Parkinson’s Post to educate, inspire and empower individuals affected by Parkinson’s

Winter 2019 Parkinson’s Post! Julie Pavelka, MS, APRN-NP Memory and Movement Disorders | Department of Neurological Sciences | Nebraska Medicine [email protected]

Welcome to the Winter 2019 edition of Parkinson’s Post and first edition of 2019! Parkinson’s Post will be published four Inside this issue times (March, June, September, • Carbohydrates December) in 2019 to coincide • Impulse Control with the seasons! Disorders

The Movement Disorder Team has been • Home Modifications planning our upcoming symposium, for Safety Parkinson’s Disease in 2019: A Conference for Patients, Family, and Caregivers that is • Parkinson Disease Monday, October 14, 2019 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 and Driving p.m. at the Embassy Suites and Conference , La Vista, Neb. The Symposium offers an • Upcoming Events excellent opportunity for all individuals affected by Parkinson’s to network with Parkinson • Caregiver Strategies Disease Experts; vendors representing treatments, products, and services specific to • Nebraska State Parkinson Disease; and others who understand Registry for PD the daily struggles, battles, and triumphs that Brian Grant patients, families, and caregivers endure daily. The curriculum includes sessions presented • The Mind & Brain by our Movement Disorder Team including Today, Brian continues to inspire as a speaker, Health Labs our Physicians, Therapy Department (Physical, philanthropist, and a patient who insists on Occupational, and Speech) and Nutritionist. thriving with Parkinson’s disease. His mission is • Skate-A-Thon Our Keynote Speaker for our Symposium is to help people become their best, even when Brian Grant who was an NBA idol, known for it seems impossible. Brian started his career • Reliable Resources tenacious rebounding and a fearless attitude at where he was Player of on the court. During his 12-year career, he the Year twice for the Midwestern Collegiate played for five teams and became a strong Conference. He was drafted in the first round, contributor to his surrounding communities. eighth overall, in the 1994 NBA draft by the

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Sacramento Kings. His career continued with believe that his athletic body couldn’t push that unite us as people, regardless of age or the , , Los through the pain or get better with time. background. Brian is also on the Trail Blazers Angeles Lakers, and . During He was scared and humbled, yet fiercely Alumni Ambassador Corp and he loves to this time, Brian also served underprivileged determined to be as healthy as possible. fish, surf, and enjoy the mountains in Oregon. youth and sick families in his community. This motivation launched the Brian Grant Brian learned from his coaches that you can’t His contributions earned him the J.Walter Foundation, for those with Parkinson’s who always control the ball, but you can control Kennedy Citizenship Award. want to lead active and fulfilling lives. your effort. As a father of eight, he wants to In 2006, Brian retired from professional Since then, Brian has become a sought show his kids that quality of life takes sweat . Only two years later, he was after keynote speaker. Companies and and determination, but the results are always diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s organizations nationwide are drawn to his worth it. disease at age 36. It was hard for him to authenticity and captivated by his stories

Registration for the symposium will begin August 1 and will be completed on-line – registration process details will be in the next Parkinson’s Post published in June. There also are Sponsorship, Vendor, and Donor opportunities for the symposium available – contact Julie Pavelka for further details at [email protected].

Fuel #1: Carbohydrates Jenna Paseka, MS, RD, LMNT Nutrition Therapist | Neurological Sciences Department | Nebraska Medicine

