Acompáñenos para un programa educativo en Chicago, IL. Escuche a especialistas en Parkinson, además de conocer recursos y la oportunidad de participar en el estudio de PDGENEration.
Entenderá cómo avanza la enfermedad de Parkinson, aprenderá cómo afecta el Parkinson a la salud mental, conocerá los beneficios de los ejercicios y aumentará su conocimiento acerca de los estudios de investigación.
Este programa es gratuito y está disponible para cualquier persona interesada, incluyendo a las personas con Parkinson y sus familiares, amigos, personas de apoyo y promotores de salud.
Para los asistentes presenciales: Registro, brunch, visitas a los auspiciantes y mesa PD GENE a las 9:00 a.m.
Para los asistentes virtuales, a través de Zoom: La transmisión en directo será de 10:00 a.m. a 12:15 p.m. horas.
Bienvenida
Dra. Paulina Gonzalez-Latapi, Chicago Movement Coalition
Introducción a la enfermedad de Parkinson
Dra. Paulina Latapi, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine
Salud mental en la enfermedad de Parkinson
Dr. David Gonzalez, Rush University System
Preguntas y respuestas
Moderado por Jenny Fearday, Parkinson's Foundation
Ejercicio – ¡Muévase con nosotros!
Susana Miranda APN, PT, U Chicago
Genética del Parkinson / Mitos de la investigación
Dr. Ignacio Mata, Cleveland Clinic
Oportunidades para la Investigación - Panel de expertos
Preguntas y respuestas
Moderado por Jenny Fearday, Parkinson's Foundation
Despedida y Agradecimiento
Mitra Afshari, MD, Chicago Movement Coalition
SEGURIDAD COVID: La salud y seguridad de nuestros participantes, patrocinadores, voluntarios y personal son nuestra máxima prioridad. Seguimos pendientes de las recomendaciones de los CDC y nos apegaremos a los lineamientos estatales y locales en vigor el día del evento referentes a COVID. Se harán ajustes, de ser necesario.
Raise Awareness
Parkinson’s & Medications: What's New?
Research is actively underway to develop new medications that can slow or stop Parkinson’s disease (PD) progression, while also working to improve the lives of people living with PD today. Learn how lifestyle choices and medication therapy can help you manage Parkinson’s symptoms and what is in the pipeline for 2023.
This article is based on Parkinson’s & Medications - What's New, a Parkinson’s Foundation Expert Briefing webinar presented by Tanya Simuni, MD, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Director Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence.
Stay Informed
For the latest about Medications explore our Treatment webpages.
Globally, Parkinson's is the most rapidly increasing neurological disease and is currently the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's. Researchers are prioritizing science to help them understand the biology behind Parkinson’s disease.
Genetic research is one area that shows promise to push the science forward. However, research seeking to better understand the causes of PD and clinical trials to develop promising new therapies can only happen if people participate in the studies. Participating in a study can also help those living with Parkinson’s better understand their disease.
Current Medication Options
There are several medications available today designed to help manage various Parkinson’s symptoms. Most symptoms stem from a lack of the chemical dopamine in the brain. Many PD medicines either temporarily replenish dopamine or mimic its action.
Levodopa, which converts to dopamine, paired with carbidopa, is considered a first-line drug for improving movement challenges, such as tremor and slowness, and other PD movement symptoms. It can dramatically improve quality of life and can be delivered in a variety of formulations, including carbidopa/levodopa immediate, controlled and extended release, as well as preparations that can be inhaled or delivered through a surgically implanted tube in the small intestine. As Parkinson’s progresses, people may need to take levodopa more frequently to maintain good symptom control.
What are motor fluctuations, “wearing off” and “on-off” times?
Motor fluctuations are changes in the ability to move.
“On” time is when Parkinson’s medications (levodopa and dopamine agonists) take effect and you experience periods of good symptom control.
“Wearing off” is when the drugs begin to lose effect and there are periods where symptoms worsen and movement becomes more difficult, known as “off” time.
Monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors that make more dopamine available in the brain to improve movement symptoms. These include rasagiline, selegiline and safinamide.
Dopamine agonists to stimulate the parts of the brain influenced by dopamine — tricking the brain into thinking it is receiving the dopamine it needs. These include apomorphine, pramipexole, pramipexole ER, Ropinirole, Ropinirole XL and transdermal Rotigotine.
Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitorsentacapone, tolcapone and opicapone, which help with changes in the ability to move as levodopa wears off. Carbidopa-levodopa-entacapone improves motor fluctuations while lengthening the benefits of levodopa.
Antiglutamatergic medication amantadine. This can improve tremor and involuntary movements called dyskinesia that sometimes begin within a few years of taking levodopa. Its extended-release forms come in tablets and capsules.
