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...
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This episode of the Parkinon's Podcast features the full, unedited audio from a Live Well Today Webinar.
During this live webinar, Dr. Corcos, Professor of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, shared insights from decades of research focused on the benefits of exercise for people with Parkinson’s. Listen in as Dr. Corcos discusses the latest findings in Parkinson’s exercise science and offers practical takeaways for incorporating effective movement strategies into everyday life.
Some links discussed in this webinar:
SPARX Phase 2 Trial--https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2664948
Dr. Corcos' Exercise Advice Article--https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3233/JPD-230277
Cardio Pulmonary Exercise Test Article-https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1877718X251330814
Industrial Chemicals and Parkinson's Blog--
https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/industrial-chemicals-pesticides-and-parkinsons/
Climbing and Parkinson's Blog--
https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/stay-moving-with-parkinsons-tai-chi-ping-pong-and-rock-climbing/
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Speaker Bio
Daniel Corcos, PhD
Professor of Physical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences
Daniel Corcos obtained his PhD in Motor Control from the University of Oregon after obtaining his Master's Degree in Psychology. The primary research interests of Dr. Corcos are aimed at helping people with Parkinson’s disease improve their quality of life, improve their mobility and cognition, and slow down the rate at which their disease progresses. Integrating neuroscience and expertise in conducting clinical trials, the research of Dr. Corcos focuses on interventions (such as resistance exercise, endurance exercise, stretching and balance training) that aim to reduce the symptoms of the disease and delay the rate at which the disease progresses. Within this context, Dr. Corcos uses exercise interventions whose dose (frequency, intensity, time and type) can be precisely controlled to achieve these goals and thereby develops and integrates laboratory-based interventions that people with Parkinson’s disease can employ in their local community. His current research, published in JAMA Neurology suggests that high intensity endurance slows down the rate at which Parkinson’s disease progresses. These findings have been covered in the New York Times and the general press world-wide. Dr. Corcos lectures nationally and internationally to physicians, neuroscientists, and people with the disease on the benefits of exercise for those with Parkinson’s disease.