Substantial Matters: Life & Science of Parkinson's

Questions to Ask When Considering Deep Brain Stimulation

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The standard treatment plan for Parkinson's disease (PD) typically begins with medications to help manage symptoms. As the disease progresses, sympto...

Improving Safety and Parkinson's Care in the Hospital

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

People with Parkinson's disease (PD) are at a higher risk of being hospitalized and often face even greater challenges once admitted. Of the more than...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Manejo de los periodos en "off" en el Parkinson

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Cuando los síntomas del Parkinson están bajo control durante el día, esto se conoce como estar en "on". Cuando los efectos del(lo...

Breakthroughs Take Time: Looking at the Future of Parkinson's Research

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There is still much to learn about Parkinson's disease (PD), and it remains an ongoing challenge for scientists and researchers. The Parkinson's Fou...

Prioritizing Parkinson's Care

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One of the key missions of the Parkinson's Foundation is to increase access to high-quality care for everyone living with and affected by Parkinson's ...

Conversations with Our Loved Ones

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Caregiving takes many forms — from spouses, family members and friends providing daily, hands-on care, to those supporting from a distance to indiv...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Envejecer juntos en casa: Apoyo a aliados en el cuidado y familias

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Noviembre es el Mes Nacional de Cuidadores Familiares, una época para honrar a quienes cuidan desinteresadamente de sus seres queridos. Este año, la...

Finding Relief: Bladder Issues in Parkinson's

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Many people with Parkinson's disease experience urinary or bladder issues at some point in their journey. These symptoms can take different forms and ...

Stories From Our Volunteers

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our Parkinson's Foundation Ambassadors are the backbone of our outreach, bringing awareness about Parkinson's disease (PD) directly into local communi...

Allied Health Spotlight: Partnering with an Occupational Therapist

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Allied health professionals are a group of healthcare providers whose role and expertise complement the work of physicians. They include specialists ...

What to Know Before Taking Nutritional Supplements for Parkinson's

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

People with Parkinson's disease (PD) may hear, whether through word of mouth or the internet, about herbs or supplements that claim to ease PD symptom...

Make Every Minute Count: Optimizing Your Parkinson's Doctor Visits

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Medical appointments can feel overwhelming – there may be many questions on your mind and not enough time to address everything with your doctor. Pr...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Paso a paso: encontrar el equilibrio con Parkinson

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Las caídas y los problemas de equilibrio son frecuentes en el Parkinson, sobre todo a medida que avanza la enfermedad. Estos síntomas pueden dific...

Understanding Depression, Anxiety, and Apathy

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Depression, anxiety, and apathy are common symptoms that are often overlooked in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Nearly half of those living wit...

Maintaining Independence When Living Alone with Parkinson's

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Living alone with Parkinson's disease (PD) presents daily challenges, but it also offers certain benefits, such as the independence to contr...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Consejos prácticos y recursos para vivir bien con Parkinson

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

La línea de ayuda de la Parkinson's Foundation cuenta con personal de enfermería, trabajadores sociales y educadores de la salud. Están disponib...

The Role of Caregivers in Parkinson's Dementia

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Thinking and memory changes, also known as cognitive changes, may become more noticeable as Parkinson's disease (PD) progresses. If these symptoms be...

Allied Health Spotlight: The Challenges of Speech and Swallowing Issues

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Allied health professionals are a group of healthcare providers whose role and expertise complement the work of physicians. These include specialists ...

Reframing Your Thoughts with Mindfulness

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mindfulness is the intentional act of paying attention to one's body, sensations, thoughts, feelings, or surroundings in the present moment, without j...

The Evolution of PD GENEration for Genetic Testing & Counseling

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Parkinson's Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. The Fo...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Los desafíos del habla y la deglución

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Los profesionales de la salud aliados son un grupo de profesionales médicos cuya función y conocimientos complementan la labor de los médicos. Ent...

Listening to the Voices of Our Parkinson's Caregivers

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Each November, the Parkinson's Foundation joins organizations across the country to honor care partners for National Family Caregivers Month. In this ...

Current Tools for Receiving a Parkinson's Diagnosis

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a "clinical" diagnosis, based on a person's medical history, symptoms, and physical exam. Although certain laboratory or i...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Alucinaciones y delusiones en el Parkinson

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Alrededor de un 20-40% de las personas con Parkinson experimentan algún tipo de alucinación o delusión en algún momento de su recorrido por la en...

