Learn about PD - All Articles

You can find some local healthcare providers here

https://www.cdparkinsons.org/health-care-providers

Parkinson’s Training for Fitness, Health and Wellness Professionals - APDA

Online training program specifically designed to teach fitness professionals how to best meet the unique needs of PD patients

The importance of exercise and physical activity for people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been well documented. Exercise produces many benefits including increased physical functioning (motor performance, strength, endurance), improved gait and balance, cardiovascular fitness, and overall better quality of life.  As such, great strides are being made to make exercise a part of the standard treatment of PD.

Take the training online

Complementary Therapy Providers

Complementary therapies are intended to be used together with traditional, more medically-minded approaches to managing Parkinson’s symptoms. A nutritionist can help you be more intentional about your diet to ensure you are getting the right nutrients you need. There have been research studies demonstrating how acupuncture can help symptoms ranging from balance and walking to pain, fatigue and feelings of anxiety and depression, so you may consider adding an acupuncturist to your care team.

Since exercise is so important for people living with Parkinson’s, your personal trainer or various exercise instructors, like your yoga or tai chi teacher or a boxing coach, can all be considered essential members of your care team.

Emotional Well-Being Providers

n addition to your physical healthcare team and complementary therapy providers, professionals who focus on emotional health and well-being can be very helpful. Counselors, social workers and psychologists are trained to assess emotional difficulties and to work with you and your doctor to promote good mental health. They can help you cope and stay positive.

These professionals can also help you manage stress that can make Parkinson’s symptoms worse, causing additional strain on you and your family. They serve as guides, helping you to respond with resilience to changes you hadn’t anticipated. Professional support and guidance can help you and your family cope with the tough times when they come.

Since Parkinson’s affects everyone differently, the specific ways you choose to live well will be unique and will change over time. However, a positive attitude, staying engaged in your own health, consistently exercising and making a commitment to take action are steps everyone living with Parkinson’s can take to live well right now.

Research and personal experience of people living with Parkinson’s continue to show the incredible impacts simple lifestyle changes like stress reduction, getting enough sleep, a healthy diet rich in nutrients and exercise can have on not just your quality of life, but the actual experience of Parkinson’s symptoms like tremor, depression and fatigue. Research also suggests exercise may even help protect the areas of the brain affected by Parkinson’s from getting worse (a phenomenon known as neuroprotection), which may slow the progression of Parkinson’s.

Physical Healthcare Providers

You can find some local providers here https://www.cdparkinsons.org/health-care-providers

A neurologist specializes in conditions of the brain. He or she can confirm your diagnosis and establish an appropriate treatment plan.

A movement disorder specialist is a neurologist with additional training in movement disorders. Movement disorder specialists are much more familiar with Parkinson’s and may be able to make a diagnosis sooner. They also know more about current research and treatment options and will recognize when to refer you to experts who can help address specific aspects of Parkinson’s, such as a sleep specialist for sleeping troubles and a speech and language therapist to improve your speech and swallowing.

If you don’t have a movement disorder specialist close to home, seek out an empathetic neurologist who is experienced treating people with Parkinson’s and who will listen to you and your family, work with you to define your needs and goals and be open to your suggestions and ideas as an active participant in your own treatment plan. If your team doesn’t include a movement disorder specialist, you’ll want to be more informed and prepared to advocate for the treatment and services you need from healthcare providers not necessarily specialized in Parkinson’s.

Your primary care physician (PCP) will also be very important over the coming years. He or she will help you stay healthy with regular check-ups and will complement your neurologist in treating non-motor symptoms. Your doctor will typically manage your medications and refer you to additional healthcare professionals as needed.

Other routine medical providers like your optometrist, dentist and obstetrician/gynecologist for women will continue to be essential parts of your care team and should be informed about Parkinson’s as well as the symptoms you are experiencing.

Establishing a broader medical team early builds a network of specialists who will become familiar with you and your symptoms and be with you as things evolve over time. Connecting with rehabilitation specialists will be essential at all stages of Parkinson’s, even early on or when symptoms are mild. Rehabilitation specialists include physical therapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists. Your rehabilitation team can help prevent or delay problems, minimize the impact of symptoms and maintain daily functioning as Parkinson’s progresses.

Depending on your symptoms, you may also consider adding other, more medically-based specialists to your care team. These could include a sleep specialist to assist with problems sleeping or a neuropsychologist to help with changes in how you think and process, such as making decisions or retrieving the right word in conversations.

