Latest news with #Tavapadon
New York Post
15 hours ago
- Health
- New York Post
Simple tool could detect Parkinson's disease early — it was 96% accurate in experiments
This pen truly is mightier than the sword. A team of researchers at UCLA has developed a high-tech diagnostic pen that can detect signs of Parkinson's disease with over 96% accuracy, offering a low-cost way to identify the neurodegenerative disorder far earlier than now. A pilot study in the journal Nature Chemical Engineering unveiled the device, which looks much like a regular pen. 3 A patient with PD using the diagnostic pen for a writing task. Nature Chemical Engineering It's able pick up on subtle motor dysfunctions before they're visible to the naked eye, all by analyzing how people write. So, how does this futuristic fountain pen work? The tip is made of a flexible silicone material infused with magnetic particles, and it writes using a special ferrofluid ink that contains nanomagnets. As someone writes, pressure from the hand deforms the tip, causing changes in magnetic fields that produce electrical signals — like a Morse code of motor function. Those signals are then analyzed to detect the difference between healthy and Parkinson's-affected motor patterns. In tests with 16 participants — including 3 with Parkinson's — the system nailed the diagnosis with 96.22% accuracy. Even more impressive? The pen worked whether people wrote on paper or in the air, meaning it doesn't even require a surface. 3 Nature Chemical Engineering Today, Parkinson's is largely diagnosed based on observations, which are subjective, or by biomarker-based imaging, which can be expensive. This diagnostic pen is portable, inexpensive and doesn't rely on a neurologist to interpret results, making it a promising option for remote screenings, home use or even telehealth checkups. 'Our development of the diagnostic pen represents a low-cost, widely disseminable and reliable technology with the potential to improve PD diagnostics across large populations and resource-limited areas,' the researchers wrote. With further validation in a larger population, the device could be used not just for early diagnosis, but for ongoing symptom tracking and personalized treatment monitoring. 3 Today, Parkinson's is largely diagnosed based on observations, which are subjective, or by biomarker-based imaging, which can be expensive. highwaystarz – This is just the latest innovation aimed at tackling Parkinson's disease, which affects more than 10 million people worldwide and has no known cure. A recent study found that psilocybin — the psychedelic compound that gave 'magic mushrooms' their trippy reputation in the 1960s — showed serious promise for improving mood and motor function in people with Parkinson's disease. Tavapadon — a new drug that mimics dopamine by targeting certain receptors — has also shown promise in clinical trials by reducing motor fluctuations and maintaining symptom control with fewer side effects than traditional therapies. Produodopa — a continuous infusion therapy first administered in the UK — was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration last fall. Innovative approaches targeting the psychological aspects of the disease have been successful as well — with tandem cycling proving to be especially popular. Some New Yorkers even find relief by playing pingpong.
New York Post
15-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Living at Mar-a-Lago puts Trump at risk for this major health issue, according to a new study
President Trump's most recent annual physical revealed he's in 'excellent health,' going so far as to point to his 'frequent victories in golf events' as evidence. But a new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests his love of the game and residence at Mar-a-Lago may be putting him at risk of an unexpected health condition. 3 President Trump's recent annual physical revealed he's in 'excellent health,' noting his 'frequent victories in golf events.' AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Living within a mile of a golf course carries a whopping 126% higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease versus living more than 6 miles away, according to data from over 5,500 people. The risk decreased with distance but remained elevated up to 3 miles away. Advertisement Researchers attribute this increased risk to potential exposure to pesticides used in golf course maintenance. These chemicals can leach into groundwater or become airborne, exposing nearby residents. The risk was notably higher for individuals relying on groundwater sources for drinking water, especially in areas where the groundwater is more susceptible to contamination. Mar-a-Lago — Trump's private club and residence in Palm Beach, Florida — features a golf course and is situated in a region with a high water table, potentially increasing vulnerability to groundwater contamination. Advertisement 3 Mar-a-Lago — Trump's private club and residence in Palm Beach, Florida — features a golf course and is situated in a region with a high water table. Getty Images It's important to note that the study suggests an association, not causation, between proximity to golf courses and increased Parkinson's risk — but the findings align with previous research on pesticides. 'Many studies have investigated whether pesticides increase the risk of developing Parkinson's in different populations around the world,' Katherine Fletcher, lead researcher at Parkinson's UK, said in a statement. 'The results have been varied, but overall suggest that exposure to pesticides may increase the risk of the condition. However, the evidence is not strong enough to show that pesticide exposure directly causes Parkinson's.' Advertisement 3 Around 1.1 million people in the US are estimated to have Parkinson's disease. highwaystarz – Around 1.1 million Americans are estimated to have Parkinson's. While there is no cure for the neurodegenerative disorder, treatment options are evolving. A recent study suggested psilocybin — the psychedelic compound that gave 'magic mushrooms' their trippy reputation in the 1960s — is showing serious promise for improving mood and motor function in people with Parkinson's. Tavapadon — a new drug that mimics dopamine by targeting certain receptors in the brain — has demonstrated potential in clinical trials by reducing motor fluctuations and maintaining symptom control with fewer side effects than traditional therapies. And Produodopa — a continuous infusion therapy first administered in the UK — was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration last fall. Advertisement Experts recommend lowering your risk of developing Parkinson's by exercising and eating a healthy diet. That may mean giving up fast food — fore-ever.
