Chantale Branson, MD, is the first-ever movement disorders specialist — a neurologist with specialized training — to work at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. In addition to treating and helping people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), she is committed to improving the health disparities that Black and African American individuals face in the PD community.

Under Dr. Branson’s direction, Morehouse is the first historically Black institution of medicine to become a PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson’s Disease research site. Every research site works alongside the Parkinson’s Foundation to offer genetic testing and counseling to people with PD, in English or Spanish, at no cost.

“We have a very diverse group of people who are participating,” Dr. Branson said. “We want to encourage more community members to take part in the study so they can improve their disease management, learn more about potential implications for their family, be connected with relevant PD trials and impact the future development of improved treatments — for themselves and future generations.”

Pioneering Change

To date, Morehouse has enrolled the most Black and African American participants for PD GENEration, which is on its way to reaching its 1,000 participant goal for this demographic.

The international genetics initiative is designed to be inclusive and accessible to populations of focus, which are groups of people in need of increased access to care, resources and research efforts. A common misconception surrounding Parkinson’s is that it only impacts older white men. Black and African American people with Parkinson’s are often:

• Diagnosed at a lower rate than white people with the disease.
• Diagnosed later in disease progression, once symptoms considerably impact day-to-day living.

Dr. Branson has dedicated her career to helping improve these statistics for the Black community over time. “At Morehouse, we work to provide that missing connection between having a provider or physician who represents you, who looks like you, to participate and be involved in your care,” she said.

Before Morehouse, Dr. Branson tirelessly worked to develop the first movement disorders clinic at Grady Hospital — the largest public hospital in Georgia and the tenth largest in the U.S. that provides care to all, including those without healthcare insurance and those with incomes below the federal poverty level.

Acknowledging History to Create Change

Today there are numerous regulations in place set to ensure clinical trials follow ethical practices, but this was not always the case. “Due to the historical issues and in regard to race in the United States, research has not been very common within the community, particularly within different diseases such as the Parkinson’s disease and neurological disorders,” said Dr. Branson.

The notorious Tuskegee study that was reported nearly 50 years ago, where researchers withheld detrimental treatments from hundreds of Black men in Alabama for decades, is still top of mind when it comes to distrust in medicine and research among Black and African Americans.

Dr. Branson also references the story of Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman who died of cervical cancer in 1951. Tissue samples of her cancerous cells were given to a researcher and shared with others without Henrietta’s knowledge or informed consent — a historical lesson that is now a staple of medical ethics. Known today as HeLa cells, these cells remain a vital tool in disease research due to their ability to endure and replicate in the laboratory.

Openly discussing these and the other historical wrongs of medical and research communities, as well as reminding patients of the safeguards in place that help protect them in research studies are cornerstones for how Dr. Branson practices medicine. “Sometimes patients may have preconceived notions or ideas about the clinical research history within the Black community. Having that conversation about understanding the past in order to discuss the present is very important,” said Dr. Branson.

Diversity is Essential to Finding a Cure

No two people with Parkinson’s are identical, which is why ensuring diversity and inclusivity in Parkinson’s research is critical to accelerating breakthroughs towards a cure. Diversity in research accelerates the rate that researchers can better understand PD and drives better outcomes for the entire PD community.

Populations of focus — including Black and African Americans, Latinos, women and others — are adversely affected by health disparities, underrepresented in, and historically excluded from, research. These populations also receive less care. Because of this, the full impact of the disease within these communities is still unknown. The shared value of helping populations of focus find quality Parkinson’s care is shared by the Parkinson’s Foundation and Morehouse — and presented itself through PD GENEration.

“The partnership aims to make each unit testing and counseling more accessible for Black and African American people with Parkinson’s disease and by doing so we hope to have a significant impact on improving clinical outcomes and increasing research participation,” said Dr. Branson.

Together, the Parkinson’s Foundation and Morehouse formed a two-way partnership. “Working alongside Morehouse has allowed us to tailor and elevate our reach on a local level and ultimately, help us utilize these successes to further our reach on a national scale,” said Amasi Kumeh Director, Research Partnerships at the Parkinson’s Foundation.

PD GENEration at Work

All PD GENEration participants are provided a genetic test and counseling at no cost. Afterward, participants are encouraged to review their results with their PD doctor.

“Everyone has been very excited to participate in this particular study,” said Dr. Branson. “I want to encourage community members to take part in PD GENEration, so they can improve their disease management, learn more about their family’s risk of Parkinson’s disease potentially be connected to clinical trials and impact the development of improved treatments and medication for generations to come.”

In the coming year, the Parkinson’s Foundation will work alongside Morehouse to create new tools for the Black PD community, and host in-person events for the greater Atlanta area and beyond. “Working with Morehouse allows us to better learn how to reach the black and African American community and help make life better for everyone with Parkinson’s and their family members. We hope to utilize everything we learn through this partnership to make inclusivity and diversity a cornerstone to all Foundation research initiatives,” said Amasi.

