Clinical trialRSSMay 15
A large clinical trial testing a new Parkinson's disease medication called solengepras has finished enrolling 341 patients. This medication works differently than standard Parkinson's drugs and is being tested alongside regular treatments to see if it helps patients who experience movement problems that come and go throughout the day.
WHY IT MATTERSIf solengepras proves effective in this Phase 3 trial, it could offer Parkinson's patients a new treatment option that works through a different mechanism than current dopamine-based therapies, potentially helping those with motor fluctuations who don't respond adequately to standard medications alone.
ResearchRSSMay 14
Vyalev is a new under-the-skin pump that delivers Parkinson's disease medication continuously. In a real-world study, it reduced the amount of time patients experienced symptoms and improved both movement problems and some other symptoms like mood or sleep issues. Patients also reported better quality of life.
WHY IT MATTERSIf you have advanced Parkinson's disease and struggle with medication wearing off between doses, Vyalev offers a continuous delivery option that may reduce symptom fluctuations and improve daily functioning.
AdvocacyRSSApr 29
A landscaper is calling for a ban on paraquat, an herbicide commonly used in agriculture and landscaping. Scientific research has found that exposure to paraquat increases the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, a neurological condition that affects movement and coordination. The article argues that paraquat should be prohibited to protect workers and the public from this health risk.
WHY IT MATTERSPeople with occupational or environmental exposure to paraquat—including farmworkers, landscapers, and those living near agricultural areas—now have evidence that this chemical significantly increases their Parkinson's disease risk, making exposure reduction a critical health priority.
Clinical trialRSSApr 24
A new experimental drug called tavapadon from AbbVie helped people with early Parkinson's disease delay or avoid starting levodopa, which is the standard treatment for this condition. In a completed Phase 3 trial called TEMPO-4, most people taking tavapadon long-term did not need to start levodopa, and those already taking it didn't need to increase their dose. This suggests tavapadon could be a helpful new option for managing early Parkinson's symptoms.
WHY IT MATTERSIf approved, tavapadon could allow people with early Parkinson's to delay levodopa therapy, potentially postponing side effects that come with long-term use of this standard medication.
Clinical trialRSSApr 23
Scientists tested a new pill called VQ-101 that can enter the brain and increase levels of a protective protein in people with Parkinson's disease. In early testing, the drug worked in patients both with and without a specific genetic change (GBA mutation). This is an important first step toward potentially helping different groups of Parkinson's patients.
WHY IT MATTERSThis is one of the first oral drugs shown to cross the blood-brain barrier and activate neuroprotective pathways in genetically diverse Parkinson's patients, potentially expanding treatment options beyond GBA-mutation carriers.
Clinical trialRSSApr 22
A new medication called Vyalev helped people with Parkinson's disease stop experiencing unwanted, uncontrolled movements (called dyskinesia) when they switched to it from other Parkinson's drugs. In two clinical trials, most people saw these troublesome movements go away within a few months of starting Vyalev. This is good news because dyskinesia is a common side effect that happens after taking Parkinson's medications for a long time.
WHY IT MATTERSIf you have Parkinson's disease and experience dyskinesia from your current levodopa treatment, switching to Vyalev could eliminate these involuntary movements within months rather than managing them as a permanent side effect.