We’re thrilled to share exciting updates from Dr. Jonathan Sackner-Bernstein, a physician-scientist who’s challenging long-held beliefs about Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and offering a fresh perspective that could reshape treatment as we know it.
In a recent webinar, Dr. Sackner-Bernstein revisited his groundbreaking 2021 study published in The Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, where he proposed a radical idea: the standard approach to treating PD might be doing the opposite of what’s needed. Instead of boosting dopamine levels, he found that dopaminergic neurons in PD patients are exposed to excess dopamine, which can reach toxic levels and worsen the disease.
But he didn’t stop there.
Dr. Sackner-Bernstein has now identified a drug that reduces dopamine levels and reverses disease pathology in 10 separate lab studies. This is a major leap forward, offering hope that we may be able to slow or even reverse the progression of PD, rather than just managing its symptoms.
His work is informed by a unique blend of clinical insight and regulatory experience, including roles at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and DARPA, where he helped launch the Biological Technologies Office focused on neurotechnology.
While this research is still in its early stages and not yet part of standard medical practice, it opens the door to a new way of thinking about Parkinson’s. It’s a reminder that innovation often comes from questioning the status quo, and that hope can come from the most unexpected places.
If you or a loved one is living with Parkinson’s, this is a conversation worth watching.