Katherine Weaver

Katherine Weaver is an intern covering emerging and health news for the Tribune. She is a recent graduate from the University of Chicago, where she studied English Language and Literature and worked for the Chicago Maroon’s news section.

Barbara Hanson sorts through slides that contain slices of brain matter from patients with Parkinson’s disease, July 14, 2025, at Northwestern’s Searle Medical Research Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Research finding opens the door to a viral link to Parkinson’s disease

July 18, 2025 at 8:21 a.m.

The usually harmless Human Pegivirus has been found in brain samples from Parkinson’s patients. Researchers say this is the first time it's been found in brain tissue.

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