:10:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111059.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513150241.htm Hormone levels fluctuate like the tides, ebbing and flowing according to carefully orchestrated cycles. These hormones not only influence the body, but can cross into the brain and shape the behavior of our neurons and cognitive processes. Recently, researchers used modern laser microscopy techniques to observe how fluctuations in ovarian hormones shape both the structure and function of neurons in the mouse hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory formation and spatial learning in mammals. They found that hormone fluctuations during the mouse estrous cycle, a 4-day cycle analogous to the 28-day human menstrual cycle, powerfully influence the shape and behavior of hippocampal neurons. Tue, 13 May 2025 15:02:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513150241.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507170537.htm People who eat more ultra processed foods like cold breakfast cereal, cookies and hot dogs are more likely to have early signs of Parkinson's disease when compared to those who eat very few ultra processed foods, according to a new study. The study does not prove that eating more ultra processed foods causes early signs of Parkinson's disease; it only shows an association. Wed, 07 May 2025 17:05:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507170537.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507152241.htm Researchers have discovered distinct roles for two dopamine receptors located on nerve cells within the portion of the brain that controls approach vs. avoidance behavior. Wed, 07 May 2025 15:22:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507152241.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505171020.htm Researchers found that inhibiting GSK-3 led to less defects in the axonal transport process and less neuronal cell death, while inhibiting ERK1 led to more transport problems and more cell death. Mon, 05 May 2025 17:10:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505171020.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501164011.htm A team of researchers has made a discovery in fruit flies that could change the way we understand brain diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's in humans. The scientists found that Eato -- a fruit-fly protein whose counterparts in mammals were already known for helping brain cells get rid of harmful fats -- actually has a much bigger job. It not only protects neurons (brain cells), from being destroyed, but also increases the efficiency by which other cells, called phagocytes, clean up damaged neurons. Thu, 01 May 2025 16:40:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501164011.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501122254.htm Estrogens are known for their role in reproduction, but a new study reveals that neuroestrogens -- estrogens produced in the brain -- play a key role in appetite regulation. These brain-made hormones enhance the expression of a hunger-suppressing receptor in the hypothalamus and improve leptin sensitivity. The findings highlight a new biological pathway that could lead to innovative strategies for managing obesity and eating disorders. Thu, 01 May 2025 12:22:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501122254.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220605.htm A new study shows how a dopamine circuit between two brain regions enables mice to extinguish fear after a peril has passed. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:06:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220605.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422131213.htm Dopamine is the brain's motivational spark, driving us to chase what feels good, say scrolling another reel on social media, and steer clear of what doesn't, like touching a hot stove. But scientists haven't fully understood how dopamine helps us learn to avoid bad outcomes -- until now. A new study shows that dopamine signals in two key brain areas involved in motivation and learning respond differently to negative experiences, helping the brain adapt based on whether a situation is predictable or controllable. While previous research has shown that dopamine can respond to negative experiences, this is the first study to track how those signals evolve over time as animals move from novices to experts in avoiding them. Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:12:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422131213.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421162825.htm A new way to deliver disease-fighting proteins throughout the brain may improve the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders, according to scientists. By engineering human immune cells called microglia, the researchers have created living cellular 'couriers' capable of responding to brain pathology and releasing therapeutic agents exactly where needed. Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:28:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421162825.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250418112909.htm A new study provides solutions to the pressing need to identify factors that influence Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk or resistance while providing an avenue to explore potential biological markers and therapeutic targets. The researchers integrated computational and functional approaches that enabled them to identify not only specific genes whose alterations predicted increased AD risk in humans and behavioral impairments in AD fruit fly models but also showed that reversing the gene changes has a neuroprotective effect in living organisms. Fri, 18 Apr 2025 11:29:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250418112909.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135728.htm Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type 2 is a congenital malformation of the cerebral cortex that is often associated with difficult-to-treat epilepsy. In the affected areas, nerve cells and their layer structures are arranged in an atypical manner, which often makes drug therapy more difficult. A research team has now found evidence of profound changes in the dopamine system in FCD type 2. Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:57:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135728.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135456.htm Individuals with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease show altered blood levels indicating damaged neuronal contacts as early as 11 years before the expected onset of dementia symptoms. This is evident in the levels of the protein 'beta-synuclein'. Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:54:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135456.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414134922.htm A groundbreaking open-source computer program uses artificial intelligence to analyze videos of patients with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. The tool, called VisionMD, helps doctors more accurately monitor subtle motor changes, improving patient care and advancing clinical research. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 13:49:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414134922.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124817.htm A research team has identified a previously unknown enzyme, SIRT2, that plays a key role in memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study provides critical insights into how astrocytes contribute to cognitive decline by producing excessive amounts of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:48:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124817.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410160714.htm Researchers identified a direct connection between cancer-related inflammation and the loss of motivation characteristic of advanced cancer. In a mouse study, they describe a brain pathway that starts with neurons (labeled in green, above) that sense inflammation signals, and the researchers were able to treat the loss of motivation by blocking this pathway. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 16:07:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410160714.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410130757.htm Nursing poses major metabolic demands on mothers, to which they respond by eating more and saving energy to sustain milk production. There are significant hormonal changes during lactation, but how they lead to metabolic adaptations in nursing mothers remained unclear. Medical researchers uncovered a mechanism that connects prolactin, estrogen, the brain and metabolic adaptations during lactation. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:07:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410130757.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409154851.htm A new study found that people with cannabis use disorder (CUD) had elevated dopamine levels in a brain region associated with psychosis. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:48:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409154851.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250328112547.htm Scientists have confirmed a neurobiochemical link between dopamine and cognitive flexibility. PET imaging shows that the brain increases dopamine production when completing cognitively demanding tasks, and that the more dopamine released, the more efficiently the tasks are completed. Armed with this information, physicians may soon be able to develop more precise treatment strategies for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Fri, 28 Mar 2025 11:25:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250328112547.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250326122652.htm Why do some people lose the joy of eating, even when surrounded by irresistible foods? UC Berkeley researchers have uncovered a surprising brain mechanism that explains this paradox. They found that a high-fat diet lowers levels of a peptide called neurotensin, which normally boosts dopamine’s pleasure response. Without it, food loses its appeal — driving people to eat out of habit rather than enjoyment, which can fuel obesity. Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:26:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250326122652.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325115641.htm An adult brain affected by attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADHD) presents modifications similar to those observed in individuals suffering from dementia. These are the findings of a study which shows that, compared with healthy individuals, patients with an ADHD diagnosis have more iron in certain regions of their brain along with higher levels of neurofilaments[1] (NfL) in their blood. These markers have been consistently reported to be characteristic of old age-related dementias such as Alzheimer's disease and can be measured in its early stages. The study confirms that ADHD may be linked to an increased risk of developing dementia later in life and it provides first evidence for a neurological mechanism possibly involved. Tue, 25 Mar 2025 11:56:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325115641.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319143414.htm AI-driven software is 96% accurate at diagnosing Parkinson's. Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:34:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319143414.htm