This article is the first of a three part series to higher in fiber and can help keep blood highlight the main macronutrients in our diets. sugar levels steady. Whole grains such as The foods and some beverages we eat and barley, brown rice, buckwheat, bulgur, millet, drink consist of carbohydrates, fat and protein. oatmeal, popcorn, quinoa, whole wheat Each macronutrient plays an important role in crackers, whole wheat flour and whole wheat supplying energy for our bodies. pasta are complex carbohydrates. Other complex carbohydrates include vegetables, Carbohydrates make up the largest portion beans, lentils and sweet potatoes. of calories in most diets and are our main energy source. The Dietary Reference People with Parkinson’s disease can benefit Intakes and 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines from carbohydrate intake. Carbohydrates can recommendations are to consume between help alleviate some of the side effects from 45-65% of calories from carbohydrates. medications like carbidopa-levodopa. Taking Carbohydrates supply energy to the brain, the medication with a carbohydrate such Stay tuned to future cells, tissues and organs. as fruit, crackers or toast can help manage the side effects while still allowing the issues of the Parkinson There are two different types of medication to be effective. carbohydrates – simple and complex Post to learn about the carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates include As a general rule of thumb, choose less other macronutrients, sugars found naturally in foods and sugars processed carbohydrate sources to maximize protein and fat! added to foods. They break down quickly the fuel you can provide your body. Reading in the body to be used as energy. Simple nutrition facts labels can also help guide carbohydrates are found naturally in fruits your choices. Look for foods with a higher and milk, and also added into foods such as fiber content and ingredients that use the fruit canned in syrup, baked goods, candy, term “whole,” such as “whole wheat flour” soda and sweetened yogurts. Complex as the first ingredient in bread. Avoid foods carbohydrates are starches and take longer that have “sugar” as one of the first three for the body to digest. These are typically ingredients.

Parkinson’s Post | 2 Impulse Control Disorders Sarah M. Szymkowicz, PhD Clinical Neuropsychology Fellow | University of Nebraska Medical Center

Impulse control disorders (ICDs) occur in spending and binge-eating behaviors are symptoms to the treatment team if the PD 14-60% of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients more common in women. patient does not want to reveal that these and are characterized by impulsive and behaviors are problematic. ICDs are related to the dopamine compulsive behaviors. Impulsive behaviors replacement therapy used to treat the If ICDs are suspected, working with your refer to actions that a person cannot resist motor symptoms of PD, particularly with Movement Disorders specialist to lower doing, with the behaviors providing an dopamine agonists. Because individuals with dopaminergic medications is the first step. immediate feeling of pleasure or reward. PD have long-term exposure to dopamine This can be challenging, as these medications Compulsive behaviors consist of an intense replacement therapies, it is thought that are needed to treat the motor symptoms urge to carry out an action repetitively and in some individuals develop hypersensitivity, of PD. Stopping medications all together is a very particular manner. The failure to resist which may cause a person to “overreact” to not advised, though stopping or reducing engaging in these behaviors rises to the level the medications. One common overreaction the dose of the suspected medication that of a disorder when it causes distress, impairs is dyskinesia, while another example of how is causing the ICD symptoms often helps. functional abilities, and / or reduces quality of the body overreacts to dopamine medication If ICDs are occurring in you or a loved one, life. ICDs can be time-consuming and often is ICDs. speak with your Movement Disorders go unrecognized, only becoming obvious specialist before making any medication once they have wreaked havoc on the lives of Not every PD patient undergoing dopamine changes yourself. patients and their families. replacement therapy will develop ICDs. There appears to be specific clinical factors that Behavioral management of symptoms is Examples of ICDs include gambling, may increase risk. These include younger also important, as it can help to reduce the excessing spending, sexual behaviors age of PD onset, male gender, prior history of consequences of such behaviors. Taking (e.g., hypersexuality, paraphilias), and binge depression or substance abuse, family history away credit and bank cards, limiting bank eating, as well as less severe behaviors of pathological gambling, novelty seeking account access, restricting internet access, such as punding (i.e., stereotyped, repetitive, personality, REM sleep behavior disorder, and 12-step gambling programs are examples purposeless behaviors), hobbyism, aimless and higher rate of dyskinesia. of behavioral techniques that may be helpful wandering, and hoarding. For some people, in minimizing ICDs. A referral for cognitive- ICDs may be mild and / or just a minor ICDs often start when dopaminergic behavioral therapy is another option to help annoyance (e.g., increased focus on eating medications are increased or when a second reverse unwanted thoughts and behavioral sweets with a 10 lb. weight gain). For others, dopaminergic drug is added. Because of patterns once dopaminergic medications the impact is more severe (e.g., compulsive this, it is important for the treatment team have been reduced. gambling to the of bankruptcy). It to continue monitoring and screening for is possible to have more than one ICD ICDs at follow-up visits, especially after dose concurrently. Hypersexuality and gambling changes. It is also important for caregivers are more common in men and excessive and loved ones to communicate these ICD

