Key takeaways

  • While there is currently no definitive way to prevent Parkinson’s disease, research is ongoing to explore methods for slowing or halting its progression.
  • Emerging research suggests that lifestyle factors such as following a Mediterranean diet and engaging in regular aerobic exercise may help manage Parkinson’s symptoms.
  • Consulting with a healthcare team is essential for understanding individual risk factors, managing symptoms effectively, and staying informed about current and future treatment options for Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that usually beginswith tremors and progresses to a point where people have difficulty controlling bodily movements.

You cannot prevent or stop the disease from developing, but you can manage symptoms and possibly slow down how they progress.

While it’s not yet known if there are surefire ways to prevent Parkinson’s disease, experts are exploring several areas that could be used to delay, halt, or even prevent Parkinson’s symptoms and possibly the disease itself.

Consult your healthcare team

Some research suggests you may be able to stop or slow the progression once symptoms start. However, that research is not conclusive.

Your healthcare team can help you advise on what treatments are best to help you live with Parkinson’s disease. They can also help you best understand what future research may be helpful in managing symptoms or addressing risk ahead of diagnosis.

This 2022 research review suggests aerobic exercises may potentially help prevent Parkinson’s symptoms from developing.

This 2020 observational study indicates that the Mediterranean diet may help ease Parkinson’s symptoms before and after diagnosis. Specifically, the researchers observed a link between those who followed a Mediterranean diet with fewer Parkinson ‘s-related symptoms, including constipation, daytime sleepiness, and depression.

Another possible treatment option is deep brain stimulation (DBS). DBS was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1997.

Many people have found that this treatment, which involves sending electrical impulses into the brain via tiny electrodes, helps control tremors once treatment with levodopa is no longer effective.

A small 2018 study found that DBS seemed to slow the progression of tremors in people with Parkinson’s disease. It also found that DBS could be used effectively in people with an earlier disease stage than previously thought.

A 2021 study suggested that certain medications often used to treat some symptoms of enlarged prostates may be linked to a decreased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

Specifically, the researchers compared terazosin, doxazosin, and alfuzosin to tamsulosin, all of which is also used to treat enlarged prostates. They found people using the first three drugs did not seem to experience a reduction in Parkinson’s effects.

While the researchers could not explain the results, they suggested the medications affect energy metabolism, possibly explaining the difference.

That followed previous research that suggested that the use of terazosin and similar medications was tied to slower progression and fewer complications in people with Parkinson’s disease.

Researchers are also investigating the potential of stem cells to create new neurons that produce dopamine.

They are also researching a protein called glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, or GDNF, to potentially slow the progression of Parkinson’s.

Ongoing research into a gene called LRRK2 or LARK2 and how it may interact with other genes related to Parkinson’s disease may also help slow the disease progression.

There is no current way to cure, prevent, or slow Parkinson’s disease from developing.

However, research continues on different ways to slow or halt symptoms. Some potential research includes the effects of following a Mediterranean diet, getting aerobic exercise, and other potentially future avenues, including certain medications or gene therapy.

Consult your healthcare team about risk factors related to Parkinson’s disease, managing symptoms effectively, and what current or emerging research could mean for future treatment options.