Exercise

The research around the impact of exercise on Parkinson’s was led by Dr. Jon Stoessl, Professor of Neurology at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, and PhD candidate, Mr. Matthew Sacheli. The project team used PET and fMRI neuroimaging to compare aspects of brain activity in Parkinson’s patients before and after physical activity. 

The initial pilot study was submitted for publication in Movement Disorders, the official Journal of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. This paper compares subjects with Parkinson’s disease who exercise (habitual exercisers), and those who do not exercise (sedentary subjects). Read the paper’s Summary here.

Due to challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the three-year follow-up study ended and the next phase of research is being conducted as part of the Functional Segregation research project.

International Recognition 

Mr. Sacheli was invited to present the fMRI data at the American Academy of Neurology meeting in Los Angeles. Mr. Sacheli’s team has also presented at the International Movement Disorders Congress in Vancouver, and it was selected as one of the Blue Ribbon Highlights. In addition, Parkinson Canada also asked Mr. Sacheli to present a summary of his work at a conference in Ontario in November 2018. 

With new equipment and technology being introduced in the Charles E. Fipke Integrated Neuroimaging Suite, Dr. Stoessl will be able to elevate this research project. To learn more about Exercise in Parkinson’s Disease, you can read the full 2019 Impact Report here.

Dr. Jon Stoessl is a professor of Neurology at UBC and the Canada Research Chair in Parkinson’s Disease. He is also the former Director of the PPRC and former Director of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health.

This study was made possible thanks to PPRI donor Kurt Gagel.