High-resolution PET scanner may aid Parkinson’s research, diagnosis

Jul 3, 2026

NeuroEXPLORER can image small brain regions involved in the disease

Written by Andrea Lobo | June 18, 2026

  • NeuroEXPLORER PET can image small, deep brain regions involved in Parkinson’s and other conditions.
  • The scanner may help detect early brain changes linked to neurodegenerative diseases and support more precise diagnosis.
  • It may aid DBS planning and help researchers monitor how treatments affect targets in the brain.

UZ Leuven and KU Leuven, two institutions in Belgium, have introduced NeuroEXPLORER PET into clinical practice. The ultra-high-resolution PET scanner, developed by United Imaging Healthcare, is designed to visualize small, deep brain regions, including those involved in Parkinson’s disease.

Within the first six months, the system supported imaging in more than 400 patients. UZ Leuven also is using the scanner in an ongoing comparative clinical trial to assess its added value over existing PET scanners. Over the next five years, the scanner will support more than 30 large-scale research programs across neurodegeneration, neuromodulation, and inflammation, among others.

Scanner enters clinical use in Belgium

“This technology fundamentally changes how we can investigate the origins and diagnoses of neurological and psychiatric diseases, as well as vascular diseases and head- and neck disorders such as tumours,” Koen Van Laere, MD, PhD, professor at KU Leuven and principal investigator, said in a company press release from United Imaging Healthcare. “It allows us to measure disease processes in very small structures with unprecedented precision.”

Mathieu Vandenbulcke, MD, PhD, chair of the Leuven Brain Institute, added, “The NeuroEXPLORER strengthens Leuven’s international position in brain research and precision medicine. It creates a unique platform for global scientific collaboration.”

Parkinson’s disease is caused by the progressive dysfunction and loss of dopaminergic neurons, the nerve cells that produce dopamine, a signaling molecule that allows nerve cells to communicate. These neurons are primarily found in the substantia nigra, a region deep in the brain involved in movement control.

Diagnosing the disease may involve the use of markers of dopamine signaling in high-resolution PET scans to assess dopaminergic function, which may help distinguish Parkinson’s patients from those with other conditions causing similar symptoms.

The NeuroEXPLORER PET scanner uses low-level radioactive tracers to visualize subtle biological and chemical changes in the brain, including deep brain regions, with resolution up to 20 times higher than conventional PET scanners.

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7 Beneficial Crafts and Activities for People with Parkinson’s

Jul 2, 2026

Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. — Written by Catherine Crider on November 7, 2024

Individuals with Parkinson’s disease should remain as active as possible. Knitting, painting, and doing puzzles can be beneficial along with physical exercises like cycling and yoga.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder where the amount of dopamine in certain areas of the brain decreases. It can cause an individual to experience tremors, loss of balance, and stiffness.

 

There’s currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, so treatment often focuses on reducing the severity of one’s symptoms and improving one’s quality of life.

Individuals with Parkinson’s disease should engage in a variety of activities that center on fine motor skills and cognition, as well as physical exercises that require balance and mobility. Staying active can help strengthen muscles and may help prevent dementia.

 

This article looks at beneficial crafts and activities for those living with or caring for someone with Parkinson’s.

How the stages of Parkinson’s may guide the activities you choose

 

It’s worth noting that Parkinson’s disease causes a resting tremor. During early stages, the tremor is present at rest and goes away with action.

The activities reviewed in this article can help during the early stages of Parkinson’s by strengthening muscles, improving mood, and maintaining balance.

It’s not until fairly late stages that people begin to have tremors that continue even with action. This can make some of the activities discussed here frustrating or even unsafe. In addition, people with Parkinson’s often have difficulty walking and may feel lightheaded for a few minutes when standing up after being seated or lying down.

Physical exercises that focus on balance and walking safely, especially after getting up after lying down or being seated, are extremely helpful during all stages of Parkinson’s.

Read about the best physical exercises for Parkinson’s disease here.

 

1. Knitting and painting

Artistic crafts like knitting and painting provide the opportunity to focus on fine motor skills and create something of value.

Those with Parkinson’s disease can experience tremors and have difficulty moving their hands. They may also experience stress and depression as a result of their condition. Creating something from scratch provides an opportunity to:

  • focus on hand movements
  • reduce stress
  • feel a sense of accomplishment

Many communities have opportunities for individuals to come together and practice crafts like crocheting or painting. This can offer a valuable social outlet for those with Parkinson’s disease.

 

2. Singing

Vocal exercises like singing can help strengthen and control vocal muscles. This may be especially beneficial for those with Parkinson’s disease because vocal tremors or difficulty speaking can develop as the condition progresses.

Singing may also help with recall and memory.

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