World Parkinson's Congress

Bob de Wit Reflects on the World Parkinson Congress 

“The conference felt like drinking from a fire hose.“

That’s how Bob de Wit describes his experience at the World Parkinson Congress, where thousands of researchers, clinicians, advocates, caregivers and people living with Parkinson’s gathered to share ideas, research and lived experience.

Having lived with Parkinson’s for more than 15 years, Bob is actively involved with the Parkinson’s community, including sharing his time and perspectives though Parkinson Canada’s Parkinson Advisory Council, where he serves as vice-chair. Bob has long valued the opportunity to learn from others, and at the World Parkinson Congress, he was part of learning on a global scale.

Despite the sheer volume of information, several moments stood out.

“First, I was particularly interested in seeing a demonstration of Vyalev, which is being commercialized in Canada and the United States by AbbVie,” Bob said.

Vyalev is a less invasive way to deliver levodopa-carbidopa under the skin, bypassing the gut. It has the potential to smooth out symptom fluctuations and may offer another option for people who aren’t candidates for deep brain stimulation (DBS).

Bob was also struck by what he learned about the treatment’s rollout in Canada.

“I learned that the rollout in Canada is proceeding more slowly than in the U.S. The upside of that, in my opinion, is that the slower rollout here in Canada has allowed for the lessons learned of early adopters to inform and benefit the next wave of patients.”

Another highlight was hearing updates on stem-cell-based trials that aim to replace dopamine-producing brain cells lost in Parkinson’s—with rare access to the researchers leading them.

“Another project that I and 4,000 of my newest friends got the scoop on was an update on the latest developments in stem-cell-based therapies aimed at replacing dopamine-producing brain cells.“

One of the leaders in this field, Roger Barker, Professor of Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge, was available not only on stage but also at round tables and poster sessions with his students. It was fascinating to hear directly from him about both the progress being made and the current limitations of the different trials around the world.

Bob also came away with a new understanding of how stress can affect medication effectiveness—one of those insights that’s both scientific and immediately personal.

“I didn’t realize that levodopa can be metabolized toward different pathways, and that stress can worsen Parkinson’s symptoms and make medication, such as levodopa, feel less effective.“

What made the Congress especially meaningful, however, was the opportunity to engage directly with researchers in small, 12-person round-table discussions.

“These conversations created a rare opportunity to share experiences, ask questions, and better understand where research is heading and how it might eventually be applied clinically.”

The learning extended beyond the research sessions. Conversations with other people living with Parkinson’s offered a window into how the condition is experienced in communities worldwide.

“It was fascinating to hear about the standards of care in different communities represented by attendees from across the United States and around the world.“

Many people, particularly those from rural communities, described challenges familiar to Canadians—including difficulties accessing movement disorder specialists and specialized Parkinson’s care.

“There was considerable discussion about how advanced and digital technologies might help bridge these gaps in care. It was encouraging to see that this challenge is widely recognized and that meaningful work to address it is beginning.“

Parkinson Canada was part of the conversation, too. Karen Lee, PhD, President and CEO of Parkinson Canada, joined a policy panel that drew a standing-room-only audience—a reflection of the strong interest in cross-border conversations about care and advocacy.

For Bob, the World Parkinson Congress was more than a conference—the gathering was proof of what becomes possible when people living with Parkinson’s, researchers and advocates gather, sharing what they know, asking hard questions and finding that others are asking the same ones.

“Being able to engage so directly with experts in the field made the experience feel personal, hopeful, and highly valuable.”

The next World Parkinson’s Congress will take place in Canada, in Quebec City in 2029.