Living with Parkinson’s
Foundation’s Parkinson’s
Progression Markers Initiative
— a landmark, international
observational study to validate
biomarkers — is helping us get
there. (Learn more on page 6.)
MEDICATION
When Margaret penned her
story, medication for PD did
not exist! Levodopa’s discovery
in 1967 transformed the
treatment of PD. Fifty years
later, this drug remains one of
the most effective treatments
for PD, but medication options
have increased, and levodopa
has been (and continues to
be) reformulated to improve
delivery options and ease
symptoms and potential side
effects. The next-generation
of levodopa therapies (e.g.,
inhalers, under-the-skin
infusion pumps) could reach
market in the next one to two
years. (Learn more about these
drugs in development on
page 8.)
SURGERY
Perhaps in part because
of the lack of medication
options, Margaret underwent
a thalamotomy — surgery
involving the targeted
destruction of brain cells
contributing to symptoms.
While still done in certain
situations, these types of
surgeries have largely been
replaced by deep brain
stimulation (DBS), which
delivers electrical pulses to the
brain to decrease symptoms.
DBS isn’t right for everyone,
but in the properly selected
person, it can ease symptoms,
lessen medication requirements
and improve quality of life.
management of her symptoms.
This is one thing that hasn’t
changed. Regular exercise
remains a vital strategy for
managing motor and non-motor
symptoms and, in general, for
living well with PD.
Despite limited scientific
understanding of PD during
her life, Margaret’s dedication
to learning about the disease
and her treatment options
helped her to set a course for
living with Parkinson’s. Today,
there are diverse therapeutic
options and a robust collection
of educational tools for and
thanks to an engaged patient
communi ty. To learn more about
Margaret’s story and watch my
interview with Time.com, visit
michaeljfox.org/margaretwhite.
EXERCISE
Margaret relied on a consistent
exercise routine for the
The medical information contained in this newsletter is for general
information purposes only. The Michael J. Fox Foundation has a policy
of refraining from advocating, endorsing or promoting any drug therapy,
course of treatment, or specific company or institution. It is crucial that
care and treatment decisions related to Parkinson’s disease and any other
medical condition be made in consultation with a physician or other
qualified medical professional.
WHAT IS PARKINSON’S DISEASE?
Watch the video and explore the full
Parkinson’s 360 multimedia toolkit, including
a downloadable book, online resources and
short films, that provides honest, relatable
information for patients, caregivers and
loved ones.
One of the challenges of living with
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is that there is no
“one size fits all” approach to living with PD.
Our newest video — “What Is Parkinson’s
Disease?” — examines what people with PD
have in common and how they can chart
their best course for treatment.
www.michaeljfox.org/pd360
17
Fall/Winter 2017