https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-rss/?orgId=122754&title=Latest+News A selection of the latest research, academic, and other newsworthy developments at Adams Center for Parkinson's Disease Research en-us Copyright 2026 Yale School of Medicine Sun, 17 May 2026 21:05:30 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/proteins-spread-parkinsons-pathology-in-the-brain/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/proteins-spread-parkinsons-pathology-in-the-brain/ Molecules found on the surface of motor neurons in the brain help traffic a misfolded protein into cells, leading to the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 17:00:00 Z https://www.apdaparkinson.org/article/precision-medicine-for-parkinsons-at-yale-research-center/ https://www.apdaparkinson.org/article/precision-medicine-for-parkinsons-at-yale-research-center/ Our new research center at Yale has surged forward on multiple fronts: new drug discovery via AI, powerful biomarker studies, and a thriving clinical program. Wed, 12 Nov 2025 05:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/how-gene-mutations-drive-dementia-in-parkinsons-disease/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/how-gene-mutations-drive-dementia-in-parkinsons-disease/ New findings reveal motor and cognitive deficits arise through separate mechanisms in Parkinson’s disease, challenging previous thinking. Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/legacy-tissue-donation-program-a-valuable-resource-for-yale-researchers/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/legacy-tissue-donation-program-a-valuable-resource-for-yale-researchers/ The Yale Legacy Tissue donation program has provided over 1,500 tissue samples to Yale researchers since its creation in 2022. Mon, 30 Jun 2025 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/t-cells-take-up-residence-in-the-healthy-brain-via-a-gut-fat-brain-axis/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/t-cells-take-up-residence-in-the-healthy-brain-via-a-gut-fat-brain-axis/ A Yale study finds specialized immune cells in the brains of mice and humans in the absence of disease, questioning previous dogma about interactions between the brain and the immune system. Wed, 28 May 2025 15:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/damaged-cell-trash-cans-may-contribute-to-parkinsons-disease/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/damaged-cell-trash-cans-may-contribute-to-parkinsons-disease/ A new study on a gene called VPS13C adds to growing evidence that lysosomal dysfunction may be one mechanism through which Parkinson’s disease arises. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 09:00:00 Z https://www.nbcnews.com/health/heart-health/inflammation-how-protect-body-against-chronic-disease-rcna193856 https://www.nbcnews.com/health/heart-health/inflammation-how-protect-body-against-chronic-disease-rcna193856 Longevity experts see fighting chronic inflammation as key to healthier aging. Dr. David Hafler discusses inflammation as a "double-edge sword." Tue, 04 Mar 2025 05:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/deans-workshop-march-27-stephen-and-denise-adams-center-for-parkinsons-disease-research-building-the-future-of-precision-neurology/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/deans-workshop-march-27-stephen-and-denise-adams-center-for-parkinsons-disease-research-building-the-future-of-precision-neurology/ The YSM Community is invited to join a dean's workshop introducing our new inter-departmental Stephen & Denise Adams Center for Parkinson’s Disease Research led by founding Director Clemens Scherzer, MD. The session, titled "Building the Future of Precision Neurology," will be held on Thursday, March 27, from 1 to 5 p.m. Fri, 28 Feb 2025 05:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/three-yale-school-of-medicine-led-teams-awarded-dollar18-million-to-advance-parkinsons-disease-research/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/three-yale-school-of-medicine-led-teams-awarded-dollar18-million-to-advance-parkinsons-disease-research/ Yale School of Medicine teams have received three grants totaling $18 million from Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP), a coordinated research initiative devoted to accelerating the pace of discovery and informing the path to a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD) research. Thu, 21 Nov 2024 05:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/parkinsons-disease-associated-with-neuroinflammation-in-the-brain-new-analyses-reveal/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/parkinsons-disease-associated-with-neuroinflammation-in-the-brain-new-analyses-reveal/ Using single-cell transcriptomics and proteomics, Yale researchers have created a detailed cell atlas of brains affected by Parkinson’s disease. Thu, 07 Nov 2024 05:00:00 Z https://forhumanity.yale.edu/news/stopping-parkinsons-even-it-starts https://forhumanity.yale.edu/news/stopping-parkinsons-even-it-starts The new Stephen and Denise Adams Center for Parkinson’s Disease Research aims to better understand Parkinson’s and prevent its devastating symptoms