Even though Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the U.S. and globally, it remains an underfunded field of research. However, every day, scientists are dedicated to unraveling how Parkinson’s works so that we can have new treatments and ultimately, a cure. Through funding research year-round, we know a breakthrough in Parkinson’s research can happen in any lab, from any researcher.

As one of our most popular blog article series, our Science News articles highlight some of the most impactful Parkinson’s studies and what they mean for people living with the disease. Explore our top Science News articles of 2025 below to learn more about the latest advances in PD research.

1. Update: New Study Finds Drugs like Ozempic Ineffective for Parkinson’s Treatment

A Lancet study found that the diabetes drug exenatide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, did not improve Parkinson’s symptoms compared to a placebo over two years. Researchers also found no changes in dopamine activity in the brain, suggesting that current GLP-1 drugs are not effective as Parkinson’s treatments.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

2. Golf Course Pesticides, Drinking Water & Parkinson’s Risk

Living near golf courses may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s, according to a new study using 25 years of medical data from southeastern Minnesota. Researchers found that people who lived within one mile of a golf course were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with PD compared to those living six or more miles away.

These findings suggest that pesticides and herbicides used on golf courses could leach into drinking water and contribute to Parkinson’s risk. This study highlights how environmental exposures may play a role in PD. Understanding these risks could help individuals and regulators take steps to reduce exposure and protect brain health.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

3. Two New Trials Explore Stem-Cell Therapy for Parkinson’s

Two new studies suggest that stem cell-based therapies may safely boost dopamine production in people with Parkinson’s. Researchers in Japan, the U.S., and Canada transplanted early-stage dopamine-producing cells — derived from induced pluripotent (iPS) and human embryonic stem (hES) cells — into the brains of 19 participants. After up to two years, no serious side effects or tumors were reported, and brain scans showed increased dopamine activity. Many also showed improvements in movement symptoms.

While these early results don’t prove stem cell therapy can reverse Parkinson’s, they highlight a safe and promising new direction for developing future PD treatments.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

4. Study Finds Potential Link Between Parkinson's and Gut Health

People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s, but the reason why has remained unclear. A new study compared the gut microbiomes of people with Parkinson’s, IBD, and healthy individuals, revealing striking similarities between the first two groups. Both showed reduced levels of certain bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are important for gut and brain health.

These findings suggest that the loss of SCFA-producing bacteria may link IBD and Parkinson’s by disrupting gut and brain communication, known as the gut-brain axis. This could make some people with IBD more susceptible to developing Parkinson’s later in life.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

5.  Study Shows Multiple Sleep Problems Are Common in Early Parkinson’s

Sleep problems are common even in the early stages of Parkinson’s. Among 162 people recently diagnosed with PD, 71% experienced at least one sleep disorder, and nearly half had more than one. The most frequent issues included insomnia (41%), REM sleep behavior disorder and excessive daytime sleepiness (each 25%), as well as restless legs syndrome (16%).

Researchers found that these sleep problems were more strongly linked to physical changes caused by PD than to emotional factors like anxiety or depression. The findings suggest that sleep disturbances may appear early in the disease and have a major impact on quality of life.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

6. Brain Inflammation Linked to Dementia Risk in Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s can lead to dementia, affecting nearly half of people within 10 years of diagnosis. A new study explored early brain changes to understand why some people develop dementia while others don’t, focusing on two factors: brain inflammation and buildup of the protein tau.

Researchers found that people with Parkinson’s who were at higher risk for dementia showed more brain inflammation and performed worse on cognitive tests. These results suggest that brain inflammation may be an early driver of cognitive decline in Parkinson’s and could help identify those at greater risk.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

7. Mainstay Parkinson's Medication Sometimes "Wears Off" Faster for Women

Levodopa is a key treatment for the movement symptoms of Parkinson’s, but its effectiveness can diminish over time, a phenomenon known as “wearing off.” A study found that nearly 65% of women had symptom fluctuations between doses, compared to about 53% of men. Women were also more likely to develop dyskinesia (involuntary movements caused by levodopa).

