Moving Forward, Together: Non-Motor Symptoms (2019)

During this presentation at the 2019 Moving Forward, Together provincial conference, Dr. Mark Mapstone, a neurology professor, sheds light on the often overlooked non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease and their substantial impact on patients and their families. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing these symptoms, which can manifest as cognitive impairments, mood disorders, sleep disturbances, and preclinical signs before the onset of motor symptoms.

The talk underscores the profound effect of non-motor symptoms on patients' quality of life, with issues like urinary problems, swallowing difficulties, excessive sweating, and sleep disturbances taking a significant toll. Cognitive changes, including memory loss and difficulty with verbal expression, are common and often mistaken for depression, underlining the necessity of early Parkinson's diagnosis and intervention. Dr. Mapstone also discusses the potential of blood biomarkers for early Parkinson's detection and ongoing research focused on comprehending oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases.

View the video slides accompanying this presentation by clicking here.

**Disclaimer: These sessions are designed to provide general education and are not intended for individual advice and/or clinical care. The information conveyed in this recording was accurate at the time of presentation.**