Neural Segregation and Compensatory Plasticity in Parkinson Disease: A. Jon Stoessl, MD

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"Over a career [in movement disorders], thousands of patients with Parkinson disease—I would say no 2 are exactly alike. Why is it that some people actually do remarkably well, whereas others go through a very difficult time? In general, understanding why some patients do well with the disease may end up being more informative than looking at all the negative aspects."

At the 2025 International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders (MDS), held October 5-9, in Honolulu, Hawaii, A. Jon Stoessl, MD, neurologist at University of British Columbia, was named recipient of the C. David Marsden Award Lectureship. This distinction recognizes an exceptional neuroscientist whose work has significantly advanced the field of movement disorders. Stoessl was recognized for his outstanding contributions to understanding the neurobiology underlying movement disorders and for translating those insights into meaningful clinical advancements and a deeper understanding of normal motor control.¹

During the meeting, Stoessl sat down with NeurologyLive^® to discuss ongoing research into compensatory mechanisms and neural plasticity in PD, focusing on how the brain’s organization changes over time. In the conversation, he noted his team’s work showing that in healthy individuals, dopamine activity is distinct across motor, cognitive, and reward circuits, but in PD, this separation breaks down, pointing to altered processing in the striatum. Therefore, these findings suggest that brain adaptability may play a key role in why some patients maintain better function than others.

Stoessl, who also serves as the editor-in-chief of Movement Disorders, also addressed broader challenges in how PD is defined, noting the tension between clinical and biological approaches to diagnosis. As interest grows in using biomarkers and imaging to identify disease earlier, he emphasized that ethical questions arise about labeling individuals without symptoms or treatment options. Moreover, Jon underscored that lifestyle interventions, such as exercise, could potentially help rewire abnormal pathways and positively influence disease progression.

Click here for more coverage of MDS 2025.

REFERENCES
1. Stoessl AJ. C. David Marsden Lecture Award: Functional Reorganization and Compensation in Parkinson's Disease. Presented at: 2025 MDS Congress; October 5-9; Honolulu, Hawaii. Presidential Lectures.