Actor Ryan Reynolds headlines Parkinson’s awareness campaign
Acadia initiative focuses on lesser-known psychological symptoms
Ryan Reynolds is the face of an educational campaign aiming to raise awareness of lesser-known Parkinson’s disease symptoms: the hallucinations and delusions that can be related to the disease.
The ‘More to Parkinson’s’ initiative, sponsored by Acadia Pharmaceuticals, features a six-part series in which the actor and his mother, Tammy, share personal stories about his father’s hallucinations and delusions, known as Parkinson’s disease psychosis. Jim Reynolds died in 2015 after living with Parkinson’s for almost 20 years.
“At the time, we didn’t know any of these types of symptoms were part of his Parkinson’s disease,” Reynolds said in an Acadia press release. “I wish I’d known Parkinson’s disease wasn’t limited to only motor symptoms. I think people and families affected by Parkinson’s can be better prepared to manage hallucinations and delusions if they’re talking early and often about this lesser-known aspect of the disease.”
The campaign highlights the importance of being aware of the first signs of these symptoms and embracing open conversations about Parkinson’s-related hallucinations and delusions, especially during medical visits.
“There is a significant gap in awareness and understanding that hallucinations and delusions can be part of the progression of Parkinson’s disease,” said Steve Davis, Acadia’s CEO. “As Ryan’s family story makes evident, the nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson’s, including hallucinations and delusions, are often more distressing and disruptive than the motor symptoms associated with the disease.”
Risk of delusions, hallucinations increases with age, disease progression
Parkinson’s disease is caused by the gradual degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, the nerve cells that produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter crucial for motor control. This neuronal loss disrupts normal brain signaling and leads to a characteristic set of motor symptoms, such as muscle stiffness, slowed movements, and tremors at rest.
Many patients also develop non-motor symptoms, which include depression, anxiety, sleeping problems, and cognitive issues in addition to hallucinations and delusions.
About 50% of people with Parkinson’s may experience hallucinations and delusions at some point over their disease course, with older patients and those with more advanced disease being at a higher risk, according to the campaign.
Hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s may also worsen as a result of dopaminergic therapy, a standard treatment approach for managing the motor symptoms of the disease. Anti-psychotic agents such as Nuplazid (pimavanserin) are used to help balance abnormal chemical levels in the brain and address Parkinson’s psychosis.
“In my experience, most people living with Parkinson’s disease who experience hallucinations and delusions do not proactively tell their physicians about them unless specifically asked,” said Yasar Torres-Yaghi, MD, director of the Parkinsonism and Dementia Clinic at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. “They may be frightened, embarrassed, or fear they are losing touch with reality. It’s important for people who are living with Parkinson’s and their loved ones to discuss all symptoms, motor and nonmotor, with a doctor as there are treatment options available.”
The multi-channel campaign includes videos covering topics such as who is at risk for delusions and hallucinations, what symptoms to look for, and how to discuss symptoms and treatment options with healthcare providers.
There’s also a downloadable guide offering practical advice for care partners and family members and a tool to help create a personalized guide for patients and caregivers about how to start a conversation about hallucinations and delusions with a doctor.
The campaign will use digital and social media and connected TV to reach the Parkinson’s community, Acadia said.
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