In this wide-ranging interview, Simon Lewis speaks with Glenda Halliday about the science, challenges and hope surrounding Parkinson’s disease research through the Australian Parkinson’s Mission.
Professor Lewis begins by highlighting Professor Halliday’s remarkable achievements and leadership in Parkinson’s research before asking her to explain what actually happens in the brain in Parkinson’s disease. Professor Halliday says the brain has an extraordinary ability to compensate for damage, which is why many people can live with Parkinson’s for decades. Unlike some other neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson’s affects a relatively small number of brain cells, particularly dopamine-producing neurons. This is why dopamine medications remain so effective for many patients.
She explains that while only certain cells die, other parts of the brain become stressed or dysfunctional over time. Understanding how the healthy parts of the brain adapt and compensate may hold the key to future treatments. Rather than needing a complete cure, even partially improving these processes could dramatically improve quality of life.
The conversation then turns personal. Professor Halliday shares that her mother-in-law was identified more than 25 years ago as showing early warning signs of Parkinson’s disease during one of her research studies. She has since developed Parkinson’s and now lives with Professor Halliday and her husband. While medications have helped maintain mobility, the most difficult symptoms today are sleep problems and anxiety. Professor Halliday speaks candidly about the exhaustion and emotional toll of caring for someone with advanced Parkinson’s, particularly at night.
When asked why Parkinson’s remains so difficult to cure, Professor Halliday explains that the disease is likely caused by several interacting biological processes rather than one single problem. Current treatments usually target only one pathway at a time, but future therapies will probably need to address multiple pathways simultaneously. This idea is central to the Australian Parkinson’s Mission, which is running innovative clinical trials testing several approaches side by side.
A major strength of these trials is that many of the drugs being tested are already approved for other conditions, meaning effective treatments could potentially reach patients faster. Researchers are also studying why some people respond differently to medications, including the role genetics may play in treatment response.
Finally, Professor Halliday emphasises the importance of trial participants. She describes research as a marathon rather than a sprint, noting that even unsuccessful trials teach scientists valuable lessons that lead to better future treatments. Drawing parallels with Alzheimer’s disease research, she explains that progress often comes gradually through multiple generations of studies. She thanks participants for helping shape not only Australian research but the future of Parkinson’s trials around the world.
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