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.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
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
My PD Story
People with PD
Paul Schnabel
It started with something small: I found it difficult to button my shirt with my right hand.
In 2022, that small sign became a life-changing diagnosis: Parkinson’s disease. With no family history and a lifelong focus on health, the news was a shock.
I tackled it head-on with exercise, therapy, a healthier diet and a support group for those newly diagnosed. My wife stood beside me every step of the way, connecting with care partner groups and reminding me we were in this together.
Then, in the spring of 2024, my world collapsed. She died suddenly, just three months before the birth of our first grandchild. For months, I let grief take over—poor diet, little sleep, no exercise. But slowly, I began to climb back, knowing she’d want me to keep living, not just surviving.
Now, I share my journey through my blog—writing about Parkinson’s, grief and hope. My grandson is one year old, and when I hold him, I see her in his eyes.
I’m grateful for my Parkinson’s community and proud to serve as a Parkinson's Foundation Ambassador speaking at local events, fundraising and supporting others facing the same road. Parkinson’s is part of my life, but it doesn’t define me.
I have someone who I get to share my life with, as well as friends and family who lift me up. My disease is manageable. And every day, I try to live the kind of life my wife believed I could—one filled with purpose, gratitude, and love.
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.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
After many years of good symptom management, Parkinson’s disease may become more challenging. Learn how Parkinson’s symptoms may change over time and new strategies available for managing them.
Speaker
Dr. Kristine Domingo, M Health Fairview
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.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
Check-in begins at Noon with lunch and vendor visits. Program starts at 1 pm.
After many years of good symptom management, Parkinson’s disease may become more challenging. Learn how Parkinson’s symptoms may change over time and new strategies available for managing them.
Speaker
Dr. Wijdan Rai, Sanford Health
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.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
Meet a Researcher Exploring Parkinson’s-related Sleep Disruption
The primary impact of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive loss of neurons in the brain that produce dopamine. Dopamine is a small signaling molecule used by neurons to relay messages and commands important for many tasks, including coordinated movement. As dopamine levels decline over time, the ability to perform these tasks decreases and manifests as PD symptoms.
It was recently discovered that dopamine likely plays a critical role in regulating sleep. People with PD often experience disrupted sleep as an early symptom of the disease, which significantly impairs health even before movement symptoms begin. Xiaolin (Lindsay) Huang, PhD, a recipient of a Parkinson’s Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, is exploring the neurochemistry behind dopamine and sleep, generating new knowledge to guide future therapies that treat PD-associated sleep disruption.
“As a neuroscientist, my long-term goal is to understand why people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often have trouble sleeping and to find ways to help,” said Dr. Huang. “This interest was shaped by my research experience during college, graduate school and early postdoctoral training. Now, I use state-of-the-art tools to study how brain circuits that control sleep are affected in PD.”
Research suggests that dopamine is important for waking up and staying awake. However, diminishing dopamine in PD does not lead to chronic sleepiness like this finding would suggest. Dr. Huang, under the mentorship of Yang Dan, PhD, at the University of California, Berkeley, is solving this puzzle by investigating how dopamine signaling coordinates with the “sleep pressure” molecule called adenosine, as well as how dopamine deficits affect a sleep-regulating region of the brain called the medialsubstantia nigra pars reticulata (mSNr).
“By uncovering the neural mechanisms driving PD-associated sleep disturbances, the study will shed light on a critical and underexplored aspect of the disease,” said Dr. Huang.
While dopamine promotes wakefulness, adenosine promotes sleepiness. Adenosine accumulates in the brain throughout the day and eventually overwhelms dopamine levels, leading to growing tiredness until it is time for bed. Using mice with and without simulated PD, Dr. Huang will utilize highly sensitive brain monitoring techniques to observe how PD affects the balance between dopamine and adenosine and how that disruption may impact sleep behaviors.
Additionally, previous research from Dr. Dan’s lab has revealed that the mSNr region of the brain is important for regulating sleep-wake behaviors. Using the same experimental PD mice, Dr. Huang will assess if and how dopamine loss impairs neuron activity in the mSNr region, further disrupting sleep patterns in those animals.
These investigations into how PD-related sleep disruption are related to adenosine levels and mSNr changes can lead to future research and treatment development addressing this debilitating non-movement symptom.
