New Global Effort to Study How Parkinson’s Impacts Women

A groundbreaking initiative called Gender Equitable Medicines for Parkinson’s Disease (GEM-PD) has been launched to explore how Parkinson’s disease uniquely affects women. The non-profit organization Critical Path Institute (C-Path) is leading this effort, aiming to close long-standing gaps in Parkinson’s research and treatment by focusing on the differences between men and women with the condition. Why This Matters Parkinson’s disease is typically studied and treated with a one-size-fits-all approach, but mounting evidence shows that women experience the disease differently than men. These differences include how symptoms appear, how medications are processed, and the role hormones might play. Despite these distinctions, most research and treatments have historically focused on men. GEM-PD aims to change that by gathering data to develop personalized treatments that address the unique challenges faced by women with Parkinson’s. “As someone living with Parkinson’s, I’m hopeful this initiative will lead to therapies that truly reflect each person’s experience,” said Sarah Zenner-Dolan, a patient and advisor to C-Path. What Will GEM-PD Do? GEM-PD will use advanced tools like artificial intelligence and digital health technologies to study Parkinson’s in a more personalized way. It will also focus on: Developing new medications tailored to women. Understanding how Parkinson’s affects individuals across the sex and gender spectrum. Building on previous successes from C-Path’s Critical Path for Parkinson’s (CPP) program, which has already made strides in developing tools and databases to improve drug development. “By addressing gender-specific experiences, we’re filling a critical gap in Parkinson’s research,” said Dr. Diane Stephenson, Vice President of Neurology at C-Path. Experts Welcome the Focus on Women The Parkinson’s community has long called for more attention to gender differences in research and care. “Women metabolize medications differently and experience distinct symptoms compared to men,” said Cathy Molohan, a member of Parkinson’s Europe. “It’s high time we stop treating men and women the same and adjust treatments accordingly.” Dr. Soania Mathur, a Toronto-based advocate, added, “Women also face unique emotional challenges and stressors. A personalized approach to care is long overdue.” Richelle Flanagan, creator of the Parkinson’s self-care app My Moves Matter, shared how data from her app shows differences in symptoms between men and women. “We’d love to collaborate with GEM-PD to improve care for women and help identify new ways to slow the disease’s progression.” A Step Toward Personalized Medicine The GEM-PD initiative represents a significant step toward making Parkinson’s care more inclusive and personalized. With the support of experts, advocates, and cutting-edge research, this effort brings hope for better treatments and improved quality of life for women with Parkinson’s. To learn more about GEM-PD, visit C-Path.org.