The Michael J. Fox Foundation understands that it can be challenging to gain clarity and perspective on breaking Parkinson's news. Q&As in this section are conducted with leading experts in the PD field to quickly provide an informed, impartial opinion on new findings — and get to the bottom of their implications for people with Parkinson's and for researchers.
08/11/2010 News in Context: Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Biomarkers Make Headlines
Todd Sherer, PhD, the Foundation’s vice president, research programs, discussed major biomarkers news reported this week -- and how the findings are bringing us closer to life-transforming treatments for Parkinson’s disease.
07/30/2010 New Guidelines for Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis
Medical experts are proposing new criteria for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease based on new tools that may be able to detect the disease even before there are symptoms. These new tools, called biomarkers, are also being developed for PD. Dr. Ken Marek discusses how biomarkers will impact PD diagnosis and treatment as well as drug development.
07/14/2010 News in Context: The Role of Serotonin in Dyskinesias
A new study reports that an excess of serotonin cells in the tissue transplants used in experimental treatments for PD may be responsible for the onset of dyskinesias in some patients. MJFF spoke with one of the study authors, Dr. Anders Björklund to learn more about the role of serotonin in dyskinesias.
06/21/2010 News in Context: Genes and Pesticides Interact to Increase PD Risk
A study published in the June issue of the Archives of Neurology found that men with certain genetic variations who were exposed to high levels of toxic pesticides were three and a half times more likely to develop PD. MJFF talks to Dr. Jason Richardson about the importance of this area of research.
06/08/2010 News in Context: DBS Equally Effective in Two Sites
A study in The New England Journal of Medicine reports that DBS at two different brain targets produces similar motor and quality of life improvements for PD patients. MJFF talks to one of the study authors, Dr. Bronstein, about the implications for people living with PD.
05/07/2010 News in Context: DBS for Advanced Parkinson's Disease
A study in The Lancet Neurology found that patients with advanced PD can have a better quality of life and improved mobility if they undergo DBS along with standard medications for the condition but that serious adverse events are also higher with surgery. MJFF spoke with Dr. Jeff Bronstein to gain a better understanding of what the news means for patients.
04/20/2010 News in Context: PD and Cancer Risk
The FDA has announced an investigation of the PD drug Stalevo for a possible association with prostate cancer. MJFF spoke with Dr. Susan Bressman about the implications of this announcement for patients as well as other research on cancer links to PD.
04/08/2010 News in Context: Cycling for Freezing of Gait
A case study in the New England Journal of Medicine featured a Parkinson's patient with advanced disease who surprised doctors by his ability to cycle. The Michael J. Fox Foundation spoke with Dr. Bastiaan Bloem about the case study and his work to improve physical activity in PD patients.
03/02/2010 News in Context: Vaccine Reverses Parkinson's Disease in a PD Pre-clinical Model
Researchers funded in part by MJFF have announced a vaccine that reverses an experimental form of PD in a pre-clinical model. MJFF spoke with Dr. David Standaert about what the news may mean for patients.
