This week, PatientWing highlights four important stories. We cover a brain network discovery that could transform Parkinson’s treatment and new evidence linking processed foods to lung cancer. We also explore a cholesterol pill that rivals injections, along with a global look at how many cancers may actually be preventable. Read more to learn how research is shaping the future of patient care.
For a long time, doctors thought of Parkinson's disease mainly as a movement disorder. But people with Parkinson's often have other symptoms too, like trouble sleeping, digestive issues, and problems with memory or focus.
A new study published in Nature may finally explain why. Scientists from Changping Laboratory China and Washington University found that Parkinson's affects a specific brain network called SCAN (the somato-cognitive action network). In people with Parkinson's, this network is abnormally hyperconnected with deep brain structures involved in emotions, memory, and motor control, which helps us understand the different clinical manifestations of the disease. This network connects thinking with movement, helping your brain turn plans into actions.
In people with Parkinson's, this network becomes overactive and sends too many signals to deeper parts of the brain. When treatments like medication or brain stimulation work, they calm down this network.
The finding could lead to more precise, targeted treatments in the future. In a small clinical trial, a non-invasive therapy aimed at the SCAN more than doubled symptom improvement compared to standard approaches.
Parkinson's disease affects more than 10 million people worldwide. This research offers new hope for better treatments that address the full range of symptoms.
A large study of more than 100,000 adults found that people who eat the most ultra-processed foods have a 41% higher risk of developing lung cancer compared to those who eat the least.
Ultra-processed foods are items made with ingredients you wouldn't find in a home kitchen, like preservatives, artificial colors, and flavor enhancers. Think packaged snacks, soft drinks, hot dogs, instant noodles, and many frozen meals.
The researchers followed participants for about 12 years. Even after accounting for smoking, diet quality, and other known risk factors, the link between ultra-processed foods and lung cancer remained. The connection held true for both smokers and non-smokers.
Scientists aren't sure exactly why these foods may increase cancer risk. It could be that they crowd out healthier options like fruits and vegetables. It could also be related to additives, chemicals from packaging, or changes that happen during industrial processing.
This study doesn't prove ultra-processed foods cause cancer. But it adds to growing evidence that what we eat matters for more than just heart health and weight.
A new kind of pill called enlicitide sharply reduced LDL cholesterol in people who are already taking statins but still have high levels, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
In a trial of more than 2,900 patients, those who took the daily pill saw their "bad" cholesterol drop by up to 60% over six months. The benefit held steady over a year with no major safety concerns.
Here's why this matters: Statins work well for many people, but some still can't get their cholesterol low enough. Right now, the next option is usually an injection that blocks a liver protein called PCSK9. These shots are effective, but many people don't like giving themselves injections.
Enlicitide works the same way as those shots but comes in pill form. If approved by the FDA, it could offer millions of people an easier option for protecting their heart health. The main catch? The pill needs to be taken on an empty stomach.
The company behind the drug is running larger clinical studies to confirm whether the cholesterol reduction leads to fewer heart attacks, strokes, and deaths.
A massive new study published in Nature Medicine found that about 38% of all cancer cases worldwide are linked to modifiable risk factors. That's roughly 7 million diagnoses in 2022 that could potentially have been prevented.
The study looked at 36 different cancer types across 185 countries and examined 30 well-established risk factors. The top three contributors were tobacco smoking (responsible for about 15% of preventable cases), infections like HPV and hepatitis B (10%), and alcohol consumption (3%).
Lung, stomach, and cervical cancers made up nearly half of all preventable cancer cases.
The findings reinforce what doctors have known for years: lifestyle choices matter. Avoiding tobacco, getting vaccinated, limiting alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight are some of the most powerful tools we have to reduce cancer risk.
These stories show how far medicine has come and where it's headed. From discovering new targets for treating Parkinson's disease to understanding how our diet affects cancer risk, each week adds new building blocks to improve health outcomes for patients and families.
Research depends on volunteers to turn these discoveries into cures. If you are ready to help shape the future of medicine, contact the PatientWing team today to find a clinical study that is right for you.
Come back next week for more updates from The Weekly Wing!