Parkinson’s Disease And Preparing For Surgery

APDA

https://www.apdaparkinson.org/article/surgery-complications-and-parkinsons-disease-parkinsons-disease-and-preparing-for-surgery/

Parkinson's Foundation - Plan for the next hospital stay.

Research has found that three out of four people with Parkinson’s do not receive medications on time when staying in the hospital, and that when this occurs two out of three will experience unnecessary complications.

With more frequent hospital visits and a high sensitivity to the timing and dosing of PD medications, people with Parkinson’s face great risks in the hospital.

At the Parkinson’s Foundation, it is our mission to help people with Parkinson’s disease live better lives, and that includes staying safe while in the hospital. We want to help people affected by PD to be “Aware in Care,” which means they:

• Understand the risks associated with hospital stays.

• Have tools to play an active role in their care.

• Are prepared for a hospital visit, whether planned or unplanned.

• Have a plan to get the best possible care in the hospital.

There are three easy ways to get these life-saving resources:

Read more here https://www.parkinson.org/Living-with-Parkinsons/Resources-and-Support/Hospital-Kit

Hospital Safety Guide

The Parkinson Foundation provides a valuable Hospital Safety Guide

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https://www.parkinson.org/resources-support/hospital-safety-guide

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People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are at a higher risk of hospitalization and face many challenges while in the hospital. It is important for all people with Parkinson’s to be aware of the risks, prepare ahead of time and know how to advocate for their needs while in the hospital.

The Hospital Safety Guide is a resource for people with Parkinson's and their care partners filled with useful tools and information to prepare for and navigate a hospital stay.

​

Order your free Hospital Safety Guide

The Hospital Safety Guide is available to everyone in the Parkinson’s community at no cost to order or download.

Order Now
DOWNLOAD NOW

PD Medications

There are many different types of medications that can help manage symptoms of Parkinson’s. Medications often involve trial and error to find the combination that works for you, which will continue to change and evolve over time. Sometimes medications can impact other symptoms of Parkinson’s or cause frustrating side effects, so it is important to communicate closely with your doctor. Often adjusting the dosage or changing the medication can help.

Find out more at these sites

Davis Phinney Foundation

https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/medication-and-parkinsons/

APDA

https://www.apdaparkinson.org/what-is-parkinsons/treatment-medication/medication/

Parkinson.org https://www.parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/Treatment/Prescription-Medications

MJ Fox

https://www.michaeljfox.org/medications-treatments

Current and Emerging Parkinson’s Medications

Extended-Release and Novel Levodopa Formulations

Levodopa, combined with carbidopa, remains the most effective agent for controlling motor symptoms. However, traditional immediate-release forms require frequent dosing and can lead to motor fluctuations (“on-off” effects).

IPX203 (Crexont): Recently approved in 2024, this extended-release levodopa/carbidopa pill allows less frequent dosing while increasing "on" time—periods of good symptom control—by about 1.5 hours compared to standard immediate-release forms [1], [3].

Vyalev (Produodopa): A new levodopa formulation delivered as a continuous subcutaneous infusion via a portable pump, providing steadier medication levels and improving motor fluctuations and early morning “off” times. Approved in some regions in 2024 [2].

Continuous Infusions and Delivery Systems

Motor fluctuations and variability in medication absorption are challenges with oral therapy. Continuous infusion approaches maintain stable dopamine levels:

ND0612: A subcutaneous infusion of carbidopa/levodopa delivered through a pump-patch attached to the skin. Shows promise in reducing motor fluctuations and is pending regulatory approval [1], [2].

Continuous Apomorphine Infusion: Delivered under the skin via pump, apomorphine is a dopamine agonist that helps reduce off times. This delivery system is approved in Europe and under FDA review in the US [2], [3].

New Dopamine Agonists and Symptom Targeting

Tavapadon: A selective dopamine receptor agonist designed to minimize side effects often seen with other dopamine agonists, such as impulsive behaviors and hallucinations. It has shown promising results in late-stage trials [2].

Antidyskinesia Therapies: Medications targeting dyskinesia (involuntary movements related to long-term levodopa use) such as CPL'36 and mesdopetam are in clinical trials, aiming to improve motor control without added side effects [2].

