🎙️ We’re back with the twenty-seventh episode of Parkinson Weekly, hosted by Prof. Bas Bloem.

In Episode 27, Prof. Bloem explores an intriguing and under-researched question in Parkinson’s disease: can temperature influence symptoms?

Inspired by a 2024 study published in Parkinsonism and Related Disorders by Nahid Mohammadzadeh & Joseph Friedman the episode examines how exposure to cold may worsen tremor in people with Parkinson’s disease.

Drawing on both clinical observations and emerging evidence, Prof. Bloem discusses how nearly one-third of patients with tremor reported worsening symptoms in cold conditions—often independent of shivering—while warmer environments may offer relief for some individuals.

The episode also reflects on earlier research, including findings from Prof. Bloem’s own “holiday survey,” which suggested that many patients experience symptom improvement in warmer climates, though responses can vary significantly.

Importantly, Prof. Bloem highlights the limitations of current evidence—small sample sizes, self-reported data, and a lack of objective measurements—while emphasising the potential clinical relevance of temperature as a modifiable factor.

Finally, the episode calls for a more personalised, holistic approach to Parkinson’s care, encouraging patients and clinicians to consider environmental factors such as temperature, and urging researchers to further investigate this overlooked dimension of the disease.

Articles can be found here: https://www.prd-journal.com/issue/S1353-8020(24)X0006-1 & https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364544026_How_vacations_affect_Parkinson's_disease

Have a question you’d like Bas to answer in a future episode? Email us at parkinsonweekly@gmail.com – we’d love to hear from you.

🎙️ We’re back with the twenty-sixth episode of Parkinson Weekly, hosted by Prof. Bas Bloem.

In Episode 26, Prof. Bloem explores a thought-provoking shift in how we understand Parkinson’s disease progression.

Inspired by a 2024 study published in Brain by Martin Johansson and colleagues, the episode examines whether we may have been focusing too heavily on the substantia nigra — and overlooking the crucial role of the brain’s cortex.

Drawing on data from the Parkinson Precision Project, the study suggests that faster disease progression may be driven more by a breakdown in cortical compensation than by continued degeneration in the basal ganglia.

Prof. Bloem discusses what this could mean for future disease-modifying strategies, and why approaches that support or protect cortical function — including exercise — may become increasingly important.

A short but impactful episode that challenges conventional thinking and opens new directions for Parkinson’s research.

Article can be found here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37757883/

Have a question you’d like Bas to answer in a future episode? Email us at parkinsonweekly@gmail.com – we’d love to hear from you.

🎙️ We’re back with the twenty-five episode of Parkinson Weekly, hosted by Prof. Bas Bloem.

In Episode 25, Prof. Bloem explores the complex and evolving role of diet in the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

Inspired by a recent study published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease (2026) by Angelo Gigante and colleagues, the episode examines how different dietary patterns may influence Parkinson’s risk alongside established environmental and genetic factors.

Prof. Bloem discusses findings from a large Italian multi-centre case-control study, which suggests that higher consumption of sweets, red meat, and processed meats may be associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, while fruit intake appears to have a modest protective effect.

The episode also places these findings into context, comparing the impact of diet with other known risk factors such as pesticide exposure, metals, family history, coffee consumption, and physical activity, and highlights the emerging theory that Parkinson’s disease may begin in the gut.

Finally, Prof. Bloem reflects on the limitations of current evidence — including reliance on self-reported dietary data — and emphasises the need for further research to better understand how nutrition could play a role in prevention and disease progression.

Article can be found here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1877718X251388058

Have a question you’d like Bas to answer in a future episode? Email us at parkinsonweekly@gmail.com – we’d love to hear from you.

🎙️ We’re back with the twenty-fourth episode of Parkinson Weekly, hosted by Prof. Bas Bloem.

In Episode 24, Prof. Bas Bloem discusses an important and often overlooked topic in Parkinson’s care: spirituality.

Inspired by a recent paper published in Neurology Clinical Practice (2026) by Dr Indu Subramanian and colleagues, the episode explores how spirituality — the search for meaning, purpose, and connection — can help people living with Parkinson’s disease cope with the challenges of diagnosis and disease progression.

Prof. Bloem highlights the distinction between spirituality and religion, the role of spirituality in fostering hope and resilience, and why addressing spiritual needs may be an important part of holistic care for people with neurological diseases.

The paper also offers practical guidance for clinicians, including simple screening questions that can help open conversations about spiritual wellbeing in clinical practice.

Article can be found here:

https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200591

Have a question you’d like Bas to answer in a future episode? Email us at parkinsonweekly@gmail.com – we’d love to hear from you.

🎙️ We’re back with the twenty third episode of Parkinson Weekly, hosted by Prof. Bas Bloem.