January / February 2019 | 3 Home Modifications to Reduce Falls and Live Safely at Home with Parkinson’s Disease Dana Dickes, SPT Lauren Kesteloot, PT, DPT Physical Therapist Student | College of Allied Health Professions Physical Therapist | Rehab Services Lead University of Nebraska Medical Center Nebraska Medicine – Bellevue

Falls are the leading cause of injury in people Bathroom who are age 65 and older. One in four elderly »» Use an elevated toilet seat and/or grab »» A bathtub bench can be useful so you don’t individuals has at least one fall per year. Most bars that are securely fastened to the wall have to sit in a tub or stand for long periods falls are caused by a combination of risk to make it easier to get off of the toilet. of time in the shower. factors. The more risk factors a person has, DON’T use towel racks or bathroom tissue the greater their chances of falling. People »» Get rid of small bathroom mats that may holders to help you stand because they with Parkinson’s disease are at increased cause you to trip. may not be adequately fastened to the wall. risk for falls due to weakness, trouble »» Clean up water and spills immediately to »» Put grab bars inside and outside your with balance or walking, along with visual avoid slipping. problems. Many falls can be prevented by bathtub or shower. simple modifications in the home.

General Principles 1. Remove clutter from floor and walkways. 2. Increase lighting especially in darkened areas. 3. Install grab bars where necessary. 4. Keep a phone near you or in your pocket in case you do fall. 5. Keep moving and exercising. Bedroom and Living Area »» Arrange furniture so there is plenty of space between pieces. Remove furniture that is not necessary. »» Remove trip hazards such as throw rugs and cords. If you must use extension cords, they should be secured with tape. »» Try to buy chairs with armrests, straight backs and firm seats. This makes getting up and sitting down easier. »» Install sturdy handrails in the bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom, and in stairways where there is nothing to hold on to. »» Increase lighting in various parts of the house, including the bathroom and bedroom.

