Parkinson’s muscle firing patterns different for women than for men

Feb 19, 2026

Written by Margarida Maia, PhD | February 16, 2026

  • Women with Parkinson's show more uneven muscle contraction than men.

  • Differences stem from motor unit firing variability and discharge rates.

  • This informs personalized diagnostics and sex-specific Parkinson's treatments.

Women with Parkinson’s disease have more uneven and unstable muscle contraction than men, even when their clinical symptoms are similar, a study found.

The differences are related to the firing of motor units; a motor unit is a single nerve cell and the muscle fibers it controls, which together produce movement.

Findings from the study, by researchers at Kanazawa University in Japan, could “contribute to the development of personalized diagnostic methods and treatment strategies that account for sex-specific factors, ultimately leading to more effective interventions and improved quality of life,” according to a university press release.

The study, “Sex Differences in Motor Unit Behavior in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease,” was published as a research report in the European Journal of Neuroscience by an international team of researchers.

Growing evidence suggests differences between men and women in how common Parkinson’s is and how its motor and nonmotor symptoms manifest. The researchers sought to determine whether there are sex differences in motor unit firing abnormalities in Parkinson’s patients.

Read more here: Parkinson's muscle firing patterns different from women than for men

Why Do Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms Come and Go?

Feb 17, 2026

Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. — Written by S. Srakocic — Updated on February 9, 2026

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative condition that causes symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, and speech difficulties. The condition progresses slowly, and symptoms get worse with time.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s can fluctuate throughout the day. For instance, you may feel better at lunchtime than you do in the late evening. But daily variations in the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are mild, and symptoms don’t resolve completely on their own.

A sudden increase in Parkinson’s symptoms is almost always linked to an underlying cause. This could be something minor, such as a recent medication change, or something potentially serious, such as an infection.

Do Parkinson’s symptoms come and go?

Parkinson’s disease symptoms can fluctuate throughout the day and worsen during certain periods, such as the early morning or late evening. This is typically because medications begin to wear off between doses.

Parkinson’s symptoms get worse over time at a steady, but slow, rate.

Other underlying causes that can worsen Parkinson’s symptoms include:

  • stress
  • recent medication changes
  • recent surgery or other medical procedures
  • sleep difficulties
  • dehydration
  • a new injury or illness

It’s important to let your doctor or healthcare professional know if you notice a sudden change in your Parkinson’s symptoms.

Learn more here: Why Do Parkinson's Disease Symptoms Come and Go?

Parkinson’s Disease and Speech Therapy

Feb 10, 2026

MD Editorial Contributors

Medically Reviewed by Shruthi N, MD on September 18, 2024

Dysarthria (difficulty speaking) and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) can be severely limiting symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Both can be helped by seeing a speech pathologist or speech therapist.

In particular, the Lee Silverman Voice Therapy Program has demonstrated significant value for people with Parkinson's. Ask your doctor about a referral to a speech pathologist experienced in administering the Lee Silverman Voice Therapy program.

How Can I Improve My Speech With Parkinson's Disease?

Speech-language pathologists can help people with Parkinson's disease maintain as many communication skills as possible. They also teach techniques that conserve energy, including non-verbal communication skills. Speech-language pathologists are also available to:

  • Recommend appropriate communication technologies that will help with daily activities.
  • Treat all types of speech, language, and communication problems.
  • Evaluate swallowing function and recommend changes as necessary.

Read more here: Parkinson's Disease and Speech Therapy

Exercise and mobility tips for staying independent

Feb 6, 2026

Last updated Sept. 19, 2025, by Elena Schmidt

Fact-checked by Patricia Silva, PhD

Staying active with Parkinson’s disease may feel challenging, especially as symptoms change over time. But regular, gentle movement, like walking, stretching, or dancing, can support your independence, mobility, and confidence.

You don’t always need high-intensity workouts to see benefits. Consistency and choosing exercises that feel manageable and safe for you are key factors that contribute to a positive outcome.

With the right approach, Parkinson’s exercises can support your routine in a way that helps you move more comfortably and confidently.

How exercise helps people with Parkinson’s

While it won’t reverse the disease, the benefits of exercise for people with Parkinson’s include slowing the progression of motor impairment and improving overall wellness.

In fact, the Parkinson’s Outcomes Project from the Parkinson’s Foundation, which tracked more than 13,000 people, found that just moving regularly may help you:

  • stay more independent in daily routines
  • feel steadier and more confident on your feet
  • experience fewer slowdowns in walking or getting up
  • maintain a more positive outlook as the disease progresses
  • reduce physical discomfort that interferes with movement
  • hold on to sharper thinking and communication skills over time

Data from the project also show that increasing physical activity to at least 2.5 hours a week can slow the decline in quality of life, especially when starting exercise earlier in the disease course.

Read more here: Exercise and mobility tips for staying independent

Finding solutions for REM sleep behavior disorder with Parkinson’s

Feb 3, 2026

We had to make changes for our safety and sanity

Written by Marjorie Weiss | January 30, 2026

It was 2:30 a.m., and I was peacefully asleep when I was jolted awake by an arm suddenly flinging over from the other side of the bed, landing squarely on my face. Instantly, shrieks erupted — first from me, then from my husband, Dave, and finally from both of us together. “Stop it, Dave!” I shouted. “You’re having a dream!”

Dave snapped back to reality, immediately apologized, and asked if I was injured. This is his usual response after one of his night terrors, especially when it involves the rare but unforgettable physical outbursts directed at me.

Dave has lived with Parkinson’s disease for 25 years, since he was 49. About a decade after his diagnosis, he began experiencing a new symptom: vivid, active dreaming. He often talks in his sleep, rarely making much sense when I’m awake to overhear him. Most of the time, it’s benign, sometimes even cheerful, and I simply roll over and drift back to sleep. Occasionally, though, he acts out, defending himself against imagined dangers in his dreams. I should stress that these nighttime thrashings and outbursts are not routine. Instead of his usual lighthearted sleep talk, he’ll sometimes cry out in genuine fear. He rarely remembers much about these dreams, so I typically don’t press for details.

Read more here: Finding solutions for REM sleep behavior disorder with Parkinson's