MAJOR RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH IN
PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND RELATED NEUROSCIENCE
Parkinson's disease:
l A chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder killing brain cells
that produce dopamine (a neurochemical controlling motor function).
l When 80% of the dopamine-generating cells have died, slowness of
movement, stiffness and tremor appear. The drug L-dopa eliminates some
symptoms for a limited period but does not slow cell degeneration process.
l Approximately one million Americans currently afflicted. Average age of
symptom onset is 57; 30% diagnosed under age 50.
l Approximately three million more have at-risk, pre-symptomatic dopamine
cell loss.
Current cost burden:
l According to Dr. Ole Isacson of Harvard, Parkinson's is estimated to
cost America a minimum of $25 billion per year.
l The costs are spread among afflicted families, health and disability
benefit providers, SSI, SSDI, Medicare and Medicaid.
l L-dopa and related drugs run $1000-$6000/year per patient.
l Ongoing care required includes neurologist visits, various physical
therapies and often treatment for depression. Typical early-stage annual
medical cost per patient: $2000-7,000; advanced cases higher.
l Treatment and hospitalization for Parkinson's-caused falls can run
$40,000 or more. (According to Dr. William Koller of the University of
Kansas, an estimated 38% fall, 13% more than once a week.)
l According to Dr. Roger Kurlan of the University of Rochester, 31% of
those employed will lose employment within a year. Disability income
subsidies can run $30,000 or more.
l As the disease progresses, substantial disability (inability to maintain
balance, walk, speak, move) requires assisted living and nursing home care.
That can exceed $100,000 per patient.
Current scientific potential:
l Several preventive and restorative strategies such as neural growth
factors, gene therapy techniques and surgical therapies show promise in
animal studies or human clinical trials.
l Important links to the cause (including genetic susceptibility and role
of toxic agents) are becoming established.
l Leading scientists describe Parkinson's as a major neurological disorder
expected to produce a breakthrough therapy and/or cure within this decade.
Stagnant current NIH investment in Parkinson's research:
l $26 million per year; no increase since 1989.
l 10%-14% of NIH-approved projects are funded at 1995 funding levels.
Return expected from investment in Parkinson's research:
l According to Dr. Isacson of Harvard, an additional $20-40 million per
year spent to fund 100 of the most effective preclinical and basic research
programs (@ $200,000-$400,000 each) will produce new treatments within 2-3
years, an effective therapy or cure within 5 years.
l According to Dr. Kurlan of the University of Rochester, even a 10%
slowing of progression will save $327 million per year.
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Following are individual examples of the million Americans bearing the
financial burden of Parkinson's disease. These examples illustrate that the
current estimates of the cost of Parkinson's -- presently estimated as
approximately $6 billion per year -- is a very conservative figure. That
amount probably only includes basic medical care costs. It does not include
the huge additional costs of related medical costs resulting from falls and
other Parkinson's consequences; non-medical care such as physical therapy;
disability benefits from private insurance and government programs such as
SSDI or SSI; lost tax revenue due to early retirement or reduced employment;
assisted living, respite care and nursing homes; and the lost tax revenue
from lost employment opportunities of care-giving family members.
FEMALE I Years with Parkinson's 9 Age at onset: 36
Current age: 45
Status: Working full-time but disabled from previous employment as trial
attorney. Medication costs/year $2,788.00 Medical
care/year $650.00 (plus travel to specialists) Related care
(physical therapy, etc.) $ 2,340.00 Lost taxes on earnings lost per
year $20,000.00
TOTAL PER YEAR $25,778.00
* * *
MALE I Years with Parkinson's: 6 Age at onset: 40 Current
age 46
Status: Permanently disabled from full-time employment as CPA.
Medication costs/year: $ 4,697.00
Medical care/year: $ 1,950.00 Private disability insurance
paid/year: $72,000.00
TOTAL PER YEAR $78,647.00
MALE II Years with Parkinson's: 9 Age at onset: 28 Current age:
37
Status: Permanently disabled from employment as city
employee. Medication costs/year: $3,000.00
Medical care above insurance/year: $20.00 *
Related care (physical therapy, etc.): $1,440.00
Disability insurance/SSI payments: $10,536.00 Taxes previously paid on
$31,500 salary less taxes now paid on SSI/disability benefits:
$18,086.00
TOTAL PER YEAR: $33,082.00
* Care covered by Kaiser with $3,600/year premium.
* * *
MALE III Years with Parkinson's: 18 Age at onset: 37 Current
age: 55
Status: Permanently disabled from employment from job earning $83,400/year.
Medication costs: $3,924.00
Medical care: $200.00
Related Care (physical therapy, etc.) $3,200.00
Disability payments by Aetna Insurance and SSDI: $51,756.00
TOTAL PER YEAR: $59,080.00
* * *
MALE IV Years with Parkinson's 18 Age at onset: 53 Current
age: 71
Status: Totally disabled; unable to care for self; needing round-the-clock
care. Medication costs: $2,500.00 Medical care:
$10,200.00 Related care (hospitalization and care following
a fall caused by Parkinson's symptoms): $40,000.00 Assisted living
(in-home hired care to assist family; 50% paid by family, 50% paid by
Medicaid): $104,000.00
TOTAL PER YEAR: $156,700.00
