A new drug has shown promise in combating Parkinson’s disease while minimizing unwanted side effects.

The once-daily pill, tavapadon, was found to relieve symptoms — including stiffness, coordination, tremors and movement — for a longer period of time for patients who were also taking at least 400 mg of levodopa a day and were experiencing "motor fluctuations," which are periods of time when the medication wears off and symptoms return, according to the study.

Until now, levodopa has been the standard first-line treatment for Parkinson’s patients. 

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Levodopa — which is converted into dopamine in the brain and targets the D2/D3/D4 dopamine receptors — has been linked to side effects including sleep disorders, hallucinations, impulse control behavioral disorders, weight gain, leg swelling and blood pressure changes, according to the researchers.

In the study, tavapadon — which works by mimicking dopamine and targeting the D1/D5 receptors — was found to have the same benefits as levodopa without the adverse effects, according to Hubert H. Fernandez, MD, lead study author and director of the Center for Neurological Restoration at Cleveland Clinic.

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"It provides patients with another option to alleviate their motor fluctuations that are commonly experienced with levodopa (the best drug we have so far in Parkinson’s) in the moderate to advanced stages of the disorder," Fernandez told Fox News Digital.

"This global, multi-center, pivotal trial showed that patients placed on tavapadon had significantly more ‘on time’ and less ‘off time’ compared to those who received placebo — and that the drug was well-tolerated by patients."

In the study, the researchers measured patients’ impulse control behavior disorders, excessive daytime sleepiness, blood pressure changes and weight changes, and found that the adverse effects linked to tavapadon were no different from those who received a placebo.

"Of course, this is a short-term study, and we need to wait for our long-term study to be really confident that our preliminary observations remain true," Fernandez noted. "Nonetheless, we are very encouraged."

The researchers presented the results of the TEMPO 3 trial at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) earlier this month in San Diego.

For those who were recently diagnosed and are having less severe motor symptoms, Fernandez suggested that a once-daily dose of tavapadon could potentially replace the three-times-a-day dosing of levodopa.

"Should they require levodopa at some point, they will need a lower dose and less frequency, which then reduces their likelihood of developing motor fluctuations and dyskinesia and other side effects," he noted in a press release.

For those with more advanced Parkinson’s, tavapadon could be paired with levodopa. 

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"So regardless of when it’s used, whether in the very beginning or as an adjunctive therapy to levodopa, we think it’s a gain overall," Fernandez added.

Recent research has found that Parkinson's cases are expected to surge by 2050, affecting up to 25 million people globally.

The biggest increase will affect people aged 80 and older, with cases in that age group projected to increase by 196% by 2050, they noted. 

As results of the long-term trial are pending, AbbVie, the maker of tavapadon, will soon file an application to the Food and Drug Administration for approval of the drug.

"The FDA will then review the application — from there, they can either approve it for use, ask more questions that may not be clear, or request another study or an extension to verify some results," Fernandez said.

"We are hopeful that this new generation of dopamine agonist — being more selective in its dopamine receptor stimulation, and given only once daily — will be a significant improvement in the symptomatic treatment of PD symptoms in the early, middle and advanced stages of the disease," he added. 

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Dr. Mary Ann Picone, medical director of the MS Center at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, was not involved in the study but called the results "very interesting and encouraging as a new tool for improving quality of life for patients with Parkinson's disease."

"One of the major limitations of the long-term use of dopamine is wearing-off phenomena and the need to dose it more frequently," Picone told Fox News Digital. 

"The use of dopamine agonists helps to prolong the long-term benefit of dopamine. Decreased benefit of dopamine can lead to ‘freezing,’ or episodes where patients have increased stiffness and difficulty moving."

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"This new therapy would target different receptors and allow for more ‘on’ time, but without the involuntary dyskinesia (uncontrolled movements) that … can interfere with function."

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Santo Domingo.- To strengthen health and safety efforts during Holy Week 2025, the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Public Health launched the “Safe Holy Week” campaign this Tuesday, delivering 50,000 first aid kits to the Dominican Red Cross, Civil Defense, provincial health authorities, and local health areas. The campaign aims to reduce injuries and fatalities from traffic accidents and ensure a rapid response to emergencies during the holiday.

Deputy Minister Dr. Gina Estrella emphasized the importance of prevention, urging citizens to act responsibly and follow road safety rules. The kits—created with the support of PROMESE/CAL and Banco de Reservas—contain items like alcohol, pain relievers, gloves, antibacterial gel, and bandages, and will be distributed at toll booths and travel exit points across the country.

Minister of Health Dr. Víctor Atallah called for caution during travel and celebrations, warning against speeding, distracted driving, and alcohol consumption. He also advised travelers to check their vehicles, rest before long drives, stay hydrated, and carry all necessary documents and safety items. On beaches and rivers, he urged the public to observe warning signs and supervise children at all times. The campaign promotes a culture of safety and reflection, encouraging citizens to enjoy responsibly and return home safely.

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Thirteen years after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, a California woman is more vibrant than ever — and she has just embarked on a walk across America to showcase the power of action in healthy aging.

Judy Benjamin, PhD, now 80 years old, set off on Saturday, April 5, on a 3,000-mile journey across the country. 

Over five months, she will walk from San Diego, California, to St. Augustine, Florida.

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"People wonder why would I put myself through this," Benjamin said during an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital the evening before her walk began. "I really want to share with others not to be discouraged." (See the video at the top of this piece.) 

"Life is here to enjoy, and age is a number, but you don't have to be identified and characterized by that number."

Benjamin was 67 when she first learned of her early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. 

