Generic drugs are a cheaper alternative to brand name drugs. But are they as effective? Once the patent on a branded drug expires, other companies are free to apply for approval of a generic version – a drug that acts in the body largely the same as the branded one. Dr. Rajesh Pahwa of the University of Kansas, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, describes how generics compare to brand name products and what to look for, and look out for, when getting a generic or making the switch.

When you have a chronic, progressive condition like Parkinson’s disease, there is always something new to learn. But access to information and resources about Parkinson’s varies for individuals and communities. Dr. Claudia Martinez, the Hispanic outreach coordinator at the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, describes the methods she uses to help Hispanic people with Parkinson’s get the best possible care. She also talks about Parkinson’s programs that are available to Spanish speakers in Phoenix, across the United States, and around the world.

Unfortunately, many communities do not have access to the most up-to-date information and high-quality resources on Parkinson’s disease, even in the biggest cities. Every community has its own culture and flavor, and community outreach programs must recognize these differences to be successful. To design appropriate programs, it is also crucial to have a trusted contact and champion within the community. Aaron Daley of the University of California, San Francisco, describes his center’s outreach efforts and what is needed to bring Parkinson’s resources to underserved and underrepresented communities.

A diagnosis of young-onset Parkinson’s disease brings with it special challenges. For example, deciding how and when to disclose the diagnosis at work and to children can be difficult, not to mention coping with a progressive condition and trying to plan for the future. Social worker Elaine Book discusses these challenges and more, as well as techniques for dealing with them.

Driving is a complex task involving many physical skills and mental processes. Age, along with a chronic or progressive illness like Parkinson’s, affects these critical driving skills, making a driver less safe on the road. But giving up the keys is an emotionally charged issue. Lissa Kapust created DriveWise, a program that involves a multidisciplinary team of health professionals who do objective assessments of the many skills and mental abilities needed for safe driving.

There are many drugs and therapies for Parkinson’s, but none halt progression of the disease. This is partly because we still do not understand exactly what causes Parkinson’s, so it is hard to figure out how to prevent it or slow it down. One potential target for new therapies is alpha-synuclein, a protein found in the human brain that is associated with the development of PD. Scientists are looking at ways to clear abnormal forms of alpha-synuclein from the brain using various immune therapies. Dr. Mark Guttman discusses these approaches based on what is known and unknown about Parkinson’s today.

For decades, most people with Parkinson’s disease have been able to control symptoms with levodopa and other drugs. But researchers have yet to find a way to protect neurons in the brain to slow down or stop progression of Parkinson’s. Dr. David K. Simon discusses how modern genetics can be a guide to developing new drugs that might preserve nerve cells and – ultimately – keep Parkinson’s from progressing.

More than 50 years after its discovery, levodopa is still the most effective treatment for Parkinson’s, but some people experience “off” periods or dyskinesias with oral medications. Dr. Mark Guttman describes new delivery methods that promise to help with some of these problems, especially for people who have had Parkinson’s for many years. For example, levodopa infusions directly into the gut are currently available, and skin patches and special pills that stay in the stomach and release drug over a period of time are in development.

Parkinson’s can be unpredictable – symptoms can come and go or get better and worse throughout the day. These so-called “on-off” fluctuations (also called motor fluctuations) and dyskinesias can be troubling, but movement disorder specialists can help with the choice of medication, dosages, and timing. Dr. Irene Malaty explains more about what causes these changes and how you can work with your doctor to manage them.

Nutrition is increasingly part of the conversation when it comes to good Parkinson's care. Dr. Bas Bloem describes how diet can help improve some of the symptoms of Parkinson's and optimize the effects of medication, and he offers tips on getting adequate nutrition.