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Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease that affects millions worldwide. Now, a groundbreaking clinical study has demonstrated the potential of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to improve symptoms in patients with PD. Motoric symptoms, such as balance problems, stiffness, and the characteristic tremor, are the best known and almost always the reason for the eventual diagnosis. However, non-motor symptoms, such as loss of smell, constipation, and REM sleep disturbances, often develop up to 20 years before diagnosis in a large number of people with the disease. In Parkinson's disease, a protein called alpha-synuclein misfolds and clumps together. Those clumps...

A drug used to treat diabetes slowed the progression of motor issues associated with Parkinson's disease, a study said. Researchers have been interested in exploring a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists—which mimic a gut hormone and are commonly used to treat diabetes and obesity—for their potential to protect neurons. In the new paper, 156 patients with early-stage Parkinson's were recruited across France and then randomly chosen to receive either lixisenatide, which is sold under the brand names Adlyxin and Lyxumia and made by Sanofi, or a placebo. After one year of follow up, the group on the treatment,...

A research team recently discovered that propionate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), strongly suppressed neurodegeneration in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD) by regulating interorgan signaling between the intestine and brain. Either inhibiting propionate breakdown or supplementing propionate through diet reversed PD-associated transcriptional aberration and enhanced energy production in the intestine, which in turn promoted neuronal health without the need of dispersing the protein aggregates. PD is often characterized by the abnormal accumulation and aggregation of alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) proteins in the dopaminergic neurons, which causes proteotoxic stress and neuronal death. One class of bacterial metabolites that have attracted a lot...

High-intensity exercise induces brain-protective effects that have the potential to not just slow down but possibly reverse the neurodegeneration associated with Parkinson's disease, a new pilot study suggests. Prior research has shown that many forms of exercise are linked to improved symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Now, a small proof-of-concept study involving 10 patients showed that high-intensity aerobic exercise preserved dopamine-producing neurons, the brain cells that are most vulnerable to destruction in patients with the disease. In fact, after six months of exercise, the neurons actually had grown healthier and produced stronger dopamine signals. Dopamine is a chemical that helps brain...

Vladimir Putin once again appeared to be unable to control a twitchy leg during his lengthy interview with US right-wing journalist Tucker Carlson earlier this week. The Russian president spent half an hour of the sit-down chat on an almost uninterrupted ramble covering 1,200 years of Eastern European history. But some viewers were distracted by his apparent need to physically push down his knee to prevent his leg from moving around. It’s been an odd habit of Putin’s for a while – stretching back at least as far as September 2022, when the appendage started twitching during a speech in...

New research by Singapore’s National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) also revealed that carrying one of two Asian gene variants increases your risk of Parkinson's disease. And up to 10 per cent of the Singapore population carry one of these gene variants.offee and tea drinkers, rejoice – especially those with a genetic predisposition to developing Parkinson’s disease (PD). New research by Singapore’s National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) has found that two cups of kopi (traditional local coffee made from robusta coffee beans) a day can reduce the risk of PD by four to eight times in people with Asian gene variants linked to...

Vladimir Putin has been seen bizarrely twisting his foot and apparently struggling with a twitching leg in a meeting with Kim Jong Un, further adding to rumours that the Russian despot has health struggles. As the leaders sat down at a Russian space base for talks, video footage shows Putin repeatedly raising and lowering his left foot as his knee collapses inward. Putin later adjusted his position in the chair but his left foot appeared to continue erratically flexing as the North Korean leader told him he was fighting a 'sacred war' with the West and their two countries would...

Singer Gary Wright died at 80 years old on Monday after years of health issues, according to his family. Wright's son, Justin Wright, told TMZ that the musician died Monday morning at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California, with his family and loved ones by his side. The singer-songwriter was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease more than five years ago and, shortly after that diagnosis, also learned he had Lewy body dementia. Wright's Parkinson's worsened over the past year and ultimately prevented him from speaking or moving around on his own, according to his son.

Markers that indicate the presence of Parkinson's disease in patients on average seven years before clinical presentation have been identified by a research team. The study identified markers of Parkinson's in eye scans with the help of AI. Its analysis of the AlzEye dataset was repeated using the wider UK Biobank database (healthy volunteers), which replicated the discoveries. Eye scans and eye data have also been able to reveal a propensity to high blood pressure; cardiovascular disease including strokes; and diabetes. Doctors have known for a long time that the eye can act as a "window" to the rest of...

Neuroscientists have found that intensive exercise could slow the course of Parkinson's disease. The finding could pave the way for new non-drug approaches. The research has identified a new mechanism responsible for the positive effects of exercise on brain plasticity. Professor Paolo Calabresi, said, "We have discovered a never observed mechanism, through which exercise performed in the early stages of the disease induces beneficial effects on movement control that may last over time even after training is suspended." Previous work has shown that intensive physical activity is associated with increased production of a critical growth factor, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor...

