## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [Resources & Support](/resources-support) - [Parkinson's Today Blog](/resources-support/blog) ## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [Resources & Support](/resources-support) - [Parkinson's Today Blog](/resources-support/blog) Advancing Research # Meet the Researcher Working to Restore Sleep in Parkinson’s Feb 27, 2026 ## 🧠 What will you learn in this article? This article highlights a researcher working to understand how Parkinson’s disease (PD) impacts sleep. It discusses: - How PD changes neuron behavior in a specific sleep-regulating region. - How results of this study can inform future treatments for sleep issues in people with PD. - How support from the Parkinson’s Foundation makes research like this possible. ![Pamela Marcott headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/pamela-marcott-hero-new.png?itok=eK3-f9vM) Beyond the most visible [movement-related symptoms](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms "Movement Symptoms"), people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) also experience [non-movement symptoms](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms "Non-Movement Symptoms"). These symptoms can be debilitating and are sometimes more difficult for care partners to recognize. One common non-movement PD symptom is [difficulty sleeping](/library/fact-sheets/sleep "Understanding Sleep Problems in Parkinson’s"), often in the form of waking up frequently throughout the night. Pamela Marcott, MD, PhD, a recipient of a [Parkinson’s Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship](/advancing-research/for-researchers/fellowships-early-career-awards#Postdoctoral "Fellowships & Early Career Awards"), is casting a spotlight on the sleep-associated circuits of the brain to understand how exactly PD impacts sleep patterns. By uncovering the mechanisms behind PD-related sleep problems, she hopes to help advance new therapies for such disturbances. While much of the neuroscience of sleep is still a mystery, researchers do know that staying asleep through the night requires a highly calibrated balance of different signals in the brain. These sleep signals are relayed through brain cells called neurons and can vary in frequency and intensity, depending on their purpose. If these signals become altered and imbalanced, sleep fragmentation occurs with "frequent changes between different sleep and wake states, leading to less consolidated and restful sleep,” said Dr. Marcott. Under the mentorship of Alexandra Nelson, MD, PhD, and Ying-Hui Fu, PhD, at the University of California, San Francisco, a [Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/global-care-network "Global Care Network"), Dr. Marcott is investigating how PD changes the behavior of neurons in a specific sleep-regulating region of the brain called the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN). PPN neurons act like telephone operators, relaying important signals across the brain. Using mice with and without PD-like symptoms, she will measure how the disease affects the ability of PPN neurons to transmit their important sleep signals. “Results of this study will improve our understanding of the circuit mechanisms that regulate sleep disturbances in PD, which will inform future therapeutic treatments,” said Dr. Marcott. After learning more about how PD changes the sleep-related neurons’ signaling ability, Dr. Marcott will then monitor the brains of the mice as they sleep. She will keep a close eye on how the PPN neurons activate during sleep phase transitions, as she believes PD causes these neurons to be overactive and lead to fragmented sleep. Observing in real time how PD alters sleep regulation in the brain will provide a strong foundation for understanding how to treat this symptom and give restful nights back to people with PD. > “I have been both personally and professionally affected by Parkinson's disease and have dedicated my career to improving the lives of patients living with Parkinson's and their families.” - Dr. Marcott “This award is a powerful acknowledgment not just of the work I've done, but also of the work I hope to do in the future to improve care for patients with Parkinson's disease,” said Dr. Marcott. “As a physician scientist in this space, I am committed to making meaningful discoveries in the laboratory that will benefit my patients, and I am excited to have the opportunity to start this phase of my career with the support of the Parkinson's Foundation.” **Meet more Parkinson’s researchers! Explore our [My PD Stories featuring PD researchers](/living-with-parkinsons/stories "My PD Story")**. ## Related Materials Podcasts ### [ Episode 121: Parkinson’s Disease and Sleep ](/library/podcast/121) [Listen Now](/library/podcast/121) Fact Sheets ### [ Understanding Sleep Problems in Parkinson’s ](/library/fact-sheets/sleep) [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/sleep) Books ### [ Sleep: A Mind Guide to Parkinson's Disease ](/library/books/sleep) [Read Now](/library/books/sleep) ## Related Blog Posts ![Man laying in bed having trouble sleeping](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/SN%20Sleep%20Issues%20preview.png?h=9105c3fe&itok=DmYYpwFA) Science News ### [ Study Shows Multiple Sleep Problems Are Common in Early Parkinson's ](/blog/science-news/sleep-disorders) READ NOW ![Man sleeping in bed](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/Good-sleep.jpg?h=ed9ce7df&itok=h6twCtEw) Advancing Research ### [ Expert Tips on How to Get Good Sleep with Parkinson's ](/blog/research/tips-good-sleep) READ NOW ![Asian couple being supportive](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/mentalhealthtips-conditionmoodsleep-blog.png?h=f0ffb5c0&itok=GxNXmMGr) Tips for Daily Living ### [ Mental Health Tips for Cognition, Mood and Sleep ](/blog/tips/mental-health-tips) READ NOW [VIEW ALL BLOGS](/resources-support/blog) ### PD Library Deep dive into Parkinson’s topics that matter most to you. Explore our books, podcast episodes, fact sheets, videos and more — all available in our PD Library. [Explore Now](/resources-support/pd-library) ### PD Health @ Home Join us for new, weekly virtual wellness programs! Take part in one or all of our events that cover: mindfulness, interviews with experts and guided exercise. [VIEW EVENTS](/resources-support/online-education/pdhealth) - Share on Facebook - Share on X - Share on LinkedIn