Email from University of Minnesota
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March, literallyWe did it!! Spring doesn't start for a few weeks, but there are plenty of warming, sunny days in the forecast this month. I tend to make a lot of late new year's resolutions around this time; I feel full of hope and energy, and it feels more like the start of something than January 1 does. We all go out a lot less in the winter -- this is your reminder to start trying to get outside again, especially if you can get outside for a walk (to "march into March" as I like to think) because, as you know we like to talk about in this newsletter, physical activity is an important part of a Parkinson's treatment plan. (Just make sure those sidewalks aren't icy!)
The University of Minnesota is one of 25 participating sites in the nationwide SPARX Phase III trial, which is SUCH a cool study. It's the first randomized control trial looking at how different levels of aerobic exercise affect the progression of Parkinson's. (Remember, randomized control trials are the gold standard of research, where participants are randomly assigned to different treatments.) While we're waiting for the results of that study to come out, we do know that the earlier Phase II SPARX trial showed some evidence of slowing of progression.
Wondering what I meant by Phase II and Phase III? These are normally terms from drug and device trials, but the treatment in the SPARX study is aerobic exercise.
Phase I -- a trial of fewer than 100 people, used to figure out if the treatment is safe, and what an appropriate dose should be
Phase II -- a trial with 100-300 people, to check that the treatment has an effect and is generally safe
Phase III -- a trial with up to a few thousand people, to make sure that it definitely works and is safe. If a Phase III trial is successful, the treatment typically receives FDA approval.
Phase IV -- after approval, a Phase IV trial may be done to gather further information about safety, benefit, and method of use.
When you see a drug commercial on TV where they list the side effects that you might have, those are the side effects that people experienced in that drug's Phase II and Phase III trials.
There's currently no drug, device, or other treatment that has been proven to slow the progression of Parkinson's, but the SPARX Phase II trial found that the 38 people who did high intensity exercise three days a week were seemingly able to pause the progression of Parkinson's for the 6 months that they were in the trial. The group that did moderate intensity exercise had some progression of symptoms, and the group that did no exercise had the most progression. The current Phase III trial not only has more people enrolled, but they will also be enrolled for a longer time, 2 years.
If you want to read more about the findings from Phase II of the SPARX trial, read an interview with the study's primary investigator here.
You don't need to wait for the Phase III SPARX results for motivation to start moving; you've heard it before that exercise is good for people with PD (and everyone else, for that matter). Talk to your care team about how to incorporate exercise into your treatment plan. And if you can do so safely, get out for that walk and soak up the springtime!
Kelly Ryberg, MA, CCRP
Editor, Parkinson's Pulse
P.S. Drugs and devices can be wonderful treatments that change people's lives, but wouldn't it be nice to also find out, for example, how changing the kinds of food that you eat might affect your PD symptoms or progression? If you want more research like the SPARX trial, that doesn't involve drugs or devices, contact your federal representatives and tell them to increase funding to the National Institutes of Health (NIH)!
P.P.S. If you want to help make the next big discovery about Parkinson's, get more info about volunteering for one of our studies by emailing studyvolunteer@umn.edu!
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March also brings us closer to one of our most important gatherings of the year!
We’re excited to invite you to the Annual Spring Parkinson’s Symposium, a free, community‑centered program designed for people with Parkinson’s disease, their families, friends, care partners, and professionals across Minnesota. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. |
Watch Our Movement Disorders Lab Tour!
Some members of our PD community had the opportunity to step inside the University of Minnesota’s Movement Disorders and Neurophysiology Labs for a behind‑the‑scenes tour. Attendees explored how researchers study motor symptoms, brain‑body connections, and new approaches to understanding Parkinson’s disease and related conditions.
Watch here!
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Changes in cognition, which can include memory, attention, language, and problem-solving, are an important topic for many Parkinson's patients and their friends, family, and caregivers. There's a LOT to say on the topic; below is part 1 of a series prepared by our outreach specialist, Jeanie Pebbles, and Dr. Jessica Froula, a postdoctoral fellow researching Parkinson's at the University of Minnesota.
Cognitive challenges with memory, attention, or problem‑solving are a common experience of Parkinson’s disease. However, cognitive decline does not occur in all cases of Parkinson’s and every person’s cognitive journey is unique; roughly 26% of people with PD progress to mild cognitive impairment, and 24–31% develop dementia.
Short‑term memory is often affected more frequently than long‑term memory, and difficulty planning or making decisions are some of the most common symptoms of cognitive decline in PD. Although these shifts can feel unsettling, learning what they are and how they progress can help you feel more prepared. When identified early, long-term outcomes can be improved with proactive support and personalized care plans.
For some good news, many cognitive changes move slowly and regular exercise has been shown to boost cognition and support memory; we'll talk more about this in Part 3 of this series.
Cognitive impairment can feel overwhelming, but fortifying yourself with information, developing a plan and routines, and relying on care partners can help make living with these symptoms more manageable. Check out next month's issue for part 2, which will discuss the biological causes of cognitive changes in Parkinson's.
No one has to face Parkinson’s alone; our Minnesota community is here for you. If you haven't found the right group to connect with yet, check out the regional group links from APDA at the bottom of the newsletter, or email us at udall@umn.edu and we'll help you get connected to a local group. As the days get longer and we step into spring, may we all continue moving, learning, and supporting one another!
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Free Parkinson's Events this month
1. PD Support Group in Alexandria
🕒 2:30 - 4:00PM - 4th Tuesday of each month
📌 2209 Jefferson Street, Suite 201, Alexandria MN 56308, Meeting room 1A
Contact Lisa Duberowski at Lisa.Duberowski@vivie.org or Karen Doerfler at kdoerfl@gmail.com for more details.
2. APDA Minnesota Virtual PRESS™ Program
Join the MN APDA chapter for this free, 8‑week online educational and support series.
🕒 Mondays, March 2–April 27, 2026 from 10:30am - 12:00pm
📌 Virtual.
Register online here.
3. Connecting Through Art - APDA
🕒 Tuesday, March 17th from 1:00 - 2:30pm
📌Shoreview Community Center - 4580 Victoria St. N. Shoreview, MN 55126
Register and learn more here!
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