Living Your Best Life Now - An Individualistic Approach to Parkinson's Disease w/ Dr. Rodolfo Savica

In this episode, Jamie has an illuminating conversation with Dr. Rodolfo Savica, who is professor of neurology and epidemiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. In his clinical practice, Dr. Savica specializes in movement disorders, particularly Young Onset Parkinson's disease (which is also called Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease).
Dr. Savica explains how he became interested in this field after encountering a patient with young onset Parkinson's who lacked resources and support. He highlights the main differences between young onset and late onset Parkinson's, emphasizing that the brains of young onset patients do not have the aging-related damage seen in late onset patients. He also discusses the challenges in defining and understanding the various conditions within the umbrella term "Parkinson's disease."
Regarding treatment, Dr. Savica explains that historically there was a hesitation to start medications aggressively in young onset patients due to concerns about complications. However, current data do not support this approach, and he advocates for individualized treatment based on each patient's needs and responses. He emphasizes the importance of optimizing medication dosages and timing to minimize off times and improve quality of life. The discussion highlights the need for a shift in the approach to treating young onset Parkinson's, emphasizing individualized care and addressing the specific challenges faced by this patient population.
The episode also includes a lengthy discussion on lifestyle, including the importance of exercise for Parkinson's disease. Dr Savica emphasizes that 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, five times a week, is the best treatment to delay the progression of the disease.
The conversation concludes with a discussion about the need for further research on specific subtypes of Parkinson's disease, and the significance of collaboration between patients, experts, and policymakers to advance understanding and treatment of the condition.