New Publication Spotlight: Advancing the Prevention of Parkinson’s Disease
Congratulations to Anastasia Barnes, Tejas R. Mehta, Jennifer L. Purks, and Michael S. Okun on the publication of their new article, “Primary Prevention of Parkinson’s Disease: Proceedings, the 8C’s and a Position Statement from the Parkinson’s Disease Prevention Think Tank,” featured in the June edition of NPJ Parkinson’s Disease.
This important publication highlights forward-thinking strategies for the primary prevention of Parkinson’s disease and presents key recommendations aimed at shaping future research, clinical practice, and public health efforts. An outstanding contribution to the ongoing work of preventing Parkinson’s before it begins.
Abstract
This Perspective outlines the challenges addressed at the first Annual Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Prevention Think Tank, held on November 20–21, 2025 in Gainesville, Florida at the Fixel Institute. Over the course of two days, attendees from a wide variety of disciplines, including movement disorders neurology, environmental sciences, agriculture, public policy, public health, patient advocate groups, and more, discussed the current state of primary prevention research in PD, examined the lessons learned from prevention research in other disorders, and identified necessary regulatory and policy actions for moving toward primary prevention of PD. Eight key components of primary prevention are identified (8 C’s): accurately Count incidence and prevalence, Conduct longitudinal cohort studies, induce policy Change, Counsel on individual behavior change, Communicate clearly with the general public and with key stakeholders, form multi-centric Coalitions across neurodegenerative disorders, apply Cross-disciplinary approaches, and provide sustained financial Commitment to support ongoing prevention and mitigation efforts. These proceedings serve as an initial call-to-action for at-risk individuals, the clinicians who care for them, and for policymakers.