There is no cure for Parkinson’s or a way to prevent the disease. But researchers are exploring treatments and therapies that show promise, including possibly minimizing symptoms and enhancing quality of life.

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive disorder that causes you to experience certain physical and cognitive symptoms. These changes can weaken your ability to control your movements, speak, and complete daily tasks.

Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease.

But researchers are studying new therapies and potential cures, and that research has led to treatment advancements that help improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease.

The reasons why Parkinson’s disease develops in the first place are a focal point for a lot of the ongoing research, ranging from treatments and therapies to potential future cures.

At its most basic level, Parkinson’s disease damages cells in the brain called neurons. This affects the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can cause movement problems and other Parkinson’s disease symptoms.

However, while doctors have an understanding of how Parkinson’s works, they don’t know exactly what causes the disease.

The prevailing theory is that multiple factors contribute to its development, including genetics and environment.

Some people do have a hereditary form of Parkinson’s disease. However, most Parkinson’s disease cases are sporadic and their underlying cause is unknown.

These questions and uncertainties are the foundation for much Parkinson’s disease research.

Identifying Parkinson’s disease earlier

As with many chronic conditions, earlier recognition of Parkinson’s disease can help people experience an enhanced quality of life.

A 2018 review of research findings suggests a “timely diagnosis” of Parkinson’s disease can provide the following benefits, among others:

  • support your “right to know” about the disease as soon as possible
  • enable you to take an active role in your health and well-being, surrounding disease management and treatment options
  • allow you to engage with ongoing research into Parkinson’s disease
  • help you understand that the symptoms of Parkinson’s aren’t just part of aging but a specific health condition

Many Parkinson’s treatments are intended to limit the effects of the disease’s symptoms. Researchers hope to develop disease-modifying drugs that can stall or limit its progression overall.

To accomplish this, researchers are attempting to identify biomarkers (quantifiable medical signs in your body) that are responsible for Parkinson’s disease progression.

Identifying certain genes and other biomarkers responsible for Parkinson’s disease could help doctors diagnose it earlier or recognize people who may be at risk of developing it.

Scientists could also create more targeted medications and other therapies to keep the condition from worsening.

Research links mutations in several genes with Parkinson’s disease being passed down through families. Some of that research also indicates that some genetic changes may also be acquired, which means that they develop during a person’s life, possibly from an environmental factor.

  • A 2019 study reports that 27% of those with early onset Parkinson’s disease were found to have a mutation in one or more of the following genes:
    • glucocerebrosidase (GBA)
    • leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2)
    • parkin (PARK2)
  • Other genes found to influence the development of Parkinson’s include SNCA (PARK1) and PINK1 (PARK6).
  • Most of these gene mutations damage the mitochondria, which generate a cell’s energy, causing “mitochondrial dysfunction,” a known contributor to Parkinson’s development.

Genome testing is available for certain genes, but it’s not completely accurate. Having one or more of the genes does not guarantee the development of Parkinson’s disease.

Some of the key recent research on Parkinson’s disease highlighted by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke includes:

  • testing whether taking calcium channel blockers could potentially reduce the risks for Parkinson’s disease development
  • investigating whether a medication called sargramostim could help to reduce the immune system response that may cause Parkinson’s disease to worsen
  • exploring if potentially less invasive methods of deep brain stimulation (such as transcranial direct current stimulation) could help people with Parkinson’s disease minimize motor problems

Researchers are examining multiple aspects of Parkinson’s disease in hopes of enhancing quality of life and minimizing the potentially harmful effects.

Your research involvement

Many opportunities exist for you to get involved in Parkinson’s research. The Parkinson’s Foundation offers many resources to participate in research trials and find out the latest developments in this disease.

There is no cure or way to prevent Parkinson’s disease.

However, many treatments show promise in possibly minimizing symptoms and enhancing quality of life. These include medications, deep brain stimulation, and lifestyle adjustments. Other researchers are also collaborating to identify biomarkers and develop more targeted therapies.