PD Web Articles

A Closer Look: Interview with APDA Researchers  Our A Closer Look blog is designed to educate, inform, and inspire you through a variety of topics and insights about Parkinson’s disease (PD). One way we do that is through our Interview with APDA Researchers series within this blog so you can get a closer look at some of the dedicated APDA-funded researchers who are working ... read more

Michael J Fox is a beloved Canadian actor and author, turned activist after his diagnosis of Parkinson’s at the age of 29. He established the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000 which has since become the leading voice for Parkinson’s globally.   Fox’s latest film work, Still, features documentary, archival and scripted elements, ... read more

We explore how organisations around the world marked World Parkinson’s Day this year and why improved awareness and recognition of the event are crucial for those in the community “Many people are unaware that World Parkinson’s Day is still not officially recognised as a global health day,” says Veronica Clark, president of Parkinson’s Europe. Every year on 11 April, World ... read more

Parkinson’s Europe co-founder Lizzie Graham has won a World Parkinson Coalition (WPC) award for her contribution to the Parkinson’s community. Lizzie is one of four people set to receive the Robin Elliott Award – which is given out every three years to individuals whose efforts best embody the goals and ethos of the WPC. She will be presented with the ... read more

It is with great sadness that Parkinson Canada mourns the passing of Judi Richardson, Director and Past Chair of the Parkinson Canada Board of Directors.   Judi was a remarkable person with a tireless dedication to causes that were important to her. Her strategic lens, organizational skills and thoughtful ideas have contributed to the success of Parkinson Canada ... read more

This week there is big news in the neurodegeneration therapeutic space. An Alzheimer’s drug, called Donanemab, was shown to significantly slow cognitive decline in a Phase 3 trial of people with early Alzheimer’s. Donanemab, developed by Eli Lilly and Co., targets a misfolded protein in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. This is similar to Parkinson’s where another protein, called ... read more

This is my story. I’m Alison, or Julian, Geoff, or Rune. I could be Steve or possibly Denise, or even Erik. I am any one of the nine people with Young Parkinson’s (PD) cycling from Brighton to Barcelona for the World Parkinson Congress this summer with James.My travelling companion took his name from James Parkinson who, in 1817, first identified ... read more

Ma chi siete e che cosa fate, voi Parkinsonauti? Translated using DeepL"Parkinsonauta"; of the first six letters we know the meaning well but adding the word "nauta" here is where the houses change and not a little!!!Nauta means traveler, navigator; ii parkinsonauta, although aware of the limitations that the "jinx" may reserve for him, as a good navigator, faces the ... read more

Ian Robertson is a man who understands the importance of staying positive. Living in Broderick, Saskatchewan with his family, Ian was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012 at the age of 56, but he hasn’t let it bring him down. In fact, Ian views Parkinson’s as his superpower and has approached his diagnosis with positivity.  One way ... read more

Physical Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease Physical therapy and exercise are crucial aspects of Parkinson’s disease (PD) treatment and APDA has many ways to help you get up and moving. Check out our virtual exercise classes Watch our Let’s Keep Moving With APDA webinar series   Many people are curious about why exercise is so important for someone with ... read more

As a caregiver for her sister with Parkinson’s, Steen (Christina) Starr’s journey was not just a physical task but a deeply emotional and inspirational one. Through a short film, Steen documented the highs and lows of her caregiving journey, showing the world what true love and commitment really mean.   Steen’s journey started even before her sister’s diagnosis, ... read more

To mark National Pet Awareness Month, we talk to four people about how pets have impacted their experience of Parkinson’s, from boosting their mental wellbeing to providing them with “unconditional” love – and why taking on a furry companion needs to be a “thoughtful decision” Did you have pets before or after you were diagnosed with Parkinson’s? Leslie ... read more

Over the coming months, we will be sharing highlights from research supported by the Parkinson Canada Research Program. In this first installment, you’ll hear from Dr. Sarah Lidstone whose specialist training was funded by our Clinical Movement Disorder Fellowship. This is one of the only publicly available funding opportunities that allows doctors to pursue specialized training in the field of ... read more

Parkinson’s can be challenging to manage, not just for the person affected by it, but also for caregivers. Here are some easy-to-follow steps for providing the best care. Educate yourself Learn as much as you can about Parkinson’s, its symptoms, and its progression. Knowing what to expect can help you prepare and provide better care. Establish a routine Parkinson’s can ... read more

Thirteen years ago, I had just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.  Like many people, when I was first diagnosed, I wanted to support research to find a cure and that was our focus back then. But after the reality of this disease set in, I wanted to find ways to live a good life with Parkinson’s. And while my doctors helped ... read more

What is prodromal Parkinson’s?Prodromal Parkinson's refers to the stage wherein early symptoms or signs of Parkinson’s neurodegeneration are present, but classical clinical diagnosis based on fully evolved motor parkinsonism is not yet possible. Prodromal Parkinson’s typically starts up to 20 years before clinical diagnosis. Symptoms can include sleep and memory disturbance, anxiety, depression, bladder and erectile dysfunction, reduced ability to ... read more