The Parkinson and Movement Disorder (PMD) Alliance hosted a webinar on swallowing disorders by speaker Courtney Brimm, MS, CCC-SLP, a licensed speech-language pathologist at the Yavapai Regional Medical Center in Prescott Valley, AZ. She described how normal swallowing works, potential causes of swallowing problems (dysphagia), possible impacts of dysphagia on quality of life, and recommendations for next steps and ways to manage this condition. We at Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach listened to the webinar and are sharing our notes. If you are looking for further information about dysphagia, check out our list of resources. The webinar will be uploaded to PMD Alliance’s YouTube channel If you wish to contact the speaker or have any questions about
APDA’s Free Online PD Training for Fitness Professionals Can Help Families Too
We at the Stanford APDA (American Parkinson Disease Association) Information & Referral Center recently explored a free online training available from the APDA for fitness professionals to learn more about working with patients who have Parkinson’s disease (PD). Exercise is essential for those living with PD, but not everyone has access to a personal trainer or wellness coach who is already experienced with the disease. This one- to two-hour training can help fitness professionals become familiar with the basic symptoms of PD; understand the benefits clients can receive from exercise; put together useful, appropriate exercise programs at different stages of the disease; and ensure client safety during exercise. Information in the training can also be helpful for those working out
“Naturopathic Approach to Parkinson’s Disease” – Webinar Notes
The Parkinson and Movement Disorder (PMD) Alliance hosted a webinar on the "Naturopathic Approach to PD" by speaker Dr. Laurie Mischley, a naturopathic doctor who has done extensive research into nutrient deficiencies found in Parkinson’s disease (PD). She spoke about naturopathic medicine, essential nutrients in PD, and other types of deficiencies that patients should also try to address, such as sleep and social interaction. We at Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach listened to the webinar and are sharing our notes.
Research Summary: Basket Trials and Neurodegenerative Disease
A recent drug trial by the UCSF Memory and Aging Center is the first of its kind for neurodegenerative disorders and represents an exciting new method for evaluating the effectiveness of a single drug on participants with the same underlying biology, but different diagnoses. First used in cancer research, basket trials lump together patients by disease pathology, not by diagnosis or symptoms. The UCSF trial evaluated the effectiveness of a drug, TPI-287, in treating toxic buildup of tau protein in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AZ), corticobasal syndrome (CBS), and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). While the drug ultimately did not show promise, scientists still drew useful takeaways from the study, and future studies of neurodegenerative disease may benefit
“Can we repair the brain in Parkinson’s Disease?” – Webinar Notes
A recent webinar from Neuroscience News & Research (NNR), part of Technology Networks, featured neurologist Dr. Roger Barker from the University of Cambridge (UK). Dr. Barker discussed the present state and future potential of therapies that could allow for actual healing of the brain in Parkinson’s disease (PD). We at Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach listened to the webinar and are sharing our notes.