Three Parkinson’s books to watch out for in 2020

From an expert plan to preventing a Parkinson’s pandemic to a need-to-know guide on living well with the condition – we’ve picked out three books to add to your reading list this year

1. Ending Parkinson’s Disease: A Prescription for Action

Release date: March 2020 (US), April 2020 (UK)

As the number of people with Parkinson’s is expected to double by 2040, four experts in the field discuss how we can help prevent a pandemic. Written by neuroscientist Dr Todd Sherer and neurologists Dr Michael S. Okun, Professor Bastiaan R. Bloem, and Dr Ray Dorsey – the book outlines an actionable plan to address Parkinson’s, improve the care and treatment of the condition and encourage an open dialogue.

Reviewing the book, Susanna Lindvall, vice-president at Parkinson’s Europe, said: “Parkinson’s disease is not one disease but rather a collection of many with different contributing factors, and it satisfies many of the criteria of a pandemic. While the authors of Ending Parkinson’s Disease are hopeful about making patients’ lives better, their real passion is clearly centered around preventing people from ever having to face the disease in the first place.

“The book is a real eye-opener for people with Parkinson’s, caretakers, and healthcare professionals, and should be used by activists all over the world in their discussions with politicians, policy makers and budget holders.”

Pre-order ‘Ending Parkinson’s Disease’ here.

2. Brain Fables: The Hidden Story of Neurodegenerative Diseases and a Blueprint to Conquer Them

Release date: Spring 2020

Written by Parkinson’s campaigner Benjamin Stecher and Dr Alberto Espay, ‘Brain Fables’ tells the story of what has gone wrong in the efforts to treat conditions such as Parkinson’s – and the changes needed in order to make positive progress towards tackling brain aging diseases.

In a post for his blog ‘Tomorrow Edition’, Benjamin wrote: “It is time to truly embrace the idea that there are likely dozens of biological pathways that lead to degenerative brain diseases and that we must find and target each separately if we are ever going to get therapies that can alter the disease process.

“That, in a nutshell is the driving message behind ‘Brain Fables’. It is the story, told through the lens of a patient and a doctor, of the mistakes we have made in our attempts to tackle diseases of brain aging, and what needs to be done to put ourselves on the right track.”

Pre-orders will be available soon – follow Benjamin’s blog for more updates.

3. Navigating Life with Parkinson’s Disease (Second Edition)

Release date: May 2020

Informative yet easily understandable, this book provides information for anyone affected by Parkinson’s – from the recently diagnosed to those who are more advanced. Written by two Parkinson’s experts – Sotirios A. Parashos and Rose Wichmann – the book offers a guide to people with the condition and their families on how to manage Parkinson’s and improve their quality of life.

Reviewing the first edition of the book on Amazon, Barbara Fogle said: “After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s I grabbed every book I could find written about this disease. I should have saved my money and just purchased this book. This is everything you need to know about dealing with this disease. Great book.”

Pre-order ‘Navigating Life with Parkinson’s Disease’ here.

Read more:

Seven must-see movies about Parkinson’s

Eight must-read books about Parkinson’s