New Diagnosis Workshop: Medications, Alternative and Advanced Therapies (2025)

In this webinar, Dr. Melissa Mackenzie explored treatment options for Parkinson’s disease, stressing the need for an individualized approach. She explained that medication, particularly levodopa/carbidopa, should be introduced based on a person’s symptoms and daily functioning, not automatically at diagnosis.

Dr. Mackenzie highlighted exercise as a cornerstone of management, recommending it even in mild cases, along with a Mediterranean-style diet. She addressed non-motor symptoms like depression, constipation, and sleep issues, noting that these require targeted medical and lifestyle interventions. Advanced therapies such as Deep Brain Stimulation were discussed for cases where standard treatments prove insufficient. Dr. Mackenzie also dispelled myths about levodopa’s long-term effectiveness and advised caution with unregulated natural remedies like mucuna pruriens. She emphasized the importance of psychological support, including therapy and medications, to address the high prevalence of mood disorders in Parkinson’s patients.

**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.**