The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

Each day, staff at The Michael J. Fox Foundation pursue a cure for Parkinson’s disease while supporting the needs of patients and families. This film, directed by Nelle Fortenberry, Michael J. Fox’s longtime producing partner and MJFF Board member, is a snapshot of a day in 2022 at MJFF. Watch how our work on that one day came to fruition: https://lnkd.in/grkid_MQ

On Saturday, we kicked off our first Parkinson’s IQ + You (PDIQ) event of 2025 in Central Florida. Over 600 community members — including people with Parkinson’s, care partners and loved ones — came together to learn about managing the disease, explore helpful tools and resources, hear from experts and have their questions answered. A special thank you to Allison Signorelli, our new event moderator, for leading these impactful conversations and helping educate the community at every stage of their Parkinson’s journey. Register for an upcoming PDIQ event in a city near you: https://lnkd.in/eqv9cVdT

A new article collection has launched in npj Parkinson's Disease on AI-assisted identification of novel multimodal neuroimaging markers and underlying mechanisms in PD. This collection explores how AI is revolutionizing early diagnosis, prognosis and treatment monitoring in Parkinson's. The collection is now accepting manuscript submissions for a special collection on Parkinson’s disease progression and heterogeneity. From advanced imaging techniques to multimodal data integration, it covers the latest innovations transforming PD management. MJFF's Barbara Marebwa, PhD, Senior Scientific Portfolio Manager and others will serve as Guest Editors for this exciting initiative. We invite all researchers, clinicians and AI enthusiasts to contribute their insights and help shape the future of Parkinson's disease care. Submission deadline: July 13, 2025 Learn more and submit your work today: https://lnkd.in/e_2NMAac

At The Michael J. Fox Foundation, collaboration with leading scientists is essential to driving breakthroughs. Our global network of scientific advisors helps shape and implement our research strategy, ensuring that promising ideas advance toward real-world impact. Each year, we recognize an outstanding advisor whose dedication has significantly contributed to our shared goals. This year, we are proud to present the J. William Langston Award to Ian Reynolds, PhD, president of YaghPenn Consulting BV. Reynolds' dedication to supporting scientific advancement is evident in his unwavering commitment to application reviews and assessments for MJFF programs. Beyond evaluations, he works directly with applicants to strengthen their experimental plans, maximizing their chances of success. We are incredibly fortunate to have Dr. Reynolds as a member of our advisory team and grateful for his invaluable contributions. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eYiJwGBS

Last week, we gathered more than 250 friends and supporters together for MJFF's It Will Take All of Us to Cure Parkinson’s luncheon event in Palm Beach. It was an inspiring afternoon of discussion on today's latest research and care advancements with the support of our special guest 60 Minutes Correspondent and longtime Foundation friend Lesley Stahl and our expert panelists MJFF Patient Council member Allison Signorelli and her husband Michael Signorelli and MJFF principal medical advisor Rachel Dolhun, MD, DipABLM. Huge thanks to our co-chairs, Marlene and Martin Silver and Bonnie and Tom Strauss, our leadership committee and all who joined us for the tremendous support and dedication of moving The Michael J. Fox Foundation's mission forward.

Did you know that smell loss can be one of the earliest signals of Parkinson’s disease, revealing changes in the brain long before motor symptoms begin? Join us for a webinar on Thursday, March 20, at 12 p.m. ET, where our expert panel will discuss how smell is linked to brain health and how people with smell loss can play a critical role in understanding Parkinson’s disease whether they live with the disease or not. Tune in and have your questions answered live: https://lnkd.in/e5gtfGTg

In February 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first adaptive, or self-adjusting, deep brain stimulation (DBS) system for Parkinson’s — the Medtronic Percept. This advance brings enhanced capabilities to the existing Percept system, which was first approved in 2020. It not only senses brain signals linked to motor symptoms, but also adjusts stimulation in response to those signals, in real time, to more evenly control symptoms. The Michael J. Fox Foundation provided funding for the earliest stages of research into this new technology, providing the crucial de-risking support that is the bridge between early research and innovations that improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s. To learn more about adaptive DBS, read our Ask the MD blog: https://lnkd.in/eCTv8KVx

A recent study published in BMJ has sparked conversation, estimating that by 2050, more than 25 million people will be living with Parkinson’s. The study points to an aging global population as the primary driver of the growth in cases, and the authors note that the rise represents a growing public health challenge. These numbers are just estimates, though. As MJFF’s Chief Science Officer Brian Fiske, PhD, explains, “There are important unknowns that prevent a pinpoint calculation. We have imperfect measurements and so we are often stuck with imperfect estimates.” Factors like environmental exposures, underdiagnosis and evolving disease definitions all play a role in shaping these numbers. MJFF continues its own work to better understand Parkinson’s impact, from efforts to facilitate state governments creating registries to track cases to partnerships across the field to determine economic burden. This estimate contributes to a broader picture of Parkinson’s, and while it may not be able to fully pinpoint the growth of PD, it certainly points to the importance of efforts towards a cure. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eSvidGW5

Charitable giving can be a powerful tool for making an impact — and a smart financial decision. But how do you incorporate philanthropy into your estate plan in a way that aligns with your goals?    Join estate planning attorneys Jeryll Cohen, Esq. and Joi Morris, Esq. from Saul Ewing LLP, for a virtual conversation on philanthropy and estate planning hosted by The Michael J. Fox Foundation. They’ll break down strategies to maximize your giving while providing tax advantages.    Key takeaways:  ✔️ Tax-efficient ways to incorporate philanthropy into your estate plan  ✔️ Giving strategies that align with your financial goals  ✔️ How your support fuels Parkinson’s research for the future    📅 Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 12 p.m. ET.    Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from experts. Register now at https://lnkd.in/eBJQRYWQ  

More than 1 million people live with Parkinson’s in the U.S. today, and millions more — care partners, friends and family members — are touched by the disease. That’s why Rich and Pola Sussman work together to urge the government to help end Parkinson's disease for good. Honor your loved ones by joining our advocacy efforts: https://lnkd.in/emRp9H82