Parkinson’s Disease Trajectories & Novel Treatment Approaches Highlighted at MDS 2025
HONOLULU, HI - October 9, 2025 – A deeper understanding of the diverse ways Parkinson’s disease (PD) manifests and progresses, alongside emerging strategies to address abnormal plasticity, were key takeaways from the recent Movement Disorder Society (MDS) 2025 Congress, according to A. Jon Stoessl, MD. dr. Stoessl, editor of the society’s journal and a veteran researcher in the field, emphasized the importance of integrating basic science with clinical practice to unlock new avenues for treatment.
For the millions worldwide living with Parkinson’s, these insights represent a potential shift toward more personalized and comprehensive care. Understanding the varied trajectories of the disease – how it develops and impacts individuals differently – is crucial for tailoring interventions. Dr. Stoessl highlighted the growing recognition of non-pharmaceutical approaches alongside customary medication, emphasizing that advancements in both areas rely on a robust understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms.
“I think probably a better understanding of the different ways in which people can get PD and how the trajectory can differ between individuals,” Dr. Stoessl stated. “From a care outlook, I think a better understanding of ways to address abnormal plasticity would be one exmaple.” he underscored that non-pharmaceutical treatments are not intended to diminish the importance of pharmaceutical development, but rather to complement it.
Dr. Stoessl’s own work, conducted in close collaboration with a physicist over nearly three decades, exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary research. He noted that such collaborations are essential for unraveling the complexities of Parkinson’s disease and developing effective therapies. His research builds upon findings like those published by nandhagopal et al. in Brain (2011), which detailed longitudinal changes in striatal dopamine processing in PD patients.
Dr. Stoessl delivered a Presidential Lecture at MDS 2025, focusing on functional reorganization and compensation in Parkinson’s disease.
REFERENCES
- Nandhagopal R, Kuramoto L, Schulzer M, et al. Longitudinal evolution of compensatory changes in striatal dopamine processing in Parkinson’s disease. Brain. 2011;134(Pt 11):3290-3298.doi:10.1093/brain/awr233
- Stoessl J. C. David Marsden Lecture Award: Functional Reorganization and Compensation in Parkinson’s Disease. Presented at: 2025 MDS Congress; October 5-9; Honolulu, Hawaii. Presidential Lectures.
