Neurons in Basal Ganglia Could Play Key Role in Parkinson’s Motor Symptoms
Connor D. Courtney, PhD of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence) received a Parkinson’s Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship grant to study a part of the brain that plays a key role in Parkinson’s disease (PD) motor symptoms called the external globus pallidus (GPe).
GPe nerve cells, located in a region deep in the brain called the basal ganglia, are key to movement, perception, and judgment.
Dr. Courtney recently discovered that two types of brain nerve cells (neurons) in the GPe serve opposite roles in regulating motor response. He will investigate the role of brain cells called astrocytes in regulating these two cell types. He believes that interactions between GPe neurons and astrocytes may be critically disrupted in PD.
“This award enables me to lay the foundation necessary to unravel the complex roles astrocytes are likely playing in PD,” said Dr. Courtney. “Shockingly little is known about how these intriguing cells contribute to the development of symptomatology of PD, and learning more about them may pave the way for important PD therapies in the future.”
Dr. Courtney attributes his motivation to study Parkinson’s disease to his father, who currently lives with PD. “As an issue with tremendous personal relevance, my overarching aspiration is to take my deep passion for neuroscience and apply it to the study of PD,” said Dr. Courtney. “I am exceedingly grateful to the donors and supporters of the Parkinson’s Foundation! It is an honor to be supported by a foundation that means so much to my family.”
Caution Ahead: Linking Concussions to Parkinson’s and Dementia
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). They are generally described as self-limiting and on the less-severe end of the brain injury spectrum. It is estimated that as many as 3.8 million concussions occur in the U.S. every year during competitive sports and recreational activities. That number may be even higher ― research shows that upwards of 50 percent of concussions may go unreported. What does a concussion have to do with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia? Possibly a lot.
Recently published in the journal, Family Medicine and Community Health, a study titled “Associations between concussion and risk of diagnosis of psychological and neurological disorders: a retrospective population-based cohort study” (Morissette, Prior, Tate, Wade, & Leiter, 2020), sought to investigate whether having experienced a concussion might increase one’s risk of being diagnosed with PD and dementia, as well as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Mood and Anxiety disorders (MADs) later in life.
This is not the first study to connect Parkinson’s to concussions. What makes this study different is that it focuses on Parkinson’s and the more common mild concussion (or mild TBI), sustained from falls or exercise-related injuries. Previously, research has focused on studies comparing PD and concussions known as high-impact TBIs ― those related to sports injuries or traumatic contact sustained by the head.
This was a robust, case-controlled, 25-year retrospective study examining medical records from 1990-1991 to 2014-2015. It compared the health outcomes of 47,483 people (28,021 men and 19,462 women) who had suffered concussions with 139,030 (81,871 men and 57,159 women) healthy people (controls) matched by age, sex, socioeconomic status and geographical location. The study used several statistics models among other sensitivity models.
Results
Regardless of age, sex, socioeconomic status and residence, having suffered a single concussion in one’s lifetime increased the likelihood of later being diagnosed with:
Parkinson’s disease by 57%
Dementia by 72%
ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) by 39%
Mood and Anxiety Disorders (MADs) by 72%
Sustaining multiple concussions further increased the risk for developing both PD and dementia.
What Does It Mean?
While the CDC considers most TBIs reported annually to be mild, this study found that experiencing a concussion may, in fact, be a substantial risk factor for developing Parkinson’s disease and dementia (as well as ADHD and MADs).
Having a single concussion increased the risk of developing PD by 57% and dementia by 72%; and having multiple concussions further increased the risk of developing PD and dementia compared to people who suffered only one concussion. While additional studies are surely warranted, this study suggests that concussions should be taken more seriously by healthcare providers, as there may be unanticipated, long-term neurological effects.
Learn More
The Parkinson’s Foundation believes in empowering the Parkinson’s community through education. Learn more about the association of brain injuries and PD by visiting the below Parkinson’s Foundation resources, or by calling our free Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) for answers to all your Parkinson’s questions.
