The Parkinsons Pulse

21/04/2026

New large-scale research adds weight to something many of us have suspected for a long time: the gut matters in Parkinson’s disease.

A machine learning meta-analysis combining 22 studies, 11 countries, and 4,489 samples found consistent microbiome differences in people living with Parkinson’s. Many beneficial bacteria linked to short-chain fatty acid production (such as butyrate) were reduced, while other microbial functions related to inflammation, barrier health, and chemical processing were altered.

One especially interesting finding was that microbial pathways involved in processing solvents and pesticides were found at higher levels in Parkinson’s cohorts. This does not prove cause and effect, but it adds another layer to the growing conversation around environmental exposures, gut health, and the gut-brain axis.

What does this mean in practice?

Not that there is a magic probiotic cure.
Not that Parkinson’s starts only in the gut.
Not that one stool test has all the answers.

But it does strengthen the case for supporting the terrain:

fibre diversity
bowel regularity
metabolic health
anti-inflammatory lifestyle patterns
reduced toxic burden where practical
personalised care

Parkinson’s is complex.

It must also include the systems that influence resilience and long-term health.

14/04/2026

New research worth sharing: Head trauma, inflammation & Parkinson’s risk

This review explores Post-Traumatic Parkinsonism (PTP), where Parkinson-like symptoms can develop after a traumatic brain injury (TBI), sometimes months or years later.

What makes this paper so important is the mechanistic overlap it highlights between traumatic brain injury and Parkinson’s disease. After head trauma, we can see processes such as chronic neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, dopamine pathway injury, and abnormal alpha-synuclein accumulation. This may sound familiar as they are all pathways highly relevant to Parkinson’s biology.

One statistic that stood out to me: researchers found evidence of activated microglia (the brain’s immune cells) up to 17 years after a traumatic brain injury.
This really matters. Because for some people, a head injury may not be just a short-term event, it may trigger biological cascades that continue long after the original impact.

This doesn’t mean every concussion leads to Parkinson’s. But it does reinforce why prevention, proper recovery, and long-term brain health support matters.
Parkinson’s is rarely about one single cause. It’s about understanding the many drivers that shape brain health over time.

What I find especially interesting is how the authors finish the paper — calling for more personalised, preventive, pharmacological, surgical and rehabilitation approaches.

To me, that’s where the conversation gets exciting. If chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic dysfunction and network-level injury are part of the picture, then it makes sense to explore broader strategies that support brain recovery and resilience alongside standard care.

That could include everything from rehabilitation and exercise through to nutrition, metabolic health, sleep, and reducing inflammatory load.

We need more research here, but this is exactly why a wider lens matters.

10/04/2026

Parkinson’s Awareness Month

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month.
And April 11 marks World Parkinson’s Day.

Right now, over 200,000 Australians are living with Parkinson’s. Globally, that number exceeds 10 million, and continues a steady rise.

Parkinson’s disease is now considered the fastest growing neurological condition in the world.

Parkinson’s is often reduced to tremor, stiffness, and slow movement. But in reality, it is far more complex. It can affect mood, cognition, sleep, digestion, and energy; with this list being far from exhaustive.
Often, the symptoms you don’t see are the ones that impact people the most.

People living with Parkinson’s are often defined by this single diagnosis.

But they are whole individuals……..with their own stories, challenges, and have people around them who love and care for them deeply.

Parkinson’s is not just something to manage.

We need to start recognising that there are modifiable drivers that matter.
And that improving health span matters too.

Awareness matters.

But if it’s going to mean something,
it has to move beyond recognition…
and toward a deeper understanding of the condition,
and the ways we may be able to influence how it is experienced over time.

31/03/2026

Don’t be misled — the paraquat fight is far from over.

While Syngenta has announced it will stop producing paraquat, this decision was driven by market competition—not safety concerns. The chemical itself is still widely available, with hundreds of other manufacturers continuing production.

In Australia, paraquat remains in use and is still under review by the Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority, with a final decision expected in 2026. Until a formal ban is implemented, exposure risk remains for farmers, workers, and nearby communities.

This matters because the science continues to build.

