Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative neurological condition that results in significant physical, and eventual cognitive, impairment. About one million people in the US are living with the disease.
Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s Disease, a variety of therapies exist that can improve its symptoms, resulting in an increased quality of life for patients.
How are these individuals and their loved ones sharing how life is lived with Parkinson’s Disease through social media?
The Trends Section provides an overview of some of the most recent and relevant topics that relate to particular health conditions.
It features a selection of the topics that have the fastest growing Google search interest across the last three months, and reflects the inquiries of patients, healthcare providers, scientists, and others who are invested in the topic.
This is valuable to understand people’s interests and concerns at the present moment, and often include the U.S. states that have the highest interest in a topic.
Quilt.AI brings these trends to life through an analysis that incorporates both cultural and scientific lenses.
Search interest for Angiogenesis grew by 138% in the last 3 months, from August 2022 to October 2022.
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In October, Zhittya Genesis Medicine hosted a presentation in Saudi Arabia about its discovery for treating Parkinson's disease. They have found a new way to grow blood vessels in the brain that helps improve motor skills in patients with Parkinson's. They have positive results from recent studies showing an improvement of 29-53% in motor scores after treatment. Their medicine starts a natural healing process in the body called "therapeutic angiogenesis."[1]
This news might cause more searches for "Angiogenesis" in October, with 30% of the searches coming from 18-24 year olds and 79% of the searches being done by men
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells found in the bone marrow that are important for making and repairing skeletal tissues, such as cartilage, bone, and the fat found in the bone marrow. [1]
Researchers from IMAC Holdings tested the safety and tolerability of mesenchymal stem cells in patients who’ve had bradykinesia due to Parkinson’s Disease. They recently announced the completion of the third cohort of its Phase 1 clinical trial in September. [2] This could result in more searches for “Mesenchymal stem cells” in October.
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Search interest for mesenchymal stem cells grew by 40% in the last 3 months, from August 2022 to October 2022.
Search interest for Photobiomodulation grew by 111% in the last 3 months, from August 2022 to October 2022.
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Photobiomodulation (PBMT) is a light therapy that utilizes light sources to relieve pain, improve wound and soft tissue healing, and reduce inflammation [1]. In August, Dr. Ann Liebert from Sydney Adventist Hospital won a Science award for her study showing this therapy reduced Parkinson's disease symptoms [2].
This news and other publications related to the application of Photobiomodulation in Parkinson's Disease treatment may lead to the increase in searches on Photobiomodulation from August to October.
In September, Insightec, a healthcare firm using sound waves for medical treatment, has secured a $200 million loan from Perceptive Advisors and Community Fund to support its development of incisionless neurosurgery for tremors and Parkinson's disease. Insightec's Exablate Neuro platform uses MRI-guided sound waves for tremor treatment in patients not responsive to medication. [1]
Searches for Exablate Neuro have increased steadily from August to October, particularly in people aged 55 - 64 who made up 52% of searches
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Search interest for Exablate Neuro grew by 45% in the last 3 months, from August 2022 to October 2022.
Search interest for PS128 grew by 45% in the last 3 months, from August 2022 to October 2022.
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Bened Life has introduced a gut-brain medical probiotic, Neuralli™, that contains the strain Lactobacillus Plantarum PS128, in August. The probiotic is designed to support mental health and neurological conditions for those with Parkinson's disease [1]. It can balance neurotransmitters, like serotonin and dopamine, and molecules that impact mood, mind and movement.
The young age group (18-24) accounted for 34% of searches on PS128.
The Culture Section highlights emerging cultural trends, new products, and notable dialogue about a variety of health conditions. The purpose of this section is to zoom in on what has been happening within the cultural and professional landscape of a particular health condition–stories that are often missed by quantitative searches.
By featuring influential social media items, patient discourse, professional dialogue, product innovations, and impactful news items, this section illuminates the lived experiences of many patients, while also providing a snapshot of the developments happening around them.
Here, Quilt.AI offers a detailed and nuanced perspective of what is new and what is meaningful.
Joy Milne, a 72-year-old retired nurse, is using her heightened sense of smell to help detect Parkinson's disease in people. Her hypersomnia condition allows her to smell skin sebum, which researchers are using to develop a 95% accurate skin-swab test that can provide results within 3 minutes. The discovery has recently gained attention on social media, including the World Economic Forum's TikTok page with 1.7 million followers and TikTok influencer Dr. Scott Walter, a dermatologist with 870.1k followers. Early diagnosis through this method could increase chances of effective treatment and save lives.
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Carl Carter-Schwendler and Mark are Parkinson's warriors and TikTok influencers who use social media to spread awareness and educate others about the condition. Carter-Schwendler has 11.4k followers and opens up a space for people to ask questions, while Mark consistently shares his personal journey with Parkinson's. Both provide a unique perspective as patients, offering a better understanding of the nuances and facts about Parkinson's than other non-patient sources.
Melissa is a Colorado-based artist with Parkinson's disease and an emerging TikTok influencer with 6.2k followers and 87.7k likes. She uses her art to support her diabetic dog Pee Pee and uses TikTok to sell her paintings and show her determination to overcome her disability. Through her work, she inspires others to pursue their passions despite their conditions.
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Exercise is as crucial for Parkinson's patients as taking medications on time. Doctors and physiotherapists often post simple exercises on social media to improve and maintain strength, flexibility, balance, and cognitive function. The hashtag #parkinsonexercise has 21,000 posts on Instagram, and Dr. Trevor Watson, a physical therapist and Instagram influencer with 77k followers, shares exercise ideas and tips and educates the public on treatments for neurological injuries. Through his posts, he is helping people learn about neurological conditions and understand the importance of proper exercise.
The video of a British Royal Marine with Parkinson's disease undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation and experiencing an instant improvement has gained renewed attention on social media. On the popular subreddit community, Damnthatsinteresting, with 7.6 million members, the video sparked a discussion about Parkinson's disease and the hope for further advancements in the medical field. The members also touched on the emotional and mental struggles faced by Parkinson's patients.
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