In mid-March, the UCSF Memory and Aging Center (MAC) offered a webinar on Lewy body dementia (LBD), featuring William Mantyh, MD, a UCSF neurologist who researches the genetic causes of various dementias. It was the first in an ongoing series about LBD. Dr. Mantyh provided an overview of LBD symptoms and diagnosis, including autonomic issues; explained our current understanding of the causes and risks; and outlined the available treatments. We at Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach listened to the webinar and are sharing our notes.  

In mid-March, EndingPD.org offered the first webinar in a series on the recent launch of the book Ending Parkinson’s Disease: A Prescription for Action. The webinar featured Ray Dorsey, MD, a neurologist at the University of Rochester and book co-author. He briefly touched on general recommendations for the COVID-19 pandemic before discussing the reasons for the continuing rise in cases of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and what we can do to prevent – and, someday, end – PD.  We at Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach listened to the webinar and are sharing our notes.  

In late December 2019, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offered a webinar on frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), which includes two atypical parkinsonism disorders: corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). The speaker was Sharon Denny, Senior Director of Programs for the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD). She discussed the different FTD syndromes; the types of changes and complex care needs that can occur; and the impacts on the family and caregivers. We at Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach listened to the webinar and are sharing our notes. Our summary focuses on the two atypical parkinsonism disorders – CBD and PSP – which we felt would be of interest to some readers.

In late February 2020, the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) offered a webinar on sex, love, and Parkinson’s disease (PD).  The panel of speakers included a person with PD, a professor of geriatrics, and a certified sex therapist. They discussed how PD can impact sexual function; the different sexual changes that men and women experience; how medications can impact sex; and strategies and treatments for sexual disfunction in PD. This was followed by an extensive Q&A session. We at Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach listened to the webinar and are sharing our notes.  

On January 6, the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) hosted a webinar called “Ask Us Anything,” with members of their leadership available to answer questions about Parkinson’s disease. They tackled questions that are frequently asked, such as how close scientists are to a cure for PD, as well as more specific inquiries, such as the purpose of a DaTscan or the use of mannitol. We at Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach listened to the webinar and are sharing our notes.