The study concluded that female gender was the strongest predictor of wearing-off effects and dyskinesia. These findings highlight that men and women may respond differently to levodopa, suggesting the need for more personalized, gender-informed treatment plans for people with Parkinson’s.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

8. Study Shows Staying Active in the Hospital Benefits People with Parkinson’s

People with Parkinson’s are more likely to be hospitalized, face complications and experience longer stays than those without PD. A new study shows that staying active during a hospital stay — moving safely in and out of bed at least three times a day — can greatly improve outcomes for patients with PD.

The study found that hospitalized patients with PD who stayed active had shorter stays, were more likely to be discharged home rather than to a care facility and had lower odds of dying within 30 to 90 days after release. These results highlight the importance of inpatient mobility programs and support the Parkinson’s Foundation’s recommendations for regular movement during hospitalizations to help improve recovery.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

9. Study Links Air Pollution to Lew Body Dementia Risk

A study of 56.5 million Americans found that living in areas with higher air pollution may increase the risk of developing Lewy body dementia (LBD) — a finding with significant implications for the Parkinson's disease (PD) community, as approximately 70% of people with Parkinson's eventually develop LBD. Researchers linked long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) — tiny particles from vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, and wildfire smoke — to higher rates of LBD hospitalizations.

The findings suggest air pollution may trigger harmful brain changes similar to those seen in human LBD, highlighting the need for cleaner air and stronger environmental protections to support brain health.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

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2025 was a remarkable year for the Parkinson’s Foundation. Over the course of 365 days, we advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD) research while working hard to represent the one million people in the U.S. living with this neurodegenerative disease. We strengthened our connections among care partners and everyone serving the PD community.  

With your support, we launched new initiatives and vital PD resources, stayed fast in our commitment to improving PD care and research, and empowering the community through education and new resources.  

Thanks to YOU, here are the top 12 ways we made a difference this year:

1. Awarded more than $4.3 million in high-risk, high-reward research.

In a year when federal funding for disease research sharply declined, we significantly increased our investment in Parkinson’s research. We awarded more than $4.3 million across 44 grants. We are proud to fund scientists pursuing innovative studies across diverse areas of PD — driving the development of new therapies, treatments and ultimately a cure for the 10 million people worldwide living with this neurological disease.

Explore our ongoing research

2. Reached 30,000+ participants in our genetics study.

In 2025, PD GENEration: Powered by the Parkinson’s Foundation reached unprecedented numbers including: 

• Providing genetic testing and counseling to 30,000+ people with Parkinson’s, at no cost.

• Finding that approximately 12-13% of participants carry a genetic link to PD.

• Expanded study to a total of 77 testing sites worldwide and counting — adding sites in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru and El Salvador.

We also launched an exciting new pilot program, PD Trial Navigator, to help advance PD GENEration’s goal of accelerating genetic-focused clinical trials. This program helps inform PD GENEration participants about Parkinson’s genetic trials they may qualify for based on their genetic results.

Enroll Now in PD GENEration

3. Launched new policy effort to accelerate PD treatments and care.

In 2025, we launched new policy initiatives aiming to empower the PD community through advocacy. Highlights include:

• Appointing Andi Lipstein Fristedt as our first Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Policy Officer to guide our policy efforts at the federal, state and local levels.

• Hosting a national roundtable on Parkinson’s care and innovation to identify national priorities to improve care for people with PD.

• Co-hosted the 2025 Parkinson's Policy Forum, where 250 people with PD, family members and advocates from 45 states gathered in Washington, D.C. to urge Congress to accelerate progress toward better treatments and a cure.

Sign up for our emails to keep up to date with advocacy efforts

4. Funded local Parkinson’s programs in 38 states.

We awarded more than $1 million in community grants for programs that help people living with PD across 38 states. Our 2025 grants fund local programs that provide exercise and educational support for people with PD and their care partners and address mental health needs. Since 2011, the Foundation has devoted more than $12.7 million in community-based programs, reaching a combined 81,000 people with PD and care partners.

