XMWare

2026-11-02T06:01:01

(BPT) –

Key takeaways

• Some people physically act out their dreams. They may punch, kick or yell while asleep. This condition is called REM sleep behavior disorder or RBD.
• RBD may be an early warning sign of Parkinson’s disease.
• The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s Parkinson’s Precision Medicine Initiative (PPMI) is studying people with RBD to better understand Parkinson’s disease.
• Participating in research can help advance earlier diagnosis, better treatments and future prevention strategies.

Have you ever been told that you talk, shout, punch or kick while dreaming? Don’t dismiss these nighttime behaviors as unusual sleep habits. They may be a sign of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), a condition that researchers have discovered may provide important clues about future brain health, including Parkinson’s disease.

What is REM sleep behavior disorder?

Normally, when we dream, our brain prevents our muscles from moving. However, for people with RBD, these brain signals don’t work properly. Instead of staying still, they begin to physically act out their dream.

People with RBD often have very active dreams in which they’re playing sports, running, being chased or attacked. In response to these vivid dreams, people can kick, punch, yell, sit up or even get out of bed — all while asleep.

For Art Gregoire, 74, of Palm Springs, California, acting out his dreams became a frightening reality when he dove out of bed during a vivid dream and suffered a concussion. “I knew at that moment my life was going to change,” Gregoire said. “It was a pivotal moment, and I needed to find out what was going on.” That experience ultimately led him to PPMI, where he learned he also had reduced sense of smell — another early Parkinson’s risk factor.

“Participating in PPMI has meant I’m not sitting at home waiting and worrying about what might happen in the future. Instead, I’ve chosen to take a proactive path. Knowing that I’m helping researchers better understand Parkinson’s disease gives me hope — not just for my own future, but for everyone who may one day face this journey.”

How is RBD connected to Parkinson’s?

Not everyone with RBD develops Parkinson’s disease. That said, RBD is a risk factor for Parkinson’s and other brain diseases. This sleep disorder is often one of the earliest symptoms of Parkinson’s, appearing years before the movement symptoms commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Researchers are particularly interested in people with RBD because studying this community may help uncover the earliest biological changes associated with Parkinson’s disease years before movement symptoms begin. That’s why The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research encourages people experiencing RBD symptoms to consider participating in studies such as the Parkinson’s Precision Medicine Initiative (PPMI).

What is the PPMI study?

PPMI is a landmark study sponsored by The Michael J. Fox Foundation that aims to better understand and measure Parkinson’s disease, including its earliest stages before movement symptoms begin.

Why should I participate in the PPMI study?

PPMI researchers are actively seeking people who have been diagnosed with RBD, as well as those who regularly act out their dreams during sleep. By participating in this study, volunteers can help scientists learn more about who develops Parkinson’s disease, who doesn’t and why. The study may also provide valuable insights into the biology and experience of RBD.

The thought that your sleep habits may point toward a Parkinson’s diagnosis may seem scary, but participating in a study can be a rewarding and empowering experience. After his RBD diagnosis, Gregoire found hope by participating in the PPMI study at the University of California, San Diego.

How can I participate in the PPMI study?

Remember, every volunteer contributes valuable information that helps move research forward.

“Learning that you may be at increased risk for Parkinson’s disease can feel overwhelming. But while we don’t have all the answers, research gives people a meaningful way to turn uncertainty into action,” said Rachel Dolhun, MD, DipABLM, double-board-certified neurologist, lifestyle medicine physician, fellowship-trained movement disorder specialist and principal medical advisor at The Michael J. Fox Foundation. “By participating in studies like PPMI, people with REM sleep behavior disorder can play a vital role in helping researchers better understand the earliest changes associated with Parkinson’s disease. Every person who joins brings us closer to earlier interventions, better treatments and, ultimately, ways to prevent the disease before symptoms begin.”

To learn more about Parkinson’s research opportunities and whether you may be eligible to participate in the PPMI study, visit MichaelJFox.org/Sleep.

Participation may include online questionnaires, health assessments and, for some volunteers, opportunities to participate at research sites near their homes.

