In April 2022, the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Massachusetts Chapter hosted a webinar with urologist Dr. Linda Ng on bladder issues in PD.  Dr. Ng identified common bladder symptoms, broken into two categories – storage and voiding.     She described quality-of-life impacts that bladder symptoms can have, including limiting physical activity, causing a loss of self esteem, limiting and planning travel around toilet accessibility, and absences from work. And Dr. Ng discussed potential behavioral, medical, and surgical solutions.  To treat bladder issues, Dr. Ng recommends visiting a urologist.

In April 2022, the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) hosted a webinar on walking with music as a part of the “Let’s Keep Moving” series.  Physical therapist Dr. Tim Nordahl noted that audible cues can improve movement.  This is best and most easily done through the use of a metronome or music.  Dr. Nordahl addressed the benefits of walking with music for people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and different device options to be able to do so.  

In April 2022, the Parkinson Foundation hosted a webinar with movement disorder specialist Dr. Joash Lazarus on possible treatments for slowing the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD).  In this webinar, Dr. Lazarus discussed the neuroprotective possibilities of treatments such as rasagiline, levodopa, deep brain stimulation, and the impact of exercise on PD progression.  He said that the best treatment for PD that puts the brakes on progression and is neuroprotective is exercise.  

In March 2022, the World Parkinson Coalition (WPC) hosted a webinar on genetics in Parkinson’s disease (PD) with neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Singleton.  Dr. Singleton discussed how genetics can influence the onset and progression of PD, and what other risk factors exist.  PD is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.  Genetic factors account for 25% of risk on average.  Additionally, Dr. Singleton explained how genetic research is conducted.