Michael Okun
@michaelokun.bsky.social
NY Times Besting Author of the Parkinson’s Plan, Medical Advisor Parkinson Foundation, Author 15 books http://pdplan.org Distinguished Professor and Director of the Fixel, Associate Editor JAMA Neurology, co-founder @DBSThinkTank
Pinned
Michael Okun
@michaelokun.bsky.social
· Sep 17
Air pollution and Lewy body dementia: A wake-up call. A new study published in Science revealed that fine particle pollution (PM2.5) does not simply worsen general dementia risk. It may directly promote Lewy body dementia (LBD). @sfn.org
Did you know that treating sleep apnea early may reduce the likelihood of a later Parkinson's diagnosis? A new paper in JAMA Neurology showed that having obstructive sleep apnea elevated Parkinson disease risk and that early use of positive airway pressure may have lowered that risk. #parkinson
November 25, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Did you know that treating sleep apnea early may reduce the likelihood of a later Parkinson's diagnosis? A new paper in JAMA Neurology showed that having obstructive sleep apnea elevated Parkinson disease risk and that early use of positive airway pressure may have lowered that risk. #parkinson
What does your brain have to do w/ itching? Spoiler alert: The brain plays an important role in itch. Itch is a somatosensory signal that your brain interprets and shapes, linking sensation, emotion and action. A new paper explains how the brain and spinal cord coordinate the entire itch experience.
November 24, 2025 at 1:57 PM
What does your brain have to do w/ itching? Spoiler alert: The brain plays an important role in itch. Itch is a somatosensory signal that your brain interprets and shapes, linking sensation, emotion and action. A new paper explains how the brain and spinal cord coordinate the entire itch experience.
A fresh and shocking update on osteoporosis risk in Parkinson’s? Spoiler alert: Osteoporosis is twice as common in folks w/ PD including men, and it is completely treatable when we find it early and we act on it. It is underestimated and undertreated. We must do better? @parkinsondotorg.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 2:40 PM
A fresh and shocking update on osteoporosis risk in Parkinson’s? Spoiler alert: Osteoporosis is twice as common in folks w/ PD including men, and it is completely treatable when we find it early and we act on it. It is underestimated and undertreated. We must do better? @parkinsondotorg.bsky.social
Mucuna as a dopamine replacement in sub-Saharan Africa? Could it reshape early Parkinson care? A new randomized study on Mucuna pruriens powder for 12 mos compared to standard levodopa plus a dopamine decarboxylase inhibitor in newly diagnosed folks living w/ Parkinson’s across sub-Saharan Africa.
November 22, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Mucuna as a dopamine replacement in sub-Saharan Africa? Could it reshape early Parkinson care? A new randomized study on Mucuna pruriens powder for 12 mos compared to standard levodopa plus a dopamine decarboxylase inhibitor in newly diagnosed folks living w/ Parkinson’s across sub-Saharan Africa.
Foslevodopa infusion in the real world has shown promise for Parkinson's, however we must pay attention to any emergent neuropsychiatric symptoms. This research letter provides important insights into safety signals that may emerge when folks start and adjust this therapy at home.
November 21, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Foslevodopa infusion in the real world has shown promise for Parkinson's, however we must pay attention to any emergent neuropsychiatric symptoms. This research letter provides important insights into safety signals that may emerge when folks start and adjust this therapy at home.
Can DBS steady the hidden storms of autonomic symptoms in Parkinson's? MAYBE. John Chen and colleagues describe in a new paper how they systematically mapped what is known about the effects of deep brain stimulation on autonomic symptoms in Parkinson across multiple organ systems.
November 20, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Can DBS steady the hidden storms of autonomic symptoms in Parkinson's? MAYBE. John Chen and colleagues describe in a new paper how they systematically mapped what is known about the effects of deep brain stimulation on autonomic symptoms in Parkinson across multiple organ systems.
Does CNS Whipple's disease always manifest the oculomasticatory or oculofacioskeletal myorhythmia? Maslias and colleagues dropped a new paper in Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders and their comprehensive work sets the record straight. ~25%
tremorjournal.org/articles/10....
tremorjournal.org/articles/10....
November 19, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Does CNS Whipple's disease always manifest the oculomasticatory or oculofacioskeletal myorhythmia? Maslias and colleagues dropped a new paper in Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders and their comprehensive work sets the record straight. ~25%
tremorjournal.org/articles/10....
tremorjournal.org/articles/10....
Do you know the 5 steps to prevent neurological disorders from Parkinson's to stroke and beyond? Switching To preventative neurology won’t be a pill it must be a PLAN. Prevention refers to proactive strategies designed to reduce risk before biological disease pathways become irreversible.