In Episode 23 of Parkinson Weekly, Prof. Bas Bloem explores the phenomenon of response fluctuations, where the benefits and side effects of oral Parkinson’s medications vary throughout the day. Rather than focusing on a single new study, this episode revisits several influential papers that have reshaped how clinicians understand these fluctuations and their underlying mechanisms.

Listeners will learn about key concepts including “on” and “off” states, predictable wearing-off, dose failures, and different types of dyskinesias—including peak-dose and biphasic dyskinesias. The episode also highlights how Parkinson’s disease progression narrows the brain’s therapeutic window, making it increasingly difficult to maintain stable symptom control.

Prof. Bloem also discusses an often overlooked factor: the gut. Gastrointestinal issues such as delayed gastric emptying, constipation, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and Helicobacter pylori infection can significantly affect how levodopa is absorbed, leading to delayed or unpredictable medication responses.

Finally, the episode explores treatment strategies—from adjusting dosing schedules and adding adjunct medications to the role and limitations of continuous dopaminergic therapies, while emphasising the importance of realistic treatment goals and expectation management.

This episode offers practical insights for clinicians, people living with Parkinson’s disease, and caregivers seeking to better understand and manage medication fluctuations.

Listen now to discover how evolving research is shaping the way we approach response fluctuations in Parkinson’s disease.

Articles mentioned can be found here:

1. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(15)00007-1/abstract
2. https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mds.870120304
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2865731/

Have a question you’d like Bas to answer in a future episode? Email us at parkinsonweekly@gmail.com – we’d love to hear from you.

🎙️ We’re back with the twenty second episode of Parkinson Weekly, hosted by Prof. Bas Bloem.

In this episode, Bas explores the role of gene–environment interactions in Parkinson’s disease, examining why some individuals develop Parkinson’s following environmental exposure while others do not.

Discussing a recent study published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, he reviews new evidence linking GBA1 genetic mutations with occupational pesticide exposure, highlighting how genetic susceptibility may influence vulnerability to environmental risk factors.

Bas explains the biological mechanisms behind this interaction, including impaired cellular waste clearance and mitochondrial dysfunction, and reflects on the broader implications for research, prevention strategies, and regulatory policy. The key message: Parkinson’s risk may be shaped not by genes or environment alone, but by the interaction between the two.

An important episode that advances our understanding of Parkinson’s disease risk and underscores the need to consider genetic vulnerability in environmental health and future research.

👉 You can read the full article here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41549707/

Have a question you’d like Bas to answer in a future episode? Email us at parkinsonweekly@gmail.com – we’d love to hear from you.

🎙️ We’re back with the twenty first episode of Parkinson Weekly, hosted by Prof. Bas Bloem.

In this episode, Bas explores a surprising and often overlooked question: is hearing loss part of the Parkinson’s disease phenotype?

Discussing a 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Movement Disorders, he highlights compelling evidence that hearing impairment is common in Parkinson’s — affecting nearly 80% of patients across pooled studies. High-frequency hearing loss was particularly prevalent, and abnormalities in central auditory processing suggest this is not simply age-related decline, but potentially linked to Parkinson’s-specific brain changes.

Bas reflects on why this matters clinically, including the association between hearing loss, cognitive decline, and social isolation. The key message: hearing impairment is common, under-recognised, and should not be dismissed as “just ageing.”

An important episode that broadens our understanding of the non-motor and sensory features of Parkinson’s disease.

👉 You can read the full article here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41618507/

And don't forget, you can listen here:

Have a question you’d like Bas to answer in a future episode? Email us at parkinsonweekly@gmail.com – we’d love to hear from you.

🎙️ We’re back with the twentieth episode of Parkinson Weekly, hosted by Prof. Bas Bloem.

In this episode, Bas discusses Exploring the impact of Parkinson’s disease on driving: a population-based survey, a large real-world study examining how Parkinson’s affects driving ability, licence retention, and conversations between patients and healthcare professionals.

Driving is closely tied to independence, identity, and quality of life — yet both motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s can compromise safety behind the wheel. Bas walks listeners through the findings of this population-based survey, which showed that most people with Parkinson’s still hold a valid driving licence, often many years after diagnosis, with many voluntarily adapting their driving habits by reducing distances or avoiding night-time travel. However, fewer than half had discussed driving with a healthcare professional, highlighting an important and often overlooked gap in routine care.

He explores the broader factors that influence safe driving, including cognitive slowing, executive dysfunction, visual–spatial challenges, and the ability to respond under pressure — issues that may not always be captured during standard clinic assessments. Bas also considers the limitations of self-reported confidence and discusses the potential role of structured or simulator-based testing.

This episode provides practical, real-world guidance for clinicians, patients, and families, emphasising the importance of regular conversations, early identification of risks, and supportive strategies to help people with Parkinson’s maintain safe mobility and independence for as long as possible.

👉 You can read the full article here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39545559/

Have a question you’d like Bas to answer in a future episode? Email us at parkinsonweekly@gmail.com – we’d love to hear from you.