Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the brain’s gradual loss of ability to produce dopamine in the area of the brain that affects motion, causing tremors, muscle rigidity, and slow movement in patients.¹

• More than 1.1 million people in the U.S. are affected by PD¹
• Approximately 90,000 people are diagnosed each year¹
• Age is the biggest risk factor; incidence and prevalence grow with age
• PD affects men 1.5 times more than women
• Some geographic areas have higher rates of PD, including Southern California, the Rust Belt, New York, and Florida¹

Current therapies for PD mostly focus on treating symptoms, but new research aims to slow the progression of PD. Parkinson’s disease healthcare costs are estimated to be $82.2 billion each year.¹ New advancements in research have improved our understanding of PD and opened up new opportunities for treatment to improve the lives of people living with the effects of the disease.²

De-risking Research

Parkinson’s disease research historically has been viewed as complex, challenging, and high-risk for investors and drug companies. Research into the genetic underpinnings of PD and cellular function have catalyzed investment in new solutions for PD. The discovery of the LRRK2 gene and its role in the development of PD has sparked interest in therapeutic development, helping move therapies closer to human trials. To target the effects of PD at the cellular level, an improved understanding of mitochondrial health has resulted in investment in drugs that may improve the function of mitochondria, protect cells, and potentially slow disease progression.³

An Objective Test

Having an objective test for PD, similar to the way doctors test for diabetes or hypertension, would allow patients to receive treatment faster and would improve quality of life for patients. The Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), founded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation, is identifying and validating biomarkers, enabling researchers to develop objective tests aimed at measuring PD symptoms and progression.⁴

Targeted Treatments that Change the Brain

The FDA approved adaptive deep brain stimulation (DBS) in 2025. DBS is a closed loop system that makes real-time adjustments to brain signals, as opposed to relying on a clinician to make adjustments. With DBS, clinicians place thin wires into the brain, sending electrical stimulation through them to improve motor symptoms.⁵

Slowing Progression of Disease

No therapies that slow the progression of PD have been approved yet, and there is an urgent need for solutions. A drug that entered Phase III trials in 2025 shows promise. Prasinezumab targets the buildup of toxic alpha-synuclein protein in the brain, giving it the potential to stall PD progression.⁵

With Parkinson’s disease affecting the lives of millions of people, reliable and effective diagnostics and treatments are needed to ease the burden of disease on individuals and society as a whole. With knowledge of the disease growing each year, investment in research has accelerated, offering hope to people living with challenging PD symptoms.

1. https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/statistics
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1016847825000986
3. https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/how-strategic-de-risking-fueling-parkinsons-treatment-development
4. https://www.michaeljfox.org/state-field
5. https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/advances-parkinsons-therapies-five-key-areas-watch