Advances in Parkinson's Therapy and Research (2024)

During Parkinson Society BC’s 2023 Annual General Meeting, Dr. Martin McKeown from the University of British Columbia presented this talk, highlighting his decade-long contributions to Parkinson's research. Dr. McKeown focused on advancements in genetic studies, biomarkers, and new diagnostic tools, such as Optical Coherence Tomography and extracellular vesicles.

The talk delved into the latest in Parkinson's disease diagnosis and treatment, with stable blood tests showing promise for disease progression assessment. A proposal was made to redefine Parkinson's disease based on core biological factors for early and accurate diagnosis, facilitating timely treatment initiation. Transformative treatments were discussed, alongside the potential of MRI-guided focused ultrasound as an alternative to deep brain stimulation. Research advancements were a key topic, including ultrasound lesioning, the gut-brain axis, and microbiome significance, developments in deep brain stimulation, and potential medications. Repurposing existing drugs for Parkinson's treatment was also explored.

The discussion extended to ongoing research efforts, such as stem cell therapies, gene therapy, methods to bypass the blood-brain barrier, and the use of ultrasound technology. The webinar also touched on the potential of large language models for efficient clinical documentation, automatic disease monitoring with wearable sensors, and video monitoring for enhanced accuracy and patient empowerment. The benefits of computer automation in disease assessment, particularly for Parkinson's, were highlighted, allowing streamlined clinic visits and more time for discussions with clinicians.

**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.**