Parkinson's disease

October 22, 2015

Neimat: Emotional disturbance is an overlooked symptom of Parkinson’s

Despite benefiting from dramatic improvements in movement after deep brain stimulation surgery, patients with Parkinson’s disease can be inadequately served when physicians and researchers focus only on its motor manifestations, says a Vanderbilt neurosurgeon.

By Tom Wilemon
February 19, 2015

Study sheds light on a ‘guardian’ protein of brain function

Mitochondria not only are the cell’s main power producers, they are also the chief cooks and bottle washers.

By Bill Snyder
February 5, 2015

Copper toxicity and Parkinson’s

A genetic predisposition to Parkinson’s disease makes neurons more vulnerable to the toxicity of heavy metals such as copper.

By Leigh MacMillan
November 26, 2014

New tools to probe manganese biology

Vanderbilt researchers have developed tools to probe the role of the essential metal manganese in neurons, and which offer a started point for developing therapeutic agents for manganese-related neurological disorders.

By Leigh MacMillan
colorful x-ray of brain
August 14, 2014

Team takes 4-D look at brain receptor’s role

Reporting last week in the journal Cell, researchers from Oregon Health and Science University, Harvard Medical School and Vanderbilt University describe the first “four-dimensional” picture of a brain receptor that plays a key role in learning and memory.

By Bill Snyder
April 3, 2014

DBS for Parkinson’s trial moves to next level

A long-term Vanderbilt University Medical Center study of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in early-stage Parkinson’s disease has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to continue in a pivotal, phase III, large-scale safety and efficacy trial.

By VUMC News and Communications
March 13, 2014

‘Missing link’ may spur new brain disorder drugs

Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego and Vanderbilt University have discovered a “missing link” in the structure of a transmembrane receptor that could lead to new treatments for autism, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
By Bill Snyder
November 11, 2013

Amish aid study of Parkinson genetics

Amish populations are valuable for genetic research because of their isolation, shared ancestry and homogeneous lifestyles.
By Leigh MacMillan
May 6, 2013

Newsmakers: Vanderbilt’s teaching, research and patient care efforts are making an impact

These stories from the past year show how Vanderbilt is making an impact, on campus and in the world.
By VUMC News and Communications
April 29, 2013

Fava beans’ impact on urine sodium

Eating fava beans increases dopamine in blood and urine, but does not stimulate urinary sodium excretion.
By Leigh MacMillan
March 21, 2013

Novel push-pull action clue to brain disorders

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered a new “push-pull” mechanism in the brain that one day could lead to new treatments for movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, as well as stress-related disorders and addiction.
By Bill Snyder
October 18, 2012

Nobel in Chemistry reveals VU ties that bind

Several Vanderbilt researchers have collaborated with this year's Nobel Chemistry winners.
By Bill Snyder
September 21, 2012

VU, Bristol-Myers to collaborate on Parkinson’s therapies

Vanderbilt University and Bristol-Myers Squibb have signed a collaboration agreement for the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies acting on the mGluR4 glutamate receptor, known as positive allosteric modulators, or PAMs, for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
By Bill Snyder