2026-11-01T08:01:00

(BPT) – Exciting new research models and at-home clinical trials are shortening the distance between breakthrough science and the families who need it most.

For families facing a rare epilepsy diagnosis, the search for answers can feel long, uncertain and isolating. But as November marks National Epilepsy Awareness Month, emerging science is offering new reasons for hope — and bringing research closer to home than ever before.

A small, striped fish is helping epilepsy researchers move faster than ever, while new at-home trial options are bringing clinical research directly to families’ doorsteps.

Zebrafish may be small, but they are a big help to scientists learning more about rare epilepsies. Seizures can be observed in genetically engineered zebrafish and monitored across hundreds of zebrafish larvae in real time. This allows scientists to quickly test and identify potential new treatments for these difficult-to-treat epilepsies.

“Zebrafish let us faithfully model human epilepsy conditions and screen thousands of drugs at a speed not possible in any other laboratory model,” said Scott C. Baraban, Ph.D., University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) professor and a pioneer in zebrafish epilepsy research. Work in his laboratory using zebrafish led to the discovery of investigational study drugs now being evaluated in clinical trials for Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. “For families who too often hear there are no treatment options, this approach gives them hope.”

Breakthroughs like these are now reaching families more directly than ever. At-home clinical trials are opening the door for more people to participate in research without the burden of traveling long distances to specialized centers.

Tracy Dixon-Salazar, Ph.D., President and CEO of the LGS Foundation, and a mother who became a neuroscientist after her daughter was diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, added, “When a trial requires a family to fly across the country, the science exists, but it is still out of reach for most families living with LGS. Bringing trials into the home changes who can participate, and that changes who may benefit. No family should have to depend on geography or luck to get access to research.”

Hope, though, still needs a map. For families anywhere along this journey, unsure of where to turn, here are five things to know.

5 things families should know about managing a rare epilepsy diagnosis

1. Rare epilepsies are more common — and more researched — than many families realize: While each individual condition is rare, collectively, rare epilepsies affect thousands of individuals. Active research communities, advocacy groups, and clinical programs are working to better understand them and develop new approaches.
2. Clinical trials aren’t only a last resort option: Many families assume trials are reserved for when all else fails. But participating in research can be an informed choice at any stage of the patient’s journey. Talking with your loved one’s care team early and often can help you understand what may be appropriate.
3. At-home trial options may remove a major barrier: Clinical trials often require frequent, distant visits to specialized centers. Today, newer at-home study models can bring these trials directly to families — reducing travel burden and making research more accessible for those who need it most.
4. You don’t have to navigate a rare epilepsy diagnosis alone: Patient advocacy organizations, rare disease foundations and epilepsy support networks can help families better understand their options, connect with specialists and find communities walking a similar path.
5. Curiosity is a strength — ask questions and keep learning: From the zebrafish in the laboratory to the families participating in at-home trials, progress in research depends on families who keep asking, “What’s possible?” Speak with your health providers, continue learning and ask about at-home trial options that may be available to your loved ones.

The road through rare epilepsy has never been easy. But today, families aren’t walking it alone — and the path forward is thankfully becoming shorter, more navigable and, increasingly, leads straight home.

Sponsored by Harmony Biosciences

2026-11-01T06:01:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by Eisai Inc.

During National Family Caregiver Month, learn how the Kompass initiative helps patients, caregivers and care partners find trusted resources and real stories tailored to different stages of the kidney cancer journey.

Every November, National Family Caregiver Month recognizes the millions of family members, spouses, partners and friends who support loved ones through serious health challenges. For those helping someone navigate kidney cancer, that support can take many forms, from attending appointments and helping manage treatments to providing encouragement during difficult moments.

While every family’s experience is unique, many people supporting a loved one with kidney cancer share a common challenge: finding information that’s both trustworthy and relevant to where they are in the moment. Questions at diagnosis can be very different from those that arise during treatment, survivorship or ongoing care. With so many resources available, identifying trusted information that matches a family’s current needs can feel overwhelming.

So when this path forward feels uncertain, Kompass can help guide the way.

