Understanding Parkinson’s

There is a lot to know about Parkinson's disease. Learn about symptoms, how it is diagnosed and what treatment options are available.
Living with Parkinson’s

While living with PD can be challenging, there are many things you can do to maintain and improve your quality of life and live well with Parkinson's disease.
Resources & Support

Living well with Parkinson’s disease (PD) means getting the support you need — from tools that help you work alongside your care team to resources that empower you.
Advancing Research

Our research has led to breakthroughs in treatment and improved care that bring hope to the entire Parkinson's community.
How You Can Help

There are many ways you can support the fight against Parkinson’s. Whatever form your gift takes, you can be confident that it goes toward providing crucial resources for those affected by this disease.

Advancing Research

Explore in this section

There is still a lot we do not know about Parkinson’s disease (PD). The Parkinson’s Foundation drives a multi-disciplinary research strategy to close the gaps in knowledge about Parkinson’s – from its basic biology to its impact on the brain and its effects on people. We work to accelerate our findings, quickly applying them to improved treatments and care today.

We spur discovery by taking a comprehensive, big-picture approach to research. This approach is vital to identifying the fastest lanes to new therapies for the 10 million people living with Parkinson's in the world.

Featured Research News

A recent blog highlights a new study that found a potential way to treat the underlying cause of Parkinson’s disease, not just its symptoms. You will learn about: 

The abnormal clumping and spread of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain, which is tied to Parkinson’s. Current therapies address PD symptoms, not this process.

Researchers developed SK-129, a molecule that can stop these clumps from forming and spreading in various models of Parkinson’s.
In different models, SK-129 saved dopamine neurons and improved outcomes — protecting neurons even after damage began and boosting mouse survival while preventing movement impairment and brain inflammation.
This research was co-led by Sunil Kumar, PhD, a Parkinson's Foundation Stanley Fahn Junior Faculty Awardee. The Parkinson’s Foundation directly funded this work.

Learn more.

Research Initiatives

Finding a Cure

Breakthrough scientific research that improves care for everyone living with Parkinson’s is at the heart of our mission. Find out how we advance research and work towards ending Parkinson’s.

EXPLORE ONGOING RESEARCH

Join Our Genetics Study

Understanding your genetic tie to Parkinson’s can be empowering. PD GENEration is a national initiative that offers genetic testing for PD-related genes and genetic counseling at no cost for people with Parkinson’s.

ENROLL IN OUR STUDY

Key Findings That Matter

Differences in care dramatically impact daily life with Parkinson’s. Our Parkinson’s Outcomes Project findings can help you advocate for your best care. Study findings have led to best practices and accelerating research.

EXPLORE RESEARCH MILESTONES

Researchers writing equations on white board

Get Involved in Research

Let’s speed up Parkinson’s research. Find a research study you can join today. Learn more about our research advocate program to help us ensure more funds are directed towards research that matters to people with PD.

BECOME A RESEARCH ADVOCATE

JOIN A STUDY

For Researchers

Our competitive awards and grants fund a diverse array of Parkinson's research. We fund all types of researchers from early career and established scientists to clinicians who treat patients every day.

APPLY TO A RESEARCH GRANT

FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS

Join the Fight Against Parkinson's

Support our mission to make life better for people with Parkinson’s. Your gift will help us improve care and advance research toward a cure.

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