Sidelined by Parkinson’s disease
The Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center at VCU Health reflects on the rise of the progressive brain disorder after the diagnosis of Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre
October 11, 2024
In late September, football Hall of Famer Brett Favre shared he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. (Getty Images)
By Leigh Farmer
Love him or hate him, Brett Favre is a football legend. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, Favre still holds the league record for consecutive starts – 321. He was unstoppable.
However, in late September, 54-year-old Favre shared that he had been sacked by a debilitating disease – Parkinson's.
It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease next to Alzheimer's. And it comes on slowly. Some of the first symptoms can seem like the progression of age such as muscle stiffness, tremors, and slower movement. For nearly a decade, Favre has been struggling with memory loss that he associated with the multiple concussions he suffered throughout his career. But he often wondered if there was more to it.
Memory loss is another symptom that can be seen in Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease happens when nerve cells in the brain degenerate over time. The prevalence of Parkinson's increases with age. Nearly one million people live with the disease in the U.S., and that number is expected to jump to 1.2 million in the next five years. It’s these types of statistics that motivate the doctors and researchers at VCU Health every day.
VCU Health is home to the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center (PMDC). Among its many accolades, the PMDC has been designated a Center of Excellence by The Parkinson’s Foundation. The center’s director, Brian Berman, M.D., is continually increasing the momentum of Parkinson’s Disease research, training, and innovation. He recently spoke to VCU Health News about the latest findings and treatments for the illness.
What do you attribute to the rise in Parkinson’s disease over the past ten years?
The rise in diagnosis of Parkinson’s is due in part to an aging population. However, the biggest increase is seen in younger individuals who develop the disorder. So, factors other than age must be playing a role. Advances in our ability to diagnose Parkinson’s disease earlier and the higher incidence rates in certain geographic regions are likely contributing to a rise in cases over the last decade. Additionally, researchers are finding that there is a correlation between Parkinson’s disease and certain environmental factors – like pesticides, head trauma, and occupation.
How long can a person expect to live with Parkinson’s disease? How does this disease affect someone’s quality of life?
Many factors contribute to the life expectancy of someone living with Parkinson’s disease, but some recent studies suggest that Parkinson’s disease only shortens life expectancy by a couple years and that the life expectancy after diagnosis, on average, is about 15 years.
While life expectancy may not change a great deal, a person’s quality of life can. Many people diagnosed with the disease suffer from a variety of physical, cognitive, and psychological problems. Symptoms such as anxiety, depression, apathy, and difficulties with concentration are very common and known to be some of the biggest contributors to diminished quality of life.
How does the multidisciplinary team at VCU Health treat someone living with this disease?
At VCU Health, we provide multidisciplinary care to our patients living with Parkinson’s disease. Our team-based model involves evaluations and care from fellowship-trained movement disorders neurologists, clinical neuropsychologists, and our rehabilitative colleagues from physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Additionally, our team offers patients specialized treatment options such as botox injections to help with muscle stiffness, as well as deep brain stimulation and focused ultrasound to treat tremors.
