Symposium on Parkinson's disease to feature worldwide distinguished doctors

The Neuro Challenge Foundation and the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System will host the annual Suncoast Parkinson’s Symposium, the largest gathering of its type in the nation, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at Sarasota Memorial’s Institute for Advanced Medicine.

Parkinson’s patients, caregivers and physicians are invited to attend, to hear distinguished physician lecturers from around the world.

Among the presenters will be drug inventor Dr. Moussa Youdim, who is coming from Israel to discuss the popular drug rasagiline; Dr. Cynthia Fox, co-founder of Big and Loud voice therapy and a research associate at the National Center for Voice and Speech in Denver; Dr. James Schumacher, neurosurgeon at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and a research associate at Harvard Medical School; and Dr. Dean Sutherland, founder of the Southeastern Center for Parkinson’s disease in Sarasota.

Discussion topics will cover treatment strategies, the importance of a patient-centric healthcare system, neurosurgery and drug options.

“Our annual symposium provides an interactive venue for the Parkinson’s disease community to come together and discuss the latest global developments in Parkinson’s disease care, as well as to meet and talk with others affected by Parkinson’s disease,” said Doreen Sutherland, president and CEO of Neuro Challenge, in a news release.

The cost of the symposium is $25; that includes continental breakfast.

Registration, which is required, begins at 9 a.m. For more information, call 917-7777.