Summary: Two not-so-new drugs appear to suppress dyskinesias: dextromethorphan, which is used in cough medicine, and BMY-14802, which was developed for, but proven ineffective, in treating schizophrenia.

Comment: Dyskinesias are the spastic or repetitive motions that result from taking levodopa long-term.

Summary: Researchers have identified a new markets making it possible to track brain stem cells for the first time.

Comment: The discovery will open research into neurological diseases including Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.

Summary: Recent studies have helped explain how the immune systems affects neural connections and nerve cells.

Comment: The findings are important in understanding conditions such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Summary: Regular users of over-the-counter pain medicine such as aspirin and ibuprofin are up to 60% less likely to develop Parkinson's disease as those who take fewer than two pills a week.

Comment: The findings suggest that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs protect against the neurological disease.

Summary: Doctors have observed that some patients who receive deep brain stimulation become uninhibited and tend to make hasty decisions.

Comment: Dopamine drugs, another Parkinson's therapy, can also promote impulsive behavior by hindering a patient's ability to learn from negative feedback.

Summary: Parkinson's disease has imposed dramatic changes on the lives of Mike and Linda O'Leary. But one change was joyful. The couple met through their work in Parkinson's activist groups and were later married.

Comment: This profile describes the challenges of blending the lives of two people with Parkinson's disease.

Summary: Vivian Branschofsky maintains a good attitude in spite of physical changes as her disease progresses.

Comment: This profile describes Vivian's challenge to stay socially and physically active.

Summary: Sensitivity to smell and taste declines naturally with age. However, this loss can also be caused by treatable health conditions such as Parkinson's disease.

Comment: This article by a Mayo Clinic geriatrician explains why these senses can diminish and how it can be treated.

Summary: Research suggests that intermittent nicotine treatment may reduce medication-induced dyskinesias. Smokers are 50% less likely to develop Parkinson's disease than the general population.

Comment: Dyskinesias is sometimes a side effect of long-term levodopa therapy and has few therapy options itself.

Summary: A short clinical test of four variables can predict whether a patient with Parkinson's disease is fit to drive. The test is far more accurate than a medical history and physician's interview.

Comment: Physicians often overestimate the driving skills of their patients. The test, on the other hand, is 90% accurate.