Parkinson's Disease Doesn't Deter this 'Jeopardy' Winner

When "Jeopardy" contestant Harvey Silikovitz beat out an eight-day champion to win the game show on March 10, he became an overnight sensation. The highlight of his unique story isn’t just that he is undeniably smart, but that he competed while battling Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative movement disorder that eventually affects coordination, balance, cognitive function and mental health.

“I refused to let that diagnosis deter me from following my long-held dream,” Mr. Silikovitz wrote on Instagram. “I worked hard to manage my Parkinson’s symptoms — even while relentlessly seeking to improve my knowledge base as well as my proficiency at the skills, such as timing on the buzzer, that are crucial to success on [Jeopardy]!”

Who Gets Parkinson’s Disease?

An estimated 1 million Americans are living with PD, a disorder that occurs when nerve cells in the brain, particularly those producing dopamine, a chemical messenger that helps transmit signals in the brain and nervous system, begin to break down. Men are 1.5-2 times more likely than women to be affected, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

“The first symptoms can include constipation, loss of the sense of smell, sleep behavior problems (such as acting out dreams during sleep), anxiety and depression — and can predate motor symptoms by a decade or two,” says neurologist Sameea Husain, D.O., director of the movement disorders program at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, part of Baptist Health. “These are problems many people don’t even bring up to their primary care physicians, although I wish they would. By the time they come to me, most patients are experiencing some motor features such as slower movements, a resting tremor or rigidity.”

Sameea Husain, D.O., neurologist and director of the movement disorders program at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, part of Baptist Health

Studies estimate that 10 to 15 percent of people with PD have a genetic link, Dr. Husain says. “People of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and members of the North Africa Berber Arab tribe are at a slightly greater risk of Parkinson’s disease. Other risk factors include exposure to toxins found in well water, pesticides and rural areas,” she adds.

Diagnosing Parkinson’s Disease

PD can occur at any age but is most commonly diagnosed in people age 60 and above. While no single conclusive test exists for Parkinson’s disease, physicians typically identify it through a comprehensive medical history and physical examination.

“When confirmation is needed, which is rarely the case, we may order a DaTscan (Dopamine Transporter Scan), which is a scan of the brain that reflects the lack of dopamine fiber tips in the brain of Parkinson’s disease patients,” said Samer Tabbal, M.D., director of the movement disorders program at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute. “We may also perform a very small skin biopsy from the neck, the thigh and the calf to see if there is an abnormal accumulation of the protein alpha-synuclein in the tips of the nerves in the skin. Alpha-synuclein is a protein linked to neurodegenerative disorders, such as PD and other PD-like diseases.”

Medications and Other Treatments for Parkinson’s Disease

Several medications help replace or promote the release of dopamine in the brain, reducing the symptoms of PD. Many of the drugs are taken orally, but among the newer and more promising drug delivery systems are the Duodopa pump, which delivers a continuous infusion of medication directly into the small intestine, and subcutaneous pumps such as Vyaley, that delivers medications just under the skin.

“Parkinson’s disease is a very slow-moving and a very manageable disease,” Dr. Husain says. “For most patients, symptoms are nicely mitigated by medications.” In addition to taking medications as prescribed, the best thing patients can do to improve their quality of life is physical therapy and/or exercise, she adds. Walkers and other assistive devices help prevent falls and boost a patient’s confidence while staying active.

For those whose disease is not responding well to medications, there are other possible treatments. They include:

·      Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a surgical procedure that involves implanting small electrodes on specific areas of the brain to help control abnormal movements and tremors with electrical impulses. DBS is offered at both Institutes.

·      HIFU (High-intensity Focused Ultrasound), a non-invasive procedure that sends ultrasound waves through the skull to disrupt the abnormal electrical activity in the brain. HIFU is available at Miami Neuroscience Institute.

"Jeopardy" champion Mr. Silikovitz first noticed symptoms in 2018, he said, and was diagnosed with PD in 2019. While "Jeopardy" contestants typically stand during the show, he sat in a tall swivel chair.

Samer Tabbal, M.D., neurologist and director of the movement disorders program at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute

“There are three means to manage the disease: Regular physical exercise, a social support system of friends and family, and the right attitude like Mr. Silikovitz’s,” Dr. Tabbal says.

Mr. Silikovitz’s story, says Dr. Husain, is inspiring, as are her own patients. “My patients are warriors,” she says. “I feel very lucky to care for them. It takes a village to care for Parkinson’s patients and I feel very lucky to be part of their journey.”

Marcus Neuroscience Institute and Miami Neuroscience Institute offer comprehensive movement disorders programs with neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists and other specialists on-site to help care for patients with Parkinson’s disease.