Anticholinergics benztropine, biperiden and trihexyphenidyl. These are used for tremor and dystonia, painful cramping, in younger people. However, research shows cognitive slowing is a side effect of anticholinergics. These medications can also cause confusion and hallucinations in older adults and should not be used in people over 70.
Adenosine A2A antagonist istradefylline can reduce PD-related movement difficulties as levodopa wanes, known as “wearing off.”
Always talk to your Parkinson’s doctor about any medication concerns and side effects.
Room to Grow
There are several PD treatment options in the development pipeline. For some people with PD, current dopamine medicines fail to sufficiently address symptoms. Newer formulations that further improve and extend delivery are nearing approval. These drugs can minimize motor fluctuations and wearing off symptoms.
Two options for continuous levodopa infusion therapy are closer to getting the green light:
ABBV-951: AbbVie has completed trials and filed for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a carbidopa/levodopa formulation designed for continuous delivery under the skin, which aims to increase “on” time by reducing motor fluctuations.
ND0612: NeuroDerm recently completed clinical trials and is awaiting data on this new drug, which is a continuous subcutaneous carbidopa/levodopa infusion formula. The company expects to apply this year to U.S. and European regulatory industries for approval.
Studies have also been completed and published showing under-the-skin dopamine agonist apomorphine infusions can improve motor fluctuations in PD. Data has been submitted to the FDA for drug approval and is currently available in Europe.
For people newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, P2B001 is a low-dose, extended-release formulation of pramipexole and rasagiline in development for the treatment of movement symptoms.
The FDA is reviewing Amneal’s IPX203, an extended-release carbidopa/levodopa tablet designed to extend PD symptom control while minimizing motor fluctuations.
In development, but further from the approval process, is Tavapadon, a once-daily tablet designed by Cerevel Therapeutics. It aims to target and activate certain dopamine receptors to improve PD motor symptoms while minimizing side effects sometimes related to other Parkinson’s therapies.
There is an active and ever-growing landscape of therapeutic trials aimed at slowing disease progression. In Parkinson’s, the protein alpha-synuclein misfolds and forms clumps in the brain called Lewy bodies. There are a number of experimental therapies in early development to either reduce alpha-synuclein production or minimize the forming of such clusters.
Though data from recent frontrunners targeting alpha-synuclein (prasinezumab and cinpanemab) failed to show slowing of PD progression, it can take decades to discover disease-modifying therapies.
A class of drugs approved to treat type 2 diabetes has also attracted a lot of attention for its potential to slow PD progression. Scientists across different studies in various stages of development are examining whether glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists can modify PD and improve symptoms.
Nilotinib, a drug approved for management of cancer, selectively inhibits tyrosine kinases, enzymes found in excess in some cancer cells. Tyrosine and other kinases have been linked to PD. Though studies of nilotinib did not improve PD biology, it was safe and tolerable in the small number of selected participants. Now, other novel cancer therapies are in the early stages of testing for potential effectiveness in PD.
There is also a lot of interest across neurodegenerative disease research in the gut-brain connection. This highlights the need for more studies that examine the role of inflammation in Parkinson's disease development.
PD and Personalized Medicine
Every person with Parkinson's experiences symptoms differently. Developing therapies to target the biology of PD in a particular individual is known as personalized medicine. Genetic targeting is the most advanced way to subtype drug development for people with PD.
While those with Parkinson’s who carry a PD-related gene mutation currently constitute a minority of people with Parkinson's, the biology that drives their disease can be relevant even to people who do not carry the same mutation.
Researchers are investigating possible therapeutic interventions for two PD-related genes:
GBA, the most common Parkinson’s-related gene mutation, carried by up to 10% of people who live with the disease.
LRRK2, the gene variants involved in about 1% of all PD diagnoses and 5% of those for people with a family history.
PD GENEration is a global initiative that offers comprehensive genetic testing and counseling for PD-related genes at no cost for people with Parkinson’s. It is critical to helping people determine whether they are candidates for gene-targeted medicine clinical trials. Knowledge of genetic status can also be important for therapeutic decision-making and for understanding individual disease progression, as well as potential implications for family.
Exercise, for example, is essential to managing many Parkinson’s symptoms and maintaining good function. Finding someone to talk to, such as a mental health therapist, can help you build coping skills and learn stress-easing strategies.
Helpful Resources
Explore more of our Parkinson’s management resources now:
Moving Day is an inspiring and empowering annual fundraising walk event that unites people around the country living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), their care partners and loved ones to help beat PD. Moving Day is more than just a walk. It’s a celebration of movement – proven to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms.