 Pictured: Parkinson’s Foundation Community Grantee, Parkinson's Exercise Program For You, in Dana Point, CA, offers PD-tailored exercise programs. 

To find your nearest exercise or wellness class, visit your local chapter’s webpage or call our Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636).

5. Appointed our first-ever Chief Medical Officer.

This year, we welcomed Sneha Mantri, MD, MS, as Chief Medical Officer of the Parkinson’s Foundation. A nationally recognized movement disorders specialist and educator, Dr. Mantri believes in getting to know her patients and personalizing their treatments. “I'm excited to bring that philosophy of care to this role and address the needs of people with Parkinson’s on a national scale,” she said.

Look out for virtual events featuring Dr. Mantri in 2026.

Learn more about Dr. Mantri here

6. Moved two Parkinson’s Virtual Biotech drugs into trials.

Parkinson’s Virtual Biotech is a research-driven investment fund we support alongside Parkinson’s UK. In 2025 we shared two exciting advances:

• Project ASPro-PD became the first Parkinson’s Virtual Biotech project to enter a large phase 3 trial, assessing whether ambroxol (a common cough medicine ingredient) can slow the progression of Parkinson’s. This trial is the closest to delivering a new treatment.

• A new drug from NRG Therapeutics, designed to repair the mitochondria that power brain cells, is advancing to clinical trials for Parkinson’s and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). This progress was made possible through early investment from the Parkinson’s Virtual Biotech, proving how our venture philanthropy model fuels innovation — turning bold ideas into real possibilities for people living with Parkinson’s and making investments less risky for future funders.

Learn more about the Parkinson’s Virtual Biotech

7. Launched new resources to help people optimize their PD care.

We know that healthcare appointments for Parkinson’s can feel overwhelming. Which is why we published new content and tips dedicated to help people with PD and care partners advocate for their best care. Use our Steps to Prepare for a Parkinson’s Appointment worksheet for a step-by-step guide to choosing your top three appointment topics. 

Learn how to optimize your Parkinson’s care

8. Raised $263,000 on Parkinson’s Foundation Day of Giving.

Our incredible community came together and made our third annual Day of Giving the most successful so far, raising double the amount raised in 2024. Our steadfast supporters made this special day a success, raising awareness and funds to support our mission to make life better for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Give today

9. Facilitated 3,949 community service hours through Parkinson’s Ambassadors.

Volunteers are essential to our mission and help us localize our reach. This year, we trained 239 new Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassadors and brought all our volunteers together at our national Volunteer Leadership Summit.

Etana Soloman joined our People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council to add her voice and help represent young caregivers and people like her mother who are in the later stages of PD. “Being able to care for my mom is truly an honor”  Read her story.

Find a volunteer opportunity near you

10. Reached 8.6 million visits to Parkinson.org and expanded Spanish-language engagement.

Parkinson.org reached a record of 8.6 million visits, including 1.3 million visits to our Spanish content. Every page visit represents an opportunity to connect people with life-changing resources, digital events and actionable ways to help make life better for people with Parkinson’s.

Hispanic and Latino members of the PD community face distinct barriers to living well with Parkinson’s. In 2025, we published new Spanish pages on dementia, caregiving, vertigo, depression, hospital safety and more (explore these pages in English, too: dementia, caregiving, vertigo, depression, hospital safety).

Explore our Spanish pages

Visit Parkinson.org now

11. 20,000 participants raised more than $8.3 million through community fundraising events.

Parkinson’s Foundation community fundraisers raised an impressive $8.3 million to advance PD research, access to care and life-changing resources in 2025. Together, every person who participates in Moving Day, A Walk for Parkinson’s, Parkinson’s Champion and Parkinson’s Revolution bring us closer to a cure.

Two years after his diagnosis, Brooke Ramsey found Moving Day Columbus. For the last 14 years his family has raised more than $117,000 to help make life better for people with Parkinson’s. Read his story.

Find a Moving Day near you

Become a Parkinson’s Champions

Join us for Parkinson’s Revolution

12. Engaged with our audience through two awareness campaigns.

In April, we introduced the world to PAM, your guide to Parkinson’s Awareness Month. To raise PD awareness, PAM shared essential information, tips and resources about PD on our social media channels and website.

