High-resolution PET scanner may aid Parkinson’s research, diagnosis

Jul 3, 2026

NeuroEXPLORER can image small brain regions involved in the disease

Written by Andrea Lobo | June 18, 2026

  • NeuroEXPLORER PET can image small, deep brain regions involved in Parkinson’s and other conditions.
  • The scanner may help detect early brain changes linked to neurodegenerative diseases and support more precise diagnosis.
  • It may aid DBS planning and help researchers monitor how treatments affect targets in the brain.

UZ Leuven and KU Leuven, two institutions in Belgium, have introduced NeuroEXPLORER PET into clinical practice. The ultra-high-resolution PET scanner, developed by United Imaging Healthcare, is designed to visualize small, deep brain regions, including those involved in Parkinson’s disease.

Within the first six months, the system supported imaging in more than 400 patients. UZ Leuven also is using the scanner in an ongoing comparative clinical trial to assess its added value over existing PET scanners. Over the next five years, the scanner will support more than 30 large-scale research programs across neurodegeneration, neuromodulation, and inflammation, among others.

Scanner enters clinical use in Belgium

“This technology fundamentally changes how we can investigate the origins and diagnoses of neurological and psychiatric diseases, as well as vascular diseases and head- and neck disorders such as tumours,” Koen Van Laere, MD, PhD, professor at KU Leuven and principal investigator, said in a company press release from United Imaging Healthcare. “It allows us to measure disease processes in very small structures with unprecedented precision.”

Mathieu Vandenbulcke, MD, PhD, chair of the Leuven Brain Institute, added, “The NeuroEXPLORER strengthens Leuven’s international position in brain research and precision medicine. It creates a unique platform for global scientific collaboration.”

Parkinson’s disease is caused by the progressive dysfunction and loss of dopaminergic neurons, the nerve cells that produce dopamine, a signaling molecule that allows nerve cells to communicate. These neurons are primarily found in the substantia nigra, a region deep in the brain involved in movement control.

Diagnosing the disease may involve the use of markers of dopamine signaling in high-resolution PET scans to assess dopaminergic function, which may help distinguish Parkinson’s patients from those with other conditions causing similar symptoms.

The NeuroEXPLORER PET scanner uses low-level radioactive tracers to visualize subtle biological and chemical changes in the brain, including deep brain regions, with resolution up to 20 times higher than conventional PET scanners.

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7 Beneficial Crafts and Activities for People with Parkinson’s

Jul 2, 2026

Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. — Written by Catherine Crider on November 7, 2024

Individuals with Parkinson’s disease should remain as active as possible. Knitting, painting, and doing puzzles can be beneficial along with physical exercises like cycling and yoga.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder where the amount of dopamine in certain areas of the brain decreases. It can cause an individual to experience tremors, loss of balance, and stiffness.

 

There’s currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, so treatment often focuses on reducing the severity of one’s symptoms and improving one’s quality of life.

Individuals with Parkinson’s disease should engage in a variety of activities that center on fine motor skills and cognition, as well as physical exercises that require balance and mobility. Staying active can help strengthen muscles and may help prevent dementia.

 

This article looks at beneficial crafts and activities for those living with or caring for someone with Parkinson’s.

How the stages of Parkinson’s may guide the activities you choose

 

It’s worth noting that Parkinson’s disease causes a resting tremor. During early stages, the tremor is present at rest and goes away with action.

The activities reviewed in this article can help during the early stages of Parkinson’s by strengthening muscles, improving mood, and maintaining balance.

It’s not until fairly late stages that people begin to have tremors that continue even with action. This can make some of the activities discussed here frustrating or even unsafe. In addition, people with Parkinson’s often have difficulty walking and may feel lightheaded for a few minutes when standing up after being seated or lying down.

Physical exercises that focus on balance and walking safely, especially after getting up after lying down or being seated, are extremely helpful during all stages of Parkinson’s.

Read about the best physical exercises for Parkinson’s disease here.

 

1. Knitting and painting

Artistic crafts like knitting and painting provide the opportunity to focus on fine motor skills and create something of value.

Those with Parkinson’s disease can experience tremors and have difficulty moving their hands. They may also experience stress and depression as a result of their condition. Creating something from scratch provides an opportunity to:

  • focus on hand movements
  • reduce stress
  • feel a sense of accomplishment

Many communities have opportunities for individuals to come together and practice crafts like crocheting or painting. This can offer a valuable social outlet for those with Parkinson’s disease.

 

2. Singing

Vocal exercises like singing can help strengthen and control vocal muscles. This may be especially beneficial for those with Parkinson’s disease because vocal tremors or difficulty speaking can develop as the condition progresses.

Singing may also help with recall and memory.

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How You Can Help Someone You Love Manage Parkinson’s Disease

Jun 29, 2026

Medically reviewed by Jillian Foglesong Stabile MD, FAAFP, DABOM — Written by The Healthline Editorial Team — Updated on July 1, 2025

Try these 10 tips to help a loved one live with Parkinson’s disease. These may include listening, getting outdoors, and connecting them with support groups or other resources. Recognizing changing symptoms and patience are also keys to being supportive.