Dewan, M. C., Rattani, A., Gupta, S., Baticulon, R. E., Hung, Y. C., Punchak, M., . . . Park, K. B. (2018). Estimating the global incidence of traumatic brain injury. J Neurosurg, 1-18. doi:10.3171/2017.10.JNS17352
Harmon, K. G., Drezner, J. A., Gammons, M., Guskiewicz, K. M., Halstead, M., Herring, S. A., . . . Roberts, W. O. (2013). American Medical Society for Sports Medicine position statement: concussion in sport. Br J Sports Med, 47(1), 15-26. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2012-091941
Ilie, G., Boak, A., Adlaf, E. M., Asbridge, M., & Cusimano, M. D. (2013). Prevalence and correlates of traumatic brain injuries among adolescents. JAMA, 309(24), 2550-2552. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.6750
McKee, A. C., & Daneshvar, D. H. (2015). The neuropathology of traumatic brain injury. Handb Clin Neurol, 127, 45-66. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-52892-6.00004-0
Morissette, M. P., Prior, H. J., Tate, R. B., Wade, J., & Leiter, J. R. S. (2020). Associations between concussion and risk of diagnosis of psychological and neurological disorders: a retrospective population-based cohort study. Fam Med Community Health, 8(3). doi:10.1136/fmch-2020-000390
Joe Dunn, newly named Reach Further campaign co-chair for the Parkinson’s Foundation Heartland chapter, attributes his desire to support Parkinson’s disease (PD) research to his late grandmother’s 10-year battle with the disease.
Further inspired by the ambitious goals set forth in the Reach Further campaign, which include raising an additional $30 million to advance research and expand care and community programs, Joe and the Dunn Family also pledged a leadership campaign gift of $250,000.
The campaign’s emphasis on expanding PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson’s disease, which will provide up to 15,000 people with PD no-cost genetic testing and counseling, is particularly impactful for Joe and his family.
“This campaign, and its focus on genetic research, is really important to the family because we are at risk later in life,” said Joe. “The reason I stepped up is because this focus on identifying the genetic factors of PD is something I think lots of people will want to get behind and donate towards, and I want to be part of that."
As Reach Further regional co-chair, Joe will lead campaign fundraising efforts within the Parkinson’s Foundation Heartland Chapter and will work to inspire others to support the campaign’s critical goals.
Joe, who lives in the Kansas City area, close to top medical providers, is passionate about the Reach Further campaign’s focus on expanding quality neurocognitive care into the rural regions that the Heartland chapter encompasses.
“Across the country, access to specialized care in rural areas is a huge issue. My grandmother had a top movement disorder specialist who is director of the Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Many others don’t have access to such high-quality medical attention but lots of people with PD would like access to that level of care.”
For Joe, the Foundation’s three-priority approach to research, care and community support also matters tremendously. “The thing that sets the Parkinson’s Foundation apart is the community outreach and education pieces,” said Joe. “Ultimately, you need a holistic approach to deal with a complex disease like PD.”
Joe recalled that prior to his grandmother’s passing in 2013, there was much uncertainty around her diagnosis, as well as a hesitance to share her struggles with her family. “For the longest time, no one knew what she had,” Joe said. “She was hunched over for the last five years of her life, but did not talk openly about it. She was embarrassed that she needed help. This is why I feel so strongly about creating awareness and acceptance around PD, in her memory.”
Joe offered the following advice to other families who are dealing with Parkinson’s: “The biggest thing is to be supportive and be patient. A lot of people don’t want others to know what’s going on, but be supportive anyway you can, and be proactive about reaching out for resources and help. The Parkinson’s Foundation is a great place to start.”
Watch our live Q&A with our National Medical Director, Dr. Michael S. Okun, about coronavirus, Parkinson's disease and hospitalization.
Watch our live Q&A with our National Medical Director, Dr. Michael S. Okun, about coronavirus and Parkinson's disease.
Watch our special Facebook Live event below with our National Medical Director, Dr. Michael S. Okun, and infectious disease expert, Dr. Frederick S. Southwick, both of the University of Florida. This video was filmed March 18, 2020. For up-to-date information on coronavirus, read our latest blog post, "Looking Ahead: Parkinson's, COVID-19 & the New Normal."