In April we: 

• Posted 5 new videos highlighting PD facts everyone should know.
• Reached 2+ million visits to Parkinson.org — our most page views in a single month!
• Earned 914,000 impressions across our social media posts

Follow us on social media to help spread Parkinson’s awareness

In November, for National Family Caregivers Month, we amplified the diverse experiences of caregiving through our Real Care. Anywhere. campaign. We provided tailored resources for three types of caregivers including those caring for someone living with Parkinson’s, those providing care from a distance and those managing PD alone.

Explore our care partner resources

We are setting bold goals for 2026 to create an even greater impact on the Parkinson’s community — and your support makes it possible.

Donate today

For years, researchers have suspected that the air we breathe might affect our brain health. Now, a study examining 56.5 million Americans reveals a troubling connection between living in a place with higher air pollution and Lewy body dementia (LBD) — a finding with significant implications for the Parkinson's disease (PD) community, as 75-80% of people with Parkinson's eventually develop LBD. 

Lewy body dementia is an umbrella term for two related conditions: dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). Both involve the accumulation of abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies — which contain clumps of alpha-synuclein protein — throughout the brain. While people with Parkinson's initially experience movement symptoms like tremor and rigidity due to Lewy bodies primarily in neurons within movement-control brain regions, most will eventually develop cognitive symptoms as these protein deposits spread to areas controlling memory and thinking. 

The study, which was supported by the Parkinson’s Foundation and led by 2019 Stanley Fahn Jr. Faculty Award recipient Xiaobo Mao, analyzed health records of 56.5 million Americans who used Medicare from 2000 to 2014, across 34,824 zip codes. Researchers matched the zip codes to exposure to PM2.5, tiny particles in the air that come from sources like vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions and wildfire smoke. These particles are so small they can penetrate deep into the lungs and the bloodstream. While PM2.5 is recognized as a health concern and risk factor for dementia, this is the first study to find a link between PM2.5 and Lewy body dementia.  

Study Results 

The analysis showed that there was a strong link between long-term PM2.5 exposure and higher risk for someone’s first hospital admission for LBD, indicating that living in a place with more air pollution is associated with a greater risk for LBD. 

To understand how air pollution could be connected to LBD, the researchers conducted experiments with mice. They found that long-term PM2.5 exposure caused brain shrinkage and cognitive deficits in normal mice, lending support to their initial findings. Interestingly, this effect disappeared in genetically engineered mice lacking alpha-synuclein—the protein that forms the characteristic Lewy bodies. This suggests that alpha-synuclein plays a crucial role in how air pollution damages our brains. 

Perhaps most striking, the research team discovered that PM2.5 exposure in mice engineered to display Parkinson's-like symptoms led to the development of what they call “PM-PFF”—a particularly harmful version of alpha-synuclein that is highly resistant to breakdown and especially toxic to brain cells. The team showed that this corrupted protein closely resembles the abnormal alpha-synuclein found in actual LBD patients.  

When the researchers exposed mice engineered to develop Parkinson's-like symptoms to air pollution samples from China, the U.S. and Europe for two months, they all consistently produced dangerous “PM-PFF” protein formations, suggesting air pollution is a global concern to brain health. 

The team also compared gene expression activity patterns between PM2.5-exposed normal mice and human LBD patients, finding prominent similarities. This pattern match strengthens the evidence that air pollution isn't just correlated with dementia—it may actually cause the biological changes seen in the disease. 

Highlights 

• The study analyzed health records of 56.5 million Americans who used Medicare in a 14-year period, residing in 34,824 zip codes. 

• Living in an area with higher air pollution (higher long-term levels of PM2.5 particles) was linked to hospitalization for Lewy body dementia (LBD). 

• In normal mice, long-term PM2.5 exposure caused brain shrinkage and cognitive deficits. These issues depended on the presence of alpha-synuclein, a protein associated with PD and LBD.  