When someone you care about has Parkinson’s disease, you see firsthand the effects the condition can have on someone.

Symptoms like rigid movements, lack of balance, and tremors become part of their daily lives and can worsen as the disease progresses.

Your loved one needs extra help and support to stay active and preserve their quality of life. You can help out in a number of ways — from offering a friendly ear when they need to talk, to driving them to medical appointments.

Here are 10 of the best ways to help someone you love manage Parkinson’s disease.

1. Learn everything you can about the disease

Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder. If you’re a caregiver for someone living with Parkinson’s, you’re likely familiar with some of the symptoms of the disease.

But do you know what causes its symptoms, how the condition progresses, or what treatments can help manage it? Also, Parkinson’s doesn’t manifest the same way in everyone.

To be the best ally for your loved one, learn as much as you can about Parkinson’s disease. Do research on reputable websites like the Parkinson’s Foundation, or read books about the condition.

Tag along for medical appointments and ask the doctor questions. If you’re well informed, you’ll have a better idea of what to expect and how to be the most help.

2. Volunteer to help out

Every day responsibilities like shopping, cooking, and cleaning become much more difficult when you have a movement disorder.

Sometimes people with Parkinson’s need help with these and other tasks, but they may be too proud or embarrassed to ask for it.

Step in and offer to run errands, prepare meals, drive to medical appointments, pick up medications at the drug store, and help with any other day-to-day tasks they have difficulty with on their own.

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Parkinson’s Disease vs. Parkinsonism: How the Symptoms Differ

Jun 25, 2026

Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. — Written by Rachael Zimlich, RN, BSN — Updated on February 19, 2026

Key takeaways

  • Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that involves reduced dopamine levels.
  • Parkinsonism is a broad term describing conditions that involve movement symptoms such as slowness of movement, rigidity, and tremor. Sometimes, Parkinson’s disease is defined as a type of parkinsonism.
  • While Parkinson’s disease typically develops gradually due to genetic and environmental factors, other types of parkinsonism can have sudden onset and may be caused by strokes, brain injuries, infections, or certain medications.

Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonism are both characterized by tremors, stiffness, and movement problems.

However, there are subtle differences that doctors can use to tell whether the symptoms are due to Parkinson’s disease or parkinsonism.

In this article, we discuss the difference between Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonism, diagnosis, and management.

Parkinsonism vs. Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder where damage to neurons leads to a decrease in neurotransmitters like dopamine. Symptoms may include movement problems, tremors, depression, and communication issues.

Parkinsonism is an umbrella term for a group of conditions that cause tremors, slow movement, and stiffness.

Other conditions and events that may produce symptoms of parkinsonism include:

  • certain medications
  • brain tumors
  • certain brain infections
  • stroke/vascular parkinsonism
  • head trauma
  • metabolic conditions
  • toxins
  • atypical parkinsonisms

Atypical parkinsonisms, which used to be defined as Parkinson’s plus, are neurodegenerative conditions that cause movement symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease along with additional symptoms that are not necessarily part of Parkinson’s disease.

Common atypical parkinsonisms include multi-system atrophy (MSA), Lewy body dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and corticobasal degeneration.

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Foot health and gait safety: An action plan for confident walking

Jun 24, 2026

Last updated Aug. 1, 2025, by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Fact-checked by Patrícia Silva, PhD

If you or a loved one is living with Parkinson’s disease, you already know it can affect movement. But you might be surprised by how much it can impact your feet.

Understanding how Parkinson’s affects your feet — and what you can do about it — can help you stay more comfortable, confident, and mobile.

How Parkinson’s affects the feet

Parkinson’s symptoms (such as stiffness, tremors, and posture changes) can shift your weight forward, putting extra pressure on your feet and making it harder to stay balanced.

These issues are closely linked to changes in gait or the way you walk. Over time, these gait changes can lead to painful foot problems, a higher risk of falls, and even a fear of walking.

You may also notice cramping or spasms that come and go, known as dystonia, which often causes clenched or curling toes and painful spasms in the feet. It’s common in Parkinson’s, especially in the morning when medications wear off.

Nail issues and ankle discomfort are also common. In a 2022 study comparing adults with and without Parkinson’s, those with Parkinson’s reported more challenges with tasks like toenail trimming and walking.

They also perceived a worse health state of their feet compared with people without Parkinson’s, with some reporting that their foot problems negatively affected their quality of life.

The good news is that with the right foot care and support, many of these problems can be effectively managed, helping you stay active and safe.

What is Parkinson’s gait?

One of the most recognizable signs of Parkinson’s disease is a change in how you walk. This is often referred to as Parkinson’s gait, and it can affect your stability, step pattern, and overall mobility.

Common features of Parkinson’s gait include:

  • short, shuffling steps
  • reduced arm swing
  • forward-leaning posture
  • trouble turning
  • freezing episodes (suddenly being unable to move).

These changes often develop later in the disease and are tied to slower, smaller, and more rigid movements. You may notice your legs feel stiff or heavy, and lifting your feet can be difficult. Walking flat-footed instead of heel-first is also common and can affect balance.

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