Davis Phinney Foundation Newly diagnosed resources

https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/resources/parkinsons-newly-diagnosed-resources/

M. J. Fox  Parkinson's 101

https://www.michaeljfox.org/parkinsons-101

APDA - Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately dopamine-producing (“dopaminergic”) neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra.

Symptoms generally develop slowly over years. The progression of symptoms is often a bit different from one person to another due to the diversity of the disease.

https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons

Parkinson's disease (PD) research aims to understand the causes, mechanisms, and potential treatments for this neurodegenerative disorder.

Areas of Research:

• Genetics: Identifying genetic mutations that increase the risk of PD.

• Neurobiology: Studying the changes in brain cells and pathways that occur in PD.

• Cell Death: Investigating why dopamine-producing neurons die in PD.

• Oxidative Stress: Examining the role of oxidative damage in the disease process.

• Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Exploring how impaired mitochondrial function contributes to PD.

• Stem Cell Therapy: Using stem cells to replace damaged neurons or to protect existing ones.

• Gene Therapy: Developing genetic interventions to stop or slow the progression of PD.

• Drug Discovery: Identifying and testing new medications to improve symptoms and potentially halt disease progression.

Leading Research Institutions: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Parkinson's Foundation, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, and University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

The most common Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Remember that although these are the typical symptoms, they can vary greatly from individual to individual—both in terms of their intensity and how they progress. Motor symptoms generally involve movement, while non-motor symptoms do not.

Read about them [HERE]

A Parkinson's Foundation video of dystonia (abnormality of muscle tone) v. dyskinesia (abnormality of movement) is here. 

Key differences between dyskinesia and dystonia are also explained in this HealthCentral story. 

Motor symptoms — which means movement-related symptoms — of Parkinson’s disease include the following:

• Slowed movements (bradykinesia). 

• Tremor while muscles are at rest.

• Rigidity or stiffness.

• Unstable posture or walking gait.

Additional motor symptoms can include:

• Blinking less often than usual.

• Cramped or small handwriting. 

• Drooling.

• Mask-like facial expression

• Trouble swallowing (dysphagia). 

• Unusually soft speaking voice (hypophonia).

Sleep Disturbances in Parkinson’s Disease

People with Parkinson’s Disease frequently experience a range of sleep problems that differ from those typical in the general population. Common disturbances include:

• Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.

• REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD): Acting out dreams during REM sleep due to loss of normal muscle paralysis, which can cause injury to self or bed partner.

• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): Urge to move legs often at night, which disturbs sleep.

• Excessive daytime sleepiness: Feeling very sleepy during the day, sometimes to the point of sudden sleep attacks.

• Sleep fragmentation: Frequent waking and disrupted sleep architecture.

These disturbances reduce sleep quality, leading to fatigue and worsening other PD symptoms such as cognitive difficulties and mood changes.

Causes and Mechanisms

Sleep dysfunction arises from several PD-related factors:

• Neurodegeneration in brainstem and hypothalamic areas critical for sleep regulation.

• Effects of dopaminergic and other PD medications can disrupt sleep.

• Motor symptoms such as rigidity and tremor interfering with comfortable sleep.

• Psychiatric symptoms associated with PD like anxiety and depression exacerbate sleep problems.

Approaches to Improve Sleep in Parkinson’s

• Medication Review: Adjustments to PD and other medications can improve sleep quality.

• Behavioral Techniques: Sleep hygiene education, regular sleep schedules, reducing daytime naps.

• Treatment of Specific Disorders: For example, melatonin or clonazepam for REM sleep behavior disorder.

• Light therapy: Shown to improve circadian rhythms and sleep quality in PD.

• Exercise: Regular physical activity helps improve sleep and overall motor symptoms.

• Addressing co-morbidities: Treating sleep apnea, restless legs, or mood disorders.

Health Disclaimer

Sleep disturbances in people with Parkinson’s Disease are complex and individual. Please consult a neurologist or sleep specialist experienced in PD for diagnostic assessments and tailored treatment plans.

Sources

1. Parkinson's Disease: Sleep Disturbances and Fatigue | Sleep Foundation

2. Classification of sleep stages from EEG, EOG and EMG signals by SSNet (ArXiv)

3. End-to-End Automatic Sleep Stage Classification Using Spectral-Temporal Sleep Features (ArXiv)

Symptom management  By Marco Meglio & Alexa Dessy, MD NeurologyLive.com August 8, 2025      Mind Moments is a podcast from NeurologyLive, and brings you an interview with Alexa Dessy, MD, on Improving Quality of Life in Movement Disorders through Non-Motor System Management.       The 17-minute podcast is here. 

Soon after diagnosis, you will begin exploring the wide range of treatments available to help manage symptoms of Parkinson’s. Since Parkinson’s looks different for everyone, no two treatment paths will be the same. Treatment typically includes some combination of medication, exercise and rehabilitation strategies like physical and speech therapy to manage symptoms and give you the best possible quality of life. Non-medical therapies are just as important as medication. These therapies can treat or prevent many symptoms affecting movement, speech and your ability to do daily life and work activities.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement. There is no cure, but treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Medications:

• Levodopa: The primary medication for Parkinson's, it increases dopamine levels in the brain.

• Dopamine agonists: These medications mimic dopamine and can help reduce tremors and stiffness.

• MAO-B inhibitors: These drugs prevent the breakdown of dopamine in the brain.

• Anticholinergics: These medications help control tremors and drooling.

Other Therapies:

• Deep brain stimulation (DBS): A surgical procedure that implants electrodes in the brain to regulate abnormal electrical activity.

• Focused ultrasound surgery (FUS): A non-invasive procedure that uses ultrasound waves to target specific areas of the brain and improve symptoms.

• Physical therapy: Exercises to improve balance, coordination, and mobility.

• Occupational therapy: Activities to help patients with daily tasks, such as dressing and eating.

• Speech therapy: To address speech problems, such as tremors and slurred speech.

• Lifestyle changes: Exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management can help improve symptoms.

Emerging Treatments:

• Gene therapy: Research is ongoing to develop gene therapies that can stop or slow the progression of Parkinson's.

• Stem cell therapy: Stem cells may have the potential to replace damaged dopamine-producing cells in the brain.

• Pharmacological interventions: New medications are being developed to target different aspects of Parkinson's pathology.

Personalized Treatment:

The best treatment plan for Parkinson's disease is individualized based on the patient's symptoms, age, and overall health. It's important to work closely with a healthcare team to determine the most effective treatment options.

Meditation and Relaxation Techniques

Meditation and relaxation techniques can take many forms. Listening to relaxing music is the most basic form. Mindful meditation can be used to relax and focus on breathing or negative emotions and thoughts. It can also be used to help a person become more aware of their surroundings or body movements. Several studies have shown a connection between Parkinson’s disease symptoms and mindful meditation.