A recent study led by UCLA researchers suggests that exercise may help manage symptoms of early-stage Parkinson’s disease (PD). The research, conducted by a team at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, found links between physical activity and lower levels of chronic inflammation, which is believed to contribute to PD symptoms.
Chronic inflammation in the brain and nervous system can worsen tremors, stiffness, and balance issues associated with PD. According to Yang Chen Hu, PhD, lead study author, “Prior research has found that a decrease in inflammation can play a crucial role in preventing or delaying the progression of PD.” Dr. Hu emphasized that while more needs to be learned about long-term inflammation, current findings suggest exercise may allow people with PD to feel better for longer.
Dr. Hu is an epidemiology student working under a professor at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health who also holds an appointment in neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine. Senior authors on the study included Dr. Ritz and another assistant professor from the Department of Epidemiology at UCLA Fielding.
“Our work takes a novel approach to studying inflammation, helping us understand how behavior and environmental exposures influence biological processes,” said Dr. Kusters. “This offers promising opportunities for studying how lifestyle factors and exposures relate to disease risk and progression.”
The researchers analyzed demographic data, lifestyle information, and physical activity reports from 555 people with PD participating in the Parkinson’s Environment and Gene (PEG) Studies—a collaboration between the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and the UCLA Neurology Department aimed at understanding causes and contributing factors for PD.
Using DNA-based markers as proxies for immune system signals called cytokines, Dr. Hu’s team compared physically active participants with less active ones. Their analysis indicated that those who were more physically active showed immune-related DNA markers linked to reduced chronic inflammation.
“We found that having a higher day-to-day activity level is associated with both lower levels of pro-inflammatory signals and higher levels of anti-inflammatory signals,” said Dr. Hu. He noted that some of these signals are connected to PD progression, suggesting regular physical activity could help manage the condition.
Dr. Hu concluded: “Staying physically active could be a simple yet powerful way to improve long-term health outcomes in PD.”
Another coauthor on the study was Dr. Bronstein, director of movement disorders at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine. “We have yet to find a medication that can slow the progression of the disease,” he said. “However, we have several therapies that can improve symptoms and help maintain a high quality of life.” He added: “Physical activity is the one treatment that slows disease progression, but we simply do not understand how it works.” According to Dr. Bronstein: “This study found that physical activity is associated with changes in our DNA that alters inflammation… Inflammation may contribute to the cause of PD – and therefore, these changes in DNA might give us insight into how physical activity slows disease progression.”
The PEG study enrolled residents from Fresno, Tulare, and Kern counties in Central California—collecting detailed neurological examinations performed by UCLA movement disorder specialists at initial visits and follow-ups. These experts played an important role in confirming participants’ diagnoses.
“Their in-depth knowledge of PD diagnosis, treatment and pathology was instrumental in interpreting some of the study’s results,” said Dr. Hu. He added: “Drs. Ritz and Bronstein have contributed a strong clinical perspective… connecting observed changes in cytokine levels to potential differences in disease progression.” Discussions with other experts helped interpret results related to immune cell changes seen in patients.
“These are vital pathological alterations observed in PD patients,” Dr. Hu noted.
