The National Parkinson Foundation's Medical Director Publishes New Book on Breakthrough Therapies for Parkinson's Disease

MIAMI, Aug. 31, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Parkinson Foundation's (NPF) medical director, Michael S. Okun, M.D., has released a new book, "10 Breakthrough Therapies for Parkinson's Disease."  The book provides patients and families with all of the latest information on the potential breakthrough therapies for Parkinson's disease.

"There is a worldwide crisis of misinformation; in many areas no information is available for people to understand the breakthrough therapies that will be necessary to living a better life with Parkinson's disease," said Okun, co-director of the UF Health Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration in Gainesville, Florida, an NPF Center of Excellence. "We have to get the message out, and we have to make it understandable and available to everyone, regardless of where they live or what language they may speak."

This book is the sequel to his Amazon bestseller, "Parkinson's Treatment: 10 Secrets to a Happier Life," which was translated into over 20 languages. Okun is well-known for infusing his readers with optimism. In this book, he reviews all of the recent breakthrough ideas and therapies in Parkinson's disease. He reviews the portfolio of breakthroughs spanning all fronts, including developments in drugs, vaccines, devices, genetics and behavior.  This book will inform, educate and inspire Parkinson's disease patients and family members, as well as health care professionals and scientists. 

"Dr. Okun's book conveys that a diagnosis of Parkinson's is not the end of the road," said Paul Blom, NPF's interim CEO. "People with Parkinson's and their families need to know that there are many innovative treatments on the horizon that will help make their lives better. Dr. Okun continues to give the Parkinson's community the tools they need to be empowered and informed."

Okun is internationally celebrated as both a neurologist and a leading researcher. He has often been referred to as "the voice of the Parkinson's disease patient." He was honored at the White House in 2015 as a Champion of Change for Parkinson's disease. He has an international following on NPF's "Ask the Doctor" online forum, and he is a professor of neurology at the University of Florida. His many books and "What's Hot in PD?" blog posts on Parkinson.org are filled with up-to-date and practical information. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelOkun.

To learn more about the book or to purchase it, visit the Amazon Kindle store.

About Parkinson's Disease (PD)
Affecting an estimated one million Americans and four to six million worldwide, Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's and is the 14^th leading cause of death in the United States. There is no cure for PD and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone.

About the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF)
Founded in 1957, the National Parkinson Foundation's mission is to help every person diagnosed with Parkinson's live their best possible life now. NPF has funded more than $189 million in care, research and support services. For more information, visit www.parkinson.org, or call the NPF Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636).

About the UF Health Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration (UFCMDNR)
The University of Florida Health Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration is founded on the philosophy that integrated, interdisciplinary care is the most effective approach for patients with movement disorders and disorders involving a group of circuits in the brain called the basal ganglia. The Center delivers motor, cognitive and behavioral diagnoses, as well as various treatments all in one centralized location. Care is coordinated and provided by leading specialists from many advanced medical and surgical services. For more information, visit movementdisorders.ufhealth.org.

NPF Media Contact:
Leilani Pearl
305-537-9907
lpearl@parkinson.org

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150828/261894

SOURCE National Parkinson Foundation