Citation

Robledo I, Jankovic J. Mov. Disord. 2017; 32(9): 1319-1323.

Affiliation

Parkinson's Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Movement Disorders Society, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/mds.26993

PMID

28370445

Abstract

In this age of digital technology, Internet, and social media we are increasingly subjected to an information and disinformation overload. This includes not only political and economic information but also medical news, which is often presented as a "new discovery", "miracle cure" or some other press hyperbole. In this viewpoint article we present patient and scientific perspectives some recent episodes of medical hype related to Parkinson's disease research, including proposed therapies such as nilotinib, marijuana, stem cells and other controversial therapies that have attracted the mainstream and social media. We conclude by emphasizing the importance of vigilance on the part of patients and physicians when interpreting these often exaggerated and/or unfounded health claims. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

© 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Language: en

Keywords

Parkinson's disease; fake news; marijuana; media; misleading news; nilotinib