Understanding levodopa-induced dyskinesias: APDA-funded research published 

Congratulations to our 2020 APDA Research Grant Awardee Dr. Karen Jaunarajs for her work on understanding levodopa induced dyskinesias....see more Her study was recently published in Journal of Neuroscience. Dr. Jaunarajs works closely with Dr. David Standaert, Chairman of APDA’s Scientific Advisory Board, and the Chairman of University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Neurology, which […]

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How alpha-synuclein affects brain cell communication: APDA-funded research published

In a recently published study, Dr. Gary Ho, a recipient of APDA’s most prestigious George C. Cotzias grant, studied...see more the role of alpha-synuclein in the formation and recycling of synaptic vesicles, the system that allows nerves to talk to each other. Abnormally aggregated alpha-synuclein is a main component of the Lewy body which is the […]

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A Tribute to Dr. Mahlon DeLong

Parkinson’s pioneer and friend Dr. Mahlon DeLong was a pioneer in the Parkinson’s disease (PD) field and a dear...see more friend and longtime partner of the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA). He sadly passed away on May 17, 2024. In tribute to Dr. DeLong, we reflect on the remarkable life and career of a man who […]

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The Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act has passed through both Houses of Congress!

Breaking news! This week, the Senate passed the Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson’s...see more Act! Now that the bill has passed through both houses of Congress, it heads to the President’s desk where it will be signed into law!  Here is some history about the National Plan: In 2022, the […]

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Could drugs like Ozempic help people with Parkinson’s disease? 

The Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist lixisenatide and its potential role in treating PD. GLP-1 agonists are molecules that are...see more approved for use to treat type 2 diabetes (you may be familiar with brand names like Ozempic and Weygovy). They act by mimicking human gut hormones or incretins to stimulate the release of insulin. Receptors for […]

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Skin Biopsy Update: The latest news re: efficacy and usefulness in Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, now and in the future 

Skin Biopsy Update: The latest news re: efficacy and usefulness in Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, now and in the future ...see more A newly published study assessed the ability of a skin biopsy to diagnose Parkinson’s disease (PD) and related disorders and demonstrated that it was very accurate in distinguishing between those who had the disorders and those […]

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A new device dramatically improves freezing of gait in an individual with PD

Freezing of gait (FOG) is an abnormal gait pattern that can accompany Parkinson’s disease (PD) as well as other parkinsonian...see more disorders in which there are sudden, short, and temporary episodes of an inability to move the feet forward despite the intention to walk. These episodes can significantly  interfere in daily life and can result in falls. Treatments […]

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Spinal Cord Stimulation as Potential Treatment for Gait Issues

Gait impairment can be a significant challenge as Parkinson’s disease (PD) advances, with balance problems, frequent falls, and freezing...see more of gait impeding quality of life. Often these challenges do not respond to increased amounts of PD medication or deep brain stimulation (DBS). In recent years, electrical stimulation of the spinal cord has been a research […]

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