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Seniors are the most vulnerable. Since most people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are in their senior years, the Parkinson’s Foundation wants you to be prepared for COVID-19 and Parkinson’s.
About the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that are like the common cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). In 2019, a new virus formed and spread from China to other countries, including the U.S. now called coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.
Signs and symptoms of infection with COVID-19 may appear two to 14 days after exposure and can include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. There is currently no cure or vaccine, however researchers are working on creating a vaccine. Those who believe they may have the illness should call their doctor immediately for next steps. Read the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) factsheet here.
Seniors and Coronavirus
Seniors are most at risk to develop COVID-19 and its symptoms, which can lead to the development of pneumonia. Seniors should strongly consider getting the pneumonia vaccine as soon as possible or speaking about it with their doctor.
In general, viruses spread faster in residential facilities, community housing and assisted living centers. When possible, seniors living in these facilities should avoid communal rooms and sanitize often.
Preparedness for People with Parkinson’s
People with Parkinson’s and care partners should take these tips into consideration to be better prepared for COVID-19:
Everyday Precautions
Wash your hands. Wash them often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Carry hand sanitizer. When in public spaces use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Sanitize around you. Stay as healthy as possible and use disinfectant wipes in public areas.
Know the symptoms. Primary symptoms include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and/or shortness of breath.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Stock up on essential supplies. Consider grocery delivery or asking a family member or friend to help with groceries.
Practice social distancing as an everyday precaution. Stay six feet, or more, away from others.
Limit outings. If you must go out in public for essentials, practice social distancing, avoid crowded areas, wear a cloth face covering and wash your hands often.
During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible to reduce your risk of being exposed.
Avoid air travel and all non-essential travel.
PD Preparedness
Check all your medications. Take inventory of all medications and reorder any that are running low.
Write your medication list down. Write down or print a list of all your medications (not just PD medications). Include medication name, strength, times taken and dosages. This customizable medication schedule can help.
Make a list of your doctors. Make a list of your doctors and their contact information and take it with you in the event of a hospitalization.
Stock your Aware in Care kit in the event you need to educate a health care professional about your PD needs. Order one here.
PD Hospitalization and Coronavirus Preparedness Fact Sheet:Download this document that has crucial information for healthcare professionals in the case you are hospitalized during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Know your community response plan. Check in with your state’s emergency management agency here.
The Parkinson's Foundation will continue to monitor and report on COVID-19 at Parkinson.org/Coronavirus.
In-Person Events
After careful consideration, the majority of Parkinson's Foundation events are now virtual.
Even though all Moving Day events have been postponed, stay tuned for more information about Moving Day. Attend virtually to help us raise Parkinson’s awareness and funds to make life better for people with Parkinson’s. Learn more.
Virtual Events
Virtual events will continue as scheduled. Please check Parkinson.org/Events for all upcoming events.
If you have questions about Parkinson's disease call our free Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) or email Helpline@Parkinson.org to contact an information specialist.
Movement disorders specialist Leila Montaser Kouhsari, MD, wanted to become a neurologist at six, after losing someone she loved and admired. Her grandfather, Mohsen Ziaei, passed away after a devastating car accident left him in a coma, with no brain activity.
“I learned in a very difficult way that if your brain isn’t functioning, you cannot survive,” Dr. Montaser Kouhsari said, who today practices medicine at Stanford Neuroscience Health Center.
Not many can say their career path held true from childhood, but for Dr. Montaser Kouhsari, it did. Throughout medical school, graduate school and her fellowship, she pursued her passion of neurology. Taking it a step further, she kept gravitating towards Parkinson’s disease (PD) — and movement disorders — as a specialty.
“During my training, I met a lot of people with different neurological diseases,” she said. “I found that patients with Parkinson’s were all really nice and always left me inspired by how much they wanted to do everything in their power to help manage their disease and help themselves. I was able to connect with them on that level.”
During her fellowship, she researched the role dopamine plays in cognition (decision-making, motivation, learning and cognitive control) “I thought with my research, I could be useful to this particular group of patients. I ultimately chose Stanford because I could continue my research and help patients.”
