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Parkinson鈥檚 disease has no cure. At least not yet.

However, there are ways to delay the progression of the disease and still lead a long, fulfilling life. For , a research assistant professor at the University of Florida, her mother鈥檚 experience with Parkinson鈥檚 disease illustrated how dancing can offer a promising and innovative way to improve symptoms of this progressive illness.

Dr. Vedam-Mai was born in Chennai, India. As a child, she lived in Sweden for a year because of her father鈥檚 job. Eventually, the family settled in Bengaluru, where her mother, Vasanta, established a dance studio in their home.

Dr. Vedam-Mai鈥檚 mother was her role model and was one of the strongest people in her life. In addition to earning a degree in chemistry, Vasanta completed her lifelong passion for dance by pursuing postgraduate education in dance and music from the Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai. Kalakshetra is renowned for specializing in classical Indian dance and music, including styles such as Bharatanatyam and Kathak.

Vasanta specialized in Bharatanatyam, recognized as the oldest style of classical Indian dance. It originates from the state of Tamil Nadu, of which Chennai is the capital. Dr. Vedam-Mai also grew up dancing, following in her mother鈥檚 footsteps.

However, as she was completing her Bachelor of Science degree, her mother was diagnosed with Parkinson鈥檚 disease.

鈥淎t first, I just wanted to understand what was happening to her,鈥� Dr. Vedam-Mai said. 鈥淢y mother experienced episodes of frozen shoulder on her right side, and over time her symptoms worsened. The family sought treatment options, but all I could do at the time was read more about the disease and begin physical therapy for my mother.鈥�

After earning her bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in microbiology from Bangalore University, Dr. Vedam-Mai moved to the U.S. to pursue her doctorate. She visited her family in India once or twice a year, and during each visit, she noticed her mother鈥檚 condition deteriorating.

鈥淗er fine movements went away,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was far beyond 鈥榡ust getting older.鈥� There was a lack of specialists in this area in India at the time, and the one she did have was very far away.鈥�

She knew there was no cure, but that didn鈥檛 deter Dr. Vedam-Mai from exploring ways to improve her mother鈥檚 quality of life. This simple desire to secure better days for her mother was all the inspiration she needed for her research.

鈥淚 was so far away, and I didn鈥檛 feel like I had a proper way to help,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 asked myself, 鈥榃hat could I do to better my family鈥檚 life?鈥欌��

That question became even more critical as her uncle and her mother鈥檚 cousin were also diagnosed with the disease.

鈥淚n Parkinson鈥檚 disease and 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚, there can be a genetic component, about 15% in Parkinson鈥檚,鈥� she explained. 鈥淎 small percentage of people develop the disease due to inherited, monogenic mutations, meaning it鈥檚 almost certain they鈥檒l get it if a parent or grandparent had it.鈥�

Dr. Vedam-Mai also noted that other hereditary forms may have variable levels of penetrance, meaning a person may or may not develop symptoms. Most patients are unaware they have the disease until 10 to 15 years after it begins because there are no initial symptoms.

Although she is unsure whether her mother had a hereditary form of the disease, she suspects it, given that many relatives also had it. Still, she also believes that environmental factors may have played a role, as her grandparents and great-grandparents showed no signs of the condition.

Despite the diagnosis, Vasanta鈥檚 lifelong commitment to dance helped her manage her symptoms. Now, Dr. Vedam-Mai is aiming to extend that benefit to everyone. Her current research focuses on developing novel Immunotherapeutics for Parkinson鈥檚. Additionally, she is also interested in investigating whether dance and structured movement can help delay symptoms and improve the quality of life for individuals with Parkinson鈥檚 disease.

Staying active, in addition to eating a balanced diet and stimulating the mind, is well recognized as an excellent starting point for combating Parkinson鈥檚. Structured movement, such as dance, can help improve mood, gastrointestinal function, sleep and even sense of smell, all of which are impacted by the protein buildup involved in Parkinson鈥檚.

Dr. Vedam-Mai believes dance may even help boost the immune system to fight Parkinson鈥檚 better. 鈥淎lthough it鈥檚 still novel, it鈥檚 very promising,鈥� she said.

鈥淭here鈥檚 growing recognition of the immune system鈥檚 role in Parkinson鈥檚,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd studies show benefits from practices like tai chi, yoga and basic ballet.鈥�

These movement-based therapies often draw from meditating, centering the body, improving balance and using slow, deliberate motions to reengage both body and mind. The musical elements of dance also contribute to better health by enhancing rhythm, motor control and emotional engagement 鈥� factors that can slow brain aging.

鈥淒ance won鈥檛 cure Parkinson鈥檚, but it brings joy, improves quality of life and can help delay symptoms,鈥� she said.

Whenever Dr. Vedam-Mai visited home, her mother would still want to choreograph and teach her new moves. Her father, Vasanta鈥檚 sole caregiver, supported her daily dance practice as long as he was alive.

Toward the end of her life, Vasanta could no longer physically demonstrate the movements. However, her mind remained sharp, and she continued to choreograph.

鈥淪he had to sit down and eventually stopped taking new students,鈥� Dr. Vedam-Mai recalled.

Vasanta passed away peacefully at age 85.

鈥淚 got a call from my father early in the morning, and I hopped on a plane to see her,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he last time I spoke to my mother was on Mother鈥檚 Day 鈥� a final, fleeting moment of connection 鈥� before she passed away just three days later, drawing me across the world to India to grieve with my father, her devoted caregiver, and say goodbye to the woman who shaped my life.鈥�

Though her passing was a profound loss, it deepened Dr. Vedam-Mai鈥檚 resolve to continue her work.

鈥淎t first, it was really tough to stay motivated. Patients reminded me of her. I鈥檇 go home and dance, and it reminded me of her,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut now, I鈥檓 even more driven, determined. I want to find a cure, or at least a way to slow this disease down. I鈥檓 open to retesting failed experiments. I鈥檓 committed to pushing forward. I believe I can make a real impact.鈥