Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and affects more than 160,000 people in Spain, with an estimated prevalence of between 20,000 and 25,000 patients in Catalonia. In the context of World Parkinson’s Day, Hospital de Sant Pau hosted a meeting organized by the Catalan Parkinson’s Association in which specialists analyzed the advances that are transforming the diagnosis, treatment, and research of this condition.
The event brought together more than 220 participants, including patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, with a program that combined education, reflection, and participation. The meeting began with a lecture focused on how Parkinson’s disease can manifest differently depending on factors such as age or sex, delivered by Dr. Núria Caballol, neurologist at Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge. This was followed by a session dedicated to advances in research and treatment, in a dialogue format between experts moderated by Dr. Jaime Kulisevsky. He is head of the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders research group at the Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR Sant Pau). The session concluded with an open Q&A segment in which attendees were able to address their questions directly to the professionals.
Although it has traditionally been associated with motor symptoms such as tremor or rigidity, it is now known that Parkinson’s disease also involves a wide range of non-motor symptoms—such as sleep disturbances, depression, or cognitive impairment. These can be even more disabling and play a decisive role in disease progression. During the meeting, specialists agreed that one of the most significant changes recently has been a transformation in the way Parkinson’s disease is understood, both from a clinical and biological perspective.
“We are seeing the disease in a very different way. Today we know that Parkinson’s disease has a very long trajectory and can begin many years before the first symptoms appear. This shift in perspective opens a window of opportunity to intervene earlier and move toward treatments that can modify its progression,” explained Dr. Maria Josep Martí, neurologist at the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Unit at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona.
Dr. Eduard Tolosa, neurologist and expert in Parkinson’s disease, emphasized the growing relevance of non-motor symptoms, which have traditionally been underrecognized in clinical practice. “For many years we focused on motor symptoms, but today we know that problems such as depression, sleep disorders, or autonomic dysfunction are very common and have a major impact on quality of life, and therefore require specific attention and a more comprehensive approach,” he noted.
Advances in Diagnosis: Toward Biomarkers
The diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease has also undergone significant advances lately. As Dr. Tolosa explained, there has been a shift from an approach based almost exclusively on clinical criteria—grounded in the observation of symptoms—to the progressive incorporation of biomarkers that allow the disease to be objectively measured. “We are beginning to have tools that can detect alpha-synuclein aggregates in cerebrospinal fluid or even in the skin, which provides greater diagnostic certainty and may be key to better selecting patients for clinical trials,” he highlighted.
These advances represent an important change, as they make it possible to reduce diagnostic uncertainty, especially in early stages or in cases with atypical presentations. In addition, they facilitate the identification of patients at earlier stages, when therapeutic interventions may have a greater impact. In this context, biomarkers are emerging as a key tool not only to improve diagnosis, but also to drive the development of new therapies by enabling better patient stratification and more precise evaluation of treatment responses in research settings.
New Therapeutic Strategies and Improved Clinical Management
In the therapeutic field, experts highlighted the evolution seen in recent decades, particularly in the treatment of more advanced symptoms. “Recently, one of the most significant advances has been the development of new ways to administer levodopa continuously, especially via the subcutaneous route, which helps improve the control of fluctuations in patients with advanced disease,” explained Dr. Tolosa.
These advances reflect a progressive shift toward more sophisticated treatments tailored to the evolution of each patient. The ability to maintain more stable medication levels helps reduce motor fluctuations and improve autonomy in advanced stages of the disease. Antonia Campolongo, specialist nurse at Hospital Sant Pau, assessed the impact of these changes in daily clinical practice. “We have moved from primarily oral treatments to much more complex and personalized therapies, such as infusions or continuous delivery systems, which require close monitoring but allow better disease control,” she stated.
A Diversifying Research Landscape: Genetics, Inflammation, and New Targets
Research in Parkinson’s disease is increasingly focused on developing therapies capable of modifying the course of the disease, although this remains a complex goal. “For years we have focused many efforts on alpha-synuclein, but the results of clinical trials have not met expectations, which forces us to broaden our scope and explore other pathways,” noted Dr. Tolosa. As a result, research lines are diversifying toward new biological targets. “Different molecular pathways are being studied, including genetic factors and inflammatory processes, which may be involved in the disease and open new therapeutic opportunities,” explained Dr. Martí.
This strategic shift responds to the need to better understand the heterogeneity of Parkinson’s disease and to develop more specific approaches. The study of genetically based cases—although they represent a small proportion—allows progress toward more targeted treatments and may provide insights applicable to the disease as a whole. Overall, this diversification reflects a transitional phase in research, in which expanding hypotheses and developing new approaches could be decisive in achieving significant advances in the coming years.
The Key Role of Clinical Trials
Specialists also emphasized the importance of patient participation in clinical trials as a fundamental component of scientific progress. “Participating in a clinical trial does not mean being a ‘guinea pig.’ It is an opportunity to access new therapeutic options and to contribute directly to the advancement of knowledge,” Campolongo stated.
In addition to facilitating the development of new therapies, these studies enable closer and more structured patient follow-up, which can translate into better care and a more profound understanding of disease progression. Encouraging participation in clinical trials is therefore a key element in accelerating research and translating scientific advances into clinical practice.
Looking Ahead: A Cautiously Optimistic Perspective
Although there are still no treatments capable of slowing or curing the disease, specialists agreed on conveying a message of cautious optimism. “We have made great progress in symptom control and in understanding the disease, and it is very likely that the coming years will bring significant advances, especially if we can intervene at earlier stages,” noted Dr. Jaime Kulisevsky.
Among emerging lines of research, Dr. Tolosa highlighted the potential of cell-based therapies. “Strategies based on the implantation of cells capable of producing dopamine are being developed and could represent a new therapeutic avenue in the future if their results are confirmed,” he pointed out.
Parkinson’s disease remains a major biomedical challenge, but also a rapidly evolving field in which advances in research are opening new pathways to improve diagnosis, treatment, and the quality of life of affected individuals.
