Parkinson's Foundation Midwest

The Parkinson's Virtual Boitech project overview has been updated 🔬 Key highlights include two new projects under Developing Treatments: Project Keapstone and Project Neumora.

Parkinson’s Virtual Biotech Learn about the Parkinson's Virtual Biotech — our newest research-driven investment fund.

Parkinson’s Foundation Chief Scientific Officer James Beck, PhD, and Tasso Chief Executive Officer Ben Casavant, discuss the recently announced partnership to expand and accelerate genetic research in Parkinson’s disease during this long-format interview.

Using a Blood Collection Device to Advance Genetic Research in Parkinson Disease: James Beck, PhD & Ben Casavant, PhD The chief scientific officer of the Parkinson’s Foundation and chief executive officer of Tasso discussed their company partnership to expand and accelerate genetic research in Parkinson Disease. [WATCH TIME: 6 minutes]

”Off-the-shelf” wearables linked to a smartphone app could be useful in measuring disease progression, according to new research.

Smart Watches Can Help Detect Parkinson’s Disease Earlier: Study - Decrypt

Four interdisciplinary teams of researchers at the University of South Florida (a Foundation Center of Excellence) have each been awarded up to $1 million in seed funding, including for the creation of the Center for Innovation, Technology and Aging, which will be dedicated to transforming the landscape of care for individuals with Parkinson's disease, among other neurological disorders.

USF Projects Chosen for Research Program to Tackle Critical Challenges By Ann Comer-Woods, USF Research & InnovationFour interdisciplinary teams of USF researchers have each been awarded up to $1 million

📣 Hey Midwest Chapter, a reminder to register for Parkinson's Journey in Color: Advancing Research and Care in Your Community. Join the Parkinson’s Foundation, Rush University Medical Center, and Northwestern Medicine for an educational event to connect with local Research Advocates and learn from the Black and African American community living with Parkinson’s.

https://buff.ly/3Xfvw1e

Were you or a loved one recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease? 🩵 Explore our dedicated resources designed to empower and educate those who are new to Parkinson’s disease: https://buff.ly/35Fuajk.

New to Parkinson's If you are new to Parkinson's, the Parkinson’s Foundation is here to support you with resources that can help you with your next step.

We are honored to partner with Parkinson’s Foundation Midwest Chapter for July’s Cocktails for a Cause initiative. During the entire month, Mordecai will donate a portion of this month’s proceeds from every Spin City and Bright Lights to help this inspiring organization improve care and advance research for Parkinson's Disease.

Discover how biomarkers can expand what we know about Parkinson’s disease (PD) and how biomarkers can possibly lead to earlier diagnosis.

Parkinson’s Biomarkers Discover how biomarkers can expand what we know about Parkinson’s disease (PD).

🚨 Breaking News: President Biden has signed the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act into law! This is the first-ever federal legislation dedicated to ending Parkinson’s disease.

This monumental bill can make an impact by:
💵 Dramatically increasing federal research funding
🔬 Developing more effective pathways for treatments and cures
🩺 Improving early diagnosis
🥼 Sparking new and improved models for patient care
⚖️ Addressing health disparities in diagnosis, treatment, and clinical trial participation

We would like to thank all the Parkinson’s advocates, volunteers and people who wrote to their senators and representatives to make this bill become law.

“The Parkinson’s Foundation is excited for what comes next,” said John Lehr, Parkinson’s Foundation President and CEO. “We look forward to having input in designing exactly how this bill will mobilize meaningful change for the one million Americans living with this disease.”

Learn more: Parkinson.org/blog/awareness/national-plan

A new blood test designed by researchers from University College London and University Medical Center Goettingen, demonstrates Parkinson’s diagnoses up to seven years before symptoms emerge.

AI blood test could detect Parkinson's disease up to 7 years before symptoms: 'Particularly promising' A new blood test could reveal Parkinson’s diagnoses up to seven years before symptoms emerge, researchers say. Experts discuss what the test means for the future of neurogenerative diseases.

Dizziness can be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Dizziness is often described as feeling on the verge of fainting, feeling weak or unsteady. While vertigo is when dizziness creates the false sense that you or the room is spinning or moving.

Dizziness and vertigo are common PD symptoms that can also lead to balance problems. Learn more with these resources:

Watch: https://buff.ly/4buRa5i
Read: https://buff.ly/3xBYIVO
Listen: https://buff.ly/3ziPYEH

Vertigo & Dizziness in Parkinson's Disease Dizziness and vertigo are commonly reported symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Hispanic and Latino members of the Parkinson’s disease (PD) community often face distinct barriers to living well with Parkinson’s. Understanding these challenges can help empower you to advocate for the care you deserve.

Hispanic and Latino Community & Parkinson’s Hispanic and Latino members of the Parkinson’s disease (PD) community often face distinct barriers to living well with Parkinson’s.

Happy 4th of July from your friends at the Parkinson’s Foundation! Have a safe and joyful holiday.

One week left for our first Moving Day Indianapolis challenge!

Between June 24 and July 8, register your Moving Day Indianapolis team at https://buff.ly/4cz6IWz OR add 3 new members to your team and earn an exclusive pair of Parkinson's Foundation sunglasses and a branded water bottle 😎

Happy World Social Media Day! 📱 We love connecting with the Parkinson’s community through social media. Follow us at on Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and TikTok to stay connected to PD information and our latest resources!

