Spotlight on BU School of Medicine

APDA funds eight Centers for Advanced Research across the country which facilitate investigations into the causes, treatments, and ultimately, a cure for PD. One of these centers is located at the Boston University School of Medicine in Boston, MA, where APDA funding supports:

• Biomarker studies
• Studies of non-motor symptoms
• Studies of self-management strategies in PD
• Active clinical trials
• 3,500 PD patient visits per year
• Deep Brain Stimulation program

“Generous support from APDA for our Center of Advanced Research has allowed researchers across Boston University to conduct pilot studies addressing many unmet needs. Research is ongoing to identify biomarkers and develop treatments that address motor and non-motor problems. During the past decade important collaborations across disciplines have been fostered and have successfully led to increased funding from NIH and other agencies. We could not do this work without funding from APDA.” — Marie Helene Saint-Hilaire, MD

APDA Rehabilitation Resource Center Offers Help and Information to People with PD

Together, APDA and Boston University established the country’s very first National Parkinson’s Rehabilitation Resource Center — a place where anyone with PD can access reliable information and exercise recommendations.
Under the direction of Dr. Terry Ellis, an assistant professor at Boston University, the Center aims to share knowledge with patients, caregivers, students and healthcare professionals to help everyone impacted by PD live life to the fullest.

“Exercise is a vital part of the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. People with Parkinson’s who exercise regularly have better function and quality of life compared to those who don’t exercise. Sometimes the information about which kind of exercise to do and how much to do can be overwhelming. We are here to help people with Parkinson’s, family members and healthcare professionals get accurate and current information about exercise. “ – Terry Ellis, PhD, PT, NCS