DhivyTM, a carbidopa/levodopa fractionated tablet, is now available Posted on March 9, 2022March 9, 2022 by Phil Franchina A new formulation of carbidopa/levodopa 25/100, called DhivyTM, is now available. Manufactured by Avion Pharmaceuticals, its innovation is that it is scored into four sections allowing the pill to be easily cut into four equal parts. Each part contains 6.25 mg of carbidopa and 25 mg of levodopa. The medication was approved by the US […] Read More
New Treatment for Slowness & Stiffness in Parkinson’s Disease Posted on November 12, 2021 by Dr. Rebecca Gilbert In 2018, Focused Ultrasound was approved to treat tremors in people with PD. Now, the FDA has approved expanding the indications of Focused Ultrasound (FUS) for Parkinson’s disease (PD) to also include treatment of bradykinesia (slowness) rigidity (stiffness), and dyskinesias. Individual ultrasound waves do not contain enough energy to do any damage as they pass […] Read More
APDA funding is critical to new research in understanding Levodopa-induced dyskinesias Posted on September 22, 2021September 22, 2021 by Phil Franchina In an exciting new study, researchers at the Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY) and the CUNY School of Medicine, led by Dr. Andreas Kottmann, studied levodopa induced dyskinesias (LIDs) and demonstrated that inhibiting a protein called sonic hedgehog (Shh) decreased LIDs in animal models of PD. The study appears today in Communications […] Read More
EXCITING GENETIC DISCOVERIES FUNDED BY APDA Posted on May 6, 2021October 18, 2021 by Phil Franchina May 6, 2021 In an exciting new study, researchers at the APDA Center for Advanced Research at Brigham and Women’s Hospital studied the genetic changes that increase the rate of progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Currently, there are many genes that are associated with an increased risk of developing PD. But once a person has […] Read More
New Clinical Use for Gocovri Posted on May 3, 2021 by Phil Franchina Adamas announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Gocovri for a second indication – as an add-on treatment to carbidopa/levodopa in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients who are experiencing OFF episodes. Previously, Gocovri was only approved for treatment of Levodopa-induced dyskinesias. You can learn more about managing dyskinesias and OFF episodes in this webinar. […] Read More
New technology from Abbott allows for remote programming of DBS device Posted on March 19, 2021 by Phil Franchina Abbott, one of the manufacturers of deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices for Parkinson’s disease (PD) recently released NeuroSphereTM Virtual Clinic, a technology that allows for virtual visits between patients and their DBS neurologist and is the first system to allow for remote programming of the DBS device. Currently, a device can be programmed so that […] Read More
APDA CENTER AT BRIGHAM AND WOMEN’S HOSPITAL REPORTS EXCITING CORRELATION BETWEEN GLUCOCEREBROSIDASE ACTIVITY AND PARKINSON’S DISEASE Posted on July 24, 2020July 24, 2020 by Phil Franchina In an exciting new study, researchers at the APDA-funded Center studied the relationship between the activity of the glucocerebrosidase (GBA) enzyme and the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). This insight may help shed light on possible future treatments. The glucocerebrosidase (GBA) enzyme, encoded by the GBA gene, is a protein used by the body to […] Read More
New Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Technology Now Available Posted on July 6, 2020July 6, 2020 by Phil Franchina Medtronic announces introduction of Percept PC Neurostimulator with Brainsense Technology On June 26, 2020 Medtronic announced the introduction of an upgraded deep brain stimulation (DBS) system known as PerceptTM PC Neurostimulator with BrainsenseTM Technology. The technology in the new system is the first to not only deliver electrical stimulation to the brain, with the goal […] Read More
A statement from APDA in this time of unrest Posted on June 2, 2020 by Phil Franchina All of us at the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) support equality for all and reject racism. Our programs are open to everyone and we foster a safe and welcoming place for all to join us, whether virtually or in person. Disparities and injustice exist on many levels, including within the healthcare system. At APDA, […] Read More
New medication approved by FDA for OFF symptoms Posted on May 22, 2020 by Phil Franchina Kynmobi Sunovion Pharmaceuticals announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Kynmobi® (apomorphine hydrochloride), a new sublingual medication for fast relief of OFF symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Apomorphine acts as a dopamine agonist, mimicking the effects of dopamine in the brain. It was previously only available as Apokyn, an injectable medication that provides […] Read More
