Stanford PD Community Blog

Stanford Parkinson's Community
You are here: Home / Archives for Featured

“A New Path to Parkinson’s Prevention and Treatment” – Speaker Notes

By

Portrait painting of Dr. Ray Dorsey holding a molecular model of trichloroethylene with two black carbon atoms, three blue chlorine atoms, and one white hydrogen atom
Dr. Ray Dorsey with a molecular model of trichloroethylene (TCE), a degreasing chemical linked to increased Parkinson’s risk.

Dr. Ray Dorsey, director of the Center for Brain and Environment at the Atria Health and Research Institute, visited the Bay Area in January 2026 as part of his national book tour for “The Parkinson’s Plan,” (pdplan.org), co-authored with Dr. Michael Okun. Stanford’s APDA Information & Referral Center hosted Dr. Dorsey at two local venues. During the two talks, Dr. Dorsey presented the hypothesis: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is not a natural consequence of aging but an unnatural one, driven primarily by environmental chemical exposures, not by genetics. 

… Full Story>

“Gut-Brain & Parkinson’s Disease” – Notes from Stanford Seminar, January 10, 2026

By

Side-profile medical illustration of a semi-transparent male body showing the brain and digestive organs in warm tones against a dark background. Created with DALL-E.

On January 10, 2026, Stanford Medicine hosted a seminar on “Gut-Brain & Parkinson’s Disease”, exploring how the gastrointestinal tract may hold the key to both the origin and early detection of the disease.  This seminar shared the latest between bioengineering and clinical neurology, presenting a compelling case for the “Body-First” hypothesis—the idea that Parkinson’s pathology may begin in the gut due to environmental triggers before reaching the brain.  The featured Stanford speakers in different fields included movement disorder neurologists Dr. Kathleen Poston and Dr. Bianca Palushaj, neurogastroenterologist Dr. Leila Neshatian, and researcher Yasmine Kehnemouyi, PhD candidate, and ended with a panel moderated by bioengineer Dr. Todd Coleman.   These are notes from the seminar. 

… Full Story>

Life Hacks from People Living with Parkinson’s

By

Puzzle in the shape of a brain with a hand using a magnifying glass to find the missing pieces
source: Brian Grant Foundation

In October 2025, the Brian Grant Foundation (BGF) hosted a webcast featuring three Parkinson’s advocates sharing their personal practical tips, tricks, and adaptive tools that make daily life easier. The panelists—Bryce Perry (podcaster, diagnosed at 40), Brian Campkin (advocate and podcast co-host, diagnosed in 2018), and Kat Hill (author and co-founder of the Women’s Parkinson’s Project, diagnosed at 48)—discussed everything from medication reminders to travel hacks, all moderated by Amy Lavallee of BGF.

What made this session special? They’re real strategies from people living with Parkinson’s every day.

… Full Story>

Dementia Caregiver Resources

By

In the middle to late stages, it is common for Parkinson’s to cause changes in cognitive function, including forgetfulness and trouble with concentration. One large study found that about three-quarters of people who live with Parkinson’s for more than 10 years will develop dementia.

Caregiving for someone with Parkinson’s and dementia is stressful, which can negatively impact health. Learning how to best communicate with someone who has dementia and to manage dementia behaviors will reduce caregiver stress. The resources listed here provides tips from experts and other dementia caregivers so you can more calmly and confidently care for your loved one.

… Full Story>

PSP and CBD Overview – Webinar – August 28, 2025

By

Niyatee Samudra, MD
Niyatee Samudra, MD

On Thursday, August 28, from 3-4:30pm PT, Stanford behavioral neurologist Niyatee Samudra, MD, will give an overview of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). She will cover how PSP and CBD are diagnosed, the most common symptoms, and how these symptoms can be treated.

… Full Story>

About

© 2025 Stanford PD Community Blog

 

Archive