James Beck, PhD
James Beck, PhD
As Chief Scientific Officer, James Beck, PhD, sets the strategic direction for the Parkinson’s Foundation research vision. Dr. Beck oversees a portfolio that has guided more than $400 million in research to explore what causes Parkinson’s disease (PD) and how to improve treatments, working towards a world without Parkinson’s disease. He has played an integral role in positioning the organization as a world leader in accelerating Parkinson’s research.
Dr. Beck launched PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson's Disease, a national study started by the Parkinson’s Foundation in 2019 that offers genetic testing for Parkinson’s-related genes and genetic counseling at no cost for participants with a confirmed PD diagnosis. Additionally, he led the team that updated the estimated prevalence of PD in the U.S. and globally and collaborated with several organizations to develop the economic burden of Parkinson’s disease.
During his tenure at the Foundation, he has greatly increased the organization’s impact in the PD community by:
- Doubling the number of applicants for the research grants program
- Including people with Parkinson’s in the grant application review cycle, creating the first community-responsive grant process in PD
- Becoming the first PD organization with an open-access policy, encouraging broad data sharing including access to published Foundation-funded research to accelerate our understanding of PD
- Launching npj Parkinson’s Disease, an international open-access journal devoted to publishing the most important scientific advances in Parkinson's research
- Managing the Parkinson’s Outcome Project, the largest clinical study of PD, and sub-studies focused on priority populations
- Acting as co-chair of Parkinson's Disease Gene Curation Expert Panel, the first ClinGen working group for neurodegenerative diseases in adults
Dr. Beck has been published in multiple leading journals including npj Parkinson’s Disease, Movement Disorders, Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, Annals of Clinical & Translational Neurology and more. He is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Physiology at the New York University School of Medicine. He holds a BS from Duke University and a PhD from the University of Washington, Seattle.
In The News
Dad diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 45 shares ‘shocking’ first symptoms
NBC’s TODAY.com
April 19, 2023
When Vikas Chinnan, 46, began experiencing stiffness on his right side, he thought it was related to a viral infection he had in his spine as a child. After numerous tests and treatments failed to help, doctors began investigating other potential illnesses, and he was ultimately diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD). Read on for Chinnan’s story of diagnosis and the impact of “invisible symptoms.” James Beck, PhD, chief scientific officer for the Parkinson’s Foundation, provides expert insight on YOPD.
The Future of Genetic Approaches, New Targets in Parkinson Disease: James Beck, PhD
NeurologyLive
March 9, 2023
Currently, there are several trials targeting specific genetic mutations of Parkinson’s disease, with the hope that one day, the field will see its first gene therapy. James Beck, PhD, chief scientific officer for the Parkinson’s Foundation, discusses the progress made in PD treatments and the promise behind potential gene therapies in the coming years.
Parkinson’s disease strikes many more older adults than previously estimated: research
The Hill
Parkinson’s disease is more common than previous research has shown. Prior research estimated 60,000 people in the U.S. annually were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but the actual incidence rate is 1.5 times higher at 90,000 per year. James Beck, PhD, co-author of the study and chief scientific officer of the Parkinson’s Foundation, provides commentary.
Parkinson’s Cases May Be 50% Higher Than Previously Thought: Why That’s Important to Know
Healthline
There may be 90,000 Parkinson’s disease diagnoses in the U.S. every year instead of the previously estimated 60,000 annually. Researchers hope the new figures will lead to an increase in funding for research as well as a renewed focus on finding a cure. James Beck, PhD, co-author of the study and chief scientific officer of the Parkinson’s Foundation, provides commentary.
U.S. Parkinson’s disease incidence far higher than earlier estimates – study
Reuters
The annual number of new Parkinson's disease diagnoses in the United States is likely 50% higher than estimated, based on a broad analysis of insurance claims and population growth detailed in a new study. James Beck, PhD, co-author of the study and chief scientific officer of the Parkinson’s Foundation, provides extensive commentary.
Parkinson's disease is more common than thought. Toxins may contribute to rising rates.
USA Today
Parkinson's disease strikes nearly 90,000 older Americans a year, 30,000 more than was previously estimated, according to a new study on Parkinson’s incidence. James Beck, PhD, co-author of the study and chief scientific officer of the Parkinson’s Foundation, and Michael S. Okun, MD, national medical advisor for the Parkinson's Foundation, provide commentary.
This at-home radio sensor could help monitor symptoms of patients with Parkinson’s
Popular Science
Getting specialized care for people with Parkinson’s can be difficult. But by installing radio sensors, researchers say they could track the progression of symptoms without patients having to leave the comfort of their homes. James Beck, PhD, chief scientific officer for the Parkinson’s Foundation, provides commentary.
A new algorithm could spot Parkinson’s early. Will it help?
Washington Post
Researchers from MIT have created an AI tool that can predict Parkinson’s in patients earlier than humans by analyzing a person’s breathing pattern. James Beck, PhD, chief scientific officer of the Parkinson’s Foundation, provides commentary on the study, noting that this tool is simply one of many ways scientists are racing to better detect and track PD.