It wasn’t a surprise, as she comes from a long line of relatives who were affected by that form of dementia. Her mother, one of 13 children, was 63 when she was diagnosed, and nine of her uncles also got it.

"So obviously it was very scary for me," Benjamin said during an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital the evening before her walk began. 

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After her mother passed away, Benjamin — who had a high-pressure job at the time — started getting symptoms.

"I was working overseas and started to get really worried because I couldn't remember things — even my own phone number or locker combination," she recalled. "I got lost driving, when I'm always really good about direction."

Benjamin also started to struggle to remember her grandchildren’s names, and even had trouble reading a newspaper article.

"I knew that it was going downhill really quickly, and I was extremely depressed and distressed about that," she recalled.

Brain scans showed that Benjamin had a lot of amyloid plaque, as well as some damage to the right and left parietal areas of her brain. 

"I started to get really panicked," she said.

A close friend recommended a doctor in California, Dr. Dale Bredesen, who was doing some innovative research on treating Alzheimer's.

"He explained his theory that Alzheimer's is not caused by one thing — it’s a number of different assaults on the brain, which causes it to become inflamed," she said. "And he said it was different for everybody. Some people are more affected by some things than others."

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Bredesen worked with Benjamin to help her reduce the inflammation through a number of steps.

"So I wrote down what he recommended, and I flew back home and I started implementing it to the letter — I changed my whole lifestyle," she shared.

Some of those lifestyle changes involved optimizing her sleep, ensuring healthy indoor air, incorporating meditation to reduce stress and starting an exercise routine.  

"I also totally changed my diet," Benjamin shared. "I stopped drinking diet soda, stopped eating sugar, and started eating more whole foods and natural foods — like vegetables and fruit."

"It’s super important to follow all of the instructions to do what you need to do, and not be casual about it."

Gradually, she said, things started to change. 

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"It wasn’t overnight; it’s not a magic bullet," she said. "But I realized one day that I could remember my grandchildren's names again."

After seeing firsthand the positive effects of her new lifestyle, Benjamin felt compelled to help others. She ultimately became a national board-certified health and wellness coach, specializing in brain health and neurology.

Benjamin said she has been doing longer walks to prepare for her 3,000-mile walk.

"I think there's really no way to train for a 3,000-mile walk, except walk as much as you can," she said. "I think walking is the most natural thing that a human being can do. I mean, we were born to walk."

"I just have to be careful to keep hydrated."

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Benjamin will be joined on her cross-country walk by a "great support team" as well as a film crew who will gather footage for an upcoming documentary.

"I do have an RV with a very comfortable bed, shower and cooking facilities," she said. "Whenever possible, if there's a nice hotel or motel, we'll stop, but in the long, remote stretches, we'll be sleeping in the RV."

She is also supported by several wellness sponsors, including Apollo Health and CareScout, a provider of long-term care and aging solutions. 

The goal is to shoot for 20 miles per day, depending on the weather and terrain.

"I will plan on stopping one day a week to rest my body, maybe take a sauna or just kick back," she said.

"It's pretty much me as an individual, but I am encouraging people to come and join me and walk with me."

Today, at 80, Benjamin said she feels younger than she did before her Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

"I'm very energetic and healthy — I have great flexibility and I do have confidence that I will continue to be healthy," she told Fox News Digital. 

That said, she added, life is "kind of like a crapshoot."

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"Anything can happen — I'm very aware of that, but all my numbers are great. My blood work, my bone studies, everything is in such good shape that I'm not really worried. I don't spend much time on the negative."

Benjamin hopes that her walk will serve as motivation for others to embrace healthier, more active lifestyles for better brain function.

"When I received my diagnosis, I had a choice — I could let it define me, or I could take action," she said. 

"I want people to see that, no matter your age or circumstances, there are steps you can take to live a healthier, more vibrant life. This walk is about proving that possibility."

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

People can follow Benjamin’s journey at Judywalks.com, @judywalksamerica on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube; and on CareScout’s Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

In its bulletin corresponding to Epidemiological Week Number 13, the Directorate of Epidemiology (DIEPI) shows that most diseases under special surveillance maintain a downward trend.

Among these health events are leptospirosis, cholera, COVID-19, human rabies, and other vaccine-preventable diseases, such as meningococcal disease, diphtheria, and polio.

Likewise, this week, the number of dengue cases continued to be low, with six cases reported. Children between one and four years of age were the most affected. Up to the 13th epidemiological week, there were 58 cases of the disease.

Nine confirmed cases of malaria remain in the already identified hotspots (San Juan, Azua, and Santo Domingo). This year, there have been 135 cases, and the accumulated incidence stands at 5.02 per 100,000 inhabitants.

No cases of leptospirosis have been recorded for this week. The accumulated number of confirmed cases is 20 this year, and the incidence of suspected cases is 0.75 per 100,000 inhabitants.

The DIEPI bulletin highlights the circulation of several respiratory viruses, such as influenza A (H1N1) pdm09, Influenza A (h3n2), Adenovirus, and SARS COV-2, for which the Ministry of Public Health has reinforced monitoring and case-control strategies through sentinel surveillance and virological analysis.

It urges people to take preventive measures, such as frequent hand washing, mask use in people with flu-like symptoms, and going to the nearest health center in case of fever or general malaise.

Maternal and infant deaths

In epidemiological week 13, two maternal deaths were reported, corresponding to women of Haitian nationality. The accumulated number of cases is 42 deaths up to this epidemiological week; last year, there were 49 accumulated deaths on the same date.

Twenty-eight infant deaths were reported this week, compared to 36 deaths reported the previous year, reflecting a reduction in the indicator. The accumulated total is 448 deaths this year, and in 2024, 557 deaths were reported at the same date.