Lewy Bodies, Dementia, and Parkinson’s – What Does it all Mean?

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

Understanding Cognitive Challenges in Parkinson’s Disease: PDD vs. DLB Cognitive challenges are a very common non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s...see more disease (PD). When the cognitive challenges are severe enough to interfere with daily activity, they are known as Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). You may have heard of another condition called Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). Although […]

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What Worsens Parkinson’s Disease’s Motor Symptoms?

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

Understanding what factors may worsen Parkinson’s symptoms Many people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience variation in their motor symptoms...see more (e.g. tremor, stiffness, slowness, trouble walking, balance difficulties) throughout the day and from one day and the next. This variability is often related to medication dosing, and you and your doctor may focus on adjusting the […]

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Impulsive-compulsive behaviors in Parkinson’s disease

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

How Parkinson’s medications may affect behavior Dopaminergic medications (or medications that enhance the brain’s dopamine system) are the mainstay...see more of treatment for the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). These medications have the potential to dramatically improve the quality of life of someone with PD by improving slowness and stiffness, tremor, and gait difficulties – […]

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Medicinal plants, herbal remedies, and supplements for Parkinson’s disease symptoms 

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

Insights from Dr. Britt Stone on APDA’s Dr. Gilbert Hosts On a recent episode of APDA’s Dr. Gilbert Hosts, I spoke...see more with Dr. Britt Stone, a movement disorders specialist with a particular interest in herbal remedies, medicinal plants, and supplements and their use in Parkinson’s disease (PD). We covered a lot of ground during the broadcast and […]

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Questions About Blood Pressure Control & Parkinson’s Disease 

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

Exploring Parkinson’s Disease’s Impact on Blood Pressure Control On a recent episode of APDA’s Dr. Gilbert Hosts, I spoke...see more with Dr. Jose Palma, a doctor with expertise in autonomic dysfunction and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Autonomic dysfunction is common in PD and refers to the dysregulation of body functions that are not under conscious control such […]

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Questions About Urinary Dysfunction & Parkinson’s Disease

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

Exploring Parkinson’s Disease’s Impact on Urinary Dysfunction On a recent episode of APDA’s Dr. Gilbert Hosts, I spoke with...see more Dr. Victor Nitti, a urologist with expertise in Parkinson’s disease (PD). We covered a lot of ground during the broadcast and answered questions from the audience. It was a very informative conversation, and we encourage you […]

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Understanding Weakness in Parkinson’s disease

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

Muscle weakness and Parkinson’s disease It is common for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) to describe themselves as feeling...see more weak. They may say that their legs are “heavy”, feel like they’re “made out of lead”, or feel like they’re “in concrete.” And they may also feel weak all over or describe weakness in their hands […]

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Finger twitching as a possible first symptom of Parkinson’s

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

You will often hear that a person diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) first noticed something was “off” when a...see more finger (or fingers) started twitching. This twitching of the finger is also known as a tremor, which is a characteristic motor symptom of Parkinsons. Tremor is a rhythmic movement of a part of the body. A […]

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Drug-induced parkinsonism

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

What is drug-induced parkinsonism? The motor features of PD are often (but not always) very easy to see via a...see more neurologic exam in a doctor’s office. Rest tremor (which is a tremor that goes away with movement, but often returns when the limb is at rest) for example, is seen in virtually no other illness and can […]

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Determining Symptoms: Is it Parkinson’s Disease or Aging?

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

Is it a Parkinson’s symptom or a symptom of aging? As people age, they encounter new symptoms which may...see more interfere with quality of life. The same is true for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The tricky thing is that there are many similar symptoms between the two causes! Often people with PD are left wondering: […]

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