Top 10 Therapies to Watch in Parkinson's Disease for 2015 and 2016

Breakthrough ideas and therapies in Parkinson’s disease stretch far beyond a single drug or stem cell.  There is, in fact, a broader and more exciting picture and portfolio of breakthroughs spanning drug, cell, vaccine, device, genetics, care, and behavior.  Patients and families with personal investments in Parkinson’s disease should be informed and updated about all of the potential breakthrough therapies.  

“Every challenge you encounter in life is a fork in the road. You have the choice to choose which way to go: backward, forward, breakdown or breakthrough.”

― Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha

There are several potential breakthroughs that should be on every patient and family member’s radar screen. Here is a TOP TEN LIST OF PARKINSON'S THERAPIES for patients and families watching in 2015-2016 http://parkinsonbreakthrough.com:

·      Disease Modifying Drugs and Biomarkers- these are drugs that may slow Parkinson’s disease progression; also imaging and fluid (e.g. blood, spinal fluid) markers that can track the effects of Parkinson’s drugs are needed and under development

·      Coffee, Tea, Exercise, Interdisciplinary Teams and Caregivers- there is mounting evidence that these approaches have symptomatic and perhaps even other benefits in Parkinson’s disease

·      Extended Release/Novel Delivery Systems for Parkinson’s Disease Drug and When to Start Drug Therapy- Parkinson’s disease desperately needs longer acting drugs to reduce the “number of pills” burden

·      Marijuana and Synthetic Cannabinoids- surprising to some experts has been the revelation that there are cannabinoid receptors in the brain and tickling them may be beneficial to some Parkinson’s disease symptoms

·      New Drugs for Hallucinations, Sleep, Constipation and Dizziness- these problems are vexing for patients and caregivers, but several new drugs are poised to make a difference

·      Therapies While Hospitalized and Avoiding Hospitalization- we now know that the hospitalization risk is very high in Parkinson’s disease, and that hospitals can be dangerous places for patients; the focus needs to shift toward avoiding hospitalizations

·      Advancing Deep Brain Stimulation Technology, Earlier Intervention and Dopamine Pumps- the technology has been refining our approach to the symptomatic management of Parkinson’s disease and new therapies are now reaching the bedside

·      Stem Cells and Stem Cell Tourism- there has been a shift away from the idea that stem cell transplants will cure Parkinson’s disease, however stem cells are proving powerful in drug screening

·      Prions, Spreading Proteins, Vaccines and Growth Factors- several novel approaches are in trial, and a Parkinson’s vaccine may be on the horizon

·      The Drug Development Pipeline- understanding the drug development pipeline will help patients and families to gain access to the newest Parkinson’s disease therapies

Check out the new book 10 Breakthrough Therapies in Parkinson's Disease at www.amazon.com