Dr. Montaser Kouhsari’s ongoing research can change the future of how we treat cognition symptoms in Parkinson’s. Today, she is working to identify a biomarker (an identifier that can be used for diagnosing Parkinson’s and tracking disease progression) that would monitor cognition changes.
“With current neurological testing, we cannot identify which people with Parkinson’s will develop cognitive impairment,” Dr. Montaser Kouhsari said. “We don’t have a biomarker to assess the progression of the disease or cognitive symptoms. With more advanced testing, we can bring neuroscience testing tools, such as those I developed during my PhD, to nail down cognitive symptoms much earlier on and offer treatment earlier in the disease. This is important because people with Parkinson’s are more at risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.”
In addition to her research, Dr. Montaser Kouhsari regularly treats patients with Parkinson’s, a skill she likens more to an art.
“As neurologists, we need to have a very good rapport and be very observant. Every patent is different — we rely on the history they give us, so we can treat their symptoms and their needs. With this disease, we see our patients over many years and we build a relationship with them and their families, which is very beautiful. You become part of the family. It’s a privilege to be able to join them on this journey,” said Dr. Montaser Kouhsari.
When it comes to answering all her patient’s questions, she often refers them to the Parkinson’s Foundation. “I always use the Parkinson’s Foundation. When people have questions and need resources and materials, or if they’re looking for exercise or support groups, I always point them there. If they want to volunteer or donate, I also advise for them to contact the Foundation.”
Dr. Montaser Kouhsari believes in the work of the Foundation, which why she serves on the Parkinson’s Foundation California Chapter Board. “Throughout my training and career, I have always heard that the Parkinson’s Foundation funds research and fellowships. I am excited to be on the board and look forward to joining the Parkinson’s community at local events.”
When it comes to being a female movement disorder specialist who is part of a neurology division that is majority female at Stanford and treating women with Parkinson’s (who often are not adequately represented when it comes to Parkinson’s), Dr. Montaser Kouhsari shares her keen observations.
“I can relate to our female patients with Parkinson’s,” she said. “It can be really hard to be a mom and a wife, and having Parkinson’s makes it difficult to fulfill so many responsibilities. I’ve had patients whose families are so supportive — and patients whose families didn’t know how much their mother/wife would be affected by the disease. I think it’s important to be more attentive to our female patients and offer more help.”
When it comes to everyone living with Parkinson’s, as a neurologist, Dr. Montaser Kouhsari’s advice is to “really listen to your body. Your doctor can help provide information about your symptoms and how they relate to medications and your progression, but be observant of your symptoms. We really need as much information as possible to provide the best treatment.”
Last month, I raised money for our Parkinson’s community through a Parkinson’s Foundation Champion fundraiser called “Pars for Parkinson’s” where I played 100 holes of golf over two consecutive days with family and friends. In this article, my daughter, Anna, interviews me about the event. My name is Mike DeBartolo, 58, and I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) four years ago.
Why play 100 holes of golf for Parkinson’s?
To inspire myself and hopefully inspire others that we can adapt the way we play to enjoy games and activities we like doing.
I was thinking about ways I can give to our Parkinson’s community. Since Parkinson’s has me learning new ways to play golf, I figured hosting a Parkinson’s Foundation Champion event is a meaningful way to put the fun into fundraising. Thankfully, family and friends stepped up generously to support me and our community by donating to the Foundation, and several joined me for nine or 18 holes throughout my two days of play.
Any memorable stories from the experience?
From teeing off for a 6:30 a.m. sunrise with three dear friends to playing the closing holes in full moonlight with my best friend and his two sons, throughout the event I was joined by family, life-long friends, new friends, former golf teammates, neighbors and even deer. We played at the local course, aptly named the Playfield, where I first learned the game at nine years old. Now, 50 years later, it’s my go-to course where I relearned how to play the game with Parkinson’s these past few years.
