Join our Palo Alto Parkinson’s Support Group meeting on Wednesday, February 11, 2:30pm, as we host Dr. Bianca Palushaj, Stanford movement disorder specialist. Her topic is “Rethinking the Gut in Parkinson’s Disease.” Dr. Palushaj will give an overview of the microbiome. She will discuss what she and Stanford colleagues have learned in their research of those with PD and healthy household members. If you live in Northern or Central California, we welcome you.
Dr. Palushaj will share that the guts of those with PD don’t just have overgrown “bad” bacteria, they have less bacteria in their guts overall. Further, those with PD are severely depleted of “good” bacteria. She will also note what gut-brain studies at Stanford are recruiting for participants (both those with PD and healthy controls).
Attendees may ask questions via the Q&A box or chat.
About the Palo Alto PD Support Group
We believe that a well-informed community is a healthier community! Our Palo Alto PD Support Group has guest speakers each month, in a webinar format. Speakers are Stanford healthcare professionals and others who highlight local resources. The virtual meetings are on the second Wednesday, 2:30-4pm PT. Speaker presentations are usually recorded and shared online.
Do you live in Northern or Central California?
Join the Palo Alto group’s email list for announcements about speakers.
Questions?
Email the group leader, Robin Riddle.
Stanford’s Recent Gut-Brain in PD Seminar
Earlier in January 2026, Stanford hosted a Gut-Brain in PD Seminar. Dr. Palushaj spoke at that seminar along with other specialists and researchers. Check out our extensive notes and summaries of the talks.
About the Speaker
Dr. Bianca Palushaj is a board-certified, fellowship-trained neurologist at Stanford Health Care and an instructor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology and Neurological Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. She specializes in movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, atypical parkinsonian disorders, essential tremor, and dystonia, while also focusing on disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) that often accompany neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Palushaj emphasizes holistic care, considering how factors like sleep, stress, diet, and daily habits impact the microbiome, gut, brain, and overall well-being.
Her research aims to enhance understanding and treatment of Parkinson’s disease, particularly the gut-brain connection, the role of the gut microbiome, and inflammation. She has explored non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as gastrointestinal dysfunction, using noninvasive wearable technologies. Dr. Palushaj has published in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to integrative medicine books, presenting her findings at various conferences and speaking to Parkinson’s support groups in Northern California. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Neurology and the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.