Learn more about what is happening locally and nationally. |
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Happy New Year! Let's start 2023 off right with a few healthy brain habits. |
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A new study shows that the annual incidence of PD among older adults is now estimated as 90,000 diagnoses annually, compared to the previous estimate of 60,000. This study also found that the incidence of PD increases with age in the 65+ range, the incidence of PD is higher in males than females at any age, and shows a higher rate in certain geographic regions, such as Southern California, Southeastern Texas, Central Pennsylvania, Florida, and the "Rust Belt" (parts of northeastern and midwestern US with a history of heavy industrial manufacturing). |
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Experimental glove treatment helped 58-year-old with Parkinson's run NYC marathon |
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Kanwar Bhutani was diagnosed with YOPD at age 39. Kanwar was having extreme difficulty walking until he decided to join Stanford University's clinical trial. The clinical trial involved wearing gloves that delivered a pattern of vibrations. The gloves were worn for two hours, twice a day. Kanwar's response to this treatment shows a lot of promise. Just check out the video below to see how his walking improved! “In November 2018, I ran my first marathon. It was a dream come true.” - Kanwar Interested in learning more? Email parkinsonsvcr@stanford.edu for more information! |
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PD organization spotlight |
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We want to spotlight other organizations that can help you live well today. This month we are choosing Parkinson's Fitness. |
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Parkinson's Fitness is a non-profit out of Massachusetts. They are dedicated to helping people fight Parkinson’s disease through ability-based balance, strength, and movement classes, boxing, yoga, specialized art and music programs, and educational seminars. They offer free virtual classes and have lots of pre-recorded exercise videos on their YouTube channel! | | |
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Neil Diamond surprised the audience on opening night of his Broadway musical A Beautiful Noise with an impromptu performance of "Sweet Caroline." This was his first performance in New York City since 2017. |
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How you can get involved! |
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The Orchestra Study is a clinical research study for people with early-stage Parkinson’s disease. The aim of the study is to see whether the investigational medication known as UCB0599 can slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
There are several criteria to meet if you want to join the Orchestra Study.
The most important ones are: Aged 40–75 years
2. Have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the past 2 years
3. Experience slowness of movement and at least one of the following:
Muscle stiffness/rigidity
Tremor/shaking
4. Have not taken any medications to treat Parkinson’s disease motor symptoms (symptoms related to movement) and are not expected to need any such medications in the next 6 months.
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EPA to reconsider herbicide Paraquat |
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Paraquat is a herbicide applied annually to control invasive weeds and grasses in crops including cotton, corn, and soybeans. Paraquat has been thought to increase the risk of Parkinson's by 100-500%. Approximately 50 countries have banned paraquat because of its severe health risks, but in the United States, more than 8.5 million pounds of paraquat are used each year. After 100,000 signatures on a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2019 and logging tens of thousands of emails and phone calls to Congress, the EPA has agreed to reconsider the evidence that paraquat causes brain damage and other harm. The next phase includes a new analyses of paraquat’s risks and cost-benefit balancing. This is a huge step forward in the right direction! |
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We want to hear from you! |
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Our mission is to help those affected by PD live well. We want to hear your story and bring a spotlight onto members of our community. Email us at stephanie@helpforpd.org and share with us how you are living well today. Please inform us if you are not comfortable with us sharing your story. |
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Help us spread our message by following us on Facebook! Leave us a review and share our page. |
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Help for Parkinson's is always adding interesting and relevant information to our website. Have you checked us out lately? |
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