My friend Hank joined me ― we began golfing in our childhood. It was very special. It was a joy having my wife Terry join me on the course and see her return to a game she played long ago. We look forward to playing together in the months and years ahead. A favorite moment was seeing my friend Dave, who also has Young-Onset Parkinson’s, nearly make a hole in one. Remarkably, Dave’s tee shot finished three inches from the hole.
100 holes of golf over two days. Did you get tired?
I did. During the fourth round, my back stiffened. I thought, oh boy, this could get interesting. Remarkably, the stiffness went away, which with PD was an unexpected blessing.
Since my coordinated precision can be way off, I have adapted the way I play. I deploy lots of forgiving practices on the course to make the game easier and more fun. I don’t keep score other than tally the number of birdies I make throughout the year. My adaptations enable me to once again play a game I love. I have come to look at a golf course as a playground and Parkinson’s as an invitation to play the game any way I want in the company of family and friends.
How did the Parkinson’s Foundation help?
The Parkinson’s Foundation team encouraged me from the start and helped promote “Pars for Parkinson’s,” including web page design and use of a funding link channeling all gifts directly to the Foundation. Gifts made triggered an instant email enabling me to personally thank family and friends as gifts were made. Learn more about Parkinson’s Champions now.
What’s the money being raised for?
All monies raised goes to the Parkinson’s Foundation and their commitment to make life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. Their dedicated focus in each of these vital areas and their caring team makes the Foundation a natural partner.
Any advice for others who may be considering raising money for Parkinson’s?
Pick any activity you enjoy, ask family and friends to support you and the Parkinson’s community by making a gift of any amount, and invite them to join you in the activity. Walks, bikes, swims, dances, bowling, darts, fitness exercising, yoga, play friendly sports are all possibilities. The key is to have fun with it and let Parkinson’s motivate you and people who care about you in their giving and participation. And, of course, to be grateful for those who care about us.
How can people benefit from “Pars for Parkinson’s”?
Hopefully, this event is an example of finding joy in living with Parkinson’s and inspiration to not throw in the towel on playtime and games you have enjoyed in life. Perhaps my experience shows by finding creative ways to adapt to conditions and adjust expectations, we can find joy in activities we once liked and new activities worth giving a go. Perhaps this outlook can inspire those without Parkinson’s too.
What’s next? Will “Par for Parkinson’s” become an annual tradition?
God willing. Though it may take a different form next year around another game I have adapted to enjoy. Tennis for Parkinson’s anyone? Stay tuned!
Become a Parkinson’s Champion at Parkinson.org/Champions.
Let us help you design your own event!
Study Finds Visual Impairment is 60 Percent More Common in People with Parkinson’s
Parkinson's disease (PD) is usually described as a movementdisorder of the nervous system that worsens over time. Parkinson’s is believed to be the result of dopamine-producing neurons (nerve cells) in the braingradually dying off. When approximately 80 percent of dopamine is lost, the hallmark symptoms of PD emerge, such as tremors in the hands, arms, legs, jaw or head, slowness of movement, stiffness in the limbs and trunk of the body, and difficulty with walking, balance and coordination.
However, PD also has non-motor symptoms, such as problems with attention, planning, language and memory. One impairment in particular may not be getting the attention it deserves: visual impairment.
In people without Parkinson’s, visual impairments are associated with falling, bone fractures, depression, anxiety and dementia. People with PD are not only at an increased risk for these issues but can experience intensified visual impairments ― because they rely on visual cues to help compensate for movement challenges. Understanding how visual impairments impact the health and quality of life of people with PD is paramount.
Recently published in the journal, Movement Disorders, “Visual Impairment Is More Common in Parkinson’s Disease and Is a Risk Factor for Poor Health Outcomes” (Hamedani, Abraham, Maguire, & Willis, 2020), a study found that visual impairment is 60 percent more common in PD than the general population.
This study used Medicare claims data from 2010 to 2014 to analyze the burden of moderate to severe visual impairment of 26,209,997 Medicare beneficiaries, age 65 and older, with and without PD. Data was analyzed (using a statistical model) to examine visual impairment and incident hip fracture, depression, anxiety, dementia and death. The frequency with which those with PD had a professional eye exam was measured and demographic data was gathered.
