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(05/20/2026) VA Ann Arbor researchers and their colleagues identified a specific neurobiological mechanism behind cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease, opening new possibilities for disease tracking and treatment. The researchers used specialized scanning techniques to examine white matter brain lesions in 127 patients with Parkinson’s disease. They found legions on periventricular sections of the brain interfering with neural pathways, called cholinergic projections, were related with poorer cognitive function. The results suggest identifying the physical location of lesions in the white matter of the brain could serve as a biomarker for cognitive decline. Furthermore, these lesions could be a promising therapeutic target to prevent cognitive disruption in people with Parkinson’s disease. (Brain, May 12, 2026)