On Apathy, Ability, and Disability in Parkinson's - The Parkinson's Podcast Unfiltered
Release Date: 06/26/2025
Gene Therapy for Parkinson’s: Myths vs. Facts
The Parkinson's Podcast
In this episode of the Parkinson’s Podcast, learn about gene therapy for Parkinson’s, including common misunderstandings and ongoing research about it. This episode contains some technical terms and abbreviations. For your convenience, here is a short list of definitions that might be helpful. AADC – Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase: An enzyme that helps make dopamine (not a rock and roll band) AAV – Adeno-Associated Virus: A harmless virus used to deliver gene therapy CDNF – Cerebral...
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Pickleball and Parkinson’s: Building Dexterity, Balance, and Community
The Parkinson's Podcast
In this episode of The Parkinson’s Podcast, Foundation Program Manager Beau Boughamer talks with neurologist Vanessa Hinson and Helen Power, a person living with Parkinson’s, about the sport that’s sweeping the country—and transforming life with Parkinson’s. Dr. Hinson, a movement disorder specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina, shares how pickleball supports balance, coordination, confidence, and connection through her eight-week program for people with Parkinson’s. Helen describes how the game brought her movement, joy, and community, proving that staying...
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ON-OFF Fluctuations in Parkinson’s: Why They Happen and What You Can Do
The Parkinson's Podcast
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Aaron Haug about what the terms ON and OFF mean in the context of Parkinson’s, what ON-OFF fluctuations are, and how to work with your doctor to help manage them. Dr. Haug is a movement disorder specialist based in Englewood, Colorado. Sign up for updates on webinars, events, and resources for the Parkinson’s community—delivered to your inbox. https://dpf.org/newsletter-signup Watch Aaron Haug's video about Tremors and Dyskinesias here: https://youtube.com/shorts/jcjNOnaA0as?feature=share This episode is sponsored by BlueRock Therapeutics. Learn...
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Confronting Cognitive and Emotional Challenges: The Neuropsychology of Parkinson's - Part 3
The Parkinson's Podcast
Sign up for updates on webinars, events, and resources for the Parkinson’s community—delivered to your inbox. https://dpf.org/newsletter-signup In the final episode of this three-part series, Connie Carpenter Phinney and Dr. Mark Mapstone explore the emotional and cognitive changes that can occur as Parkinson’s progresses. They talk openly about issues like apathy, anxiety, executive function decline, and how these changes can affect relationships, communication, safety, and daily life—including decisions around driving and independence. While the conversation acknowledges grief,...
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The Neuropsychology of Parkinson's - Part 2: What to Expect from a Neuropsych Evaluation
The Parkinson's Podcast
Sign up for updates on webinars, events, and resources for the Parkinson’s community—delivered to your inbox. In this episode, Connie and Dr. Mapstone dive into the role of neuropsychology in Parkinson’s care. They explain what a neuropsychological evaluation is, what to expect during an office or virtual visit, and how results can help guide treatment, daily planning, and care strategies. This episode also discusses why someone might be referred, how testing works, and what insights it can offer for both individuals and families. **This content is possible thanks to the generosity of...
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The Neuropsychology of Parkinson's - Part 1: Brain Changes and Impact
The Parkinson's Podcast
Sign up for updates on webinars, events, and resources for the Parkinson’s community—delivered to your inbox. https://dpf.org/newsletter-signup In the first episode of our three-part series about neuropsychology and Parkinson’s, Connie Carpenter Phinney and Dr. Mark Mapstone explore how brain chemistry, especially dopamine, relates to thinking, movement, and mood in Parkinson’s. They break down key terms like cognition and executive function and offer insights into how Parkinson’s affects brain systems beyond motor symptoms. This episode lays the groundwork for understanding how the...
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Advanced Parkinson's, Feeling Velcroed to the Bed, and More
The Parkinson's Podcast
Sign up for updates on webinars, events, and resources for the Parkinson’s community—delivered to your inbox. https://dpf.org/newsletter In this episode of the Parkinson's Podcast Unfiltered, hosts Heather, Kat, and Chris tackle one of the toughest questions of this season of Unfiltered: how to manage apathy and depression in advanced Parkinson's while also navigating a healthcare desert. This episode also includes discussion of strategies for sleep, including how to turn over and get comfortable when you feel "velcroed to the bed," as well as some ideas about exercise options for people...
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Precision Medicine and Parkinson’s: The NEULARK Study
The Parkinson's Podcast
To subscribe to our podcast and YouTube channel visit: https://www.youtube.com/@davisphinneyfdn/podcasts More people with Parkinson's are impacted by the LRRK2 (often pronounced "Lark two") gene than you might expect. The NEULARK study is a phase II clinical trial designed to investigate whether a new treatment being researched, NEU-411, can slow disease progression and improve quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease. NEU-411 is an oral medication designed to inhibit overactivity of the LRRK2 gene. In this episode of The Parkinson’s Podcast, we talk with Dr. Fatta Nahab about...
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Accessibility, Attention (ADD), and More in Parkinson's
The Parkinson's Podcast
To subscribe to our podcast and YouTube channel visit: https://www.youtube.com/@davisphinneyfdn/podcasts Heather, Kat, and Chris share their experiences with accessibility and travel challenges while living with Parkinson’s. They dive into attention and focus, including what it’s like to live with both Parkinson’s and ADD. The conversation also covers the realities of freezing of gait—from how it starts to how they manage it day to day. Real, personal, and full of lived insight. Visit to learn more about the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson's. Season: 6 Episode: 18
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How Protein Affects Parkinson’s Meds and More
The Parkinson's Podcast
To subscribe to our podcast and YouTube channel visit: https://www.youtube.com/@davisphinneyfdn/podcasts In this episode of The Parkinson’s Podcast, we feature excerpts from our July 2025 Care Partner Meetup. In this meetup, Kristin Gustashaw, a registered dietician at Rush University Medical Center, shares real-world advice about food, meds, digestion, and supplements to help care partners and people with Parkinson’s make more informed choices. Much of this conversation focuses on the interaction between protein and levodopa. People with Parkinson's and their care partners are often...
info_outlineTo subscribe to our podcast and YouTube channel visit: https://www.youtube.com/@davisphinneyfdn/podcasts
Join Heather, Kat, and Chris for another episode of The Parkinson's Podcast Unfiltered. Questions addressed in this episode include navigating apathy--which is one of the most difficult non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's for many people--and how to evaluate your own disability, changes in ability, and quality of life. Ask Heather, Kat and Chris a question here: https://dpf.org/unfiltered
To learn more about the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson's visit: https://dpf.org
Season 6 Episode 13