November 18, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Do you know the 5 steps to prevent neurological disorders from Parkinson's to stroke and beyond? Switching To preventative neurology won’t be a pill it must be a PLAN. Prevention refers to proactive strategies designed to reduce risk before biological disease pathways become irreversible.
Why does your brain shrink in Parkinson’s? Word shrink in this case refers to measurable loss of brain tissue (atrophy), which reflects thinning of cortex/loss of volume in key brain regions. New paper shows widespread atrophy following brain’s wiring diagram and local biological vulnerabilities.
November 17, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Why does your brain shrink in Parkinson’s? Word shrink in this case refers to measurable loss of brain tissue (atrophy), which reflects thinning of cortex/loss of volume in key brain regions. New paper shows widespread atrophy following brain’s wiring diagram and local biological vulnerabilities.
Constipation may spark a neuroinflammatory fire in the brain in early Parkinson’s. Neuroinflammation refers to activation of immune cells inside the brain that can damage or stress neurons. A new paper in Movement Disorders: constipation in early PD appears linked to widespread neuroinflammation.
November 16, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Constipation may spark a neuroinflammatory fire in the brain in early Parkinson’s. Neuroinflammation refers to activation of immune cells inside the brain that can damage or stress neurons. A new paper in Movement Disorders: constipation in early PD appears linked to widespread neuroinflammation.
Could smell be a window into understanding Parkinson’s symptoms and predicting outcome? Olfaction is the brain’s ability to identify and process smells. In a new paper in the European Journal of Neurology, Sun and colleagues describe how smell loss can reveal important clues about PD. #parkinson
November 15, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Could smell be a window into understanding Parkinson’s symptoms and predicting outcome? Olfaction is the brain’s ability to identify and process smells. In a new paper in the European Journal of Neurology, Sun and colleagues describe how smell loss can reveal important clues about PD. #parkinson
Can the biomarker of alpha synuclein seed amplification really track Parkinson's disease progression? Spoiler alert: The approach cannot serve as a stand alone speedometer for day to day symptom progression. @parkinsondotorg.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Can the biomarker of alpha synuclein seed amplification really track Parkinson's disease progression? Spoiler alert: The approach cannot serve as a stand alone speedometer for day to day symptom progression. @parkinsondotorg.bsky.social
What is new for treating 'Long-COVID brain fog?' In this new randomized trial published in JAMA Neurology, David Knopman and colleagues describe results from a large multicenter trial evaluating 3 different remote interventions aimed at improving cognitive symptoms tied to long-COVID. #covid
November 13, 2025 at 3:02 PM
What is new for treating 'Long-COVID brain fog?' In this new randomized trial published in JAMA Neurology, David Knopman and colleagues describe results from a large multicenter trial evaluating 3 different remote interventions aimed at improving cognitive symptoms tied to long-COVID. #covid
Do NOT swim alone if you have Parkinson's. Do we do enough to warn people about drowning? Did you know if you have Parkinson's, you can 'freeze' when swimming, and it could be an early warning sign for later Parkinson’s freezing of gait.
November 12, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Do NOT swim alone if you have Parkinson's. Do we do enough to warn people about drowning? Did you know if you have Parkinson's, you can 'freeze' when swimming, and it could be an early warning sign for later Parkinson’s freezing of gait.
Happy Veteran's Day and thank you for your service! We are providing 111 free copies of The Parkinson's Plan to veterans or to their families.
Our Veterans face increased Parkinson’s risk and Veterans are a key part of the Parkinson's Plan.
The link for the free books is here: pdplan.org/veterans/
Our Veterans face increased Parkinson’s risk and Veterans are a key part of the Parkinson's Plan.
The link for the free books is here: pdplan.org/veterans/
November 11, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Happy Veteran's Day and thank you for your service! We are providing 111 free copies of The Parkinson's Plan to veterans or to their families.
Our Veterans face increased Parkinson’s risk and Veterans are a key part of the Parkinson's Plan.
The link for the free books is here: pdplan.org/veterans/
Our Veterans face increased Parkinson’s risk and Veterans are a key part of the Parkinson's Plan.
The link for the free books is here: pdplan.org/veterans/
Parkinson's genetics are critical to the PLAN. Though Ray and I frequently talk about the ~13% number for single faulty genes, there is much more to the story (genetic risk, aging, environment and lifestyle). Nacho Mata shared this paper, his wisdom and this figure w/ us.
November 11, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Parkinson's genetics are critical to the PLAN. Though Ray and I frequently talk about the ~13% number for single faulty genes, there is much more to the story (genetic risk, aging, environment and lifestyle). Nacho Mata shared this paper, his wisdom and this figure w/ us.
