A scientist who helped discover the genetic basis of Parkinsons disease, only to be diagnosed with the disease herself, will be in Tucson this weekend to talk about her experience. When she was 64, Alice Lazzarini was forced to shift from a career of looking at Parkinsons disease through the microscope to looking at it in the mirror. While drug treatments havent changed much in the last two decades, Lazzarini said theres a lot of hope for Parkinsons patients on the horizon, perhaps in her own lifetime. Lazzarini, now 74, will be one of two keynote speakers at the local Optimism Summit & Expo hosted by the American Parkinsons Disease Associations Arizona chapter. At least 20,000 Arizonans have Parkinsons disease, though officials with the local American Parkinsons Disease Association believe that is an undercount because the number includes only people covered by Medicare. Parkinsons is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimers disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The population prevalence increases from about 1 percent at age 60 to 4 percent by age 80. Early symptoms include tremor, rigidity and difficulty walking; cognitive decline is common at later stages. Lazzarini, who wrote a … Continue reading →

By Jackie Valley (contact) Wednesday, March 11, 2015 | 2 p.m. The Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation recently donated $2 million to the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health to study Parkinsons disease. The foundation gifted the money in honor of Wynns late mother, Lee Pascal, who had Parkinsons disease. The Lou Ruvo Center will put the money toward Parkinsons disease studies that use advanced brain imaging, which officials called a remarkable tool for understanding and exploring brain structure and function. A Parkinsons disease-specific team will be formed to conduct brain imaging and develop new ways to diagnose, predict symptom development and track response to treatment. Lou Ruvo Center officials said the studies supported also will provide information about: Who is at risk for cognitive decline The earliest indicators of cognitive impairment The brain regions maximally affected in people with cognitive decline More here: Elaine Wynn foundation donates $2 million for Parkinsons studies … Continue reading →

Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. wont be seeking regulatory approval for its lead drug candidate to treat Parkinsons disease psychosis until the second half of the year. The announcement came as the San Diego biopharmaceutical company, which focuses on treatment of central nervous system disorders, said longtime Chief Executive Uli Hacksell has resigned from his post, effective immediately. No reason was specified in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company said in a news release Hacksell had retired. Acadia ACAD, -2.44% shares plunged 24% to $34 in recent after-hours trading. Executive Vice President Stephen Davis, who has taken over the top post on an interim basis, said in a conference call with analysts Wednesday afternoon that Hacksell had discussed with board for some time retiring Davis, 53 years old, also serves as chief financial officer and chief business officer, has taken over on an interim basis. Acadia said additional time to seek regulatory approval was needed to make sure it is ready to support production and supply of its candidate treatment pimavanserin, which would be commercialized as Nuplazid. The Food and Drug Administration granted the drug breakthrough therapy designation last year, which means the FDA will act on the … Continue reading →