before they begin. Thu, 07 Nov 2024 05:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/precision-medicine-for-parkinsons-new-yale-center-for-advanced-research/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/precision-medicine-for-parkinsons-new-yale-center-for-advanced-research/ The new Yale center is the first to focus on developing precision medicine for Parkinson’s disease. Mon, 14 Oct 2024 18:25:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/ysm/news/yale-medicine-magazine/article/solving-the-mysteries-of-parkinsons-disease/ https://medicine.yale.edu/ysm/news/yale-medicine-magazine/article/solving-the-mysteries-of-parkinsons-disease/ Clemens Scherzer, MD, is leading the Stephen & Denise Adams Center for Parkinson’s Disease Research at Yale, where he aims to develop precision medicine that targets the genetic drivers of Parkinson’s. The center will utilize genomics and AI to create a comprehensive Parkinson’s Cell Atlas. Tue, 01 Oct 2024 04:00:00 Z https://news.yale.edu/2024/08/28/yale-announces-150-million-support-leadership-ai https://news.yale.edu/2024/08/28/yale-announces-150-million-support-leadership-ai Over the next five years, Yale will help faculty, students, and staff engage with artificial intelligence — and equip them for leadership in the evolving field. Wed, 28 Aug 2024 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/precision-medicine-for-parkinsons-disease-is-focus-of-new-yale-center/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/precision-medicine-for-parkinsons-disease-is-focus-of-new-yale-center/ The center is the world’s first to combine genomics and artificial intelligence to pave the way to precision medicine for Parkinson’s disease. Mon, 01 Apr 2024 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/yale-school-of-medicine-receives-grant-from-the-marcus-foundation-to-treat-parkinsons-disease/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/yale-school-of-medicine-receives-grant-from-the-marcus-foundation-to-treat-parkinsons-disease/ The Marcus Foundation has awarded $13.2 million to Yale School of Medicine, to support a clinical trial that could mark a first step toward a preventive treatment for Parkinson's disease. Wed, 28 Feb 2024 18:00:00 Z https://www.genengnews.com/topics/omics/circular-rnas-identified-in-brain-cells-impaired-by-alzheimers-parkinsons/ https://www.genengnews.com/topics/omics/circular-rnas-identified-in-brain-cells-impaired-by-alzheimers-parkinsons/ Researchers studying circular RNAs (circRNAs) in brain cells have reported new insights into neurological diseases. Investigators headed by a team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital used a laser-capture RNA sequencing technology to profile the transcriptome of neurons in postmortem human brain samples. Their study identified over 11,000 distinct circular RNAs that characterized brain cells implicated in Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Mon, 18 Sep 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/yale-researchers-key-neuronal-transport-system/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/yale-researchers-key-neuronal-transport-system/ A team of Yale neuroscience researchers sheds light on the early steps of a transport event. Tue, 15 Aug 2023 15:05:00 Z https://news.yale.edu/2023/07/25/study-reveals-insights-link-between-genetic-mutation-and-parkinsons https://news.yale.edu/2023/07/25/study-reveals-insights-link-between-genetic-mutation-and-parkinsons Researchers reveal new insights into the role of the LRRK2 gene in triggering the devastating neurodegenerative disease. Tue, 25 Jul 2023 19:00:00 Z https://www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10.1073/pnas.2303789120 https://www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10.1073/pnas.2303789120 Lysosomes are important for clearance of pathogens and turnover of cellular debris. This requires mechanisms to ensure that cells have enough lysosome activity to prevent the accumulation of potentially toxic materials. However, excessive lysosome degradative activity is also a threat to cells as leakage of lysosomal enzymes can damage and kill cells. It is therefore important that cells maintain an optimum level of lysosome activity that balances the need to efficiently clear waste without causing damage. This study identifies the LRRK2 protein as a brake on lysosome degradative activity. While this may normally play a protective function, mutations in LRRK2 that result in an activation of its kinase activity cause Parkinson's disease. This work demonstrates LRRK2 hyperactivation arising from a Parkinson's disease mutation suppresses the degradative activity of lysosomes and identifies the MiT-TFE family of transcription factors of LRRK2-dependent lysosome suppression. Mon, 12 Jun 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/de-camilli-awarded-the-van-deenan-medal-for-biomembrane-research/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/de-camilli-awarded-the-van-deenan-medal-for-biomembrane-research/ Pietro de Camilli, MD, John Klingenstein Professor of Neuroscience and professor of Cell Biology, was awarded the van Deenen Medal. Thu, 27 Apr 