How is coronavirus (COVID-19) related to Parkinson’s?
A new review paper titled INFLUENCE OF NOVEL CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) ON PARKINSON’S DISEASE: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW showed some interesting prelimiary findings on the relationship between Covid-19 infection and Parkinson’s disease (PD).
While the paper has not been peer-reviewed or yet published, the initial findings found that people with Parkinson’s may experience worsening of both motor and non-motor symptoms during a COVID 19 infection.
Due to the novelty of the virus, additional extensive studies are needed to explore more about disease severity and also neurological outcomes when compared to other non-PD patients. Further studies are also needed to understand the role of ACE2 in increasing vulnerability to viruses and to the potential role of ACE inhibitors (which are commonly used blood pressure medicines) as an option to manage and treatment patients.
This topic will be covered in the next Live Q&A by Dr. Stuart Isaacson. He directs the Parkinson’s disease and Movement Disorders Center of Boca Raton, a nationally recognized leading clinical research institution that brings community access to phase 2 and phase 3 FDA-regulated clinical research trials testing new treatments for improving the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and trying to slow its progression. He is the author of 100+ peer-reviewed publications and also Director of the Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Research and Education Foundation.