Allied Health Spotlight: Physical Therapy Recommendations for Exercising Safely

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Allied health professionals are a group of healthcare providers whose role and expertise complement the work of physicians. These include specialists...

Introducing Our Hospital Safety Guide

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A hospital stay can be a stressful situation for everyone, whether you are the person receiving care or the support person providing comfort.  Peopl...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Colaborando con los trabajadores de salud comunitaria

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Los trabajadores de salud comunitaria (TSC o CHW, por sus siglas en inglés) o promotores ayudan a cerrar la brecha entre los profesionales de la salu...

Implications of Gene-Based Therapies for Parkinson's Disease

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gene-based therapy for Parkinson's disease is an area of research that is currently being developed. It works by introducing genetic material into th...

Celebrating Our Parkinson's Foundation Volunteers

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This month, we are honoring and celebrating our Parkinson's Foundation volunteers. Every volunteer helps make a difference in the everyday lives of p...

Exploring Carbidopa-Levodopa for Treating Parkinson's Symptoms

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Carbidopa-levodopa is considered the "gold standard treatment" for Parkinson's disease. Levodopa works to replace levels of dopamine in the brain, th...

Navigating Disparities, Ethics, and Stigma in the Black Parkinson's Community

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Black and African American people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) face disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, potentially leading to d...

Community Conversations – Re(building) Trust and Sharing Resources

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Black and African American people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) face disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, potentially leading to d...

Reintroducing Our Podcast Moderator

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As we start the new year, we wanted to turn the tables on our podcast host and moderator, Dan Keller. Dan has hosted our Substantial Matters podcast s...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Navegar su cuidado en los inicios del diagnóstico

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recibir un diagnóstico de la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) puede ser una experiencia que cambie su vida, pero hay pasos que puede tomar desde el prin...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Cuidar de una madre con Parkinson

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Los cuidadores y aliados de cuidado brindan un apoyo inestimable a las personas que viven con la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP). Con el tiempo, el papel...

Caregiving Over the Years

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Parkinson's disease is a chronic and progressive disease that affects both the person with Parkinson's and the care partner. Considerations need to be...

Research Series: Getting Involved in Research with Young-Onset PD

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Early-onset, also called Young-onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD), affects about 4% of the one million people with Parkinson's disease (PD) in the Unite...

Atypical Parkinsonism Series: Unique Care Needs of PSP, CBD and MSA and Helpful Resources

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Considered "atypical Parkinsonian syndromes," over half of people with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and multi...

Atypical Parkinsonism Series: Treatment and Interdisciplinary Approach to Care

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Considered "atypical Parkinsonian syndromes," over half of people with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and multi...

Research Series: Parkinson's Foundation Expansion of PD GENEration to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Researchers have discovered several genes that are associated with the risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD). To better understand this relation...

Atypical Parkinsonism Series: Overview, Diagnosis and Prevalence

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Considered "atypical Parkinsonian syndromes," over half of people with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD)/corticoba...

Pump Therapy

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Typical treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) consists of oral levodopa/carbidopa, along with other oral medications. Although there is no one-size fi...

Research Series: Expanding PD GENEration

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Variants of several genes have been identified that raise the risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD). PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkin...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Los efectos del Parkinson sobre el sueño

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Existen diversas causas de los problemas del sueño que pueden experimentar las personas con Parkinson. Entre los trastornos del sueño más comunes e...

The Evolution of the Parkinson's Foundation Hospital Care Initiative

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Of the one million people living with Parkinson's disease (PD) in the United States, nearly one-third of them will have a hospital encounter each yea...

Sexuality from the Care Partner Perspective

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Intimacy is a significant part of any relationship, and sexuality is an important aspect of intimacy. Parkinson's disease (PD) can present challenges...

How People with PD Can Prepare for Routine Outpatient Procedures

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Since routine outpatient procedures may pose special needs and risks for someone with Parkinson's disease (PD), extra planning is in order for the pe...

The Link Between Art and Parkinson's Disease

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There's a new and greater understanding of the relationship of Parkinson's disease (PD) and art. Engaging in artistic practices can enhance mood, cog...

Strategies to Address Apathy and Exercise Motivation

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Besides being a movement disorder and affecting other physical functions, such as the digestive system, blood pressure control, and sleep, Parkinson'...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! La hospitalización con la enfermedad de Parkinson

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Las investigaciones han encontrado que 3 de cada 4 personas con la enfermedad de Parkinson no reciben medicamentos a tiempo cuando están internadas e...

