Launched in July 2005, the Guide4Living website provides provides independent information on various health issues such as Alzeihmer's Disease, Breast Cancer and Multiple Sclerosis. The site has a section dedicated to Parkinson's disease.

The focus of the site is on raising issues and features a forum for users to both air their views as well as share their thoughts. A personal stories section provides sufferers a place to share their experiences and offer comfort to others that they are in the same situation.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health.

NICE produces guidance in three areas of health:

• public health - guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention of ill health for those working in the NHS, local authorities and the wider public and voluntary sector 
• health technologies - guidance on the use of new and existing medicines, treatments and procedures within the NHS 
• clinical practice - guidance on the appropriate treatment and care of people with specific diseases and conditions within the NHS.

NICE guidance is developed using the expertise of the NHS and the wider healthcare community including NHS staff, healthcare professionals, patients and carers, industry and the academic world.

The NICE clinical guideline on Parkinson's disease covers:

• the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and checking the diagnosis regularly
• the way people with Parkinson's disease should receive information
• the medicines that can be used
• other ways of helping with symptoms
• how to care for people whose mental health is affected
• the care people with Parkinson's disease should receive at the end of their life.

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
MidCity Place
71 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NA
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)845 003 7780
Fax: +44 (0)845 003 7784
Email: nice@nice.org.uk

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) conducts and supports research on brain and nervous system disorders. Created by the U.S. Congress in 1950, NINDS is one of the more than two dozen research institutes and centers that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH, located in Bethesda, Maryland, is an agency of the Public Health Service within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NINDS has occupied a central position in the world of neuroscience for 50 years.

The mission of the NINDS is to reduce the burden of neurological disease—a burden borne by every age group, every segment of society, and people all over the world. To accomplish this goal the NINDS supports and conducts research, both basic and clinical, on the normal and diseased nervous system, fosters the training of investigators in the basic and clinical neurosciences, and seeks better understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of neurological disorders.

For health or medical questions and general information:

NIH Neurological Institute
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda
MD 20824
USA

Quicklinks to NINDS information pages:

• Dystonias
• Parkinson's disease
• Tremor

Patient website aimed at Young Parkinsonians, Yoppers and post and pre DBS/STN Patients.

The site has been created by a Parkinson's sufferer of over 10 years who has undergone DBS. The site offers personal advice and perspectives on the condition and his experiences.

Also from the same author: www.epstitch.com.

Parkinson's Health is directed at those diagnosed with Parkinson's disease or who think they may have the disease, and to the caregivers who treat the individuals. Whilst the site is intended for US residents only, much of the information presented is wholly appropriate and relevant to anyone searching for information, comfort or connection with sufferers and cares alike.

In this site, you'll find:

• Information on Parkinson's desease symptoms, including an animation describing the progression of Parkinson's disease and how to tell if your symptoms are related to Parkinson's or something else.
• Tips and advice for Living with Parkinson's disease and developing a game plan to help take control of your symptoms and your life.
• Interactive tools to help you track your symptoms and side effects, and view your personal progress.
• Answers to your questions about Parkinson's disease,
• and a Glossary to explain terms you aren't familiar with.

The parkinson-italia.info website is dedicated to the Italian Parkinson environment. The site stands out in that it features an e_gym resource that provides easy to follow animated instruction of basic physiotherapy exercises.

Currently the resource is availble in the following six language versions on-line:

• ITALIAN
• ENGLISH
• FRENCH
• PORTUGUESE
• SPANISH
• CZECH

The Parkinson Pipeline Project is comprised of people with Parkinson’s disease who volunteer their time, talent, and expertise; and share their unique patient perspective to help bring better therapies, more quickly, to people who need them.  Through education, consultation, and participation with all stakeholders - including industry and the FDA - the Parkinson Pipeline Project hopes to increase clinical trial participation and accelerate approved treatment options.

PALS Support Group offers support to those of a younger age who have Parkinson's Disease.

PALS Support Group has formally existed since November, 1998 and is a branch of the Parkinson's Association of Ireland. It is the brainchild of its Chairman, David Magennis, who has had Parkinson's disease since he was 28.

Tel: 01 - 8510040 (PALS Support Group, Ireland)
Email: pdpals@gofree.indigo.ie

Quicklinks to PALS information pages:

• Relationships and PD
• Maximising communication skills in PD

The PDNSA (Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialist Association) was formed in 1999. It acts as a national resource and network for nurses to share knowledge, expertise and best practice about Parkinson's Disease and its management.

The Association also has a vital role to play in influencing policy and practice both nationally and internationally. It has links with a variety of other organisations such as the Joint Committee of Professional Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Associations (JCPNMVHA), the International Steering Committee of Movement Disorder Nursing Societies and Neuroalliance. These links provide a forum for the discussion of professional issues where appropriate action can be taken to influence the development of nursing practice. The Chair of the PDNSA represents the Association at the Parkinson's Disease Society Nurse Development Committee.

The most important role of the PDNSA is that it represents a body of Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialists and as such has the power to influence change.

PD Plan for life has been created to motivate and inspire people with Parkinson’s to take control of their disease.

Created by 2 ladies with Parkinson's, Sheryl Jedlinski and Jean Burns, PD Plan for life is a resourceful website offering practical advice and sharing insightful experiences. Their message: Parkinson’s is not a death sentence, unless you make it one.

This website contains updates and new information regarding the Self-Care Manual and the CD-ROM on Parkinson's Disease. The contents of these products is being updated on a regular basis by numerous Parkinson's disease experts, and this process is co-ordinated by the Parkinson's Disease Society of the United Kingdom and the September Foundation, Amsterdam. By means of this service you can keep your information up-to-date, free of charge.

Email:info@stichtingseptember.nl

The Sexual Dysfunction Association, (formerly the Impotence Association), is a charitable organisation set up to help sufferers of male and female sexual problems and their partners and to raise awareness of the extent to which sexual conditions affect the general population. Originally, the charity focused on helping individuals with erectile dysfunction (impotence) but now it covers all forms of male and female sexual problems.

Tel: 0870 7743571 (Helpline, UK)
Email: info@sda.uk.net

Thomas Berdine is the founder of YoungParkinsons.com, a New Mexico State Representative for the Parkinson's Action Network, and the President of the Young Onset Parkinson's Association (YOPA). He was medically retired from the US Air Force after a 16 year career in October of 2001 due to the effects of Parkinson's disease. He was officially diagnosed in March of 2001. He now dedicates the majority of his time to Parkinson's advocacy.

Email:youngparkinsons@youngparkinsons.com