Dealing with Parkinson's Disease

  The HEALTHY BRAINS Act (H.R. 7779) is a bipartisan effort to strengthen federal action on brain health and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s. It would create new research centers focused on toxic exposures, prevention, education, and national data sharing. Tell Congress to support the HEALTHY BRAINS Act in order to:   • Strengthen collaboration among researchers, health professionals, patients and caregivers • Improve education on reducing toxic exposures and environmental risks  • Expand research training and prevention strategies  • Build national data infrastructure to drive solutions Your voice matters. Learn more and take action today: http://apda.link/HR7779 #Parkinsons #PDResearch #PDAwareness #ParkinsonsDisease #NeurologicalDisorders #Neurology #Neurological  reposted from APDA

Parkinson news from Kirsten Gillibrand’s New York Minute Fighting for the Older Americans Act The  Older Americans Act  (OAA) is critical to support Americans living with aging-related diseases, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. At this week’s Aging Committee hearing, Kirsten heard from witnesses about the importance of OAA-funded programs like nutrition assistance, home care, transportation assistance, and community engagement in helping millions of Americans live with dignity and independence. She called for the reauthorization of the OAA to continue these vital support programs. Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her at  gillibrand.senate.gov

 You are invited to participate in a research study about social connections and attitudes about aging in people with Parkinson’s disease ( PD ).   Your participation is voluntary. If you choose to participate, you will be taken to a website to complete an online survey about social connections and attitudes about aging. The survey is expected to take between 30 and 45 minutes.  Take survey here .

The Healing Rhythm: Exploring the Profound Connection Between Music and Parkinson’s Disease Music is more than entertainment. It’s a form of communication, an emotional outlet, and—according to growing scientific evidence—a powerful therapeutic tool. For individuals living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), music can do something remarkable: it can help the brain reconnect with the body. As Parkinson’s continues to affect millions worldwide, researchers and therapists are increasingly exploring how music, rhythm, and movement can aid in both symptom management and emotional well-being. The link between the brain and music is proving to be not just profound, but potentially transformative. Parkinson’s Disease and the Disruption of Rhythm Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder marked by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing neurons, primarily in the basal ganglia. This part of the brain plays a critical role in coordinating movement, and its disruption leads to hallmark PD sympto...

A Closer Look at Progress and Politics In December 2022, Congress passed a bipartisan bill that established the National Parkinson’s Project—a bold, long-overdue initiative aimed at preventing, diagnosing, treating, and ultimately curing Parkinson’s disease. The legislation, inspired in part by the success of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA), was welcomed with hope by the millions of Americans affected by Parkinson’s, as well as their families, caregivers, and advocates. But more than two years later, one has to ask: what tangible steps have been taken since this landmark legislation passed? And how has the ever-shifting political landscape affected the implementation of this ambitious project? Promising Words, But Where’s the Action? The National Parkinson’s Project promised a coordinated, whole-of-government approach, including a federal advisory council to oversee and guide progress. This council was meant to bring together scientists, clinicians, government offici...

Big news just in from Michael J. Fox foundation The U.S. Senate today unanimously passed the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act, the first-ever federal legislation dedicated to ending Parkinson’s disease, sending the bill to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives last December.  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announces the passage of the National Plan to End Parkinson's Act in the Senate. On behalf of the 1 million people living with Parkinson’s disease in the U.S. and their families, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) applauds Congress for this historic step forward in search of improved treatments, and ultimately, a cure for every patient impacted by this disease today and in the future.   The Parkinson’s community — including tens of thousands of Parkinson’s policy advocates, partner organizations and champions in Congress — rallied...

Researchers at Cardiff University are hoping to launch a study to discover if there is clinical evidence that drumming classes are improving the lives of Parkinson’s disease patients. Parkinson’s disease is more than just a tremor. It’s a slow, exhausting loss—of movement, balance, speech, even parts of the mind. It creeps in, day by day, because the brain is losing nerve cells that make dopamine—a chemical that helps control both motion and mood. That’s why people with Parkinson’s often struggle with walking, standing up, or simply turning around. Some experience sudden “freezing,” where their feet won’t move at all, especially in tight spaces like doorways. Over time, many also face memory problems and cognitive decline from Parkinson’s-related dementia. But in a quiet corner of Wales, something unexpected is helping: samba music . Sparky Samba: Finding Rhythm in a Body That’s Lost It Eirwen Malin knows Parkinson’s disease firsthand. She lives with it. After her son attended a sam...

Parkinson's Unity Walk Saturday April 27th 2024 • 8:30am - 1pm, Central Park, New York, NY The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) is thrilled to bring you the 2024 Parkinson’s Unity Walk on Saturday, April 27th, in New York City’s Central Park. Enjoy programming at the Bandshell, explore informational booths featuring industry representatives, national and local groups, and participate in a 1.2-mile walk. Families and friends of all ages and abilities are welcome for all portions of the event! Let’s come together and walk to end Parkinson’s! This year, the Parkinson's Unity Walk will be celebrating 30 years of joining as a community and walking together to end Parkinson's disease! Location: Central Park, NYC - Naumburg Bandshell Entrance at East 72nd Street. & Fifth Avenue Unity Walk Route Map Free Registration More info on michaeljfox.org/unitywalk

New Study Finds That Gut Microbiome Changes May Be an Early Sign of Parkinson's Disease Long Before Traditional Symptoms Appear The researchers hope these initial findings can help lead to earlier diagnosis (and treatment) of the neurodegenerative disease. A new study published May 2, 2023 in the journal Nature Communications reveals another possible way we might be able to spot Parkinson's disease early—and even before noticeable symptoms arise. According to this research, there are noticeable changes in the gut microbiota during the earliest stages of Parkinson's disease, and this may help doctors diagnose and offer targeted treatment before the disease progresses further. Read article on  eatingwell

April 11 is World Parkinson's Day and April is Parkinson's Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness and advance research toward better therapies and a cure for Parkinson's disease (PD). It's also a day to signal your commitment to a future without PD. Rally your friends and family to make a donation to support PD groups, affordable treatments and finding a cure! About Parkinson's Disease (PD) The symptoms of Parkinson’s are mainly from the loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells which control movement. Low levels of dopamine affect how your body moves, making day-to-day activities such as eating, getting dressed or using everyday objects like a phone or computer difficult. The symptoms typically associated with Parkinson’s are tremor, muscle stiffness and slowness of movement, but nothing about PD is typical, everyone will have varied experiences. Parkinson’s can cause a wide range of non-movement related symptoms including chronic pain, sleep disturbance, ...

SCRIPPS News: Man with Parkinson's uses high tech devices to treat symptoms, continue liiving his life. 80% of Parkinson's patients suffer from a symptom called "freezing of gait." It’s when people suddenly lose the ability to take a step.  SOURCE

I am raising money for the Parkinson's Unity Walk via Facebook fundraising .  I've chosen this nonprofit because their mission spreads awareness of Parkinson's Disease and distributes to the research organizations listed below. I hope you'll consider contributing. Every little bit will help me reach my goal. I've included information about Parkinson's Unity Walk below. www.facebook.com/donate/468755728571510/ The Parkinson’s Unity Walk is the largest single-day grassroots fundraiser for Parkinson’s disease research in the United States. Our mission has always been to raise money for Parkinson’s disease research. Thanks to our supporters and sponsors, more than $26.5 million in donations have been raised since the first Unity Walk in 1994 -- 100% of which has funded hundreds of research studies, taking us steps closer to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease. All donations are distributed to the following four organizations for the sole purpose of funding ...