“Receiving this award is both an honor and a pivotal step in my scientific journey,” said Dr. Huang. “It provides essential support for me to pursue an exciting project aimed at uncovering novel mechanisms underlying sleep disturbances in Parkinson’s disease. With the Foundation’s backing, I will actively engage with the broader PD research community through symposia and seminars, fostering meaningful collaborations and broadening my perspective on the field. This fellowship marks a critical milestone toward my long-term goal of establishing an independent research lab focused on understanding and treating sleep deficits in PD at the circuit and systems level.”
En este webinar, diseñado para los aliados en el cuidado que enfrentan el agotamiento mientras apoyan a su ser querido, aprenderán a reconocer las señales de agotamiento del cuidador, comprender qué es y explorar herramientas y estrategias prácticas para manejar el estrés y mantener su bienestar mientras brindan cuidados.
10 a.m. Hora del Pacífico (Los Ángeles) 11 a.m. Hora de la Montaña (Colorado, Phoenix y Nuevo México) 12 p.m. Hora del Centro (Texas y Ciudad de México) 1 p.m. Hora del Este (Nueva York , Peru y Colombia) 2 p.m. Hora de Venezuela 3 p.m. Hora de Chile y Argentina
*Por favor, verifica su zonas horarias.*
Presentadora
Edna Hutchinson
CCHW-S3
Gerente de programa, Programa de Educación para la Autogestión de Enfermedades Crónicas
Instructora de formación en primeros auxilios para la salud mental
Instructora del programa PEARLS, Presbyterian Community Health
Panelistas
Margarita Monroy
Aliada en el cuidado
Martha Suárez Torres
Aliada en el cuidado
Terapeuta del lenguaje especialista en Parkinson
Máster en enfermedades neurodegenerativas
Certificada por la Parkinson’s Foundation en el Team Training Program For Parkinson´s y Team-Based Palliative Care Essentials for Parkinson´s
Miembro de la Asociación Civil Parkinson Caracas y de la Sociedad de Trastornos del Movimiento.
Embajadora Líder de la Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson´s
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
Join the Parkinson’s Foundation to hear from keynote speaker Ray Dorsey, MD, co-author of “The Parkinson’s Plan.” The presentation will overview key points of the book including how prevention, better care, smarter policy and advocacy can change the future of Parkinson’s.
Come together with your community for the presentations, a resource fair, exercise demonstrations, “The Parkinson’s Plan” book signing (while supplies last), and more.
This event is free and open to people with Parkinson's and their families. Registration is required as in-person seating is limited.
Thank you to our event partner, the Greater Fresno Parkinson’s Support Group.
Speakers:
Ray Dorsey, MD
Dr. Ray Dorsey is a neurologist, researcher, and public health advocate working to end Parkinson’s disease by addressing its root causes: toxic environmental exposures. He is the founding Director of the Center for the Brain & Environment at Atria Health and Research Institute and serves as Professor of Neurology at the University of Rochester. Dr. Dorsey has testified before Congress, advised the World Health Organization, and was recognized by the White House as a “Champion for Change.” He is the co-author of Ending Parkinson’s Disease (2020) and the New York Times bestseller, The Parkinson’s Plan: A New Path to Prevention and Treatment (2025).
Rafael Zuzuárregui is a neurologist who cares for patients with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. He specializes in using deep brain stimulation (electrodes implanted in the brain to regulate abnormal activity) and botulinum toxin therapy (injections that can relieve muscle contractions). He is also interested in diagnosing and treating rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (a condition in which patients physically act out vivid dreams).
Zuzuárregui's research focuses on the overlap between movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, and sleep disorders. He is particularly interested in how deep brain stimulation can help improve sleep in patients with these disorders. He also studies issues related to medical education.
At Boston University School of Medicine, Zuzuárregui earned his medical degree; completed a residency in neurology, serving as chief resident; and completed a fellowship in movement disorders. He then completed a fellowship in sleep disorders at Stanford University School of Medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
As Associate Vice President of Advocacy and State Policy for the Parkinson's Foundation, Deborah Swerdlow leads the Foundation's state policy work as well as efforts to engage people with Parkinson's, care partners, and other community members in support of both federal and state policies. Deborah comes to the Foundation with 15 years of experience in policy and advocacy, including her most recent government service as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services mission area. She previously served as Deputy Director of the State Campaigns team at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, where she led national issue campaigns on tax policy, food assistance, pandemic relief and other anti-poverty priorities. Earlier in her career, she served as Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator for the American Association of University Women and as a program associate and legislative assistant at the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