Are Dolphins teaching us something important about environmental exposures and Alzheimer’s? A new paper that just dropped in Nature Communications Biology that dolphins living in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon showed AD signatures within their brain 'transcriptomes.' @alzassociation.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Are Dolphins teaching us something important about environmental exposures and Alzheimer’s? A new paper that just dropped in Nature Communications Biology that dolphins living in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon showed AD signatures within their brain 'transcriptomes.' @alzassociation.bsky.social
Will temporal interference step into the spotlight in 2026 for Parkinson’s and beyond? Temporal interference refers to using two high-frequency electrical currents to create a lower-frequency stimulation that can non-invasively reach deeper brain regions.
November 9, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Will temporal interference step into the spotlight in 2026 for Parkinson’s and beyond? Temporal interference refers to using two high-frequency electrical currents to create a lower-frequency stimulation that can non-invasively reach deeper brain regions.
Could dentate nucleus DBS be applied to treat spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA)? Zhao and colleagues describe in a new paper in Movement Disorders that dentate nucleus deep brain stimulation delivered meaningful improvement to folks living w/ spinocerebellar ataxia at 6 months of follow up.
November 8, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Could dentate nucleus DBS be applied to treat spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA)? Zhao and colleagues describe in a new paper in Movement Disorders that dentate nucleus deep brain stimulation delivered meaningful improvement to folks living w/ spinocerebellar ataxia at 6 months of follow up.
We desperately need new research tools to move the ball forward in Parkinson's. How about seeing dopamine in a new light? Enter 'far-red sensors' that unlock multiplex brain signals. Could a far-red dopamine sensor open the door to simultaneously watching multiple brain chemicals 'in action.'
November 7, 2025 at 12:53 PM
We desperately need new research tools to move the ball forward in Parkinson's. How about seeing dopamine in a new light? Enter 'far-red sensors' that unlock multiplex brain signals. Could a far-red dopamine sensor open the door to simultaneously watching multiple brain chemicals 'in action.'
Can you level up your movement in Parkinson's by playing video games 'remotely?' Gamification refers to using game-like elements to motivate real-world behavior change, such as increasing your daily steps. Remote and automated gamification program helped veterans increase their daily steps.
November 6, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Can you level up your movement in Parkinson's by playing video games 'remotely?' Gamification refers to using game-like elements to motivate real-world behavior change, such as increasing your daily steps. Remote and automated gamification program helped veterans increase their daily steps.
Are we inching closer to actually seeing alpha-synuclein in living brains? In a new paper, Weiss and colleagues describe a method called Advanced Sensing of Aggregates in Parkinson’s Disease that may enable direct visualization of nanoscale alpha-synuclein assemblies in human brain tissue.
November 5, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Are we inching closer to actually seeing alpha-synuclein in living brains? In a new paper, Weiss and colleagues describe a method called Advanced Sensing of Aggregates in Parkinson’s Disease that may enable direct visualization of nanoscale alpha-synuclein assemblies in human brain tissue.
A miracle pill for Parkinson's is 50 years old. Why can't most of the world get it? Ray and I wrote a new Op-Ed on www.pdplan.org
Subscribe to our new substack column here:
cutt.ly/2r6Rc1AT
Link to statnews.com Op-Ed out that dropped this morning:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/p...
Subscribe to our new substack column here:
cutt.ly/2r6Rc1AT
Link to statnews.com Op-Ed out that dropped this morning:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/p...
November 4, 2025 at 2:15 PM
A miracle pill for Parkinson's is 50 years old. Why can't most of the world get it? Ray and I wrote a new Op-Ed on www.pdplan.org
Subscribe to our new substack column here:
cutt.ly/2r6Rc1AT
Link to statnews.com Op-Ed out that dropped this morning:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/p...
Subscribe to our new substack column here:
cutt.ly/2r6Rc1AT
Link to statnews.com Op-Ed out that dropped this morning:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/p...
Could turning difficulty when walking today signal Parkinson’s tomorrow? A new paper in Annals of Neurology: subtle changes in how folks turn (looking at angular velocity with a sensor) when they walk, may predict a future diagnosis of Parkinson’s, possibly years before symptoms become obvious.
November 4, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Could turning difficulty when walking today signal Parkinson’s tomorrow? A new paper in Annals of Neurology: subtle changes in how folks turn (looking at angular velocity with a sensor) when they walk, may predict a future diagnosis of Parkinson’s, possibly years before symptoms become obvious.
Iron is not a 'villain' just rusting the brain, it may be trying to heal it. Check out this 2025 update on brain iron in Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and beyond. Their work reframes iron not just as a villain, but also as an essential player in brain health whose imbalance can be damaging.
November 3, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Iron is not a 'villain' just rusting the brain, it may be trying to heal it. Check out this 2025 update on brain iron in Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and beyond. Their work reframes iron not just as a villain, but also as an essential player in brain health whose imbalance can be damaging.