Parkinson’s Post | 4 Occupational Therapy for Upcoming 2019 Parkinson’s disease and Driving Events Narmean Pedawi, OTR/L Occupational therapist | Nebraska Medicine Nebraska Medicine/ Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive therapist (OT) who is a driving rehabilitation UNMC Parkinson Disease neurodegenerative disease that affects specialist to assess your driving performance Support Group movement and cognitive functions. These skill using knowledge to recognize changes Every Third Friday at 10 a.m. functions affected could potentially lead to associated with your medical conditions (note time change) impaired driving performance. Parkinson’s and tailors evaluation and intervention Fred & Pamela Buffett disease symptoms vary from mild to plans to each individual. The OT will assess Cancer Center, severe. Primary symptoms of Parkinson’s driving skills including but are not limited 505 S. 45th St., Omaha, NE disease can interfere with driving. The most to: observation of blind spot, use of signals, obvious symptoms include: tremor, rigidity, braking/accelerating, lane positioning, Speakers: bradykinesia and postural instability. While spacing between vehicles and merging skills. April 19 less obvious symptoms include subtle An occupational therapist driving specialist Salima Brillman, MD, visual deficits. Cognitive symptoms include will also assess your driving performance Movement Disorders Neurologist impairments with thinking, language and in terms of safety and detect any problems Parkinson’s Disease and Movement problem-solving. Some people with PD may that could lead to accidents with an on the Disorders Center of Silicon Valley realize the severity of their symptoms and road test. Some driving behaviors an OT will May 17 safety risks with driving and voluntarily limit also assess include but are not limited to: Dr. Jayme Dowdall, or stop driving. But others may be unable to coordination, judging distance and space, Otlaryngologist, Nebraska Medicine; recognize their driving skills are significantly ability to handle multiple tasks, any memory Assistant Professor, Department of impaired and insist on driving despite the deficits, confusion or irritability and decreased Otolaryngology – Head and Neck safety risk to themselves and others. information processing and making decision. Surgery, UNMC All these skills are essential to ensure the Parkinson’s disease symptoms vary from safety of you as a driver and for the safety of After entering the front of the Fred & patient to patient and can worsen over others who you share the road with. Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, walk to the time. Although there are medications that left of the registration desk and you will can reduce symptoms, some medications Some people with Parkinson’s disease be directed to the appropriate meeting may have side effects such as dizziness may be able to continue to drive, but not room which is on the MAIN FLOOR or drowsiness. Understanding how these indefinitely. Others may be given strict (Conference Room 0.12.103). Available symptoms and side effects can affect driving guidelines like driving only on familiar roads, parking will be in GREEN PARKING, is important. Episodes of tremor in the arm, driving only during daylight hours and in across teh street from the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center – there also is a hand, legs or trunk can affect the ability to good weather. If the results of your driving circle driveway in front of the Cancer control a steering wheel or operate other evaluation indicate the need to stop driving, Center that can be utilized for dropping off car controls like the gas and brake pedals. your OT can help you and your loved ones and picking up. Rigidity can cause jerky motions while understand why it is important to do so. In steering or limit flexibility for checking for addition, they can help identify transportation If you are unable to attend the support group, but would like to watch the meeting blind spots. Bradykinesia or slow movement alternatives in your community. Your OT may from your computer, please utilize the can affect your reaction time with braking in suggest driving adaptations for those who following link to watch the meeting live: hazardous or emergency situations and in present with minimal errors during testing. http://www.unmc.edu/livevideo/unmc_ rush hour traffic. Postural instability can result Discussions with your doctor and your live2.html in poor or stooped posture which can reduce state’s department of motor vehicles could Please contact Julie Pavelka, Facilitator, your awareness to the environment or your be beneficial in easing the transition out of with any questions/concerns and RSVP surroundings and when checking blind spots. driving. (one week prior to meeting): parkinson. Occupational therapy can work on treating [email protected] the severity of these symptoms or slow the progression of symptoms to allow for that independence and freedom people take pride Parkinson Disease Patient in, especially with driving. However, your and Caregiver Symposium doctor may recommend an occupational October 14 Embassy Suites Convention Center 12520 Westport Pkwy, LaVista, NE.

January / February 2019 | 5 Moving Through Life, part 3 Anonymous Caregiver

Greetings to all readers. This is the third of meat because he no longer could hold the big steps. All these will help keep the gait my contributions to this newsletter. Please knife correctly and perform the appropriate more normal. When my husband and I took go back to the articles in the previous motions needed to complete the task. walks, I sometimes had to cue (remind) newsletters if this is your first time reading him every few minutes but it definitely Participate in a LSVT BIG or similar this newsletter, as they may provide helped him to maintain a more normal gait program to help maintain coordination and information and helpful hints that will not be and to prevent falling. He and I had talked effective large and small movements. included in today’s article. The symptoms about the need for cuing and agreed with addressed in this article will be movement 2. Dystonia. Dystonia is involuntary necessity for cuing. I remember the first problems of tremor, dystonia, and gait. contraction of muscles of a part of the time I ever suggested he take big steps, Always discuss these problems with your body, such as toes, so that there is when we were out at the mall several neurologist, as adjustment of medications twitching or spasm or twisting of a toe or years after his diagnosis. He straightened (or brain stimulation in some cases) may be limb. This was one of the first symptoms up immediately and took off with normal needed. But you as the caregiver can also of PD that my husband had. In the strides, although to him they seemed like be of great assistance in assisting with these beginning there were occasional hours at giant strides. I think he surprised himself as problems on an everyday basis. night when the twitching was bothersome, much as me. We laughed all the way down but in the last few months of his life, both the hall. 1. Tremors and incoordination. These may his big toes were so “active”, as he called interfere with activities of daily living. Have Late in the PD progression, you may even it, that he had difficulty sleeping. Dystonia your PD person use big sweeping motions need to cue individual movements, if the can increase because of too little OR too of hands and arms before attempting a person is “stuck” in place. I will talk about much medication. It is often difficult to find task such as eating, writing, or buttoning. this in a later newsletter. the right balance. And illness or the stress That sometimes helps reduce the tremors of being hospitalized can exacerbate the Over and over we must remember that PD temporarily so they can complete the task. problem. Work with your neurologist when is not just a matter of the motor difficulties Even the person with less troublesome this is worsening. Occasionally injections but of the brain figuring out the steps to tremors will find it helpful before starting in the nerves of affected muscles may do something, as it is no longer automatic. small motor tasks. My husband, although reduce the symptoms for a time. Medication, cuing, exercise, and various his tremors were minor, could no longer therapies all must be part of maintaining the write his name legibly without the big 3. Gait. People with PD do not recognize PD person’s quality of life. And caregivers are motions first. Then it was quite legible and that their gait of leaning forward and taking in the middle of it all. We make a difference! similar to his normal handwriting. small steps is abnormal, but cuing by a partner or caregiver can help normalize it. Best wishes to all caregivers. For assistance with eating, specially Remind to swing arms and stand taller and designed spoons and forks are available. take big steps. Attend a BIG style program. My husband did not need these for eating, Every day have your person cross the but he did need assistance with cutting room several times in a certain number of

