Phil Franchina, Author at American Parkinson Disease Association

HOW TO SPOT THE EARLY SIGNS OF PARKINSON’S

Posted on July 24, 2025July 28, 2025 by Phil Franchina

It’s true that Parkinson’s disease (PD) is often associated with motor...see more symptoms like tremors and stiffness. However, some of the earliest signs may be entirely non-motor. In fact, symptoms such as depression, constipation, loss of smell, sleep disturbances, or behavior disorders can appear years or even decades […]

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT APDA

Posted on July 24, 2025July 28, 2025 by Phil Franchina

Join us for an Optimism Walk! We’ve got a full lineup of APDA Optimism Walks...see more this fall, and like Martin (see his story here), we’d love for you to be part of the fun! These inspiring events bring together the PD community for a day filled with connection, encouragement, and family-friendly […]

MOVE MORE, FEEL BETTER: THE POWER OF EXERCISE FOR PARKINSON’S

Posted on July 24, 2025July 28, 2025 by Phil Franchina

Exercise is one of the most powerful tools available...see more to people living with Parkinson’s. It can help improve balance, flexibility, strength, and overall quality of life — and emerging research shows it might even help slow the progression of PD. A groundbreaking study called SPARX3 […]

“ASK THE DOCTOR” WITH DR. REBECCA GILBERT

Posted on July 24, 2025July 27, 2025 by Phil Franchina

Q: My mother was just prescribed carbidopa/levodopa and she has been incredibly...see more sleepy since she started it. Could this be because of the medication? A: Carbidopa/levodopa can definitely cause fatigue, and your mother may be experiencing this side effect from the medication. When this happens, and the side […]

WALKING WITH PURPOSE: MARTIN’S INSPIRING OPTIMISM

Posted on July 24, 2025July 27, 2025 by Phil Franchina

When Martin Richter was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in 2013, it felt...see more like the world had caved in. Like many newly diagnosed individuals, he struggled with what the future might hold. But Martin made a choice to fight back. Martin’s symptoms began subtly: reduced handwriting, a shuffling walk, […]

A New Blood Test Could Identify Parkinson’s Disease Before Symptoms Appear

Posted on July 1, 2025July 1, 2025 by Phil Franchina

An exciting development is underway as a new RNA-based blood test could help diagnose Parkinson’s disease (PD) prior to...see more the development of motor symptoms. The work, published in Nature Aging, demonstrated a way to target and detect specific sequences contained within transfer RNA (tRNA) for early diagnosis in a simple blood test. This approach will […]

Joining forces to push for federal research funding

Posted on June 25, 2025June 25, 2025 by Phil Franchina

Today in an exciting collaborative effort, three major Parkinson’s disease (PD) advocacy organizations have joined forces to issue a...see more public statement imploring lawmakers to robustly fund the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the upcoming federal budget in order to keep Parkinson’s disease (PD) research moving forward as quickly as possible. This important joint statement […]

American Parkinson Disease Association Welcomes Two Accomplished Leaders to National Board of Directors

Posted on June 10, 2025June 10, 2025 by Phil Franchina

New Board Members Bring Deep Expertise in Health Equity, Policy, and Nonprofit Leadership to APDA NEW YORK, NY, JUNE...see more 10, 2025 — The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is proud to announce the appointment of two distinguished professionals to its National Board of Directors: J. Zoë Beckerman, JD, MPH and Adalynn E. Harris, PhD, MPH, […]

Golf Course Concerns: New Research Shows Link to Parkinson’s

Posted on May 19, 2025May 19, 2025 by Phil Franchina

A recent study in Journal of the American Medical Association...see more has caused a stir, showing that living near golf courses is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The study demonstrated that those living within a mile of a golf course had a 2.25 times increased […]

American Parkinson Disease Association Kicks Off 2025 Optimism Walk Series

Posted on April 7, 2025June 10, 2025 by Phil Franchina

Across the country, local communities will mobilize in the fight against Parkinson’s. NEW YORK, NEW YORK, APRIL 7, 2025...see more – The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is pleased to announce the schedule for the 2025 APDA Optimism Walk series – a nationwide movement to raise awareness and vital funds for the Parkinson’s disease (PD) community. […]

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HOW TO SPOT THE EARLY SIGNS OF PARKINSON’S

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT APDA

MOVE MORE, FEEL BETTER: THE POWER OF EXERCISE FOR PARKINSON’S

“ASK THE DOCTOR” WITH DR. REBECCA GILBERT

WALKING WITH PURPOSE: MARTIN’S INSPIRING OPTIMISM

A New Blood Test Could Identify Parkinson’s Disease Before Symptoms Appear

Joining forces to push for federal research funding

American Parkinson Disease Association Welcomes Two Accomplished Leaders to National Board of Directors

Golf Course Concerns: New Research Shows Link to Parkinson’s

American Parkinson Disease Association Kicks Off 2025 Optimism Walk Series

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