A study from the National Institutes of Health found that workers exposed to paraquat are 2.5 times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, and research published in 2024 shows that even living near sprayed areas is associated with increased risk.

And yet, despite this, meaningful regulatory action continues to be delayed.

Globally, the direction is clear:

70+ countries have already banned paraquat, including across the EU.
Even countries that manufacture it do not allow its domestic use!!

Meanwhile:

Research continues to link paraquat exposure with increased Parkinson’s disease risk
Legal action is ongoing, with thousands of cases being settled internationally

This isn’t over. Production changes don’t equal protection. Only a full regulatory ban will.

Please take a moment to follow this link and sign the petition:
Sign the petition to ban paraquat in Australia

Ban the use of Paraquat in Australia

31/03/2026

Parkinson’s Disease & Blood Sugar: A Much Deeper Connection Than We Thought

This is a really well-done review that brings together a growing body of research highlighting something important: Parkinson’s disease is also closely linked to metabolic health and blood sugar regulation.

The paper outlines how insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and high blood sugar can directly contribute to the processes that drive Parkinson’s, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the buildup of alpha-synuclein.

Even more compelling, people with type 2 diabetes appear to have a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s and may experience faster disease progression, reinforcing the idea that what’s happening in the body metabolically can influence what’s happening in the brain.

The important takeaway:
This is not just something to observe — it’s something we can act on and potentially change the course of disease…….

By supporting stable blood sugar, improving insulin sensitivity, and addressing diet, we may be able to influence some of the underlying drivers that contribute to disease progression.

This is a big focus of my work, and I’ve been building out a full blog series on The Parkinson’s Pulse that explores this in a practical, patient-friendly way. Full article https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11050090/

22/03/2026

I hope everyone is having a great Sunday — and getting a bit of well-earned downtime after some movement today.

I wanted to share something a little different.

The World Parkinson’s Congress has a collection of short films that are genuinely worth exploring. Each one is unique, but all of them are incredibly touching, inspiring, and deeply human.

They capture something that often gets missed — the lived experience of Parkinson’s. The challenges, the resilience, the adaptation, and the moments of meaning along the way.

If you’ve got some quiet time today, it’s well worth diving into a few of these.

https://wpc2026.org/page/shortfilmcompetition?fbclid=IwRlRTSAQsFzlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeb7A2oUbW3hDdg-6lMZdpU0DfeYfkblD664RRzGAXUomaZCZO6PiZsSAlFyM_aem_Fyuk-cA6GctcBBi4yy61-A

Public voting for the People’s Choice Award starts now until April 2nd. WPC delegates and members of the global Parkinson’s community have the opportunity to view the Top 10 films and cast their vote.

18/03/2026

I am a big fan of the way this image is presented in the paper I last shared. An easy guide worth some time going over 😊

Exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have in Parkinson’s disease, and it’s not just about “moving more”.

This pyramid highlights something really important:

• Different types of exercise do different things for the brain and body

• It’s the combination that matters

In Parkinson’s disease, evidence consistently shows benefits from:

• Aerobic exercise – brain health, mitochondrial function & neuroprotection
• Resistance training – strength, bone density & functional independence
• Neuro-motor training – balance, coordination & dual-tasking
• Flexibility work – rigidity, mobility & pain

There’s no single “best” exercise — but there is a best mix, tailored to the individual, their symptoms, stage, and capacity.

This is why exercise isn’t optional in Parkinson’s care — it’s foundational.

👉 Save this post
👉 Share it with someone living with Parkinson’s
👉 Small, consistent steps compound over time

⸻

Image source:
Open-access figure from the narrative review “Exercise, Neuroprotective Exerkines, and Parkinson’s Disease” by Mitchell AK, Bliss RR, & Church FC, published by MDPI under a Creative Commons CC BY licence.
Original authors credited.

This review does an excellent job of explaining how exercise acts as medicine for the brain through neuroprotective signalling molecules known as exerkines.

16/03/2026

Exercise: The Original Brain Medicine for Parkinson’s Disease

For many years, exercise was viewed simply as supportive therapy for Parkinson’s disease — helpful for mobility, balance, and strength.

But the science has evolved.

We now understand that exercise activates powerful biological signalling systems that may help protect the brain.