Dispelling Myths of Palliative Care

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A common misconception is that palliative care implies hospice, when in fact, palliative care can and should be a component of the treatment of any s...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Opciones quirúrgicas en el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Parkinson

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Aunque los medicamentos suelen ayudar a minimizar las fluctuaciones motoras de la enfermedad de Parkinson, hay ocasiones en las que la medicación no ...

How Artificial Intelligence Can Detect Parkinson's from Breathing Patterns

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Historically and even today, Parkinson's disease (PD) is a clinical diagnosis, wherein a physician observes signs of the disease and an individual re...

How to Prevent Sudden "Off" Episodes

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"Off" episodes can become a troubling aspect of Parkinson's disease (PD), especially as the disease progresses. These are periods in the day when the...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Cambios en la vista relacionados con el Parkinson

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

La visión es uno de los sentidos que tenemos que está conectado directamente con el sistema nervioso central. Cuando hay alguna enfermedad neurológ...

Maximizing Resources with The Parkinson's Foundation Helpline

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With Parkinson's disease (PD), it's essential to know where to find a movement disorder neurologist, a physical or occupational therapist, social ser...

Parkinson's Disease in the Black Community

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An early Parkinson's diagnosis is the first step to getting Parkinson's symptoms under control and living well with Parkinson's. Getting a PD diagnos...

Treating Depression

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Parkinson's disease (PD) depression may be a biological part of the disease itself, resulting from PD-related changes in brain chemistry. Untreated de...

How to Cope with Blood Pressure Fluctuations

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Parkinson's disease (PD) affects several automatically regulated bodily functions, such as digestion, bowel activity, sweating, and blood pressure con...

Meet the Researcher: How Pesticides Impact Parkinson's

10 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Researchers are accumulating evidence about how the environment affects our health and our diseases – both our internal and external environments. A...

Being There for Your Parent with Parkinson's

27 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Adult children of a parent with Parkinson's disease (PD) often want to help their parent but do not know how to begin. If they get involved early, the...

How Social Workers Can Help Ease Anxiety about the Unknown

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The news of a Parkinson's diagnosis can be overwhelming. So many questions arise, including how it will change the person's life, what lies ahead, and...

What to Do When the Next Medical Appointment is Months Away

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Medical problems often do not follow a schedule, and it can be frustrating to get them addressed when the next doctor appointment is weeks or months a...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Crear un plan de autocuidado y por qué es importante para los cuidadores

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ser trabajadora social en una clínica significa ser parte del equipo médico y brindar atención a las personas que viven con Parkinson y a sus famil...

Community Care Programs for Care Partners

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Caregiving can be an intensive endeavor, not to mention the physical, mental, emotional, and even financial aspects of it. Just as people with Parkins...

Fall 2022 Moving Day at Home Program

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join community members from across the country for this virtual experience that allows you to move for Parkinson's from wherever you are! This program...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Cambios cognitivos

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cuando uno piensa en la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP), es fácil asociarla más con los síntomas motores, como la rigidez o el temblor; pero también ...

Medication-Induced Parkinsonism - How is it Different?

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode explores parkinsonism, a group of conditions with symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease, itself a neurological degenerative br...

CEO John Lehr Offers Broad Insight into the Parkinson's Foundation

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Past podcasts have given glimpses into the broad range of programs and initiatives that the Parkinson's Foundation has developed and supports. But to ...

Traveling with Parkinson's Disease

06 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Parkinson's disease (PD) can be an impediment to certain activities, but with proper planning, people can still pursue many of the things they have al...

Feeling Nausea with Parkinson's

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

People often view Parkinson's disease (PD) in terms of its motor symptoms, including slow movements, tremors, and stiffness. Often, these symptoms can...

Meet the Researcher: Disparities in PD Care

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As with many medical conditions, people with Parkinson's disease (PD) may experience disparities in access to care, in diagnosis, treatments, and anci...

Channeling Creativity Throughout the Parkinson's Journey

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Many people with Parkinson's disease (PD) continue to work, socialize, and enjoy life, making accommodations as necessary to fit the disease into thei...

Managing Comorbidities with Parkinson's Disease

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Just as people in the general population have to contend with various unrelated medical conditions, so may people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Such ...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Definición y manejo de la distonía

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

La distonía es un trastorno del movimiento que causa contracciones involuntarias de los músculos. Estas contracciones llevan a posturas anormales de...

Addressing the Unmet Needs of Women with PD

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Forty percent of people living with Parkinson's disease (PD) are women, but compared to men, they have a longer time to diagnosis, less access to neur...

