For decades, Michael J. Fox has been a beacon of hope and resilience for millions living with Parkinson’s disease.

Now, Fox is making headlines once again, and it’s happening at a time when Parkinson’s disease is reaching troubling new heights worldwide.


Michael J Fox has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at 29 years old.

Since then, the Back to the Future star has spent more than half his life battling the progressive disorder and has also raised funding through the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Fox’s journey with Parkinson’s has been anything but easy.


After keeping his diagnosis private for seven years, he gradually stepped back from the limelight.

Symptoms like tremors, muscle stiffness, and speech difficulties became more complicated to manage and hindered his career.

Yet, this time, Fox is set to make an extraordinary return to acting.

While the specifics of his current treatment plan remain private, Fox’s improvement could be linked to a wave of new therapies and medications approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA).

His foundation has funded several of these treatments.

These advances are giving hope not just to Fox but to the entire Parkinson’s community.


Fox’s comeback has become bittersweet news.

It coincided with a worrying surge in Parkinson’s cases.

Parkinson’s is now the fastest-growing neurological disorder in the world, outpacing Alzheimer’s disease.

According to Parkinson’s Australia, more than 150,000 Australians currently live with the condition.

The numbers continue to rise as the country’s population ages.

Researchers are still working to unravel the causes behind this dramatic rise.

While age remains the biggest risk factor, recent studies suggested that environmental toxins and dietary habits could play a significant role in the disease’s rise.

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from air pollution has been linked to a 36 per cent higher risk of developing Parkinson’s.

Meanwhile, diets high in ultra-processed foods could damage the brain’s dopamine-producing neurons, increasing the risk of early symptoms.


There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease.

However, a range of treatments could manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients.

The most common medication, Levodopa, replenishes dopamine in the brain.

This medicine eases tremors and movement problems often inflicted by Parkinson’s disease.

Fox previously spoke about using Levodopa, though it’s unclear if he still relies on it.

In 2015, Fox underwent deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgical procedure where electrodes are implanted in the brain to deliver electrical impulses.

This procedure could help control movement issues by interrupting faulty nerve signals.

Watch the trailer for Michael J Fox's biography here:

Newer forms of DBS could adjust stimulation in real time based on a patient’s symptoms.

Physical and speech therapy are also crucial for managing Parkinson’s disease.

Since its launch in 2000, the Michael J. Fox Foundation has become the world’s largest non-profit funder of Parkinson’s research.

The foundation has already invested over US$1.5 billion (A$2.3 billion) in searching for better treatments and a cure for the said disease.

With Parkinson’s disease on the rise in Australia, early diagnosis and intervention could make a significant difference in managing the disease.
Have you or a loved one been affected by Parkinson’s? What are your thoughts on Michael J. Fox’s journey and the latest research breakthroughs? Share your experiences and join the conversation in the comments below.
For more information and support, visit Parkinson’s Australia or the Michael J. Fox Foundation.