Parkinson's Today Blog

Not sure what to get your loved one with Parkinson’s disease (PD) for an upcoming holiday or birthday?

Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Senior United States Senator from Georgia will retire from his 45 years in public office on December 31, 2019. The Parkinson’s Foundation is grateful for his longtime commitment to our community, championing Parkinson’s research toward a cure.

Senator Isakson announced his own Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2015, along with his commitment to fight the disease.

At the Parkinson's Foundation, one of the ways we make life better for people living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is through research. Every day, your generous donations help us fund cutting-edge PD research initiatives and support scientists working on the causes and treatments for Parkinson’s that could one day lead to a breakthrough.

In this Neuro Talk, our Chief Scientific Officer, James Beck, PhD, walks us through the research we’re supporting right now and how your support goes a long way at the Parkinson's Foundation. 

People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their caregivers frequently report cognitive decline as one of their greatest concerns. Commonly described in terms of mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD), it is estimated that 30 percent of people with Parkinson’s do not develop dementia as part of the disease progression. Research shows that those with PD-MCI are at increased risk for progression to Parkinson’s dementia.

Over the next three years the Parkinson’s Foundation will invest more than $50 million to Parkinson’s disease (PD) research and clinical care. At the heart of our research initiatives are scientists and researchers who have received Foundation awards to improve our understanding of Parkinson’s, which will ultimately lead us to a cure.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is known for its associated motor symptoms, such as tremor and slowed movement. People can be surprised to learn that cognitive changes are among common PD non-motor symptoms.

The Latin phrase sine qua non translates into ‘without which, there is nothing.’ People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) who participate in research are the sine qua non of the research team. Marilyn Neault is the first-ever person with Parkinson’s who is helping the Parkinson’s Foundation guide its Parkinson’s Outcomes Project, the largest clinical study of Parkinson’s. As a steering committee member, she voices the viewpoints of people with Parkinson’s as they relate to the groundbreaking study.

Incidence of Parkinson’s disease (PD) increases with age, but an estimated four percent of people with PD are diagnosed before the age of 50. This is known as Young-onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD).

Everyone who faces Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a fighter — from the people confronting their symptoms every minute to the advocates raising PD awareness. However, there is one group of people whose fight often goes unnoticed: care partners. We are here for you.