Meet the Researcher: Gene Silencing to Prevent and Treat Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dyskinesia is a condition involving erratic, uncontrollable muscle movements such as twitches, jerks, twisting, or writhing of the face, arms, legs, o...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Los beneficios de la fisioterapia

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

En los últimos años, se han publicado varios estudios que sugieren que empezar la fisioterapia en las etapas tempranas de la enfermedad de Parkinson...

Using the New Parkinson's Exercise Recommendations as Part of Your Treatment Plan

17 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Regular exercise in its various forms is one of the most important things that people with Parkinson's disease (PD) can do for themselves. It can prom...

Medicare and Parkinson's Disease

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Medicare, the U.S. government health insurance program, covers more than 63 million people, with more than 49 million people also receiving prescripti...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Éxito de estudio: Viendo el ejercicio con un sentido de comunidad

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sabemos que existen otras cosas aparte de la medicina como parte del tratamiento para una persona con la enfermedad de Parkinson; por ejemplo, la acti...

Aging in Place

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As many people get older, they start to think about where they want to reside for the rest of their years. For many of them, that place is the home th...

Community Grant Recipient: Smile Through Art Program

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Among the many kinds of outreach and activities that help people with Parkinson's disease (PD), art programs are popular and beneficial. They can prov...

Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease: Lifestyle, Family, and Counseling

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Parkinson's disease (PD) does not exclusively affect the older population. In fact, about four percent of people with PD in the United States develope...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Navegando las emociones que acompañan el recorrido por el Parkinson

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

En este episodio, hablamos con Sebastián Krys, productor e ingeniero argentino y ganador de 19 Latin GRAMMYs y GRAMMYs, sobre su experiencia navegand...

Characteristics of Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Although people often think of Parkinson's disease (PD) as one affecting the elderly, approximately one in 25 people living with PD in the United Stat...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! ¿Qué es la consejería genética?

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Comprender todos los aspectos de una prueba genética – desde los positivos hasta los negativos – es un factor importante del trabajo de la consej...

Managing Stress with a Mindful Approach

22 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Stress is almost a constant in our lives and especially when coping with changing symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Adding to the usual stresses are th...

Environmental Factors and Parkinson's Disease

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The cause of most cases of Parkinson's disease (PD) is unknown. Researchers have found genes or genetic variants that are associated with risk for the...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Correlación entre cultura, idioma y opciones de tratamiento en el Parkinson

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Entender si existe una correlación entre cultura, idioma y opciones de tratamiento en el Parkinson nos ayuda a saber cómo se comunica la informació...

Parkinson's Disease and Sleep

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Restorative sleep is vital for optimal physical, mental, and emotional health. Sleep problems affect a large proportion of the general population and ...

A Health Professional's Experience Living with Parkinson's Disease

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It is a long road to become an anesthesiologist – four years of medical school and another four years of postgraduate training and residency. To sub...

Meet the Researcher - Learning About Dystonia

28 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast episode, we 'Meet the Researcher', featuring a prominent investigator who has received support from the Parkinson's Foundation. We ill...

Managing Mental Health Problems with Parkinson's Disease

14 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

People with Parkinson's disease (PD) may experience mental health problems, such as depression, apathy, and anxiety more frequently than the general p...

Neuropathy: A Non-motor Symptom of Parkinson's Disease

30 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Neuropathy is a broad category of non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), basically resulting from damage or dysfunction of one or more nerves...

¡EN ESPAÑOL! Dónde acudir para obtener recursos y apoyo como cuidadores

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

En honor al Mes Nacional de los Cuidadores Familiares, en este episodio, hablamos con Ruby Rendon, Coordinadora de Alcance Hispano en el Muhammad Ali ...

Caring for Loved Ones with Parkinson's Disease

02 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For many years, Western medicine focused on disease and on keeping people healthy. Then it evolved to view the "whole person," including the physical,...

Repurposing Medications to Slow Progression of PD

19 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Until the ultimate goal of finding a cure for Parkinson's disease (PD) is achieved, researchers are taking various approaches to developing a treatmen...

Gene-Based Therapies for Parkinson's Disease

05 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Gene-based therapies for Parkinson's disease, while still in the developmental stage, are under active investigation. For this potential therapy, gene...

Cell-Based Therapies for Parkinson's Disease

21 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Researchers have been investigating cell-based therapies for treating Parkinson's disease (PD) for some time now, using a variety of materials and met...