Your Brain On... Parkinson’s

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Aug 7, 2024

Discover the 200-year journey of Parkinson’s disease, from 18th-century discoveries to modern genetic insights. Explore the surprising role of the industrial revolution in environmental triggers. Understand the complex interplay of motor and non-motor symptoms, such as tremors and depression. Learn how unique detection methods, like olfactory recognition, can aid diagnosis. Delve into lifestyle strategies for prevention and management, and explore exciting advancements in research, including the potential of AI to transform treatment.

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INSIGHT

Parkinson's: A Group of Diseases

Parkinson's disease is so complex that medical professionals now classify it as a group of diseases, not one.
This shift recognizes the diverse symptoms and progression, moving away from a single-disease model.

INSIGHT

Industrial Revolution and Parkinson's

James Parkinson, namesake of the disease, worked during the Industrial Revolution.
He observed its effects amid London's increasing pollution, hinting at an environmental link.

INSIGHT

Beyond Movement: Parkinson's Whole-Body Impact

Parkinson's is more than just a movement disorder; it's a whole-body disease impacting various brain chemicals.
This leads to non-motor symptoms like memory changes, mood swings, sleep issues, and more.

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From 18th century London to the promise of a global cure: the 200-year history of Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s, a neurodegenerative disorder most commonly characterized by tremors and other motor symptoms, is so complex, many medical professionals are starting to classify it as a group of diseases, rather than a single disease.

In this episode, we explain those complexities, including:

• The motor symptoms (e.g. cogwheel rigidity, bradykinesia) and non-motor symptoms (e.g. depression, sleep disorders)

• How the industrial revolution may have brought about environmental factors which contribute to Parkinson’s

• The differences and similarities between Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s

• How Parkinson’s manifests in our brains

• Why one nurse was able to detect Parkinson’s through smell

• The neurogenetics of Parkinson’s, and the ethical quandaries of evolving genetic technology

• Why lifestyle — nutrition, exercise, etc. — is so key to preventing and managing Parkinson’s

Joining us for this extensive conversation are three incredible guests:

• Dr. Rachel Dolhun, Senior Vice President of Medical Communications at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

• Dr. Michael Okun, evolutionary biologist, movement disorders specialist, and Director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases

• Dr. Matthew Farrer, neurogenetics expert and Professor Of Neurology at the University of Florida

‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

Drs. Ayesha and Dean are now welcoming patients via the Brain Health Institute: https://brainhealthinstitute.com/

‘Your Brain On... Parkinson’s’ • SEASON 3 • EPISODE 1 (SEASON 3 DEBUT)

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LINKS

Dr. Rachel Dolhun:

At the Michael J. Fox Foundation: https://www.michaeljfox.org/bio/rachel-dolhun-md-dipablm

‘Ask the MD’ series: https://www.michaeljfox.org/ask-md

The Michael J. Fox Foundation on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeljfoxfoundation/videos

Dr. Michael Okun:

At the University of Florida: https://neurology.ufl.edu/profile/okun-michael/

The book ‘Ending Parkinson’s Disease’: https://endingpd.org/

The Norman Fixel Institute: https://fixel.ufhealth.org/

Dr. Matthew Farrer:

At the University of Florida: https://neurology.ufl.edu/profile/farrer-matthew/

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References:

Bloem, B. R., Okun, M. S., & Klein, C. (2021). Parkinson's disease. The Lancet, 397(10291), 2284-2303.
Morris, H. R., Spillantini, M. G., Sue, C. M., & Williams-Gray, C. H. (2024). The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. The Lancet, 403(10423), 293-304.
Dorsey, E., Sherer, T., Okun, M. S., & Bloem, B. R. (2018). The emerging evidence of the Parkinson pandemic. Journal of Parkinson's disease, 8(s1), S3-S8.
Dorsey, E. R., Okun, M. S., & Tanner, C. M. (2021). Bad Air and Parkinson Disease—The Fog May Be Lifting. JAMA neurology, 78(7), 793-795.
Tsalenchuk, M., Gentleman, S. M., & Marzi, S. J. (2023). Linking environmental risk factors with epigenetic mechanisms in Parkinson’s disease. npj Parkinson's Disease, 9(1), 123.
Reynoso, A., Torricelli, R., Jacobs, B. M., Shi, J., Aslibekyan, S., Norcliffe‐Kaufmann, L., ... & Heilbron, K. (2024). Gene–Environment Interactions for Parkinson's Disease. Annals of Neurology, 95(4), 677-687.
Golsorkhi, M., Sherzai, A., & Dashtipour, K. The Influence of Lifestyle on Parkinson's Disease Management. In Lifestyle Medicine, Fourth Edition (pp. 919-924). CRC Press.
Sherzai, A. Z., Tagliati, M., Park, K., Pezeshkian, S., & Sherzai, D. (2016). Micronutrients and risk of Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review. Gerontology and geriatric medicine, 2, 2333721416644286.

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