By Ramon A. Gil, M.D., Medical Director, Parkinson’s Disease Treatment Center of SWFL
The progress witnessed over the past 30 years in understanding, diagnosing, and treating Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is simply phenomenal. Many of you may be wondering, “When is the cure coming?” Even that seems closer today than ever before. But remember that “cure” is a very strong word, and in the case of PD it will probably be arresting the progression of the illness, as it is impossible to completely reverse the damage caused by PD to the brain by the time the diagnosis is made.
It is hard to believe that as recently as in the late 1990s we were still looking at or questioning the value of physical exercise as part of the treatment for PD. Today, we are fully aware that exercise is the only way to increase the levels of GDNF (neurotrophic factor), which is the chemical compound capable of repairing the brain. As a matter of fact, we are currently participating in a gene therapy trial to enhance the production of GDNF. This is indeed a promising approach to finding the cure for PD.
New and better medications continue to become available to treat PD. In just the last 5 years, six new drugs have been approved for the treatment of PD including two subcutaneous infusions. Technological advances in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) seem to be a never-ending story. Each of the three companies involved in this field are competing (all to your benefit as patients) in creating additional features in their systems which make programming easier, more effective, and with less side effects. They are also focused on energy efficiency, as newly designed leads allow us to use more efficient settings with the batteries lasting longer. New rechargeable batteries have also been improved.
At the PD Treatment Center of SWFL, we continue to bring you the latest information regarding all aspects of this disease. We hold firm to the conviction that empowering you with education will make you better patients with more confidence in your journey with PD, resulting in a better quality of life.
This year our Spring Symposium will center around “A Holistic Approach to Treatment.” As we treat you, we look forward to helping you emotionally, spiritually, and physically. First, Mary Spremulli, CCC-SPL and Debra Tarakofsky, CCC-SPL will open the program with a “loud” talk emphasizing ways to improve and preserve speech and swallowing functions, often affected in PD. They will address significant problems around this topic in the moderate to advanced stages of the disease.
Vibha Kumar studied and received her certification in yoga and meditation from the highly reputed Bihar School of Yoga in India. We are honored to have her reviewing “Mindfulness and Yoga for Balance.” There is no real benefit in improving motor symptoms of PD if you ignore anxiety, depression, anger, and frustration in your daily life. These feelings are often the cause of significant deterioration in the home environment and are capable at times of breaking a family apart.
Next, we will have a special guest from Las Vegas, NV. Ms. Kelly Papesh, DNP, ARNP is a most experienced and dynamic nurse, who for years practiced side by side with very well-known neurologists in the Movement Disorders community. She will review “Lifestyle in Parkinson’s.” No matter how many times we have previously discussed the importance of dietary intervention and physical exercise, for some of you in the audience this material will be new. Furthermore, I know that a refresher course is not a bad idea for those who are still not totally sold on the idea of joining a gym and eating better.
In the afternoon session, I will give a presentation titled: “Is there a Better Medical Treatment?” I hope to convey information that will help you understand why your current treatment may not be the best, and the advantages of newer drugs versus older versions. It may have taken me a while, but I eventually switched from manual cameras to digital ones.
Finally, Dr. Richard Dewey, III M.D., will talk to us about “Advanced Therapies in PD.” This will be an amazing presentation by a young, well-trained Movement Disorders Specialist, bringing us the latest advances in DBS technology, and the exciting new infusion therapies, some of them approved just a few weeks ago.
Get ready, this is going to be a great program. We are winning the battle.
Welcome to our 2025 PD Spring Symposium.
Friday, April 25th, 2025
8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
The Isles Yacht Club
1780 W. Marion Ave, Punta Forda, FL 33950
For more info or to register contact Lisa Gallucci at Dr. Gil’s Office:
Phone (941) 743-4987 | Fax (941) 743-4486
lisag@parkinsonsfl.com
Parkinson’s Disease Treatment Center
4235 Kings Hwy. Suite 102
Port Charlotte, FL 33980