Helping Families Navigate With Confidence

Kompass was designed to bring together curated resources from leading organizations in kidney cancer alongside stories from people with firsthand experience navigating the disease. Eisai and its advocacy partners set out to create an accessible, web-based resource that could provide expert guidance when it’s needed most. By helping users explore information adapted to different stages of the journey, the platform makes it easier to find resources and support that align with their current needs.

For many families, hearing from others with similar experiences can be just as valuable as educational information.

When Dawn D. was diagnosed with translocation renal cell carcinoma, a rare form of kidney cancer, her husband Mark became an important part of her support system. Throughout years of treatment and uncertainty, he learned the importance of caring for his own well-being while supporting someone he loves. Mark has shared that running helped him manage stress and maintain balance, allowing him to stay present for his wife and family. As he explains, “My reason was simple: a big and scary challenge will keep me accountable to look after myself, in turn enabling me to care for my family.”

When Mark’s wife, Dawn, was diagnosed with kidney cancer, he used running as a tool to cope with stress.

Mark’s experience highlights an important reminder for those supporting a loved one with kidney cancer: supporting yourself is just as important as providing it for someone else.

For Tracie T., the journey began when her husband was diagnosed with bilateral multifocal papillary renal cell carcinoma. Like many spouses, she faced new questions, decisions and uncertainties while supporting a loved one through treatment. She found support through an online community and after posting her first post, she shared, “That post forever changed the trajectory of our lives.”

Stories like Mark’s and Tracie’s offer reassurance that others have faced similar challenges and can provide perspective along the way.

How Kompass Can Help

Find trusted information more easily: Kompass brings together curated resources from respected organizations, making it easier to find information relevant to different stages of the kidney cancer journey.

Learn from real experiences: Patient and care partner stories offer practical insights, encouragement and lessons learned from people who have navigated kidney cancer firsthand.

Feel more informed and connected: Whether you’re a spouse, partner, sibling, adult child, friend or care partner, Kompass can help you find information and support through all twists and turns of your loved one’s journey.

A Resource for the Journey Ahead

This National Family Caregiver Month, it’s important to recognize that people supporting loved ones with kidney cancer need support, too. By connecting users with trusted resources and authentic stories from the kidney cancer community, Kompass helps individuals living with kidney cancer and their loved ones feel more informed, empowered and connected.

Because when someone you love is living with kidney cancer, less time searching means more time focusing on what matters most.

To learn more, visit KidneyCancerKompass.com.

(US6195)

2026-10-29T11:01:00

(BPT) – Key takeaways:

• Radioligand therapy (RLT) delivers targeted treatment directly to cancer cells
• The number of RLT treatment sites has expanded about sevenfold in the U.S.
• Common questions about RLT treatment answered

A cancer diagnosis used to mean choosing between the latest treatment and receiving care close to home. That’s starting to change with radioligand therapy (RLT), a treatment that pairs a cancer-seeking molecule with a radioactive particle to deliver targeted treatment directly to cancer cells. RLT is now a mainstream treatment included in NCCN guidelines and no longer limited to academic centers or late-stage therapy, with treatment sites within 30 miles for 90% of eligible patients.^1,2

“Radioligand therapy works like a tracking dog following a scent. We attach a radioactive particle to a molecule trained to recognize one specific target: a marker found predominantly on certain cancer cells,” said Dr Nabila Lehachi Waheed, DABR, Medical Director, Radiation Oncologist at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Fort Worth, Texas, a partner of OneOncology community oncology network. “Once it’s in the bloodstream, the molecule follows that target straight to the cancer cells and marks the spot, releasing radiation while limiting the impact on healthy cells nearby.”

Answering patients’ biggest questions about RLT

Waheed said eligible patients tend to ask the same three questions when they first learn about RLT: Will it work for me? Is it safe? What will my life look like during and after treatment?

“They ask how the treatment finds the cancer cells, how much radiation exposure they and their families will face, and how it will affect their day-to-day life—things like fatigue, nausea, and blood counts,” she said.