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/new-study-uncovers-biological-mechanism-behind-loss-of-smell-in-parkinsons-patients/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/new-study-uncovers-biological-mechanism-behind-loss-of-smell-in-parkinsons-patients/ In a new study published in Journal of Neuroscience, researchers uncover the biological mechanism behind loss of smell in Parkinson's patients. Wed, 19 Apr 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/symposium-highlights-importance-of-biomedical-imaging-for-understanding-neurological-disease/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/adams-center-parkinsons-disease-research/news-article/symposium-highlights-importance-of-biomedical-imaging-for-understanding-neurological-disease/ A Neuroimaging in Neurological Disorders and Diseases Symposium at Yale highlighted how imaging technology can enhance basic neuroscience research to help scientists better understand neurological diseases. Mon, 30 Jan 2023 04:00:00 Z https://neurologytoday.aan.com/doi/10.1097/01.NT.0000756456.16968.c1 https://neurologytoday.aan.com/doi/10.1097/01.NT.0000756456.16968.c1 Researchers at Harvard Medical School have found unique genetic variants that drive disease progression and could be used to determine which patients will progress to Parkinson's disease dementia. The findings may help neurologists determine which patients have a more aggressive disease course and shine light on new potential therapy targets to decrease progression. Thu, 17 Jun 2021 04:00:00 Z https://www.technologynetworks.com/tn/news/the-genetic-architecture-of-how-parkinsons-disease-progresses-is-revealed-348745 https://www.technologynetworks.com/tn/news/the-genetic-architecture-of-how-parkinsons-disease-progresses-is-revealed-348745 A new study by investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital published in Nature Genetics uncovers the genetic architecture of progression and prognosis, identifying five genetic locations (loci) associated with progression. Thu, 13 May 2021 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/ysm/news/yale-medicine-magazine/article/the-mechanisms-behind-neurodegenerative-diseases-new-insights-on-alzheimers-parkinsons-and-als/ https://medicine.yale.edu/ysm/news/yale-medicine-magazine/article/the-mechanisms-behind-neurodegenerative-diseases-new-insights-on-alzheimers-parkinsons-and-als/ Research on neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, ALS, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s, examines the roles of misfolded proteins, synapse loss, and lysosomes. Sun, 05 Jul 2020 13:47:14 Z https://www.science.org/content/article/asthma-drug-may-thwart-parkinson-s-disease https://www.science.org/content/article/asthma-drug-may-thwart-parkinson-s-disease Asthma drug may thwart Parkinson's disease People who take salbutamol are less likely to develop the condition Thu, 31 Aug 2017 04:00:00 Z https://health.usnews.com/health-care/articles/2017-08-31/new-hope-from-old-drugs-in-fight-against-parkinsons https://health.usnews.com/health-care/articles/2017-08-31/new-hope-from-old-drugs-in-fight-against-parkinsons Asthma medications may lower risk, but more research is needed Thu, 31 Aug 2017 04:00:00 Z https://dnascience.plos.org/2016/12/08/linking-gaucher-and-parkinsons-diseases/ https://dnascience.plos.org/2016/12/08/linking-gaucher-and-parkinsons-diseases/ New research has identified a link between Gaucher disease, a rare genetic disorder, and Parkinson's disease, a more common neurodegenerative disorder. Scientists have found that mutations in the GBA gene, which cause Gaucher disease, also increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The link was discovered when Gaucher disease patients and their relatives were observed to have a higher incidence of Parkinson's disease. This connection suggests that similar pathways and mechanisms may be involved in the development of both diseases, providing insights into their pathology and potential therapeutic approaches. Understanding how these genetic and biochemical pathways overlap could help in developing treatments targeting these mechanisms. Thu, 08 Dec 2016 05:00:00 Z https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/02/AR2010110200267.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/02/AR2010110200267.html New research is suggesting that Parkinson's disease may begin with an energy crisis in brain cells, driven by malfunctioning mitochondria, long before symptoms appear. Dr. Clemens Scherzer and his team found that several genes involved in mitochondrial energy production are underactive in Parkinson's patients, including those with pre-symptomatic signs. These genes are controlled by a master regulator gene, PGC-1alpha. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, indicates that boosting PGC-1alpha activity might protect dopamine-producing neurons from damage, linking mitochondrial dysfunction closely to Parkinson's development. Potential treatments being explored include the diabetes drug Actos and the nutrient Coenzyme Q10, but early diagnosis is essential as significant neuronal loss occurs by the time symptoms manifest. Tue, 02 Nov 2010 04:00:00 Z