The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

Though existing evidence supports that dysfunction in the clearing of cellular debris plays an important role in the development of Parkinson's disease, many unanswered questions remain regarding the mechanisms of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway involved in this process. In the newest episode of the Parkinson’s Research Podcast, Dr. Zhenyu Yue, Aidekman Research Professor in the Department of Neurology and The Friedman Brain Institute, discusses his research investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms for Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Listen to the episode: https://bit.ly/3WXLbR3 *This podcast is geared toward researchers and clinicians. If you live with Parkinson’s or have a friend or family member with PD, listen to The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast. Hear from scientists, doctors and people with Parkinson's on different aspects of life with the disease as well as research toward treatment breakthroughs at michaeljfox.org/podcasts.

Finding the right Parkinson’s treatment plan can be a trial-and-error process. The kind of medication, the dosage, the timing, lifestyle factors and more are all important pieces of the puzzle. Medication management is a popular topic in the Parkinson’s community, with many seeking guidance as they navigate their journey with treatment. In August’s highly attended webinar, Jimmy Choi leads a discussion with Allison Signorelli, Eric Jackowiak, MD and Brian Fiske, PhD. They talk about different medication options, practical tips for finding what works best for you and the latest research on emerging treatments. Listen to our new podcast episode featuring audio from the webinar: https://bit.ly/46YpwwL

"Make-A-Will Month is all about reminding us that we have the power to secure our legacy and protect our loved ones through the act of creating a will. I work daily to support individuals in finding a way to give that reflects their values, protects their loved ones and ensures the causes they care about the most will be supported — like bringing us closer to a future without Parkinson’s." – Shirley N., Director of Planned Giving at MJFF. August is Make-A-Will Month, a national campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of having a will. 67 percent of U.S. adults haven’t created a will, despite 64 percent believing it’s important. Having a will ensures your wishes are honored and provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones. In honor of Make-A-Will Month, we invite you to join our upcoming virtual talk to learn how to protect yourself and your family financially, as well as plan for future care costs and changes. Whether you are living with Parkinson’s, have a loved one with Parkinson’s, or simply want to secure your legacy, this talk is for you. Register now: https://bit.ly/3WYXixs

Research shows mindfulness and meditation can improve some Parkinson’s symptoms and help people live a better life with the disease, but it isn’t always easy to put into practice. In our new podcast episode, Rachel Dolhun, MD, DipABLM, principal medical advisor at MJFF, leads a discussion about how to incorporate mindfulness and meditation in your PD journey. Our expert panelists are: • Sree S.: San Francisco Bay area-based photographer and daily practitioner of mindfulness and meditation, diagnosed with PD in 2015. • Ken Hill: Semi-retired IT professional with a daily meditation and mindfulness practice. Ken's wife, Kat, was diagnosed with PD in 2015. • Sarah Mulukutla, MD, MPH: Integrative neurologist and founder of Mindful Neurology. Dr Mulukutla teaches mind-body strategies and is researching the effect they have on people with Parkinson’s. Tune into the episode for practical tips, advice and a guided meditation you can try at home: https://bit.ly/46Sy3Bc

Today, MJFF Board member Ryan Reynolds opens up on the cover of PEOPLE Magazine | PEOPLE.com and sheds light on his family’s journey with Parkinson’s disease. Ryan and his mother Tammy, part of the educational #MoretoParkinsons campaign, provide a candid conversation as loved ones caring for their father and husband James (Jim) Reynolds who lived with Parkinson’s disease and experienced hallucinations and delusions. Ryan shares, “At the time I just thought, ‘My dad’s losing his mind.’ My father was really slipping down a rabbit hole where he was struggling to differentiate between reality and fiction.” Not everyone with Parkinson’s disease experiences hallucinations or delusions. Like all Parkinson’s symptoms, if, when and to what degree they occur varies from person to person. But it’s normal and perfectly understandable to worry about the possibility of these symptoms. Learn more about what these symptoms can look like, how to talk about hallucinations and delusions with loved ones and doctors and what medication and non-medication strategies may help you and your care partners ease these symptoms. https://bit.ly/3X4LqLx

Deadline Approaching: Neurology residents are invited to join us in Chicago this fall for a free, expert-led course on research, care and careers in movement disorders. Apply by September 6th. bit.ly/4eixDav.

Evidence supports that dysfunction in the homeostasis of iron and other elements likely contributes to the pathophysiological mechanisms of Parkinson's disease, but we have yet to develop suitable elemental biomarkers for use in diagnosing and monitoring the progression of Parkinson's disease. In the latest episode of the Parkinson’s Research Podcast, Dr. Paul Lingor, Professor of Neurology at the Technical University of Munich, discusses his work to identify patterns of bioelements in CSF that could serve as PD biomarkers. Beyond CSF, he is also examining tear fluid as a potential biomarker source that is easier to collect. Listen to the episode now: https://bit.ly/4dC1REl *This podcast is geared toward researchers and clinicians. If you live with Parkinson’s or have a friend or family member with PD, listen to The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast. Hear from scientists, doctors and people with Parkinson's on different aspects of life with the disease as well as research toward treatment breakthroughs at https://lnkd.in/eAp9HDGe.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new, long-acting oral formulation for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Developed by Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Crexont is an extended-release formulation of levodopa/carbidopa that aims to alleviate symptoms longer with fewer doses and offer patients improved symptom control and a better quality of life. Read more about this treatment and the bustling pipeline of PD drugs: https://bit.ly/3yxZKTm

As an early career movement disorder clinician-researcher, Dr. Francesca Magrinelli has provided care to hundreds of patients, conducted research on the genetics of early-onset Parkinson’s disease and carried out genetic testing in low-income communities. Dr. Magrinelli is one of 40 movement disorder specialists to graduate from the Edmond J. Safra Fellowship in Movement Disorders to date and credits the program for laying the foundation for her career. This fellowship annually funds academic centers worldwide to identify and train a new movement disorder clinician-researcher over a two-year period. Applications for the next funding cycle are now open. Learn more and apply: bit.ly/3WDekke

Last week, Representative Jennifer Wexton and Gus Bilirakis introduced the HEALTHY BRAINS Act, a new bill that would direct the federal government to research the link between environmental risk factors, like exposure to toxic chemicals, and neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s. Millions of Americans, including those living with Parkinson’s and their families, stand to benefit from a concerted federal effort to better understand and identify the effects of dangerous and harmful environmental risks. Representatives Wexton and Bilirakis were both instrumental in getting the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act across the finish line, and we’re so grateful to them for continuing to champion the Parkinson’s community in Congress with this new bill! Take a minute to urge your representatives to support the HEALTHY BRAINS Act: https://bit.ly/3YuXjLK Photo Credit: Brian Thorpe