Investigational Disease-Modifying Therapies

Unlike symptom-focused treatments, these agents aim to slow or stop PD progression:

Neurotrophic Factors: Drugs like AB-1005 (a GDNF delivery system) may support neuronal survival and reduce dopamine loss [2].

Anti-Inflammatories: Targeting inflammatory pathways such as NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors to prevent dopamine neuron damage [2].

Alpha-Synuclein Targeting: Experimental antibodies (e.g., prasinezumab) and drugs aimed at reducing alpha-synuclein aggregation are under investigation, though some early trials have not met endpoints but continue to be refined [2].

Genetics-Based Approaches: Compounds targeting mutations in genes like GBA and LRRK2 show potential for neuroprotection and motor function improvement. Clinical trials are ongoing [2].

GLP-1 Agonists (Diabetes Drugs): Drugs such as exenatide and liraglutide have been studied for potential disease-modifying effects with mixed results; research continues [2].

Practical Considerations and Clinical Participation

Participation in clinical trials remains vital to advance these therapies from experimental to approved treatments. Patients interested should discuss clinical study opportunities with their neurologist. Awareness of drug side effects, especially with new formulations and delivery methods, is important because of individual variability in response.

1. Hot Topics in Parkinson’s Disease

2. Parkinson's & Medications: What's New? | Parkinson's Foundation

3. FDA Reviewing Four New Parkinson's Medications in 2024 ...Hot Topics in Parkinson’s Disease

4. Parkinson's & Medications: What's New? | Parkinson's Foundation

5. FDA Reviewing Four New Parkinson's Medications in 2024 ...Hot Topics in Parkinson’s Disease

6. Parkinson's & Medications: What's New? | Parkinson's Foundation

7. FDA Reviewing Four New Parkinson's Medications in 2024 ...

A Parkinson’s Primer for the Newly Diagnosed

Hearing the words, “You have Parkinson’s,” is life changing. The good news is that there are numerous ways you can take action to live well with Parkinson’s TODAY. Just a decade ago, researchers and doctors didn’t stress the impact exercise, stress management, nutritional choices, and other positive life choices have on Parkinson’s. Now, we know your experience will be impacted positively by your choices and actions. A Parkinson’s Primer for the Newly Diagnosed, will show you how—in a way that won’t overwhelm you with information.

Read more [Davis Phinney]

What do we tell newly diagnosed PwP

After receiving a Parkinson's disease (PD) diagnosis newly diagnosed individuals are often told four things: they are not alone, it is important to find a movement disorder specialist, exercise is essential, and they can live well with the disease. 

• You're Not Alone: A big community supports people with Parkinson's.

• See Your Doctor if You Change Fast: Parkinson's usually moves slowly. Quick changes need a check-up.

• Everyone is Different: Symptoms, progression, and treatment responses vary widely from person to person.

• Find a Specialist: A Movement Disorder Specialist (MDS) knows the most about PD.

• Exercise is Key: It's one of the best ways to manage symptoms and stay healthy.

• You Can Live Well: A diagnosis doesn't stop you from enjoying a full life.

• Resource: Check out the book Every Victory Counts from the Davis Phinney Foundation.

Davis Phinney Foundation Every Victory Counts® manual

Click here to order your manual 

https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/every-victory-counts-manual/#evcorder

YOU'LL DISCOVER

• Essential information about Parkinson’s plus dozens of topics that are frequently overlooked but critical to helping you live well

• Insights from more than 50 Parkinson’s experts, including physicians, therapists, and scientists who share cutting edge research, strategies, and ideas for living well with Parkinson’s

• Advice and inspiration from dozens of people living well with Parkinson’s today

• In-depth information about exercise, nutrition, emotional health, medication, therapies, and more

How did I get Parkinsons?

The exact cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Genetic Factors:

• Certain gene mutations have been linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease.

• These mutations may affect the production or function of a protein called alpha-synuclein, which is thought to play a role in the disease.

Environmental Factors:

• Exposure to certain toxins, such as pesticides and herbicides, has been associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's disease.

• Head trauma and other brain injuries may also be contributing factors.

Other Risk Factors:

• Age: The risk of Parkinson's disease increases with age.

• Sex: Men are more likely to develop the disease than women.

• Family history: Having a close relative with Parkinson's disease increases the risk.

Newly Diagnosed

Davis Phinney Foundation Newly diagnosed resources

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

What is Parkinson's?

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