The Parkinson's Plan: A New Path to Prevention and Treatment

by Ray Dorsey MD, Michael S. Okun

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A groundbreaking prescriptive guide to preventing and fighting Parkinson’s disease

“The Parkinson’s Plan meets this moment with science, clarity, and a path forward.” (Sanjay Gupta, chief medical correspondent, CNN)
 
In The Parkinson’s Plan, two doctors on the cutting edge of Parkinson’s research detail the steps necessary to prevent, slow, and treat this debilitating condition. They show readers how to prevent the disease through the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the lifestyles we live. They introduce the “Parkinson’s 25,” the most detailed checklist ever created to allow anyone to lower their risk of Parkinson’s. They interview the world’s top scientists, clinicians, and thought leaders in the Parkinson’s field to offer a detailed plan for treatment that includes cutting-edge methods and recent technological and medical advances. 
 
The Parkinson’s Plan takes the next step in winning the battle against Parkinson’s, presenting a clear road map with the strategies and tactics necessary to create a world where the disease is increasingly rare and the treatments are more successful.  

Genres: Nonfiction

480 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2025

Reviews

[Herb Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's I was looking to learn about what to reasonably expect what this condition has in store for me. In that I was disappointed. They spent a lot of space talking about possible causes of the disease. Particularly chemical exposures of many types.(they really don't like dry cleaners) They want an all out government assault on chemical pollution of the environment.

The Plan in the title was not a guide to what I can do, it is a grand plan for how the medical system needs to be totally changed. And how funding of research must be increased.

It's not going to happen. Under the current administration funding for research is being cut without a concern for the effect these cuts have on people. Also, the persons put in charge of overseeing the US's medical health services don't seem to believe in science. The government has rolled back regulations that are designed to reduced the dangerous chemicals in our air and water.

The Plan in this book is well reached and heartfelt but unfortunately will amount to nothing until people who reject science are no longer in charge.

[Cathie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was interested in this because a good friend has Parkinson's. It's broken into sections -
Part 1- Prevent
talks about what they've learned about causes of Parkinson's
Part 2 - Learn
learn about the start and progression, 25 steps to diminish your chances of getting Parkinson's
Part 3 - Amplify
building a Parkinson's "universe" (coordinating care)
Part 4 - Navigate
new treatments
Conclusion
includes resources, experts, acknowledgements

I got bogged down in the section "Amplify" partly because I didn't have any experiences to peg it to. I skimmed the last couple of sections. If you had Parkinson's or were related to someone with Parkinson's it would be more valuable.

My main takeaway is beware of Superfund sites, pesticides, dry cleaning chemicals, and air pollution especially from traffic.

a library book

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really the book I was looking for since it’s a plan for society and the research community rather than for individuals. And frustrating because exposure to chemicals that can cause Parkinson’s (pesticides, dry cleaning solution) can happen well before a Parkinson’s diagnosis so for many of us, the damage is done.

[Phil Hardin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for anybody with Parkinson’s disease, or caregivers. Would you like to read it?

[Casey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I learned everything I was hoping to in Part 1 and slogged through the rest (The Universe metaphor was quite contrived). Also listened to it on audiobook, and it sounds like it is narrated by AI.