Research

A new spectroscopy probe, with optical fibres to provide real-time information to doctors, could enhance deep brain stimulation procedure for Parkinson’s disease patients. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has become an increasingly common treatment for patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease, but the procedure still carries significant risks.  A new probe that performs two types of spectroscopy [...]

More magnesium in our daily diet leads to better brain health as we age, according to scientists from The Australian National University (ANU). The researchers say increased intake of magnesium-rich foods such as spinach and nuts could also help reduce the risk of dementia, which is the second leading cause of death in Australia and the seventh [...]

Physical exercise can help to improve the severity of movement-related symptoms and the quality of life in people with Parkinson’s disease, a new study shows. Findings from the first Cochrane review of the available evidence found that any type of structured exercise is better than none. The review looked at 156 randomised controlled trials comparing [...]

Researchers from the UK have found that telomere shortening – a sign of cellular ageing – is linked to signs of Alzheimer’s in brain scans. Changes in the brain caused by Alzheimer’s disease are associated with shortening of the telomeres – the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes that shorten as cells age – [...]

In a new study researchers show that a new focused ultrasound treatment improved dyskinesia and motor impairment in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a common neurological disorder characterised by the loss of dopamine neurons in the brain. Patients with Parkinson’s disease can be effectively treated with medications such as levodopa.  However, some patients [...]

Early trial results give hope for a new potential dyskinesia treatment for people with Parkinson’s disease. A new clinical trial, carried out by Neurolixis and made possible by co-funding from the Parkinson’s Virtual Biotech and The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), shows that the drug NLX-112 is safe and effective in reducing [...]

Researchers believe that a decline in dual-task walking performance in middle age may be an early indicator of accelerated brain ageing and increased risk of falls and dementia. Walking is a complex task that is most commonly performed while completing other tasks like talking, reading signs, or making decisions.  For most, after the age of [...]

Scientists have discovered why breast cancer cells that have spread to the lungs may ‘wake up’ following years of sleep forming incurable secondary tumours. The research, funded by Breast Cancer Now, reveals the mechanism that triggers this breast cancer 'time bomb' – and suggests a strategy to defuse it. Patients with oestrogen receptor positive (ER+) [...]

The Canadian government has announced a $30 million investment to continue to help accelerate innovation in ageing and brain health. As part of Brain Awareness Week and Brain Health Awareness Month, Canada’s Ministry of Health has announced a $30 million investment to continue supporting the implementation of Canada's National Dementia Strategy.  This investment will be [...]

Scientists have shed new light on ageing processes in the brain, offering new hope for the treatment of neurological diseases. By linking the increased presence of specialised immune cells to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and traumatic brain injury for the first time, scientists from the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI) have unearthed a possible [...]