Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, sleep fragmentation, excessive daytime sleepiness, and REM sleep behavior disorder are common in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Poor sleep quality can also impact other domains of function, including motor function. Prior research has shown that a type of photoreceptor cell in the retina, called melanopsin cells, provide the main light signals to the brain to initiate sleep, and function of these cells is impaired in PD. Dr. Beatix Feigl and her colleagues developed a novel light therapy intervention that selectively activates the melanopsin photoreceptor cells, and in this episode, she discusses the results of a recent randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of this melanopsin photoreceptor-directed light therapy on sleep and circadian rhythm, as well as motor behaviors. She also discusses her earlier work on melanopsin cells that led to the development of standard measures to assess their function. Beatrix is an Ophthalmologist and an Associate Professor in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Center for Vision and Eye Research, as well as the Faculty of Health, at the Queensland University of Technology.

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The Foundation’s landmark research study is exploring the connection between sense of smell and brain disease. People with and without Parkinson's can help by taking a free scratch-and-sniff test. Get yours at mysmelltest.org/request.

This podcast episode was part of a limited series created by The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2023 and 2024 for clinicians and researchers in our audience.  These episodes provide a deeper dive into exciting new scientific research in Parkinson’s disease, as well as innovative tools and valuable resources, through conversations with a variety of experts in the field. We hope you enjoy the conversation.