A Brief Description of Parkinson’s Disease

“Parkinson’s can be the wake-up call to transform yourself into a better person.” John Baumann “No matter what science can do for people living with Parkinson’s, we must prepare our brain and body to face all difficulties.” Nikolas Koukoulakis Introduction: All of the quotes used in this blog post are by people with Parkinson's. On …

Science Sunday: Baroreflex Dysfunction and Orthostatic Hypotension in Parkinson’s

"Winning comes down to who can execute under pressure." Billie Jean King "No pressure, no diamonds." Thomas Carlyle Scenario #1: You're lying on the floor for a stretch in a physical therapy session. You rise to your feet, and the world starts spinning suddenly. You feel dizzy and disoriented, and the room takes a few minutes …

Journey With Parkinson’s: Five Days in March that Changed My Life’s Perspective

"To understand the living present, and the promise of the future, it is necessary to remember the past." Rachel Carson "Remembering the past gives power to the present." Fae Myenne Ng Introduction (NOTE: the Title should really read 5 days in March/1 day in January; but I liked the symmetry of the 5 dates in …

8 Reasons To Consider The 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccine: Journey With Parkinson’s

"A virus has three purposes: to duplicate, to infiltrate and to spread from one host to the next. Ultimately, even a single virus can shut down an entire system." Wayne Dyer "The single biggest threat to man's continued dominance on the planet is the virus." Joshua Lederberg Introduction: While the COVID-19 pandemic of 2019-2022 is …

Journey With Parkinson’s: Everyday Heroes

"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." Christopher Reeve "Heroes take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of their true selves." Carol Lynn Pearson Nothing is redeemable about Parkinson's, but each Person-with-Parkinson's (PwP) has redeemable qualities.They awake each new day to a …

Beta-Hydroxy-Beta-Methylbutyrate (HMB) and Vitamin D to Potentially Improve Muscular Function in Parkinson’s

"The mind is just another muscle." Ted Turner "Courage is very important. Like a muscle, it is strengthened by use." Ruth Gordon Introduction: This is a complicated blog post. Ponder these scenarios: (A) an older adult, healthy and aging naturally with evidence of decreased thigh muscles. This patient has a disorder named sarcopenia. (B) A …

Why Monitoring Every Parkinson’s Symptom Matters

"We must never neglect the patient's own use of his symptoms." Alfred Adler “A sick thought can devour the body's flesh more than fever or consumption.” Guy de Maupassant Painful Leg Cramps with Parkinson’s: I bent down to put some extra toilet paper rolls into a bathroom cabinet this morning. Suddenly, the hamstring muscles in …

A Survey of Supplement Use for Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease (Please Reply)

"Latest survey shows that 3 out of 4 people make up 75% of the world's population." Stephen Hawking "Oh! that you could turn your eyes towards the napes of your necks, and make but an interior survey of your good selves." William Shakespeare Introduction: A mainstay of therapy for treating the neurodegenerative disorder Parkinson's is …

Addendum to COMT Inhibitors in Parkinson’s

"Too much is never enough." Mick Jagger "There's never enough time to do it right, but there's always enough time to do it over." John W. Bergman Introduction: I left out a few things in the last post regarding catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors ("COMT Inhibitors in Parkinson’s: Tell Me More, Tell Me More.") They are included below. …

Brief Report: Pallidothalamic Tractotomy by Focused Ultrasound for Parkinson’s Disease

"Patience and fortitude conquer all things." Ralph Waldo Emerson "I know of no higher fortitude than stubborness in the face of overwhelming odds." Louis Nizer Overview: Recently, I reviewed a clinical trial involving ablation of the globus pallidus by focused ultrasound to treat Parkinson's (click here to read this blog post). Some time ago, I …