Leading up to the event, participants and teams fundraise to help the Parkinson’s Foundation provide vital resources and deliver quality care to more than 364,000 people living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders, while improving Parkinson’s treatments through research.
Moving Day proceeds help bring quality care to more people with Parkinson’s, further Parkinson’s research, education and outreach initiatives. Moving Day raises awareness of Parkinson’s both nationally and in the local 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. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to ground the body, calm the mind, and cultivate compassion and clarity that you can carry into your week.
Moving Day is an inspiring and empowering annual fundraising walk event that unites people around the country living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), their care partners and loved ones to help beat PD. Moving Day is more than just a walk. It’s a celebration of movement – proven to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms.
Leading up to the event, participants and teams fundraise to help the Parkinson’s Foundation provide vital resources and deliver quality care to more than 364,000 people living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders, while improving Parkinson’s treatments through research.
Moving Day proceeds help bring quality care to more people with Parkinson’s, further Parkinson’s research, education and outreach initiatives. Moving Day raises awareness of Parkinson’s both nationally and in the local 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. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to ground the body, calm the mind, and cultivate compassion and clarity that you can carry into your week.
My adventure with Parkinson’s disease (PD) started 19 years ago when my primary care physician noticed a slight tremor in my hand and sent me to a neurologist for tests. One year later, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I have been pleased under his care, as he has been cautious increasing dosages, and has not been too quick to introduce new PD medications. Now that my needs are increasing, I am thankful he didn't prescribe too much too soon.
A few years ago, I started a PD support group at my church. I reached out to the Parkinson's Foundation Helpline — at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) — for information and was grateful for their provision of both basic and more advanced information. The support group was successful, with a monthly attendance of about 15 people, including caregivers. As time passed, I became overwhelmed with preparation and leading the meetings, so the group disbanded.
Sharing some of my bumps in the road... have you ever hallucinated? One day I saw a cute mouse, dressed in a tuxedo. He ran from the kitchen to where I was sitting at my computer, he saw me and ran back. I set mouse traps. Days later, when he neither reappeared nor got caught, I realized he did not exist.
I take three pills during the night (2 a.m. and 4 a.m.). This has been the answer to help me wake in the morning and take PD medications with breakfast, then waiting until noon before I have the energy or balance to do anything other than sit. It took about two weeks to fine-tune the timing. I hadn't told my neurologist what I was trying. I called the Parkinson's Foundation Helpline for their opinion of my unusual scheduling and was advised to discuss it with my doctor. He gave me a green light.
My physician and neurologist are both retiring. I am not happy. So, I called the Parkinson's Foundation Helpline for recommendations of PD specialists in my area. Although they provided some, they were too far for me to drive. I am exploring local neurologists, and trusting God to lead where He thinks best for me. I am in good spirits and try to give a listening ear and TLC to homebound friends. My hubby of 62 good years and I laughed a lot, and I continue (he passed six years ago) to.
I connected with the Parkinson's Foundation Helpline several years ago, and I view it as an always open door for help. I have appreciated them from day one. Without my hubby and my retiring doctors, I have almost found a "second home" with the Parkinson’s Foundation information specialists.
With every phone call to the Parkinson's Foundation Helpline, I ask for advice, information or opinion on minor and major issues connected to PD. I have always been connected to a patient, pleasant, interested, caring and knowledgeable Parkinson’s information specialist... who becomes more like a friend by the time I hang up.
Parkinson’s is not the end of my story. I believe that with God's guidance, family, friends and the Parkinson's Foundation, I may have a few more years to enjoy life.
Moving Day is an inspiring and empowering annual fundraising walk event that unites people around the country living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), their care partners and loved ones to help beat PD. Moving Day is more than just a walk. It’s a celebration of movement – proven to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms.
Leading up to the event, participants and teams fundraise to help the Parkinson’s Foundation provide vital resources and deliver quality care to more than 364,000 people living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders, while improving Parkinson’s treatments through research.
Moving Day proceeds help bring quality care to more people with Parkinson’s, further Parkinson’s research, education and outreach initiatives. Moving Day raises awareness of Parkinson’s both nationally and in the local 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. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to ground the body, calm the mind, and cultivate compassion and clarity that you can carry into your week.
Moving Day is an inspiring and empowering annual fundraising walk event that unites people around the country living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), their care partners and loved ones to help beat PD. Moving Day is more than just a walk. It’s a celebration of movement – proven to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms.
Leading up to the event, participants and teams fundraise to help the Parkinson’s Foundation provide vital resources and deliver quality care to more than 364,000 people living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders, while improving Parkinson’s treatments through research.
