Take charge of your Parkinson’s journey with practical tips to get the most out of every medical visit. This program will highlight simple, effective strategies to help you prepare for appointments, ask the right questions, track symptoms and medications, and build the care team that works best for you.
This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family members, friends and the community. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. Lunch will be served.
Expert Speakers:
Julie Kurek, MD
Augusta University/Wellstar-MCG
Lori Burkhead-Morgan, PhD, CCC-SLP
Augusta University/Wellstar-MCG
Agenda
9:30 a.m.
Registration & Resource Fair
10:00 a.m.
Welcome
10:15 a.m.
Optimizing Your Parkinson’s Care
Julie Kurek, MD
10:45 a.m.
Question & Answer Session
11:15 a.m.
Finding Support Throughout Your PD Journey
Lori Burkhead-Morgan, PhD, CCC-SLP
Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice.
Pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup, and join us for an open conversation with the Parkinson’s Foundation’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sneha Mantri and guest expert, Dr. Matthew Burns. Our Coffee & Conversation series creates a space for you to ask the questions that matter most. This sessions will focuse on the movement symptoms of Parkinson's.
From tremors to stiffness to changes in balance, movement symptoms are often the most visible signs of Parkinson’s—but they can also be the most misunderstood. In this session, Dr. Sneha Mantri Dr. Matthew Burns will answer your questions about managing, treating, and living with movement symptoms.
Bring your questions. Bring your curiosity. Bring the conversation. Don’t forget your coffee (or tea!).
Speakers
Sneha Mantri, MD, MS
Neurologist, Duke University
Chief Medical Officer, Parkinson's Foundation
Matthew R. Burns, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health, Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice.
As Parkinson’s disease progresses, care needs can become more complex—impacting daily routines, independence, and long-term planning. This webinar will help veterans, and their care partners prepare for the changes that may come with advancing Parkinson’s. We’ll explore strategies for proactive care planning, VA services to support evolving needs, and resources to maintain quality of life through each stage of the disease.
Speakers
Reversa Joseph, MD, MS
Director of Movement Disorders Clinic
Chalmers P. Wylie VA
Amanda Ripke, LCSW
Movement Disorders Clinic
Chalmers P. Wylie VA
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
The Parkinson's Foundation is proud to partner with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to improve the health, well-being and quality of life for veterans with PD.
Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice.
Navigating medical appointments with Parkinson’s can feel overwhelming, especially when time is limited, and priorities compete. The Parkinson’s Foundation Optimizing Care Initiative emphasizes the importance of what matters to you—ensuring your voice, story, and needs are central to your care. This webinar will explore practical strategies for self-advocacy, how to use storytelling to share your health journey effectively, and ways to clearly communicate your priorities so you leave your appointments feeling heard and empowered.
Speaker
Sneha Mantri, MD, MS
Neurologist, Duke University
Chief Medical Officer, Parkinson's Foundation
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice.
Mainstay Parkinson's Medication Sometimes "Wears Off" Faster for Women
Levodopa, which helps with the movement symptoms of Parkinson’s, tends to work less well over time, especially for women.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a condition that gets worse over time, impacting the nervous system. It's caused by the gradual death of brain cells that produce dopamine, a crucial chemical messenger for controlling movement. When these cells are lost and dopamine levels drop, people with Parkinson's begin to experience noticeable symptoms like shaking or tremors, muscle stiffness, a general slowness of movement and problems with balance.
A primary treatment for these movement symptoms is the drug levodopa. The body converts this medication into dopamine, helping to replenish the brain's supply. By doing so, levodopa can significantly reduce the physical challenges of the disease and improve a person's daily life.
However, for many individuals with Parkinson's, the effectiveness of levodopa can begin to diminish between doses. In other words, it starts "wearing off." Patients may notice their movement symptoms, such as tremors and stiffness, gradually returning before their next scheduled dose.
Parkinson’s also impacts men and women differently. Men are estimated to be 1.5 times more likely to develop Parkinson’s. Women with Parkinson's are often diagnosed at a later age and may have slightly different symptoms. These differences between men and women with Parkinson’s could be due to a variety of factors, including hormonal differences and genetics.
To better understand how these gender differences impact experience with levodopa, a recent study tracked 216 individuals with Parkinson's over a two-year period. The goal was to investigate whether men and women experience levodopa wearing off at different rates and to examine the symptoms that occur while on this medication.
Study Results
Participants included 139 men and 77 women with Parkinson’s who began taking levodopa for the first time at the start of the study. After two years in the study, almost 65% of women experienced symptom fluctuations, or times when the medication's effects seem to "wear off" before the next dose is due. This was compared to about 53% of men. This suggests that for many women, the medication was less effective in managing symptoms and did not feel as consistent over time.
In addition, more women in the study developed dyskinesia, a side effect of levodopa that leads to involuntary, uncontrolled movements. About 14% of women developed dyskinesia compared to only 5% of men. Taken together, these results suggest that there may be differences in how levodopa is processed in the body between men and women.
The study concluded that being female was the strongest predictor for both the wearing-off effect and dyskinesia after taking levodopa for two years. This indicates that gender is an important factor when considering how a person might respond to this medication.
