Dr. Veronica Bruno headshot

Dr. Veronica Bruno has always been fascinated by the brain. Early in medical school, she met a movement disorder specialist who would become her lifelong mentor. She still remembers meeting someone living with Parkinson’s for the first time in the clinic, and that one interaction changed the direction of her career. From that moment, she knew that she wanted to care for people affected by Parkinson’s and help to answer the many questions that often go unanswered.

Today, Dr. Bruno’s work focuses on Parkinson’s and atypical parkinsonian syndromes, especially in later stages of life where changes in movement may overlap with shifts in memory, mood, fatigue and pain. In recent years, her work has placed a strong focus on women living with Parkinson’s – a part of the community often overlooked.

Why women’s health in Parkinson’s matters 

For years, it has been widely stated that Parkinson’s affects more men than it does women. However, many early studies behind those statistics were conducted at a time when women’s participation in research was far more limited than it is today. This created a bias and now influences how symptoms are understood, how studies are designed, and how care is delivered.

There is extensive research on topics such as erectile dysfunction in Parkinson’s, yet far less is known about how Parkinson’s affects the sexual health of women. Some reports suggest that women may experience more pain and anxiety, but it’s not fully understood why or whether differences in treatment options play a role.

There are concerning trends that women are often prescribed lower doses of medication and may not receive the same level of treatment compared to men.

It remains unclear whether this is medically appropriate, related to differences in how symptoms appear, or influenced by hormonal factors. The data we have available is not strong enough to provide concrete or definite answers.

In clinical practice, Dr. Bruno has been asked whether hormonal contraception is safe for women living with Parkinson’s, and how menopause may influence symptoms. When one woman asked, “Is this menopause—or is this Parkinson’s?” Dr. Bruno’s honest response was that the evidence was limited, and that moment sparked the development of the Women’s Health Study.

“Is this menopause — or is this Parkinson’s?”

The study looks at how menstrual cycles may influence symptom control, especially with newer therapies such as infusion treatments. Early observations suggest that some women may benefit from medication adjustments at different points in their menstrual cycle.

If hormones are found to affect symptoms or offer protection, that knowledge could expand our understanding of Parkinson’s more broadly, shape future and emerging therapies, and improve symptom management for all those living with Parkinson’s.

As Dr. Bruno emphasizes, “If these questions aren’t asked, answers will not follow.”

“If these questions aren’t asked, answers will not follow.”

The role of Parkinson Canada

Before receiving funding, Dr. Bruno was connected with colleagues across the country where these relationships have fostered collaboration and the development of new projects.  

By bringing together scientists, clinicians, advocates, and people living with Parkinson’s, Parkinson Canada’s impact goes further beyond funding to help address the gaps in access to care and ensure research involves those with lived experience. 

For too long, research outcomes and lived experiences have operated separately. Dr. Bruno believes the future lies in integrating them — listening to what matters most to people living with Parkinson’s and using available tools and resources to explore those priorities. 

How people can be part of the change 

Life with Parkinson’s can be full of appointments, exercise, family responsibilities, work or retirement and daily adjustments that all require time and energy. Participating in research may feel like an additional responsibility – yet helps our community move forward. 

Research grows when people living with Parkinson’s share their experiences, participate in studies, and connect with others in the community. 

Participation can be empowering while also helping to reduce isolation and foster connections.  

A message to the Parkinson’s community 

People may be living with Parkinson’s, but Parkinson’s doesn’t define who they are.

Dr. Bruno encourages people living with Parkinson’s to stay up to date, ask questions, advocate for themselves, and connect with others who understand their experiences.

When researchers, clinicians, Parkinson Canada, and people living with Parkinson’s come together, it’s possible to address gaps in knowledge, improve access to care, and build a future where research reflects the full diversity of experiences in the Parkinson’s community.

Progress has been made, but with continued partnership, more can be achieved.