• In mice engineered to develop Parkinson's-like symptoms, PM2.5 exposure created what they call “PM-PFF”—a particularly harmful version of alpha-synuclein that's highly resistant to breakdown and especially toxic to brain cells. 

• Gene activity patterns in PM2.5-exposed normal mice were similar to those in human LBD patients. 

What Does This Mean? 

This research provides the first clear biological explanation for how air pollution might trigger or accelerate the development of Lewy body dementia. The identification of PM2.5 as a specific risk factor means we now have a measurable, modifiable environmental target for disease prevention. 

This study, and others like it, have found a clear association between environmental toxicants and neurodegenerative diseases – which is important as this knowledge could inform and impact environmental policies.  

This study highlights the importance of reducing exposure to air pollution when possible and continuing proactive steps that support brain health, like regular exercise, quality sleep and staying proactive with medical care. 

What do these findings mean to the people with PD right now? 

While this research doesn’t change day-to-day treatment for people with PD right now, it strengthens what many in the Parkinson’s community have long suspected — that environmental factors play a real role in disease development and progression. Knowing that air pollution may contribute to Lewy body disease gives us a new area to monitor and advocates another reason to push for cleaner air and stronger environmental standards. 

If you are concerned about exposure to air pollution, or PM2.5 particles, talk to your doctor.  

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. 

• Golf Course Pesticides, Drinking Water & Parkinson’s Risk 

• Environmental Factors 

• Episode 122: Environmental Factors and Parkinson’s

Over time, Parkinson’s disease (PD) medications can begin to lose their effectiveness. When this happens, deep brain stimulation (DBS) can be a promising treatment option for certain candidates. For DBS, electrodes are implanted into the brain that deliver controlled electrical stimulation that counteracts PD symptoms. 

Most DBS systems are designed to deliver consistent stimulation based on settings set and updated by physicians. However, a newer version called adaptive DBS (aDBS), recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical use, monitors brain signals associated with PD symptoms in real time and adjusts stimulation automatically. This ability to auto-adjust stimulation has the potential to enhance DBS efficiency and minimize side effects, improving quality of life for those that use it.

Lauren Hammer, MD, PhD, recipient of a Parkinson’s Foundation Stanley Fahn Junior Faculty Award, is working to make aDBS even more effective by determining which types of brain signals offer the best information on how to adjust stimulation in response to symptoms. Current aDBS technology monitors low-frequency brain waves called “beta” signals, but Dr. Hammer believes that higher frequency “entrained-gamma” signals may be better for predicting and controlling PD symptoms. 

Learn more about DBS

 “This research aims to advance deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease by identifying the most effective neural signal to guide adaptive DBS,” said Dr. Hammer. “Results could support expanding the set of neural signals used for clinical aDBS, enabling more effective and personalized treatment.” 

From her lab at the University of Pennsylvania, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, Dr. Hammer will first run an in-laboratory assessment where people with PD perform various movement tasks while their brain signals are monitored. This will provide data as to which type of signal — beta or entrained-gamma — offers a more accurate reflection for when PD symptoms like involuntary movements are occurring. 

Dr. Hammer will then take a small group of people with DBS for PD and upgrade them to aDBS for an at-home study. After participants are programmed for aDBS stimulation using both beta signals and entrained-gamma signals, they will switch weekly between these settings, recording how well their symptoms are controlled at home.   

At the end of the trial, Dr. Hammer and her team will have data to suggest which signal type guided the best aDBS experience for different types of people with PD.  

 “I’m deeply grateful to the Parkinson's Foundation for investing in early-career scientists and accelerating progress toward better care and a cure.” – Dr. Hammer 

“Receiving this Parkinson’s Foundation award is an incredible honor and an important milestone in my journey to improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease,” said Dr. Hammer. “As a new faculty member starting my own laboratory, this support comes at a critical time — helping me build the foundation for a research program focused on developing next-generation deep brain stimulation therapies. Funding at this early stage is vital to turning promising ideas into impactful treatments, and this award will help bridge the gap between training and long-term research support.” 

Meet more Parkinson’s researchers! Explore our My PD Stories featuring PD researchers.