New York Post
01-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Psychedelic ‘wonder drug' of the ‘60s can improve Parkinson's symptoms for weeks: study
Here's some groovy news. A mind-bending blast from the past — once hailed as a 'wonder drug' that could cure everything from anxiety to addiction — is making a comeback. 3 A groundbreaking study has found that a popular drug can help relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Advertisement Psilocybin — the psychedelic compound that gave 'magic mushrooms' their trippy reputation in the 1960s — is now showing serious promise for improving mood and motor function in people with Parkinson's disease, according to a groundbreaking recent study. In the first trial of its kind, researchers administered a single dose of psilocybin to patients battling Parkinson's — a degenerative brain disorder that affects nearly 1 million Americans. The results? Not just a safe trip, but one that delivered weeks of relief from the tremors, stiffness and depression that often plague patients. Advertisement 'Many people don't realize this, but mood symptoms in Parkinson's are linked to a faster physical decline,' Ellen Bradley, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at UC San Francisco, said in a statement. 'And they are actually a stronger predictor of patients' quality of life with Parkinson's than their motor symptoms.' The study, published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, indicates participants handled the hallucinogen well — there were no serious side effects or worsening symptoms — and also experienced marked boosts in mood, memory and movement that stuck around long after they stopped taking the drug. Advertisement It's also a historic first: no psychedelic has been trialed in patients with a degenerative brain disease — until now. 3 Psilocybin — the psychedelic compound that gave 'magic mushrooms' their trippy reputation in the 1960s — is now showing serious promise for improving mood and motor function in people with the disease. contentdealer – 'We are still in very early stages of this work, but this first study went well beyond what we expected,' Bradley said. There is currently no cure for Parkinson's, though drugs like levodopa can help patients manage their symptoms. The good news is that treatment options are expanding. Advertisement Tavapadon — a new drug that mimics dopamine by targeting certain receptors — has shown promise in clinical trials by reducing motor fluctuations and maintaining symptom control with fewer side effects than traditional therapies. Produodopa — a continuous infusion therapy first administered in the UK — was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration last fall. 3 'Many people don't realize this, but mood symptoms in Parkinson's are linked to a faster physical decline,' researcher Ellen Bradley said. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – Innovative approaches targeting the psychological aspects of the disease have been successful as well — with tandem cycling proving to be especially popular. Some New Yorkers even find relief by playing pingpong. 'I just can't get enough of it,' NYU economics professor Bill Easterly previously told The Post. 'When I play pingpong, I just feel my brain come alive.' Meanwhile, UCSF's Translational Psychedelic Research Program (TrPR) is planning larger trials to further investigate psilocybin's potential. Advertisement If future studies confirm these findings, magic mushrooms could become a powerful new tool in the fight against Parkinson's. 'The vast majority of brain diseases still lack interventions that change the course of illness,' said the study's senior author and TrPR director Joshua Woolley. 'We can often treat the symptoms, but we don't alter the trajectory or prevent decline. Now, that's beginning to change. These results raise the exciting possibility that psilocybin may help the brain repair itself.'
