neurology

"One surprising finding of this study is that inhibiting SUMOylation appears to mimic the beneficial effects of vagal stimulation, resulting in improved clinical symptoms of colitis," said Yang, professor of anesthesiology and associate professor of neurology at Duke School of Medicine.

The results from the phase 2b randomized clinical trial, published November 20th in Annals of Neurology, build on more than a decade of research spurred by anecdotal reports from patients with LD who said their symptoms improved after consuming a couple alcoholic drinks.

And the researchers stress their study, published in Annals of Neurology, used carefully controlled prescription medication.

"When patients are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, 25% to 30% already have mild cognitive impairment. As the disorder progresses into its later stages, 50% to 70% of patients complain of cognitive problems," said Lalitha Madhavan, MD, PhD, an associate professor of neurology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine -- Tucson.

A research team led by Madhavan, in collaboration with Torsten Falk, PhD, a research professor of neurology, is investigating PNA5, which was developed by Meredith Hay, PhD, a professor of physiology.