Older adults with the lowest quartile of baseline HDL-C showed higher Parkinson’s incidence over 5 years compared with those in the highest quartile group according to Do-Hoon Kim, MD, PhD, of Korea University College of Medicine in Ansan and co-authors. The study found that lipids may also play a role in Parkinson’s but the connection between HDL-C and Parkinson’s is unclear. “Previous studies reported inconsistent results with positive or no associations. Only a few small studies have suggested an association between HDL-C and Parkinson’s disease but did not exclude the possibility of reverse causality.”

There is so much unknown when it comes to Parkinson’s disease, and the number of people diagnosed each year continues to rise. A diagnosis of Parkinson’s is considered a “diagnosis of exclusion” as other possible reasons for symptoms are ruled out. Treatment for Parkinson’s can be overwhelming, as medications must be taken multiple times a day to manage symptoms. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could identify a cause and effect from some of the research that is being done today?

When the COVID pandemic hit the United States, scientists, rightfully so, focused on finding a treatment/cure and many other research projects were tabled. Now, as we emerge on the other side of the pandemic, maybe we can focus on other disease research that can have a huge impact!

Stay the course, stay well, mask up, get vaccinated, and stay tuned!