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The sport helping to unite members of the community

Nenad Bach on music, ping pong and Parkinson’s disease

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Straight Talk: answering your questions about Parkinson’s disease

A series of webinars for people with the condition

Parkinson’s in the news: November

This month’s Parkinson’s stories from around the globe

Young handsome african american happy man lying on pillow on comfy sofa, relaxing, listening favorite music in modern wireless bluetooth headphones, chatting in messenger, scrolling social networks.

From rock to classical: how Music Care is supporting people with Parkinson’s disease

Learn more about a therapy service backed by Parkinson's Europe

tomato and lentil soup in a white bowl, placed on a white board with three cherry tomatoes on the side

A comforting soup recipe to warm you up this winter

Offering a “pop of nutrition” to people with Parkinson’s disease

“I never expected to create a project like this with my son”

The mother-son duo making films about Parkinson’s disease

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Could Parkinson’s disease originate in the gut?

A new body of research has highlighted a potential link between gut health and Parkinson’s, with several studies presented at the Society for Neuroscience’s annual meeting in San Diego, US. One study focused on alpha-synuclein – a protein that can cause brain cells to die and contribute to the condition’s onset. As part of the study, the researchers created a mouse model of Parkinson’s by treating the mice with rotenone (an ingredient used in pesticides). This was found to increase clumps of alpha-synuclein in the gut, suggesting the protein may originate in the digestive system before moving to the brain. Commenting on the research presented at the event in a press release, assistant professor of neurosurgery Sonia Villapol said: “When it comes to neurological disorders, we cannot target only the brain. Everything that happens in the gut has an impact on the brain.”

Is dry eye disease common in people with Parkinson’s?

Dry eye disease can involve symptoms such as a lower blinking rate and typically occurs when the eyes are not effectively moistened by tears – leading to discomfort and possible vision loss. Now, a recent study from Japan has investigated the previously underexplored relationship between dry eye disease and Parkinson’s. As part of their research, the team analysed 13 studies published between 2004 and 2022, which involved more than 1,500 people with Parkinson’s. Five of the reports highlighted the prevalence of dry eye disease in people with the condition – with 61% experiencing symptoms. “Our findings emphasize the need for clinicians to be vigilant of the presence of dry eye disease when managing [people with Parkinson’s],” the researchers wrote. However, they noted that more research is needed – especially “future large-scale studies” – to help understand the relationship between dry eye disease and the condition.

Highlighting dental care needs among people with Parkinson’s disease

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, have published a new study looking into dental care among people with Parkinson’s. Using a national register to obtain data relating to dental care between 2015 and 2019, the team identified 6,874 people with Parkinson’s, whose data was then compared to a control group of 34,285 people without the condition. A key takeaway from the five-year study was that a larger portion of people with Parkinson’s were not regular users of the dental care system – 21%, compared to 16.9% in the control group. The findings published in the journal ‘Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology’ also revealed that people with Parkinson’s utilised more dental-related treatment services than those in the control group – such as fillings and extractions. The researchers concluded: “This knowledge can be used by clinicians and decision-makers to ensure the optimal dental care for persons with Parkinson’s.”

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The sport helping to unite members of the community

Straight Talk: answering your questions about Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s in the news: November

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Global update

Interviews

The sport helping to unite members of the community

Resources & Tools

Straight Talk: answering your questions about Parkinson’s disease

Global update

Parkinson’s in the news: November

Resources & Tools

From rock to classical: how Music Care is supporting people with Parkinson’s disease

Recipes & Nutrition

A comforting soup recipe to warm you up this winter

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“I never expected to create a project like this with my son”

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Could Parkinson’s disease originate in the gut?

Is dry eye disease common in people with Parkinson’s?

Highlighting dental care needs among people with Parkinson’s disease

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The sport helping to unite members of the community

Straight Talk: answering your questions about Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s in the news: November

Interviews

Resources & Tools

Global update

Interviews

The sport helping to unite members of the community

Resources & Tools

Straight Talk: answering your questions about Parkinson’s disease

Global update

Parkinson’s in the news: November

Resources & Tools

From rock to classical: how Music Care is supporting people with Parkinson’s disease

Recipes & Nutrition

A comforting soup recipe to warm you up this winter

Interviews

“I never expected to create a project like this with my son”

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Could Parkinson’s disease originate in the gut?

Is dry eye disease common in people with Parkinson’s?

Highlighting dental care needs among people with Parkinson’s disease

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