Study of Parkinson’s Disease Genetics in Black and African American Populations Expands with Two Additional Sites

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- The Black and African American Connections to Parkinson’s Disease (BLAAC PD) study announces the addition of two clinical site partners — Louisiana State University and University of Florida — extending this effort to six locations and growing its partnership with populations traditionally underrepresented in research to better understand the genetic architecture of Parkinson’s disease. BLAAC PD is a study of the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2), a resource of the Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) initiative that is executed by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF).

“The BLAAC PD study is an opportunity for Black and African American people to participate in the pursuit of cures for Parkinson’s — the fastest growing neurological disease — for themselves, their children and their community. We are proud to join as a clinical site and to contribute to a global initiative that is looking both for what makes a population unique and for what is shared,” said Ashley Rawls, MD, MS, clinical assistant professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine and BLAAC PD site principal investigator.

Since its launch in 2021, BLAAC PD has also enrolled participants at Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic, Rush University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and University of Chica- go. The study is recruiting volunteers from the Black or African American community — people with Parkinson’s disease and people without the disease or a family history of Parkinson’s (control participants). Participants contribute a one-time blood or saliva sample for DNA testing and clinical data around demographics and medical/family history. This aims to better understand the unique differences that present between ethnic heritages.

Interested volunteers can learn more and connect with a site at www.blaacpd.org

Data and samples from BLAAC PD are shared with GP2, which is gathering and analyzing such resources from over 150 cohorts from more than 50 countries. De-identified data is shared with the global research community to speed findings around population-specific or overlapping genetic traits related to PD. These findings could identify novel pathological pathways with potential for therapeutic intervention. Alternatively, they could support application of therapies already in development to additional populations.

“Genetic understanding unlocks a door that scientists walk through toward cures,” said MJFF Director of Clinical Operations Alyssa O’Grady.

“We are grateful to the participant and clinical site partners building this study to learn more about Parkinson’s-linked genetic changes in Black and African American populations toward better treatments for all.”

Complementary Efforts Aim to Understand and Treat Parkinson’s Disease in the

African American Community

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While genetics research and cutting-edge technologies have advanced Parkinson’s disease understanding in recent decades, most studies have only included people of European descent. The GP2 study is addressing that challenge. The Michael J. Fox Foundation supports additional efforts — some feeding to GP2 — to explore population-specific genetics, clinical disease experience, and access to care. In parallel, the Foundation works toward inclusive research practices, integrating varied patient perspectives and priorities and enrolling participants of diverse backgrounds into clinical studies.

“The moment you hear ‘You have Parkinson’s disease,’ it can come as a shock and bring many questions. For Black and African American people and families, it can feel isolating when you don’t think others in your community understand or live with the disease,” said Dionne Phillips, a BLAAC PD volunteer who lives in Chicago and was diagnosed with PD at age 39. “It’s important for everyone to get involved in research toward better understanding of the disease and ultimately, a cure, not just for our community living with it today but those who may be diagnosed tomorrow.”

For more information, visit www.parkinsonsroadmap.org.

How the Right Pair of Shoes Can Support Your Wellness, Hobbies and Goals

(StatePoint) Looking to stay motivated and achieve your personal goals? New shoes might just be the answer. Not only can they update your wardrobe, helping you look and feel your best, but they can also support your physical and mental wellness, help you try out new hobbies, and even take small steps towards a more sustainable lifestyle.

It’s important to replace old, worn-out sneakers before embarking on a new exercise routine. When gearing up, check out brands like Nike, New Balance and Asics for athletic footwear that combines style, comfort and performance.

Ready to try out a new hobby or get back into an old one? Nike Signature Basketball styles from Lebron are on-trend and are great choices for running, jumping and playing, while Brooks Ghost running shoes feature a cushioned insole and lightweight rubber outsole in fun, vibrant colors to help you push your limits. Perhaps you’re looking to carve out more time for relaxation and quiet activities. You can get cozy and comfortable with the right footwear. The HEYDUDE soft, comfortable slip-on styles are perfect for lounging at home or enjoying some self-care.

And if your goals include adopting more sustainable practices and reducing your impact on the environment, consider selecting footwear that incorporates eco-friendly features like the Nike Court Vision sneaker, which contains at least 20% recycled content by weight.

For more footwear inspiration to fuel your lifestyle, visit Rack Room Shoes in-store or online at www.rackroomshoes.com.

Whether it's for fitness, self-care, trying out a new hobby or making a difference, there's a pair of shoes to meet your needs.

Top 5 Smartphone Features You Can’t Live Without

Other important deciding factors include overall phone display, size and water resistance. Priorities may vary from person to person, but selecting what’s important for your new smartphone is something only you can determine.

according to findings from Android Authority. Today, that capacity typically ranges from 4000mAh to 5000mAh, with some batteries as large as 6000mAh. And, the latest development of USB-C ports has allowed for faster charging capabilities, charging a near dead phone in just 30 minutes. Look for phones with fast charging technology, from 15W to 20W, and wireless charging options.

• Phone Storage: Storage matters, especially if you’re a business owner, gaming enthusiast or social media influencer. Read-Only Memory (ROM), the internal main storage on your phone, allows you to store media, files and games, and ranges anywhere from 64GB to 128GB, even 256GB and higher in some of the latest models. Random Access Memory (RAM) is used for short-term data like apps, photos and videos. The more RAM you have, the more multitasking you can do. When purchasing a new phone, look for at least 6GB to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of ROM.

• Camera: Phones have nearly replaced traditional cameras, with 90% of people using only their smartphones to take photos versus digital cameras, according to 3D Insider. If you’re an avid photo taker, make sure your new phone features editing software, a variety of camera lenses, like ultra-wide and telephoto, and special functions like night mode to optimize lighting.

• Network: How you stay connected is an important decision. The latest deals can help you select a phone and wireless provider. For example, Samsung just unveiled its latest Galaxy S23 lineup, and T-Mobile is the only provider that can light up 5G standalone three-carrier aggregation, unleashing faster speeds and better responsiveness for some of the newest 5G smartphones – 16% faster speeds on average than phones without it. And switching to what studies have shown is America's largest, fastest and most reliable 5G network comes with perks. New customers can get $200 off via a virtual prepaid card (allow 8 weeks) for each line they switch to TMobile -– that’s $800 off for a family of four. And paired with T-Mobile’s offer to save $800 on the new Samsung Galaxy S23 lineup via bill credits when they choose the Magenta Max plan, that family gets four new phones and saves a total of $4000. To learn more about Samsung’s latest Galaxy S23 Series lineup, visit www.tmobile.com/cell-phones/brand/samsung.

• Security: Gone are the days of remembering a PIN or typing in a password to safely access your phone’s data. Biometric security features like fingerprint, facial or voice recognition are crucial for keeping your private data secure. Most new smartphones feature in-display fingerprint screening and facial recognition, and more institutions like online banking apps are using this method now over passwords.