Parkinson’s Post | 6 Nebraska State Registry for PD Danish Bhatti, MD Assistant Professor | Co-Director Comprehensive Parkinson Disease Clinic Director, International Neurology Program | Associate Director, Movement Disorders Fellowship program Department of Neurological Sciences | University of Nebraska Medical Center

Nebraska was the first state and still one of the only three states in U.S. which have a state mandated registry for Parkinson’s disease (PD).

This registry was established 20 years ago with work and efforts by the faculty of public health and movement disorders neurologist in Nebraska. This has accumulated a large amount of data over the last years of patients with PD through various sources. This included mandatory reporting by the physicians who have diagnosed patients and capturing data from various pharmacies across the state looking at prescribed in outpatient setting to compare with each research ideas of comparing the Parkinson’s medications typically used for PD and also other during the eight years of review. We disease registry database with other large other avenues such as patient self-reporting. tried to match the two patient populations to databases in Nebraska to find commonalities Although a minimal amount of data set or be as comparable as possible by matching and patterns that are useful. Similar information is collected for each patient. This them with age at initial hospital admission or comparisons can be done with the state data has been comprehensively maintained outpatient visit, gender distribution, county of register of Parkinson’s disease whether such and updated annually over the last 20 years residence using a random sampling method large registries such as Well water database or so. etc. of Nebraska, the distribution of minerals, the occupation distribution and so on and so Even though data has been captured with What we found out was that Parkinson’s forth. And in the future, as we enhance and minimal information is still highly useful and patients who are hospitalized have more improve the registry database with a much recently used to publish to very interesting often dementia, mood disorders such as larger collection of information then a far articles. One of the study that we recently depression and anxiety, gastrointestinal more useful and detailed research projects completed in collaboration with the College disorders and urinary tract infection. We will be possible using the state registry of of Public Health at the University of Nebraska also noted that in outpatient PD had a Parkinson’s disease. Medical Center (UNMC) and the Movement higher risk of comorbidities of spondylosis Disorders division at the department of or spine damage, genital urinary disorder, This registry is currently being updated neurological sciences. It looked at the most gastrointestinal disorder and dementia. This to enhance the amount of data collection common comorbid conditions among PD highlights that certain conditions are more taking advantage of the resources available patients seen between 2004 and 2012 in prevalent in PD and certain diseases are in electronic medical records so that a much clinic and hospital. We looked for health much less frequent in Parkinson’s patients, more comprehensive amount of data is problems are more common in patients with most notable was the cardiovascular available on each patient added to the registry PD. This was done by linking the Nebraska diseases or heart problems. One other study thus making it a far more powerful tool for Parkinson’s disease registry data along with that was previously published compared providing research in Parkinson’s disease another large database of hospital discharge the database of pesticide and insecticide and making it much more effective. We are information. We identified for comparison purchase per county with the incidence and actively involved in this process to identify nearly 4,000 Parkinson’s patients who prevalence of Parkinson’s disease in that the appropriate data elements to be captured were hospitalized and compared them with county from the state registry and found through electronic medical record to be nearly 19,000 non Parkinson’s patients who certain counties showed a clear higher risk added to this registry for good studies in the were discharged. Similarly, we identified of Parkinson’s disease who were also higher future. 5,000 Parkinson’s patients and 26,000 purchasers of pesticide and insecticide. We non-Parkinson’s patients from the databases will be working on developing other such

