Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.
This month, we’re spotlighting Parkinson’s disease research in recognition of Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Here, we’ll share the latest research on Parkinson’s disease, how scientists are working to better understand its causes and progression, advances in treatment and care, and more.
Latest News Releases
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 21-Apr-2026 01:15 ET (21-Apr-2026 05:15 GMT/UTC)
Exploring balance recovery by pulling a rug out from under people
Society for NeurosciencePeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- eNeuro
- Funder
- Sartain Lanier Family Foundation, McCamish Parkinson's Disease Innovation Program
Protein atlas connects the biologic dots underlying neurodegenerative diseases
St. Jude Children's Research HospitalPeer-Reviewed Publication
A St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital–led collaboration created the first large-scale neurodegenerative disease proteome map, a resource for developing new diagnosis tools and treatments.
- Journal
- Cell
Large imaging study changes understanding of the origins of Parkinson’s rest tremor
University of TurkuPeer-Reviewed Publication
A Finnish clinical imaging study shows that rest tremor in Parkinson’s disease is not explained by greater dopamine loss. In contrast, tremor appears to be associated with relatively better-preserved dopamine function.
- Journal
- Neurology
For the first time, Robert A. Winn Career Development Award opens to neuropsychiatry investigator-physicians
The Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program (Winn Awards)Grant and Award Announcement
- Funder
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, Gilead Sciences, Amgen, Genentech
Plastic bottles transformed into Parkinson’s drug using bacteria
University of EdinburghPeer-Reviewed Publication
A drug to treat Parkinson’s disease can be made from waste plastic bottles using a pioneering method, a study shows.
- Journal
- Nature Sustainability
The ISSCR launches new continuing education course on stem cell therapies for Parkinson’s disease
International Society for Stem Cell ResearchBusiness Announcement
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) today announced the launch of Stem Cell Medicine: Parkinson’s Disease, a new continuing education course designed to equip clinicians with an evidence-based understanding of emerging stem cell therapies for Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Building on the success of the Society’s inaugural course, Stem Cell Medicine: From Scientific Research to Patient Care, this disease-focused program provides physicians and other healthcare professionals with deeper insight into how advances in stem cell science are moving toward clinical application in one of the most intensively studied neurological disorders.
What changes happen in the aging brain?
Salk InstitutePeer-Reviewed Publication
Salk researchers create epigenetic atlas of cell type-specific changes in the aging mouse brain, representing eight different brain regions and 36 different cell types to show clear epigenetic differences associated with different ages. The new resource—available publicly on Amazon Web services—can be used to unravel age-related contributions to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS.
- Journal
- Cell
New study on early Parkinson’s disease progression highlights vital role of patient focused drug development and real-world impacts
Critical Path Institute (C-Path)Grant and Award Announcement
- Funder
- Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research