Results
Of the 26,209,997 unique Medicare beneficiaries, 287,010 (1.1%) carried a diagnosis of PD, and 187,572 (0.72%) carried a diagnosis of moderate to severe visual impairment.
Visual impairment is 60% more common in PD than the general population.
Moderate to severe visual impairment was associated with increased hip fracture, depression, anxiety, dementia and death, in both the general population and those with PD.
Approximately only 40% of those with PD had a yearly eye exam.
In both PD and non-PD populations, the prevalence of moderate to severe visual impairment increased with:
Age
Black or Hispanic ethnicity
Medicaid eligibility
Female sex
Diabetes
Hypertension
What Does It Mean?
The prevalence of moderate to severe visual impairment in the Parkinson’s population is more common than those who do not have PD. This visual impairment is associated with increased risk of accidents, cognitive issues, and death in both people with and without PD. Those who fall into certain demographics or have conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, are more likely to have moderate to severe visual impairment. It is important to know that many comorbid conditions (e.g., diabetes, anxiety, depression and hypertension) can be managed and treated; plus, Medicare pays for annual eye exams.
It is imperative that attention be given to these study findings, and more research conducted. Understanding these relationships is an essential component to helping develop interventions and patient education efforts to improve health outcomes and quality of life for people with PD.
As an aside, while not addressed in this study, dopamine is known to play a key role in retina health and numerous other visual functions, such as light regulation, contrast sensitivity, color vision and visuospatial construction. Further, there is research to suggest that alpha-synuclein overexpression affects dopamine neurons in the retina. Expanding research to incorporate the role of dopamine and alpha-synuclein is surely warranted.
Learn More
The Parkinson’s Foundation believes in empowering the Parkinson’s community through education. Learn more about the association of vision problems and PD by visiting the below Parkinson’s Foundation resources, or by calling our free Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) for answers to all your Parkinson’s questions.
Borm, C., Visser, F., Werkmann, M., de Graaf, D., Putz, D., Seppi, K., . . . de Vries, N. M. (2020). Seeing ophthalmologic problems in Parkinson disease: Results of a visual impairment questionnaire. Neurology, 94(14), e1539-e1547. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000009214
Hamedani, A. G., Abraham, D. S., Maguire, M. G., & Willis, A. W. (2020). Visual Impairment Is More Common in Parkinson's Disease and Is a Risk Factor for Poor Health Outcomes. Mov Disord. doi:10.1002/mds.28182
Hong, T., Mitchell, P., Burlutsky, G., Samarawickrama, C., & Wang, J. J. (2014). Visual impairment and the incidence of falls and fractures among older people: longitudinal findings from the Blue Mountains Eye Study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 55(11), 7589-7593. doi:10.1167/iovs.14-14262
Ivanova, E., Yee, C. W., & Sagdullaev, B. T. (2016). Disruption in dopaminergic innervation during photoreceptor degeneration. J Comp Neurol, 524(6), 1208-1221. doi:10.1002/cne.23899
Marrocco, E., Indrieri, A., Esposito, F., Tarallo, V., Carboncino, A., Alvino, F. G., . . . De Leonibus, E. (2020). alpha-synuclein overexpression in the retina leads to vision impairment and degeneration of dopaminergic amacrine cells. Sci Rep, 10(1), 9619. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-66497-6
Have you wondered if your or your loved one’s Parkinson’s disease (PD) diagnosis can be linked to genetics? How can knowing if you have a genetic tie to Parkinson’s help you manage your disease?
The newest Parkinson’s Foundation initiative, PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson’s Disease, is committed to helping people with Parkinson’s answer these questions while furthering critical Parkinson’s research. The groundbreaking initiative offers genetic testing and genetic counseling for people with Parkinson’s at no cost. How exactly does it work?
After a successful pilot program phase, the Parkinson’s Foundation is currently increasing nation-wide enrollment in the study. PD GENEration research participants can now take part in the study from home or in person. Participants can complete a genetic test at home through a healthcare professional-guided telemedicine appointment or complete in-person testing in cities across the U.S. To see if a PD GENEration site is near you and to schedule an appointment, enroll now. Please allow up to two hours to complete an in-person appointment.