Moving Day proceeds help bring quality care to more people with Parkinson’s, further Parkinson’s research, education and outreach initiatives. Moving Day raises awareness of Parkinson’s both nationally and in the local 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. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to ground the body, calm the mind, and cultivate compassion and clarity that you can carry into your week.
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in 2014, at age 75. I am ashamed to say that upon receiving my diagnosis, I yelled at the doctor, “I’m not going to change my lifestyle!” He tilted back in his chair. “You don’t have to,” was his quiet reply. So, this independent, stubborn woman began her journey with PD. What to do?
I ran away! In 2005, I was living a unique retirement lifestyle, volunteering at organizations in the United States that offered free room and board. I had promised to go to the Menaul School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for a semester. Getting diagnosed with Parkinson’s brought on an entirely new set of questions: Do I stay or go? Should I share my diagnosis with anyone? How am I going to tell my children? I could not say the word “Parkinson’s” without crying.
Now, 9 years into this degenerative disease, I fight back. I have grown past denial, anger and crying, and I have sprung into advocacy. I search for ways to promote awareness for Parkinson’s and to inform the world about the realities of the disease. I am eager to communicate with others living with PD, not to evoke pity, but simply to find understanding and community. By doing so, I have evolved into a Parkinson’s Ambassador.
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. I am always searching for new ways to raise awareness for Parkinson’s disease throughout the month. My local library in Ridgefield, Connecticut has been my biggest ally. They have updated their collection of Parkinson’s-related materials and they notify me of each new arrival. The Ridgefield Library is also offering an informational display table with Parkinson’s resources, which will be available all month.
Due to my limited mobility, most of my activism for Parkinson’s Awareness Month has been managed via technology. I reached out to the Ridgefield 1st Selectman, who plans to issue a Proclamation acknowledging Parkinson’s Awareness Month in my town. I am also submitting letters to the editor to local newspapers to further raise PD awareness throughout the month. Awareness is so important for research. I am so pleased and proud of the results.
Psychologically and physically, managing my Parkinson’s is my full-time occupation. However, by participating in volunteer and social activities like being a Parkinson’s Ambassador, interacting with friends, and daily exercise, my attitude becomes energized. After all, motion is lotion.
Take 6 Minutes to Help Raise Parkinson’s Awareness
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, a time when the Parkinson’s community comes together to raise awareness for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Our new incidence study found that every 6 minutes, someone will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the U.S.
This month, we want everyone to #Take6forPD — take 6 minutes to help us raise Parkinson’s awareness. There are many ways you can raise awareness, such as participating in research, finding expert care or educating your community about PD.
Read on to learn how you can #Take6forPD:
#Take6forPD to Advance Research
In the U.S., 90,000 people will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease this year. Take 6 minutes to help us advance PD researchaimed to improve treatments and find a cure.
Register to participate in PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson’s Disease. Our international genetics study offers genetic testing for PD-related genes and genetic counseling at no cost for people with Parkinson’s.
Watch a Neuro Talk video. Learn about the latest in PD research from PD research experts.
Join a research study. Explore the different opportunities to get involved with Parkinson’s research.
Donate to our Parkinson’s Virtual Biotech. Your support helps us invest in new drugs that can deliver life-changing treatments in years, not decades.
Sign up for an Expert Briefing webinar. Learn more about managing PD symptoms and treatments from PD experts.
Finding the right information and resources early in the Parkinson’s journey can make life better for people with PD. Take 6 minutes to feel empowered through educational resources.
Join our e-mail list. Be the first to know what’s happening in Parkinson’s research and care.
Share our PD infographic on Facebook or Instagram. Help us raise awareness that 90,000 people are diagnosed with PD every year in the U.S.
Register for an educational or local event. Connect with the PD community, either in-person or virtually.
Subscribe or listen to our podcast.Substantial Matters: Life and Science of Parkinson’s highlights the treatments, techniques and research that can help you live a better life now.
Complete our 60 Miles in April Facebook Challenge. Join hundreds of others in taking the challenge to bike, run or walk 60 miles this month to raise awareness for Parkinson’s.
Moving Day is an inspiring and empowering annual fundraising walk event that unites people around the country living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), their care partners and loved ones to help beat PD. Moving Day is more than just a walk. It’s a celebration of movement – proven to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms.
Leading up to the event, participants and teams fundraise to help the Parkinson’s Foundation provide vital resources and deliver quality care to more than 364,000 people living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders, while improving Parkinson’s treatments through research.
Moving Day proceeds help bring quality care to more people with Parkinson’s, further Parkinson’s research, education and outreach initiatives. Moving Day raises awareness of Parkinson’s both nationally and in the local 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. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to ground the body, calm the mind, and cultivate compassion and clarity that you can carry into your week.
