From left: Theresa Lin and Sarah Simon, research assistants; Katherine Leaver, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Sonya Elango, genetic counselor; Susan Bressman, MD; Deborah Raymond, genetic counselor; and Rachel Saunders-Pullman, MD, MPH, MS, Associate Professor of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Physician-scientists from Mount Sinai Beth Israel and The Michael J. Fox Foundation highlighted new treatments and research in Parkinson’s disease during a “Thankfest” symposium and lunch in October. The event was held to recognize the valuable contributions of 60 special attendees—patients who volunteer to participate in clinical trials to advance understanding of Parkinson’s disease.
“Clinical trials are in a very exciting new phase of targeted treatments that include correcting specific genetic causes,” says Susan Bressman, MD, a renowned Parkinson’s disease clinician and researcher. Dr. Bressman is the Mirken Family Professor of Neurology and Director of the Movement Disorders Center.
“The only way we will know if these approaches work is by testing them in patients,” says Dr. Bressman. “The process depends on the altruism of patients, and they deserve giant kudos.”