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MDS 2020 | Complications with Parkinson’s disease and COVID-19

Alfonso Fasano, MD, PhD, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, discusses the issues that Parkinson’s patients could face if they contract COVID-19. In the early stages of infection, some studies report potential gastrointestinal symptoms in Parkinson’s patients as well as worsening movement symptoms before viral symptom onset. Some Parkinson’s patients may also be at higher risk due to limited respiratory function. Parkinson’s patients could face additional challenges if admitted to intensive care and patients in advanced stages who require a high dosage of levodopa may not receive the correct medication. Finally, the long term consequences of COVID-19 are unknown and how this could affect Parkinson’s patients will have to be seen. This interview was recorded during an online conference call with The Video Journal of Neurology (VJNeurology).