January / February 2019 | 7 The Mind & Brain Health Labs Jennifer Merickel, PhD Mind & Brain Health Labs | Department of Neurological Sciences | University of Nebraska Medical Center

The Mind & Brain Health Labs (MBHL) is a multidisciplinary group of researchers who have expertise in medicine, cognitive science, human factors, driving research, public policy, computer science, statistics, biomechanics, and engineering. We use a broad range of tools to investigate and improve real-world mind and brain health, safety, quality of life, and mobility in individuals with diseases.

Our goal is to advance the use of personal vehicles and technologies to detect, monitor, and predict real-world safety in at-risk individuals. We believe that by improving understanding of driver safety in a range of medical populations, we can develop tools and technologies that can support and improve safety in individuals with diseases, including early detection of disease and potential cognitive decline. Our ultimate goal is to preserve mobility and quality of life for in-vehicle technologies for at-risk drivers. link to safety critical driving behavior we are individuals with disease. working to develop models to predict safety A particular interest in our research is To date, we have run over 300 individuals from vehicle and wearable sensor data (like developing techniques, methods, and who have a range of diseases and collected Fitbits) so that we can develop interventions technologies to improve mobility and over 600,000 miles of real-world driver to improve driver safety and mobility in quality of life in individual’s with Parkinson’s behavior data (Figure 1) that is linked with Parkinson’s. Disease. To accomplish this goal, we are demographic, health, cognitive, and real- conducting a novel, pilot study investigating A major goal of our lab is not just to conduct world physiologic and activity data from how the effects of Parkinson’s Disease research that improves real-world outcomes our drivers. Analyses of these data show impact driving behavior and quality of life. in medical populations, but is also to promise to aid in the development of safety Individuals with Parkinson’s are at-risk of support clinical translational research in interventions, patient and caregiver education, driving cessation, which may lead to inactivity the department and broader institution. In policy, fair and accurate guidelines for and social isolation. By determining how support of this goal, we have developed clinicians, and the development of supportive health, medication, and cognitive abilities a growing registry with 500 individuals currently enrolled, with and without diseases, Figure 1. We have collected driving data on individuals with a who are interested in participating in clinical range of functional abilities that spans the United States. translational research at UNMC. Our research depends on the collaboration of the community. We are grateful to all of our research participants for their commitment to helping participating in research that is working to improve mind and brain health, safety, and quality of life.

We’re excited to continue our research this year in projects. To read more about our research, please visit us at http://www.unmc. edu/mbhl/. If you are interested in working with our lab or participating in our research, please contact us at 402.559.6870 or [email protected].

Parkinson’s Post | 8 UNMC Skate-a-thon for Parkinson’s brings in more than $20,000 More than 500 skaters participate in 24-hour event In spite of a wide range of weather that included temperatures of near zero wind chills and four hours of snow, more than 500 skaters turned out for 9th annual UNMC Skate-a-thon for Parkinson’s, as the 24-hour skating event concluded at 2 p.m. this afternoon at the University of Nebraska Medical Center Ice Rink.

