
Can We Halt Parkinson’s Progression? Targeted Brain Therapies Explained
From Research Renaissance: Exploring the Future of Brain Science by Karen Toffler Charitable Trust
April 15, 2026 · 59 min · Season 3 · Episode 7
About this episode
In this episode, Dr. Zachary Sorrentino discusses the progression of Parkinson's disease and targeted brain therapies.
Parkinson’s disease begins decades before symptoms appear — and by the time tremors start, brain changes have already been unfolding for years. In this episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal speaks with Dr. Zachary Sorrentino, neurosurgeon, physician-scientist, and 2025 Toffler Scholar at the University of Florida. Dr. Sorrentino explains how misfolded proteins like alpha-synuclein spread through the brain, how deep brain stimulation helps restore movement, and why preve...
People in this episode
Host: Deborah Westphal
Guest: Dr. Zachary Sorrentino
Topics covered
- Parkinson's disease
- brain therapies
- deep brain stimulation
- neuroscience
- protein misfolding
Keywords
- Parkinson's disease
- deep brain stimulation
- alpha-synuclein
- neurosurgery
- brain therapies
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: University of Florida
Products: alpha-synuclein
More episodes of Research Renaissance: Exploring the Future of Brain Science
- The Eye Knows: Using Ocular Biometrics to Diagnose PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression · June 10, 2026 · 51 min
- The Third Pillar: Why Sleep Apnea, Circadian Rhythms, and Cognitive Health Are More Connected Than You Think · June 3, 2026 · 53 min
- Why One Gene at a Time Isn't Enough: A Pioneer's View on Autism, Transcriptomics, and Future Cures · May 27, 2026 · 58 min
- The Brain's Plumbing Problem: A Neurologist-Scientist's Quest to Clear Alzheimer's Proteins · May 20, 2026 · 59 min
- The Hidden Genome: How Mitochondrial DNA Shapes Aging and Disease · May 13, 2026 · 45 min
- Rewiring Mental Health: Nature-Inspired Brain Medicine with Dr. Jacob Hooker · May 6, 2026 · 46 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Research Renaissance: Exploring the Future of Brain Science podcast page.