Moving Forward, Together: Exercise Research (2020)

Dr. Matthew Sacheli, from the BC Brain Wellness Program at the University of British Columbia, shared insights on exercise benefits for Parkinson's disease. His research revealed exercise's positive impact on motor complications, balance, cognition, mood, and independence. Through PET and MRI imaging, Dr. Sacheli discovered exercise's role in promoting neuroplasticity and altering brain response to inflammation, potentially aiding disease progression.

His study demonstrated habitual exercise's association with increased dopamine function in the ventral striatum and an exercise intervention's effect on dopamine release and activation in specific brain areas. This indicates exercise's potential to modify the dopaminergic system, improving both motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's. Dr. Sacheli stressed the vital role of exercise in Parkinson's clinical care.

Emphasizing exercise's significance during the pandemic, he recommended online courses and creating a conducive home setup, advocating enjoyable activities and group participation for motivation. He highlighted the need for varied exercise intensity to challenge the brain and ongoing research into exercise's role as an early intervention in Parkinson's.

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.**