Highlights
The study followed 139 men and 77 women with Parkinson’s for two years after they started taking levodopa for the first time.
During the two-year study period, 65% of women experienced times when the medication's effects seemed to "wear off" before the next dose. This was compared to about 53% of men.
During the study, about 14% of women developed dyskinesia, compared to only 5% of men.
The study concluded that female gender predicted the development of motor fluctuations and dyskinesia more than any other factor.
What does this mean?
Women’s experiences have been historically underrepresented in PD research. This study adds to increasing evidence that men and women often experience various aspects of PD differently, including in their response to the PD medication levodopa. Specifically, these results indicate that women may be more likely to have worse responses to levodopa treatment over time compared to men. However, the reasons for these differences between men and women are still unknown. Additionally, it is common for both men and women to have breakthrough symptoms on levodopa over time.
What do these findings mean to people with PD right now?
Knowing that men and women may react differently to prolonged levodopa treatment can help healthcare providers develop more effective treatment plans for patients. While more research needs to be done, the findings from this study suggest that more tailored, “gender-oriented” treatment recommendations may be needed. If you are struggling with symptoms related to levodopa treatment, talk to your doctor to discuss your treatment plan.
Learn More
The Parkinson’s Foundation believes in empowering the Parkinson’s community through education. Learn more about PD and the topics in this article through our below resources, or by calling our free Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) for answers to your Parkinson’s questions.
Get out and move with your community! Every dollar raised supports the Parkinson’s Foundation mission to make life better for people affected by Parkinson’s disease (PD). At Moving Day Community Walks across the country, we’re fighting Parkinson’s and celebrating movement — proven to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms — and we’re doing it together. The Moving Day Community Walk Program is a complement to the Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day, A Walk for Parkinson’s. These walks are family-friendly and help the Foundation make life better for people with PD.
The Community Walk program offers volunteers an opportunity to organize a walk in their own community that does not have a Moving Day event. The program leverages the personal experiences and community leadership of passionate volunteers to promote Parkinson’s awareness and raise funds for the Parkinson’s Foundation.
Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice.
Expert Briefing: Managing Nighttime Interruptions in Parkinson's Disease
May 14, 2025
Sleep disturbances are a common and often challenging symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD). This program explores three prevalent nighttime interruptions—Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD), and insomnia—that can affect individuals with PD and their care partners. This session will provide an in-depth look at the causes, symptoms, and practical management strategies for these sleep disorders.
Roneil G. Malkani, MD
Associate Professor, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Neurologist, Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Specializing in Sleep Medicine and Movement Disorders
Fundraising Events
2026 Cape Town Marathon
5:00 am to 5:00 pm SAST
The Parkinson's Foundation is an official charity partner for the 2026 Cape Town Marathon. By signing up to run as a Parkinson's Champion you commit to raising funds and awareness for the Parkinson's Foundation, and in return you get access to a free entry (bib) to the race in addition to tons of other fun benefits and perks. Register to run now at PDChampionsCapeTown.org.
Fundraising Commitments:
Marathon - $2,250
*If you manage to purchase your own bib to the race and want to join the team as an Honorary Athlete, please email us at Run4PD@Parkinson.org
*Even though the 2025 race had to be canceled due to high winds, the 2026 Cape Town Marathon IS set to go as planned, and athletes WILL be eligible for an Abbott World Marathon Major Star for finishing the race once the event completes certification! There are some specific details about how this will all work on our Event Details page.
As the newest Abbott World Major Marathon (set to be fully confirmed in 2026), and first ever on the continent of Africa, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is a global city race renowned for its beautiful, fast, and flat route that showcases Cape Town's ocean scenery, mountains, and cultural attractions. Experience the vibrant beauty of Cape Town and everything South Africa has to offer.
Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice.
Medication plays a key role in managing Parkinson’s disease (PD), but it’s only one part of a comprehensive care plan. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how medications work, their intended benefits, and common side effects. We will address the natural progression of Parkinson’s and the changes in medication regimens that may be necessary over time. By managing expectations, participants can build a more sustainable strategy for living well with PD.
Danny Bega, MD, MSCI
Associate Professor of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, A Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence
Director, Neurology Residency Program, Northwestern Medicine Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Center
Medical Director, NM PDMDC
Director, Huntington's Disease Program, HDSA Center of Excellence
Join us for a special Mindfulness Monday session designed with care for the Parkinson’s community. In this practice, Crista will guide you through gentle hand mudras, calming breath with sound, and a soothing guided imagery of an evening walk in nature. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to relax the body, steady the mind, and invite a sense of connection and peace.
This session requires no prior experience and can be done from a chair or any comfortable position. Come as you are—all you need is yourself, your breath, and a willingness to receive a moment of ease.
Whether this is your first mindfulness Monday, or you are a returning participant, these sessions are created with the intention of including everyone. There will be time for questions following the practice.
Speaker
Crista Ellis, E-RYT, B.Sc
Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Life Coach, Founder of Rising Rose Yoga
Senior Community Engagement Manager, Parkinson's Foundation
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Each month, Dr. Rush invites you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and your Parkinson’s community through a guided mindfulness practice.