When you and your doctor know which genetic mutation you have in relation to PD, you may qualify for enrollment in more clinical trials and help improve your PD management in the future. By completing PD GENEration genetic testing, you can help accelerate scientific research to improve understanding of PD and potentially identify new and/or better treatment options.
We’re here to help. For more information, email us at Genetics@Parkinson.org or call our Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) to speak with a Helpline specialist in English or Spanish.
My name is Jaret Patterson and I play for the Washington Commanders Football Team. My journey in becoming a professional football player wasn’t an easy one. I was viewed as an undersized player with limited speed to play in the National Football League. The one person in my family who was always my biggest cheerleader is my Aunt Debbie.
Aunt Debbie was my babysitter when I was an infant, and even as I attended school. She knew that football was my passion. She always made sure I completed my homework before I went to the park to play football. She also made sure I didn’t get in trouble so my parents could continue to allow me to play football at the park. When I got back to her house, Aunt Debbie would make the best snacks. Her homemade cookies will always be my favorite.
When I finally started playing on a youth football team, she always encouraged me, despite my limited playing time. When I finally got the opportunity to run the football, she rewarded me with my favorite cookies.
In 2014, Aunt Debbie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. This diagnosis turned our family upside down. As a family, we knew little about the disease. The only person I knew had Parkinson’s was Freddie Roach, a trainer for famous boxers.
I remember when she first found out she had Parkinson’s she became very sad and depressed. She wasn’t my fun-loving cookie-making aunt for a while. It took a long time for Aunt Debbie to get used to the never-ending tremors, body aches, memory issues and stiffness. She also had to adjust to having someone to assist her with personal needs.
In 2017 and 2018, our family participated in the Moving Day DC, A Walk for Parkinson’s. This helped my Aunt Debbie embrace and fight this disease. I am blessed to play for our home team so I can visit her regularly.
My Aunt Debbie fights this disease everyday with no complaints. She inspires me to work harder and to be thankful for everything in my life. She is back to baking cookies again and when I got my first NFL start against the Philadelphia Eagles, she baked me my favorite cookies.
For Michael Waterstone, newly named regional co-chair of the Reach Further campaign for the Parkinson’s Foundation California Chapter, tackling Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a family affair.
Michael’s mother Judy lives with PD. In her honor, the whole family comes together annually to raise money for Parkinson’s research, care and education for the Foundation’s Moving Day Walk. “With Parkinson’s, there are lots of uncertainties and challenging aspects, so it always feels good to do something uplifting together,” said Michael.
Recruited as a member of the inaugural California Chapter Advisory Board, Michael has served since 2020 on the board development committee and also recently made an inspirational lead gift to set the Reach Further campaign off on strong footing. The campaign’s ambitious four-year goals include raising an additional $30 million to accelerate the Foundation’s work to advance research toward a cure and expand community care and programs.
“The Foundation is a good steward of resources to improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s and their families,” said Michael. “I like the idea of giving the Foundation a broader platform to make a bigger difference.”
As Reach Further regional campaign co-chair, Michael will lead campaign fundraising efforts within the Parkinson’s Foundation California Chapter and will work to inspire others to support the campaign’s critical goals. For Michael and his family, the Reach Further campaign’s emphasis on expanding care to ensure that everyone with PD has the opportunity to work with a specialized medical team is particularly impactful.
Michael said, “As volunteers, what we all want is to feel we are contributing in a way that helps and makes a difference, and I am hopeful that this is an area I can do that. At the end of the day, what we are all hoping for is to make the lives of people with Parkinson’s better.”
For the Waterstone family, which includes Michael’s wife and three children, Michael’s father Stuart, sisters Debi and Rebecca, and their children, frequent family gatherings help them stay connected and face the continued uncertainties of PD.
When asked what advice he might offer to other families facing Parkinson’s disease, Michael said, “The more family and friends and loved ones you have around the better. Everyone is going to need to support each other.”