When we move, our muscles and other tissues release molecules known as exerkines — signalling compounds such as BDNF, irisin, lactate, cathepsin B, and IL-6 that help regulate inflammation, mitochondrial function, neuroplasticity, and dopamine neuron survival.

This is one of the reasons exercise is increasingly viewed as a disease-modifying strategy, not simply symptom management.

Research consistently shows that the most effective programs combine several forms of movement:

• Aerobic exercise
• Resistance training
• Neuromotor training (balance, coordination, rhythm)
• Flexibility work

Together these create a network of protective signals throughout the body and brain.

And importantly — you don’t need to start perfectly.

Even small amounts of regular movement can begin activating these protective pathways.

Consistency matters far more than intensity.

Working with neurological physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, and Parkinson’s-specific exercise groups can help create a safe and sustainable program tailored to your stage and ability.

At The Parkinson’s Pulse, we explore many of these mechanisms in more depth — including the role of neurotrophic factors, exerkines, mitochondrial health, and metabolic resilience in Parkinson’s disease.

If you’d like to learn more, head to the website where we break down the science into practical, evidence-informed strategies.

— Davey
The Parkinson’s Pulse

16/03/2026

One of the most important papers published on Parkinson’s disease and exercise in recent years.

This 2024 review explores a fascinating concept known as “exerkines” — signalling molecules released by the body during physical activity that may help support brain health and neuronal resilience.

The research highlights how exercise doesn’t simply improve fitness. It triggers a complex network of biological signals between muscle, brain, liver, fat tissue, and the immune system that may influence neuroprotection.

Across multiple studies, aerobic training, resistance training, and neuromotor exercise consistently improved motor symptoms, functional capacity, and quality of life in people living with Parkinson’s.

This growing body of evidence is one of the reasons exercise is increasingly viewed as a core therapeutic strategy in Parkinson’s care.

Movement isn’t just rehabilitation.
It may be one of the most powerful biological signals we can activate.

At The Parkinson’s Pulse, we explore many of these mechanisms in more depth — including the role of neurotrophic factors, exercise signalling molecules, and metabolic pathways that may influence brain resilience in Parkinson’s disease.

If you’re interested in learning more, head to the website where we break down the science into practical, evidence-informed insights.

— Davey
The Parkinson’s Pulse

02/03/2026

🌍 World Parkinson’s Conference – May Update

I’ll be travelling to the United States in May to attend the World Parkinson’s Conference — connecting with researchers, clinicians and advocates from around the globe.

While I’m away from clinic consultations during this period, this is actually a great opportunity for anyone considering working with The Parkinson’s Pulse to get their pre-assessment foundations organised.

Before an initial consultation, I require:

• Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)
• Comprehensive Parkinson’s pathology panel
• Medication and symptom history documentation - initial intake form

These investigations take time to complete and process.

If you organise them in May, your results will be ready for review when I return, which means we can begin strategically and efficiently.

Parkinson’s management works best when we prepare properly.

If you’d like details on the pre-assessment process, send me a message or comment “FOUNDATIONS” below, and I’ll point you in the right direction. Alternatively, go to www.theparkinsonspulse.com to find out more.

Looking forward to bringing back insights from the global stage.

- Davey

02/03/2026

One of the brain’s most important repair molecules, BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). It is often reduced in Parkinson’s disease, but we can encourage its production!

BDNF supports:
• Neuroplasticity
• Neuronal survival
• Mood regulation
• Gut–brain signalling
• Whole-body resilience

Research shows that while some Parkinson’s medications modestly influence BDNF pathways, the strongest signals come from lifestyle inputs — exercise, sleep, sunlight, metabolic stability, and specific plant compounds.

This doesn’t replace medication.
It complements it.

Medication supports.
Lifestyle drives neuroplasticity.

I’ve written a detailed blog breaking this down — including the gut connection, alpha-synuclein’s impact on BDNF signalling, and the herbs and dietary strategies that may help support these pathways.

You can read the full article via The Parkinson’s Pulse blog (link in bio).

The brain has repair systems.
Our job is to create the environment where they can function.

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If this was helpful, share it with someone living with Parkinson’s or caring for someone who is.