This marked the fifth consecutive year the throughout the snow. They helped broom some relief from the roller coaster weather event has topped 500 skaters. The event is the snow off the ice along with members of experienced over the 24 hours. held in memory of event founder Colleen an adult hockey team known as Menace to UNMC physicians – John Bertoni, M.D., Wuebben, who was diagnosed with Sobriety. Ph.D., and Howard Gendelman, M.D. – spoke Parkinson’s in 2005 at the age of 52 and died “It was just crazy,” said Knutson. “The snow at the opening ceremonies, while Diego in 2013 at the age of 60. was beautiful at first, then it got rather Torres-Russotto, M.D., participated in the Jenny Knutson, daughter of Ted and Colleen annoying. It just kept coming. It was grueling closing ceremonies. Longtime UNMC faculty Wuebben and one of the event coordinators, for all the skaters.” member, Jeff Baldwin, Pharm.D., who just said preliminary estimates are that the event retired this month after a 45-year career Five skaters – Chris Rush, Oscar Knutson, will once again top the $20,000 mark. She in the UNMC College of Pharmacy, was Ryan Cary, Tyler Cary and Jenny Knutson said online proceeds, pledges for skaters, recognized at the opening ceremonies. He – skated all 24 hours. This marked the fifth and corporate sponsorships are yet to be has been battling Parkinson’s disease since consecutive year that Rush has skated all processed. 2013. 24 hours and the second straight year for With this year’s total, the UNMC Skate-a- Oscar Knutson and Ryan Cary. In skating Damian Montez, co-host of the weekday thon for Parkinson’s has now netted more all 24 hours, it is estimated that each of the morning show on KGOR-FM (99.9), was the than $210,000 in proceeds during its nine marathon skaters logged nearly 70 miles. emcee for the opening ceremonies. He was years at the UNMC Ice Rink. joined by his partner, Shari Stone, for the The leading fundraising team was LTi closing ceremonies on Saturday afternoon. Proceeds go toward clinical and basic science Technology Solutions (headed by Ryan Montez and Shari are on the air from 5:30 Parkinson’s research at UNMC as well as Cary). The team raised more than $4,200 in to 10 a.m. Montez is a member of the Parkinson’s Nebraska, an organization started donations. Parkinson’s Nebraska board. by the Wuebben family to provide affordable The Creighton Prep High School hockey team, exercise, education and services to improve Sponsors this year included: Anderson the Omaha Junior Lancers and several adult quality of life for persons with Parkinson’s. Convenience Market; Project Advocates; hockey club teams participated in this year’s Masimore, Magnuson, & Associates, The snow arrived around 2:15 a.m. on skate-a-thon. PC; Acadia Pharmaceuticals; Heritage Saturday and lasted for about four hours, A huge throng of skaters was on the ice for Communities; LTi Technology Solutions; and Knutson said. The skaters who had the closing hour on Saturday as temperatures Lundbeck Pharmaceutical Company. committed to skating all 24 hours continued crept into the 30s to provide skaters with

January / February 2019 | 9 Neurological Sciences 988440 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198-8440

unmc.edu

Reliable Parkinson Resources

NOTE: This list is not complete, nor is it endorsed by UNMC or Nebraska Medicine

American Parkinson Disease Parkinson’s Action Network Association www.parkinsonaction.org www.apda.org Parkinson’s Foundation Davis Phinney Foundation www.parkinson.org for Parkinson’s Parkinson’s Foundation www.davisphinneyfoundation.org Heartland Chapter International Parkinson and Movement www.parkinson.org/heartland Disorders Society (WE MOVE) Parkinson’s Nebraska www.movementdisorders.org To download a copy of ALL www.parkinsonsnebraska.org Parkinson’s Post newsletters, Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Resource Organization for Parkinson’s Research please visit: www.parkinsonsresource.org www.michaeljfox.org The Parkinson Alliance www.unmc.edu/ Movement Disorder Society www.parkinsonalliance.org neurologicalsciences/ www.movementdisorders.org The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation news/newsletters National Institute of Neurological www.pdf.org Disorders and Stroke www.ninds.nih.gov The Parkinson’s Resource Organization www.parkinsonsresource.org

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