Parkinson's Today Blog

Non-movement Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms can impact mental health, relationships and quality of life. The Parkinson’s Foundation has conducted two recent studies dedicated to learning more about treating non-movement symptoms within its Center of Excellence Network.

Centers of Excellence are medical centers with a specialized team who are up to date on the latest Parkinson’s medications, therapists and research to provide the best care to a combined 185,500 people with Parkinson’s.

While the leaves may be changing, your favorite podcast isn’t going anywhere!

As a caregiver for a loved one with Parkinson’s disease (PD), your days may include medication alarms, driving to and from appointments and helping your loved one with activities of daily living. Simultaneously, you may be managing finances, cooking, working and trying to keep up with family and friends. It can be easy to forget that your needs require attention too.

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.

A key feature of Parkinson’s disease is abnormal protein clumping within nerve cells or neurons. These protein clumps, called aggregates, spread throughout the nervous system as Parkinson’s progresses. How this occurs remains unclear.

A new study finds vitamin D levels are significantly correlated with falls and some non-motor symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The results of this clinical trial appear in the March 9, 2019 edition of Neurologica.

Every year, thousands of neurologists, researchers and health professionals gather at the International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders to discuss the latest research, treatments and best care practices in the Parkinson’s disease (PD) field. This year, the Parkinson’s Foundation attended the congress in Nice, France, from September 22 to 26, to share the following scientific poster presentations:

Learn how to prevent falls before the sunset and temperatures begin to change.

Falling leaves and early sunsets mean Autumn is here. These seasonal changes, along with Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms of slowness of movement, rigidity throughout the body and balance difficulties can increase the risk of falling for people with PD. Did you know:

Last week, the Parkinson's Foundation and The Michael J. Fox Foundation presented the 2019 Parkinson's Advocacy Awards to five people.  

These awards shine a spotlight on efforts to further policies that benefit people with Parkinson's, their families and care partners. During the ceremony, which took place at the 2019 Parkinson’s Policy Forum in Washington, D.C., advocates and lawmakers were recognized for their service to the Parkinson‘s community.   

The 2019 honorees are highlighted below. 

In our latest professional education update, find out what Edmond J. Safra Visiting Nurse Faculty Scholars shared at the World Parkinson Congress, learn about new professional education courses available for nurses and check out our latest calendar of upcoming programs.

The dog lovers among us have yet another reason to treasure their pups — namely, that service dogs may be able to make life easier for people living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Service dogs can help with a number of PD symptoms from physical challenges such as balance to social and emotional issues as well.

Carolyn Weaver is an alumni member of our Parkinson’s Advocates in Research (PAIR) program. Her half-Labrador Retriever, half-Golden Retriever, Selma, helps with her mobility.