Annual Suncoast Parkinson Symposium Tops 600 Attendees

Sarasota, FL, January 28, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Sarasota’s Medical Community was host to the Nation’s largest Medical Conference for Parkinson Disease on Saturday, January 22. The 2011 Annual Suncoast Parkinson Symposium, held at Sarasota Memorial’s Institute for Advanced Medicine, brought together nearly 700 professionals, patients, and caregivers. The country’s top Physicians and Researchers spent the morning focusing on the latest research and theories regarding causes, innovative therapies, and medical treatments for Parkinson Disease. Parkinson Disease is a degenerative brain condition that affects millions nationally, with 15,000 patients and caregivers residing in the tri-county area. Many important issues were focused upon such as risk factors, environmental vs. genetic factors; exercise, breakthrough research, cutting edge treatments, and embryonic stem cell research.

Special guest, Debbi Brooks, co-founder of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, discussed the Fox Foundation’s multi-million dollar clinical research program and the process the group takes in conducting trials that they hope will lead to a cure. Other Internationally-recognized researchers who spoke include: Jay L. Alberts, PhD – Cleveland Clinic and Ole Isacson, MD – Harvard.

The presentations were organized by Neuro Challenge Foundation medical advisor Dr. Dean Sutherland, MD, PhD. Fifty area physicians participated in professional education opportunities throughout the weekend along with dozens of nurses and other allied health professionals. During her introductory comments, Doreen Sutherland, President and Founder of Neuro Challenge Foundation, stated, “Today you will learn that knowledge Is power and exercise Is medicine.” They certainly did.

For more information about programs and services offered by Neuro Challenge Foundation, log onto www.neurochallenge.org or call 941-926-6413.

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