Advancing Movement Disorder Research: Reflections on a Season of Collaboration

This fall has been a rewarding time for our team at Inland Northwest Research. We’ve had the opportunity to participate in several important gatherings dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of movement disorders. These meetings remind me how collaborative our field truly is—progress depends not on isolated discoveries, but on the collective effort of clinicians, scientists, and patients working together toward a common goal.

Our travels took us to the International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders, where we heard exciting updates on emerging biomarkers, digital tools, and novel therapeutic approaches. We also joined discussions at the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s Partnering to Advance Parkinson’s Research meeting, which continues to set a high standard for collaboration between academic centers, industry sponsors, and patient advocates.

Later in the season, our team took part in the Huntington Study Group Annual Meeting and the Early Onset Parkinson’s Conference. Each highlighted the importance of tailoring research to meet the needs of specific patient populations and underscored the value of designing studies that reflect the real-world experience of those living with these conditions.

As we look ahead to the Parkinson Study Group meeting in December, I’m encouraged by the energy and direction within the movement disorder community. The pace of discovery continues to accelerate, and the dialogue between research sites, sponsors, and patient groups is more open and productive than ever before.

Returning home from these meetings, I am reminded that meaningful progress is built on connection—between ideas, disciplines, and people. It’s an exciting time to be part of this work, and I’m grateful to our team and collaborators for their continued commitment to advancing science and improving care for patients across the Inland Northwest and beyond.

— Jason Aldred, MD
Inland Northwest Research