ResearchCLINICALTRIALSToday
Researchers completed a large study of 13,770 patients with chronic inflammatory diseases (like rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions) to understand how COVID-19 affected them. The study, led by a hospital in France, was designed to track whether patients taking medications for their autoimmune diseases had worse outcomes if they caught COVID-19. This trial has now finished collecting data.
WHY IT MATTERSIf you have an autoimmune or inflammatory disease, this completed trial provides real-world evidence about COVID-19 risk in your population—information that can help you and your doctor make informed decisions about infection prevention and disease management.
ResearchCLINICALTRIALSMay 5
Joined Bio is recruiting 100,000 people—both healthy individuals and those with conditions like lupus, celiac disease, and kidney disease—to participate in a research study. Participants will share health information, lifestyle details, blood or tissue samples, and feedback with researchers. This information will help scientists develop better tests, treatments, and cures for various diseases.
WHY IT MATTERSIf you have lupus, celiac disease, or chronic kidney disease, enrolling could directly contribute to research that develops better diagnostic tools and treatments specifically for your condition.
Clinical trialUNITERAREMay 4
Researchers are testing a new tool called HB-2121 to help diagnose celiac disease, a condition where eating gluten damages the small intestine. This is the first study in patients to make sure the tool is safe and works well. The study is now accepting volunteers and will start in May 2026.
WHY IT MATTERSThis trial offers celiac disease patients a potential new diagnostic approach that could improve how doctors identify the condition, though it's still in early safety testing phases.
ResearchRSSApr 27
A new study found that women with Parkinson's disease are much less likely than men to choose a brain surgery called deep brain stimulation (DBS). The main reason is that women often worry about being a burden on their family and don't have as much support available to help them through the procedure and recovery.
WHY IT MATTERSIf you're a woman with Parkinson's considering DBS, understanding that support concerns are common may help you have more honest conversations with your doctor and family about what you actually need to move forward with treatment.
NewsRSSApr 27
People taking Parkinson's medications often struggle with 'pill fatigue'—the burden of taking many pills throughout the day. A psychologist explains how this challenge affects patients and shares strategies to help manage medications more easily and stick with treatment plans.
WHY IT MATTERSParkinson's patients taking multiple medications daily may skip doses or stop treatment due to pill burden, which can worsen symptoms—understanding this challenge helps patients and doctors work together on solutions.
AdvocacyRSSApr 27
Parkinson's disease can cause hallucinations—seeing or hearing things that aren't really there—especially as the disease progresses or with certain medications. This article shares practical tips for family members and caregivers on how to respond calmly when a loved one experiences hallucinations and how to redirect them to safer, calmer activities.
WHY IT MATTERSHallucinations affect many people with Parkinson's disease and can be frightening for both patients and caregivers, so learning evidence-based strategies to manage these moments can reduce distress and improve quality of life for the whole family.
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.
NewsRSSApr 24
A person with Parkinson's disease shares their experience living well with the condition after receiving deep brain stimulation surgery. They started a weekly walking group three years ago to stay active and connected with others. The article focuses on practical tips and lifestyle strategies for managing Parkinson's disease day-to-day.
WHY IT MATTERSThis firsthand account demonstrates how deep brain stimulation combined with regular physical activity and social engagement can help people with Parkinson's disease maintain quality of life and independence.
NewsRSSApr 24
Some people with Parkinson's disease experience hallucinations or false beliefs, which is called psychosis. However, sudden changes in thinking or behavior might actually be caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI) rather than Parkinson's itself. Learning to tell the difference between these two conditions helps doctors give the right treatment.
WHY IT MATTERSParkinson's patients experiencing sudden confusion or hallucinations need to know that a UTI could be the culprit—and treating the infection might resolve symptoms without changing Parkinson's medications.
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 company called BlueRock Therapeutics tested a new cell therapy called bemdaneprocel for Parkinson's disease. In a small early-stage trial, patients who received one dose of this therapy showed improvement in their movement symptoms, and these improvements lasted for up to three years. This is promising because it suggests a single treatment might help Parkinson's patients for a long time.
WHY IT MATTERSIf bemdaneprocel continues to show sustained benefits in larger trials, it could offer Parkinson's patients a one-time treatment option instead of daily medications, potentially improving quality of life and treatment adherence.
