Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the brain that leads to tremors as well as difficulty with movement and coordination. It develops gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. But while tremor may be the most well-known sign of Parkinson’s disease, the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement and may also cause problems such as depression, sleep problems, or trouble chewing, swallowing, or speaking. Although Parkinson’s disease can’t be cured, medications can improve symptoms.
In the video above, innovative imaging techniques developed by Dr. David Eidelberg can accurately diagnose for Parkinson’s disease. Gene therapy, a new therapeutic approach practiced by Dr. Andrew Feigin is proving to be an effective method for helping those who suffer from the illness.
There are a number of Feinstein Institute investigators who study Parkinson’s disease. They are in the fields of clinical neuroscience, functional brain imaging, radiochemistry and tracer development and biostatistics. Some of these researchers have focused on neuroimaging research related to Parkinson’s disease for nearly two decades and have developed novel imaging techniques which have resulted in important information for diagnosing the disease and evaluating disease progression. State-of-the-art PET imaging methods are also used to further understand how current therapies treat Parkinson’s disease.