Review identifies 132 areas of impact, including quality of life and fatigue
Written by | Parkinson's News Today |
- Parkinson's off episodes cause 132 impacts, a review found, including non-motor symptoms.
- These episodes significantly impair quality of life, extending beyond visible movement problems.
- Inbrija offers rapid motor improvement for off episodes, with good tolerability, data show.
A comprehensive review of the scientific literature identified more than 100 distinct ways in which off episodes affect people with Parkinson’s disease, highlighting a multifaceted burden that extends beyond movement symptoms to include cognitive, emotional, and quality-of-life impacts.
The research was presented by Merz Therapeutics, the company that markets Inbrija (levodopa inhalation powder), at the World Parkinson Congress 2026, held last month in Phoenix.
The findings showed that often overlooked nonmotor symptoms such as fatigue, memory difficulties, and anxiety can be as disruptive as physical symptoms during off episodes — periods when symptoms return in between medication doses — underscoring the need for treatment approaches that address the full patient experience.
The company also presented additional analysis from three Phase 3 trials confirming the safety and efficacy of Inbrija (levodopa inhalation powder) in providing consistent and rapid motor improvement for patients experiencing off episodes.
“For too long, the conversation around ‘off’ episodes has focused primarily on visible motor symptoms. Our research highlights what we’ve been hearing from people with Parkinson’s: the burden of an ‘off’ episode is far broader and more disruptive than what can be seen,” Stefan Albrecht, MD, PhD, Merz’s chief scientific and medical officer, said in a company press release. “It is a call to action for the entire Parkinson’s community to recognize and address the significant impact of ‘off’ episodes.”
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