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The dog ate my homework, and gut bacteria ate my Parkinson’s meds. I'm glad it wasn't the other way around. In spite of my poor attempt at humor, this is one of the most interesting scientific discoveries related to Parkinson’s Disease so far this year. No, it does not bring us any closer to a cure, but it is of practical significance because it identifies a naturally occurring scenario that can severely limit the effectiveness of levodopa ...

Researchers hate the placebo effect, but for many of us with Parkinson’s, placebos help get us through the day. Maybe it’s a vitamin & supplement regimen, or your diet. Maybe there are foods you will or will not eat at particular times of the day. Maybe it’s your art or music. Maybe it’s your exercise routine. Maybe it’s your bicycle. Maybe it’s swimming. Maybe it’s dancing. Maybe it’s meditation. Maybe it’s neurofeedback. Maybe it’s yoga or tai chi. Maybe it’s a sport. Maybe it’s table tennis. Maybe it’s poetry. Maybe it’s your gun therapy. Maybe it’s a red light bucket ...

A recent study reminds us that exercise does more than just improve motor symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, such as tremor, gait disturbances, and postural instability. Exercise can improve non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, specifically mental and cognitive function. According to this study: Up to 57% of patients suffering from PD develop mild cognitive impairment within five years of their initial diagnosis, and if they survive more than ten years, the majority will eventually develop dementia. This study reviewed earlier studies of exercise and Parkinson's Disease. They found 5 studies that had significant group size and included cognitive testing. There was ...

There was a recurring theme in some of my dreams when I was younger...I'd try to run, but despite my best efforts, I was unable to make any forward progress. It was never a situation where I was running away from something, more like I was trying to run toward something. I'd get frustrated, trying to move my legs faster, but I would seem to be running in place. After some period of frustration, it would hit me…I’d remember that I could fly, I just needed to use my arms. Flying dreams were the best. I'm certain these dreams were ...