NewsRSSApr 22
This article shares a personal story about someone who was a caregiver for their uncle who had Parkinson's disease. The piece focuses on the emotional and physical challenges of being a caregiver for a family member with this progressive neurological condition. It highlights how caregiving can be a heavy burden, both emotionally and practically.
WHY IT MATTERSParkinson's caregivers often experience significant emotional strain and isolation—this story validates those experiences and may help caregivers feel less alone in their struggles.
AdvocacyRSSApr 22
As Parkinson's disease progresses to advanced stages, it creates serious challenges for both patients and their caregivers—physically, emotionally, and financially. One family shares what they wish they had known earlier about preparing for these later stages and what lessons are helping them cope now.
WHY IT MATTERSPatients and caregivers can learn from this family's experience to better prepare emotionally, physically, and financially for advanced Parkinson's before crisis situations occur.
PipelineRSSApr 22
A company called Amprion is partnering with a university in Australia to make their alpha-synuclein test more available around the world. This test detects abnormal proteins in the brain that can help doctors diagnose Parkinson's disease and related conditions earlier and more accurately.
WHY IT MATTERSPatients with suspected Parkinson's disease or similar conditions may gain access to a diagnostic test that can identify their specific condition earlier, potentially allowing for treatment to start sooner.
AdvocacyRSSApr 22
This article is a personal account from someone living with both Parkinson's disease and bipolar disorder at the same time. The author discusses how having these two conditions together creates unique challenges for their mental and physical health. The piece highlights the importance of addressing mental health alongside neurological symptoms in Parkinson's care.
WHY IT MATTERSPatients with Parkinson's disease who also have bipolar disorder often face overlooked mental health needs, as treatment plans may focus primarily on movement symptoms while psychiatric care gets deprioritized.
🔴 BreakingDrug approvalRSSApr 22
The FDA has approved an updated version of a wristwatch-like device called Cala kIQ Plus that helps reduce hand shaking in people with Parkinson's disease. This new version improves on the earlier Cala kIQ device. The device works by sending gentle electrical signals to help control tremor during movement.
WHY IT MATTERSPeople with Parkinson's disease who experience hand tremor during activities now have access to an improved wearable option that doesn't require surgery or daily medications.
ResearchRSSApr 22
Scientists at Florida International University found a compound called CTS2444-32 that may help slow Parkinson's disease by improving how mitochondria (the energy centers of cells) work. The compound works by reducing a protein called DRP1 that controls mitochondrial function, which helps prevent toxic proteins from building up in the brain—a key problem in Parkinson's.
WHY IT MATTERSIf CTS2444-32 proves effective in human trials, it could offer Parkinson's patients a new treatment option that targets the disease's underlying cause rather than just managing symptoms.
NewsRSSApr 22
This article explores the emotional challenges caregivers face when caring for someone with Parkinson's disease, particularly the guilt that comes from saying no to requests or activities. The author shares a personal story about their uncle who loved going to drag racing events, highlighting how caregivers struggle with the difficult balance between protecting their loved one's safety and honoring their wishes and independence.
WHY IT MATTERSParkinson's caregivers often experience psychological burden and guilt that directly impacts their own health and ability to provide care — understanding these emotional challenges can help caregivers recognize they're not alone and seek support.
ResearchRSSApr 22
Researchers found that a Parkinson's disease medication called Crexont helped patients spend more time feeling better and less time experiencing symptoms when they switched from other levodopa treatments. The study showed improvements in movement control and daily functioning across different patient groups. This is early-stage research being presented at a medical conference.
WHY IT MATTERSIf you take levodopa for Parkinson's and struggle with 'off' periods when symptoms return between doses, Crexont may offer a way to extend your good symptom control time throughout the day.
AdvocacyRSSApr 22
Talking to family and friends about your Parkinson's diagnosis doesn't have to be complicated. The key is to keep explanations simple and be honest about what you're experiencing. When people understand what's really going on, they're better able to help and support you in meaningful ways.
WHY IT MATTERSClear communication with your support network helps reduce isolation and ensures family and friends can provide practical help tailored to your actual needs as your condition changes.