Parkinson Weekly

Oruen CNS
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Medicine

Parkinson Weekly is your go-to podcast for the latest insights in Parkinson’s disease. Each week, Professor Bas Bloem, Consultant Neurologist in the Department of Neurology at Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, takes you through his chosen “Article of the Week” – highlighting new research, clinical perspectives, and what it means for patients, carers, and healthcare professionals. Have a question you’d like Bas to answer on the podcast? Email us at parkinsonweekly@gmail.com – we’d love to hear from you. Stay informed, stay connected, and join us every week for clear, expert-led discussions on Parkinson’s.

  1. 3d ago

    Ep 31 - The Unseen Burden: Uncovering Shame and Its Determinants in Parkinson's Disease

    🎙️ We’re back with episode 31 of Parkinson Weekly, hosted by Prof. Bas Bloem. In Episode 31 of Parkinson Weekly, Prof. Bas Bloem explores an often overlooked but deeply important aspect of Parkinson’s disease: shame. Discussing a thought-provoking new paper published in Movement Disorders Clinical Practice, Bas examines how feelings of shame can significantly affect the lives of people living with Parkinson’s. The episode highlights findings from a Swiss study investigating the relationship between shame, anxiety, guilt, dyskinesias, depression, apathy, and overall quality of life in Parkinson’s disease. Bas reflects on why this under-recognised issue deserves far greater attention in clinical practice and everyday conversations. Importantly, the discussion goes beyond medication, emphasising the value of open communication, awareness, and non-pharmacological support in helping reduce the burden of shame for people with Parkinson’s and their families. A thoughtful and compassionate episode shedding light on the emotional realities of living with Parkinson’s disease — and why acknowledging these experiences is an essential step toward better care. You can read the full article here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40384367/  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.

    8 min

  2. May 22

    EP 30 - Tolerability and efficacy of full-body head-up tilt sleeping in Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy

    🎙️ We’re back with episode 30 of Parkinson Weekly, hosted by Prof. Bas Bloem. In Episode 30, Prof. Bas Bloem explores orthostatic hypotension — the significant drop in blood pressure that can occur when standing up, commonly affecting people with Parkinson’s disease and multiple system atrophy. This debilitating condition can lead to fainting, falls, fatigue, and the so-called “twilight zone” of brain fog. The episode discusses new research published this week in NPJ Parkinson’s Disease investigating “heads-up tilt sleeping” — sleeping with the bed elevated at an angle — as a simple, non-pharmacological treatment approach. Prof. Bloem explains how this technique may help improve both daytime blood pressure drops and nighttime hypertension, potentially offering a rare treatment strategy that addresses both problems simultaneously. Drawing on findings from the international HEADS-UP Parkinson study, the episode examines the science behind this old clinical observation, practical ways patients can try the intervention themselves, and why this could represent an important advance in managing autonomic dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease. You can read the full article here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42143029/ 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.

    11 min

  3. Apr 30

    EP 29 - The Parkinson Weekly Helpdesk

    🎙️ We’re back with the twenty-ninth episode of Parkinson Weekly, hosted by Prof. Bas Bloem — and the second instalment of the Parkinson Weekly Helpdesk. In this episode, Prof. Bloem answers three new listener questions covering some of the most talked-about topics in Parkinson’s care. He explores the role of diet and the gut, offering practical advice on nutrition, constipation, and how these may impact medication effectiveness. The episode also dives into Mucuna pruriens — what it is, how it compares to standard levodopa therapy, and when it may (or may not) be appropriate. Finally, Prof. Bloem discusses cognitive training, addressing whether brain exercises can help manage symptoms or slow cognitive decline. As always, the Helpdesk combines evidence with real-world clinical insight — helping to cut through conflicting advice and focus on what truly matters for patients. 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.

    22 min

  4. Apr 20

    EP 28 - The Parkinson Weekly Helpdesk

    🎙️ We’re back with the twenty-eighth episode of Parkinson Weekly, hosted by Bas Bloem. In Episode 28, we introduce a brand-new segment — the Parkinson Weekly Helpdesk — where Prof. Bloem answers listener-submitted questions from across the global Parkinson’s community. Following an overwhelming response, this new format tackles three key questions per episode, offering practical, evidence-based insights while ensuring advice remains general and applicable to all. This first Helpdesk episode explores: The growing interest in methylene blue and whether there is any real clinical evidence behind its use in Parkinson’s diseaseHow to regain confidence after a fall, including the role of balance confidence training and physiotherapyThe broader topic of supplements in Parkinson’s, examining what the evidence actually shows — and where caution is neededProf. Bloem brings his characteristic clarity and scientific rigour to each topic, highlighting the importance of distinguishing promising theory from proven, evidence-based treatments, while also addressing the real concerns and experiences of people living with Parkinson’s. A thoughtful and highly practical episode that marks the start of an important new initiative — designed to answer your questions, at scale. 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.

    22 min

  5. Apr 9

    EP 27 - Parkinsonism and Related Disorders

    🎙️ 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.

    13 min

  6. Apr 1

    EP 26 - Article Of The Week: Clinical severity in Parkinson's disease is determined by decline in cortical compensation

    🎙️ 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.

    16 min

  7. Mar 27

    EP 25 - Article Of The Week: The impact of diet on Parkinson's disease risk: A data-driven analysis in a large Italian case-control population

    🎙️ 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.

    18 min

  8. Mar 19

    EP 24 - Article Of The Week: Spiritual Assessment of Neurologic Patients

    🎙️ 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.

    19 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Parkinson Weekly is your go-to podcast for the latest insights in Parkinson’s disease. Each week, Professor Bas Bloem, Consultant Neurologist in the Department of Neurology at Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, takes you through his chosen “Article of the Week” – highlighting new research, clinical perspectives, and what it means for patients, carers, and healthcare professionals. Have a question you’d like Bas to answer on the podcast? Email us at parkinsonweekly@gmail.com – we’d love to hear from you. Stay informed, stay connected, and join us every week for clear, expert-led discussions on Parkinson’s.

Information

  • Creator
    Oruen CNS
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Parkinson Weekly
  • Show Website
    Parkinson Weekly

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