Researchers have identified 10 pesticides that significantly damaged neurons implicated in the development of Parkinson's disease. While environmental factors such as pesticide exposure have long been linked to Parkinson's, it has been harder to pinpoint which pesticides may raise risk for the neurodegenerative disorder. Just in California, there are nearly 14,000 pesticide products with over 1,000 active ingredients registered for use. Through a novel pairing of epidemiology and toxicity screening researchers were able to identify 10 pesticides that were directly toxic to dopaminergic neurons. The neurons play a key role in voluntary movement, and the death of these neurons is...

Comedian Richard Lewis has opened up about his diagnosis with Parkinson's Disease in a Twitter video he shared on Sunday.He said he was diagnosed two years ago and had been dealing with his health privately until now. Mr Lewis just wrapped an "amazing" 12th season of the comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm, which he was a regular on. Though he will not continue stand-up, he said he plans to continue acting and writing.

Neil Diamond says he’s only recently learned to accept his Parkinson’s disease. His diagnosis in 2018 prompted an immediate cancellation of a planned tour, and the announcement that no more road trips would take place. He’s performed briefly on a handful of occasions since then, but in a new interview with CBS Sunday Morning to be aired tomorrow (April 2), he explained he’d been in denial for at least two years. “I don't like it,” Diamond, 82, said. “But… this is me; this is what I have to accept. And I’m willing to do it. And, okay, so this is...

The words that researchers use to describe their results can be harnessed to discover potential new treatments for Parkinson's disease, according to a new study. The study employed an artificial intelligence (AI) system to identify an existing anti-cholesterol drug that has the ability to promote disposal of mitochondria, energy-making components of the cell which are damaged in the disease. The full pathogenic pathway leading to Parkinson's disease (PD) is unknown, but one clear contributor is mitochondrial dysfunction and the inability to dispose of defective mitochondria, a process called mitophagy. At least five genes implicated in PD are linked to impaired...

Living in areas of the United States with higher levels of air pollution is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's disease, according to a study. The study looked at fine particulate matter, PM2.5, which is less than 2.5 microns in diameter. Fine particles come from motor vehicle exhaust, the burning of fuels by power plants and other industries and forest and grass fires. People in the highest exposure group had an average annual exposure of 19 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) of fine particulate matter. People in the lowest exposure group had an average annual exposure of 5 µg/m3....

Patients with Parkinson's disease achieved a significant improvement in their tremors, mobility, and other physical symptoms after having a minimally invasive procedure involving focused ultrasound, according to a new study today published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The clinical trial was led by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and involved 94 Parkinson's disease patients who were randomly assigned to undergo focused ultrasound to ablate a targeted region on one side of the brain or to have a sham procedure. Nearly 70 percent of patients in the treatment group were considered successful responders to...

A study has identified a previously unknown genetic link between platelets and Parkinson's Disease. The study analyzed data from large-scale genetic studies to improve understanding of cause and effect relationships between blood measures and common neurological and psychiatric disorders. Lead author Dr. Yang said the research came about following reports of associations between a range of different blood measures and risk of stroke, multiple sclerosis and depression. "These results sparked interest in developing blood-based biomarkers for common brain disorders, but it was unclear whether there was a genetic basis to these relationships," Dr. Yang said. "Our study identified a broad...

Megalomania induced by cancer drugs was a factor in Vladimir Putin's decision to launch his disastrous war in Ukraine, new Western intelligence analysis claims. -snip- The analysis comes as the Kremlin yesterday admitted that concerns over Putin's health are now a matter of 'state security' amid Covid mutations and emerging flu strains. This means the Russian leader may retreat even further from public gaze in early 2023 after having cancelled a series of events and appearances in recent months. -snip- The Kremlin has paved the way for Putin to retreat for health-related reasons soon after his annual prerecorded New Year...

Vladimir Putin's declining health was responsible for his pulling out of several planned events and appearances in December, it has been claimed. Telegram channel General SVR, which purports to have insider sources in the Kremlin, said Putin's doctors recently noted a 'significant deterioration in his health' and recommended that he step away from appearances to rest. 'In December, following medical recommendations, the president canceled several traditional events and several visits,' the channel alleged. Putin, who turned 70 this year, 'gets tired quickly', suffers 'frequent bouts of dizziness and headaches' and is also prone to 'clouding of consciousness', it added. The...

Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin today abandoned a visit to Pskov, which is close to the border with NATO states Estonia and Latvia, claiming there were "unfavourable flying conditions" despite skies being clear. Vladimir Putin for the second time in a week cancelled at the last minute a trip inside Russia. He today abandoned a visit to Pskov close to his border with NATO states Estonia and Latvia. The move is likely to increase speculation about his health, or concerns over his security. Officially the reason was “unfavourable flying conditions” for the 180 mile routing from St Petersburg. Yet both airports...