Many of the answers come back to how precisely the treatment works. RLT is designed to find a specific marker on cancer cells and deliver radiation directly to them. This approach may help limit damage to nearby healthy tissue, although side effects can still occur. Patients and caregivers should ask the care team if they are eligible, what to expect, including possible side effects, safety steps at home, and who to contact with questions.

Waheed walks through each question with patients before they commit to treatment—a level of detail she said matters as much as the science itself.

Advanced RLT treatment, closer to home

Novartis brought the first RLT to market in 2018. Since then, nearly 50,000 patients have been treated, and the number of RLT treatment sites in the U.S. has grown roughly sevenfold—expanding access to patients who need it most.³

Providing this treatment in a community setting means eligible patients have the option to receive advanced, personalized cancer care close to home. It can be woven into a broader treatment plan that includes surgery, systemic therapy, and external radiation, all coordinated in one place.

That matters to Waheed and drove her to become the first physician in Tarrant County to offer RLT to her patients.

“Where you live shouldn’t determine the quality of cancer care you receive,” Waheed said. “These treatments let patients benefit from options personalized to the biology of their cancer without leaving their families and support systems behind. Innovation only matters if patients can access it.”

As RLT continues to expand beyond academic centers and is researched for use in more types of cancer, Waheed sees it as part of a broader shift—one that keeps patients closer to the treatment they need and the people who support them through it.

Dr Nabila Lehachi Waheed has served as a paid consultant to Novartis. This article was developed and sponsored by Novartis.

References

1. Data on file. Patient location. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; 2025.
2. Data on file. Pluvicto desert analysis. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; 2025.
3. Data on file. Pluvicto and Lutathera site opening summary. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; 2026.

2026-10-30T08:01:00

(BPT) – November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, an opportunity to increase understanding of a neurological condition that affects one in 26 people in the U.S. But understanding epilepsy means also recognizing that there is no single epilepsy experience.

Seizure types, treatment journeys and day-to-day needs can vary. Epilepsy affects how you learn, how you work, and, sometimes, the sense of independence that we all strive for as adults. At different points in that journey, people may be looking for very different things: information about the latest research, practical guidance for responding to a seizure, or reassurance that comes from connecting with people who understand.

“The future of epilepsy care will be shaped not only by advances in research, but also by how well we listen to and learn from people living with epilepsy,” said Sunita Misra, Ph.D., M.D., Chief Medical Officer of SK Life Science, a company dedicated to developing antiseizure medications. “Connecting with trusted organizations and others who share similar experiences can help individuals and families access information, build support networks and engage more fully in conversations about their care.”

Here are three ways to connect:

Explore conversations around epilepsy and the research that is being conducted.
CURE Epilepsy provides educational information about epilepsy and updates on advances in epilepsy research. Its Seizing Life podcast, available here at CURE Epilepsy’s website and wherever you listen to podcasts, is hosted by Kelly Cervantes. Kelly is an award-winning writer, speaker, and advocate, who brings together voices from across the epilepsy community to discuss different aspects of living with and understanding the condition, including conversations about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, or SUDEP.

Learn how to recognize and respond to a seizure.
Knowing what to do when someone experiences a seizure can help people living with epilepsy, as well as their family and friends, feel better prepared to manage them. Epilepsy Alliance America offers an on-demand Seizure Recognition and Response Training that is available here. The seizure first aid is ideal for family members of people with epilepsy, babysitters, co-workers, or anyone who would benefit from being equipped with the tools to help others through a seizure.

Find information, support and community.
The Epilepsy Foundation offers resources for people living with epilepsy, their families and anyone seeking to better understand the condition. During November’s National Epilepsy Awareness Month, the organization’s theme, Where Community Sparks Hope, highlights the power of coming together, sharing experiences, and supporting one another. You can visit here to explore information, tools and resources for every stage of the epilepsy journey, from diagnosis to navigating life with epilepsy.

This November, consider taking one step: listen to a story, learn how to respond to a seizure, share a reliable resource or connect with someone in the epilepsy community. Awareness may begin with learning, but it becomes more meaningful when it leads to understanding, preparedness, and connection.