Scientists combined whole genome and exome sequencing data from 2,184 familial Parkinson’s disease patients, resulting in the discovery of a specific mutation in a gene that encodes a small GTPase known as RAB32. In the Nature Genetics article, the researchers show that the toxicity of this variant is most probably mediated through the enhancement of activity for LRRK2, a known Parkinson’s disease target.

High-Risk Parkinson’s Variant Discovered with Whole Genome and Exome Sequencing Sequencing data from 2184 familial Parkinson's disease patients led to the discovery of a specific mutation in the RAB32 gene.

When it comes to Parkinson’s disease, members of the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to face unique challenges when seeking health care and treatment. Today for , read on to learn how PD affects the LGBTQ+ community and tips for living well: https://buff.ly/3owuX4n

6 Essential Tips for the LGBTQ+ Parkinson’s Community Learn how Parkinson's disease affects the LGBTQ+ community and tips for living well.

Looking for volunteers for Moving Day Indianapolis! Join us for set up, walk routes, rewards, registration, and more! Visit https://buff.ly/3xKgMwU to view open shifts and sign up 💙

UCB’s Patient Engagement Council for Parkinson’s Research (PECPR) initiative was selected as a winner of the second edition of the Made with Patients Awards, for its work in partnership with the Parkinson’s Foundation. “Made with Patients” is the first global award celebrating innovators in patient engagement and hosted by Patient Engagement for Medicine Development (PFMD).

Reflections on winning the Made with Patients Award: our journey in Parkinson's disease | UCB Reflections on winning the Made with Patients Award: our journey in Parkinson's disease | UCB

The advent of biomarkers signals a shift in PD research, potentially opening the door for a lot of promise in the future. The Foundation’s National Medical Advisor Dr. Okun provides expert analysis on how the recent advent of diagnostic tests are the beginning of a revolution in Parkinson’s research and clinical trials.

Breaking Through Based on an article by Matt Schur, from the AMT Pulse. There’s a saying in the Parkinson’s community: Once you’ve met one person with Parkinson’s disease, you’ve met one person with Parkinson’s disease. Meaning, despite popular depictions, Parkinson’s can present much differently from ...

The recently published “State of the Air” report from the American Lung Association shows the worst toxic particle pollution in 25 years. The article cites research linking long-term exposure to a higher risk for Parkinson’s disease.

Report: U.S. air pollution worst in 25 years as new environmental regulations finalized An American Lung Association report finds 131 million people are breathing “hazardous” or “very unhealthy” air. The exposure can be life-threatening.

This profile piece highlights the “SPEAK OUT! Therapy” program at MSU Denver, which serves those across Colorado with PD at no cost. Read more at

Promising Parkinson’s therapy helps patients find their voices - MSU Denver RED No-cost program serves those across Colorado with the disease and provides graduate students with experiential opportunities.

New research indicates that a skin biopsy could possibly lead to accurate diagnosis of Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

A Skin Test Could Detect Parkinson’s and Related Diseases

Meet a Researcher Working to Stop the Spread of Misfolded Proteins in the Brain 🔬

Meet a Researcher Working to Stop the Spread of Misfolded Proteins in the Brain Sunil Kumar is working on a new way to stop the spread of a misfolded protein called alpha-synuclein.

Neurologists Dr. Indu Subramanian, UCLA, and Dr. Ali Saad, University of Colorado, discuss how climate change affects brain health and the various mechanisms that are climate-dependent that affect stroke risk, dementia, Parkinson's and various neurologic diseases.

Bad for the Brain, Bad for the Planet Drs Indu Subramanian and Ali Saad discuss how diet, air pollution, and heat affect neurologic conditions and why neurologists shouldn't ignore climate health.

📣 Announcing our first Moving Day Indianapolis Challenge 📣

Between June 24 and July 8, register your Moving Day Indianapolis team at https://buff.ly/4cz6IWz OR add 3 new members to your team and earn an exclusive pair of Parkinson's Foundation sunglasses and a branded water bottle 😎

A reminder to join us virtually TOMORROW to help demystify Medicare. Our speaker, Renee Harberts, will help individuals understand health insurance and Medicare in simple, plain terms. Having more information can help individuals make informed decisions about their Medicare plans and make Medicare work better for them or a loved one.

Learn more and register at

Get to Know Medicare Join us to help demystify Medicare. Our speaker, Renee Harberts, will help individuals understand health insurance and Medicare in simple, plain terms.

CNN's Melanie Zanona sits down with Democratic Rep. Jennifer Wexton of Virginia to discuss the tools she is using to cope and work as a congresswoman after her Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.

How Rep. Wexton is making history while battling rare brain disease | CNN Politics CNN’s Melanie Zanona sits down with Democratic Rep. Jennifer Wexton of Virginia to discuss the tools she is using to cope and work as a congresswoman after her Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.

“There has been a push for more diverse and inclusive patient recruitment in Parkinson’s research studies,” said Dr. Roshni Patel. “And that push actually led me to a subtopic I've become very interested in – LGBTQ+ health and neurology”

Today for , learn more about how Dr. Patel is making research more inclusive: https://buff.ly/3C7z5dZ

How a Neurologist is Using Data to Make Parkinson’s Research and Care More Inclusive Dr. Patel looked at the movement and non-movement symptom burden among LGBTQ+ people with Parkinson’s disease.