Community disadvantage linked to increased motor symptom severity in Parkinson's Disease
Neurology Live highlights UC-led research
Neurology Live highlighted research published in the journal Neurology Clinical Practice led by the University of Cincinnati's Emily Hill that found community disadvantage was associated with worse motor symptom severity and motor disability in patients with Parkison disease (PD) and atypical parkinsonisms.
“If environmental exposures or other social determinants of health in these communities are worsening PD motor symptoms, programs to address these at the individual and community levels could improve quality of life, including motor outcomes,” Hill, MD, assistant professor in UC's College of Medicine and a UC Health physician, and colleagues wrote.
“Our findings also suggest a vulnerable subpopulation of PD and atypical parkinsonisms in disadvantaged communities," the coauthors continued. "Currently, most people with PD seen in academic movement disorder clinics are from well-resourced neighborhoods, but our findings suggest that people with PD in disadvantaged neighborhoods have more challenges in motor symptoms and may need help reaching subspecialty care.”
Read the Neurology Live article.
Featured photo at top of 3-D illustration of a dopamine molecule. Photo/Dr_Microbe/iStock.
Related Stories
University of Cincinnati’s IDD Education Center to Host Ninth Annual Red & Black Blast
December 18, 2025
The University of Cincinnati’s IDD Education Center will host its ninth annual Red & Black Blast on February 25, 2026, at Tangeman University Center. The signature event celebrates and supports the Center’s four programs—CEES, TAP, IMPACT Innovation, and RAAC—which create pathways in education, employment, and community life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
PhD student uses engineering to understand cardiovascular system
December 17, 2025
Drawn to the University of Cincinnati for the strong reputation in cardiovascular research and the connections with the UC Medical Center, Shrayesh Manegaonkar is pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering at the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Recently, he was named Graduate Student Engineer of the Month for his work on biofluid mechanics, aiming to develop better diagnostic tools for cardiovascular diseases.
Ohio looks to fast-track wastewater discharge permits
December 16, 2025
Bradford Mank, James B. Helmer Jr. Professor of Law at the University of Cincinnati, spoke with WVXU for a story about a proposal by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to streamline the way wastewater discharge permits are issued to data centers.