Summary
In this episode, Haylie Pomroy welcomes back Dr. Daniel Kantor, neurologist and vice president of clinical research at Gateway Institute for Brain Research. Together, they explore the latest science, challenges, and promising research around Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Kantor shares Gateway’s mission to find a cure for Parkinson’s by speeding up the journey from lab discoveries to real treatments. Their team uses cutting-edge methods, including computer models and clinical trials, to better understand the disease and develop new therapies.
Podcast Guest: Daniel Kantor, MD, FAAN is a board-certified neurologist, President Emeritus of the Florida Society of Neurology and the Vice President for Clinical Research & Development at Gateway Institute for Brain Research — focusing on finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Since the world of what’s classically known as neurodegenerative disorders (of which PD is the second most common, after Alzheimer dementia) is moving more towards neuroinflammation, and vice versa, Dr. Kantor is also the Founding President of the Medical Partnership 4 MS+ (MP4MS+), Past Chair of the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration’s Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee, Past Director of Florida Atlantic University’s Division of Neurology, Inaugural Neurology Residency Program Director at Florida Atlantic University, Past Director of University of Florida’s Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Center in Jacksonville, FL, the Neurology Representative for First Coast Service Options’ (contractor for Medicare in Florida) Contractor Advisor Committee, and an adjunct full professor at Nova Southeastern University’s Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine. Dr. Kantor is board-certified in both Neurology and Headache Medicine and is the Chair of the Subcommittee on Concussion of the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee of Florida High School Athletic Association.
Visit Kantor Neurology or Gateway Institute for Brain Research to learn more about Dr. Kantor’s work.
Podcast Transcript Q&A:
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Dr. Daniel Kantor: Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement. It was first described 200 years ago by James Parkinson, who observed people walking with a distinct shuffle or experiencing tremors. Unlike multiple sclerosis, which is autoimmune in nature, Parkinson’s involves damage to dopaminergic neurons—the ones responsible for producing dopamine, a neurotransmitter essential for smooth movement and reward processing.
What are the common symptoms?
Dr. Kantor: The most visible sign is tremors, particularly a “pill-rolling” resting tremor. Other symptoms include bradykinesia (slowness of movement), rigidity, and postural instability, which can lead to falls. While it typically appears in individuals over 60, younger cases are becoming more common.
What causes Parkinson’s?
Dr. Kantor: We believe Parkinson’s is a combination of genetics and environmental factors. The analogy I like to use is a “loaded gun.” Your genetics load the gun, and an environmental trigger—such as exposure to pesticides like paraquat or a viral infection—pulls the trigger.
Is there a link between Parkinson’s and viruses like COVID-19?
Dr. Kantor: There was speculation that Parkinson’s might disappear after the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, but we now see more cases than ever. With COVID-19, there are concerns it could act as a trigger, but it will take decades of research to confirm this.
How is Parkinson’s diagnosed?
Dr. Kantor: The gold standard is still clinical evaluation, but imaging techniques like DaTscan scan can detect reduced dopamine activity in the brain. We’re also researching biomarkers in spinal fluid and even skin tests.
Are there any treatments that can cure Parkinson’s?
Dr. Kantor: No disease-modifying therapies exist yet. Current treatments, like dopamine replacement and deep brain stimulation, manage symptoms but don’t halt or reverse disease progression. That’s what we’re working toward at the Gateway Institute.
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What role does inflammation play in Parkinson’s?
Dr. Kantor: We used to separate diseases into neuroinflammatory (like MS) and neurodegenerative (like Parkinson’s), but we now see immune system involvement in both. We’re studying whether Parkinson’s has a significant immune component.
Can lifestyle changes help?
Dr. Kantor: Absolutely. The three most important things people can do are:
- Diet – Nutritional choices impact overall brain health.
- Exercise – It’s the most effective way to modify disease progression.
- Stress Reduction – Chronic stress has measurable negative effects on the brain.
How can people get involved in Parkinson’s research?
Dr. Kantor: We have ongoing clinical trials, including one testing intranasal insulin and glutathione for cognitive function in Parkinson’s. People can register at register.gifbr.com to learn more about participating.
Final Thoughts
Haylie Pomroy: There’s no one-size-fits-all medicine, especially for complex neurodegenerative diseases. Thank you, Dr. Kantor, for shedding light on Parkinson’s and the exciting research happening at Gateway. We’ll continue sharing updates and ways to get involved in the community!