Learn More

• Parkinson’s Disease and the Black Community: How to Live Better, co-published by BlackDoctor.org and the Parkinson’s Foundation.
• About PD GENEration
• Listen to Neuro Talk: How Does Basic Parkinson’s Research Get Us Closer to a Cure?

Did you know that physical therapy can help delay the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms? Jenny Wilhelm, PT, DPT, NCS, is a physical therapist at Oregon Health and Science University, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence. We asked Jenny the most frequently asked questions about Parkinson’s disease and physical therapy.

What is the difference between physical therapy and exercise?

Exercise is a tool that physical therapists use to treat people with Parkinson's disease. Exercise can take several different forms such as aerobics, strengthening, stretching and balance.

Physical therapy can help you design an exercise program that will benefit you personally. In addition to the movement symptoms addressed by exercise, physical therapy can also improve your non-movement symptoms such as pain, low blood pressure and bladder or bowel problems. We teach people with Parkinson’s life strategies so they can stay safe at home, and we also train care partners to help support their loved one with PD.

How can physical therapy benefit people with Parkinson’s disease?

I would give my hats off to occupational therapists first, for teaching people with PD how to adapt their behavior and how to move. Physical therapists are next in line in helping with activities of daily living: getting on and off the toilet, sitting down and standing up from the couch and getting in and out of bed.

Physical therapy can help people with Parkinson's throughout the stages of the disease. Early on, we educate clients about the types of exercises that might be most effective for them. Later in PD, the physical therapist can help problem solve and make modifications to address new or changing symptoms. We help people with Parkinson’s adapt to everyday life scenarios in a way that is easier, safer and more enjoyable.

Is seeing a physical therapist who specializes in movement disorders more effective than seeing a general physical therapist?

In a perfect world, all people with Parkinson’s disease would be seen at a Center of Excellence by an interdisciplinary team. Research has shown that people with PD do better if they see someone who knows a lot about Parkinson’s.

For people who live in rural areas, however, it may be difficult to find a physical therapist who specializes in Parkinson’s. If you do not have access to a PD specialist, try to see someone who at least knows neurological physical therapy. Or you could try virtually seeing a physical therapist who specializes in Parkinson’s. Even if you only check in with this person a few times per year, their guidance will help with your overall symptom management.

Why did you become a physical therapist?

The story of how I became a physical therapist is a little unique. I've always been interested in research. I started doing research at the University of Nebraska when I was 16. Then I grew into basic neuroscience research but as I was doing that, I really missed people. I ended up in physical therapy for myself for a low back injury, and it seemed like a good fit.

I got into physical therapy school, and my combined interest in physical therapy and neuroscience led me to specialize in neurological conditions.

Can you share a feel-good story about helping people with PD?

Last year, I supported a van full of people who were doing a 130-mile relay race to raise awareness for Parkinson’s. I met with half a dozen people with Parkinson's (most of whom I had never met before) and assessed them on their symptoms and ability to walk two legs of a relay, to help them finish this race successfully.

During the race itself, we encountered some obstacles due to various PD symptoms. I had to get out of the van and massage someone’s foot at 2 a.m. because her dystonia was so bad that she couldn't walk. I had to help someone with gait training because they were pushing themselves and walking fast. I had to help hydrate someone who had low blood pressure. Despite these setbacks, however, everyone was determined to complete the race.

The important thing is that we were able to successfully support this team and get them across the finish line. I think the experience was empowering for this small group of individuals. The hope is that their success can inspire other people to step up to the challenge and raise awareness for Parkinson’s.

What do you do to manage the stress of your job?

I'm a part of a huge team, which is super helpful. In clinic, I work primarily with people with Parkinson's, but I see patients who are living with all neurological diseases. With PD, I have such a functional team that it makes a huge difference in being able to treat patients effectively. When there are issues, I can lean on other people to help me through problems that I might be having.

I am also a big fan of vitamin N: nature. My family and I do a lot of outdoor activities — being outside is my biggest stress management tool.

Is it ever too late to start physical therapy?

It is never too late to start physical therapy. People with PD may want to see a physical therapist for numerous issues throughout the course of the disease. I see a lot of people who have back pain or shoulder pain. They may not be coming to me directly because of Parkinson's, but I can help address their pain issues so they can continue to exercise.

Ideally, you would begin seeing a physical therapist shortly after diagnosis. But even if you are in the late stages of PD, there are still ways that physical therapists can help you move better and improve your quality of life.

If you have not yet seen a physical therapist, talk to your movement disorders specialist or neurologist to get a referral.

What is one takeaway the PD community should know about physical therapy?

I have never seen someone living with Parkinson's with an issue that physical therapy can't address. No matter what stage of PD you are currently in, there is a role for physical therapy to make your life a little bit easier.

For help finding a physical therapist near you, contact our Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636).