Rebecca King Crews Reveals Her Personal Battle with Parkinson's Disease

In a deeply candid revelation, Rebecca King Crews, the accomplished wife of former NFL linebacker Terry Crews, has shared her decade-long struggle with Parkinson's disease. The 60-year-old vocalized her experience on Monday's 'Today' show, shedding light on her arduous journey from the onset of symptoms in 2012 to her official diagnosis in 2015. Her story underscores the often-complex path to identifying this neurological condition and illuminates the potential of a newly approved procedure in symptom management.

The Unfolding of Early Symptoms and Diagnostic Hurdles

King Crews recounted the subtle yet persistent signs that first emerged, starting with a 'slight numbness' in her left foot. An observant trainer later noted a conspicuous lack of swing in her arm during walks. The turning point arrived one morning when she awoke to a shaking hand.

• Initial Symptoms: Slight numbness in the left foot and a noticeable absence of arm swing while walking.
• Confirmation of Tremor: A sudden hand tremor, which King Crews recognized due to her grandmother's history with similar symptoms.
• Early Dismissal: Despite her concerns, an initial doctor visit dismissed her symptoms, attributing them to age.

A resilient breast cancer survivor, King Crews pursued multiple medical opinions before finally receiving an accurate Parkinson's diagnosis. Her experience highlights a common challenge: Parkinson's often presents with varied early signs, leading to potential misdiagnoses.

Understanding Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease (YOPD)

While Parkinson's disease typically manifests in older adults, with an average onset in the early to mid-60s, a significant subset of individuals develop symptoms before age 50. This is known as Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease (YOPD).

• Prevalence: Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that only about 2% of Parkinson's diagnoses occur before age 40, with the Parkinson's Foundation noting approximately 4% of all cases begin before age 50.
• Growing Numbers: An estimated 1.1 million Americans currently live with Parkinson's, a figure projected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030.

Dr. Zachary Jordan, a neurologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, explains that Parkinson's symptoms tend to evolve gradually, encompassing tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement, and balance difficulties.

Patients diagnosed with YOPD often exhibit distinct characteristics:

• Dystonia: A higher likelihood of experiencing involuntary muscle contractions in various body parts.
• Involuntary Movements: More frequent involuntary body movements compared to older patients.
• Cognitive Preservation: A tendency for slower disease progression, often allowing individuals to remain functional and 'cognitively intact' for extended periods, with fewer dementia-related symptoms.

The Elusive Nature of Early Parkinson's Signs

Dr. Joel Salinas, a Harvard-trained behavioral neurologist and Chief Medical Officer at Isaac Health, emphasizes that Parkinson's 'often announces itself subtly.' He points out that non-motor symptoms can precede movement issues, making early detection particularly challenging.

Key non-motor symptoms to look out for include:

• Changes in handwriting (becoming smaller and more cramped)
• Reduced sense of smell (anosmia)
• Sleep disturbances
• Persistent constipation
• A softer or more monotone voice

The varied and often subtle nature of these early indicators frequently leads to initial misdiagnoses, echoing Rebecca King Crews' own experience.

Exploring the Causes and Pathways to Prevention

The precise cause of Parkinson's disease remains largely unknown. However, research suggests that YOPD cases may have a slightly higher likelihood of a genetic component. Growing studies also indicate potential links between early-onset Parkinson's and environmental factors, such as exposure to pesticides, certain chemicals, and head trauma.

While a definitive prevention method for Parkinson's has yet to be discovered, Dr. Salinas highlights 'strong evidence' that regular exercise can play a crucial role in potentially slowing the disease's progression.

A New Dawn in Treatment: Bilateral Focused Ultrasound

Rebecca King Crews has undergone an innovative, newly FDA-approved treatment known as bilateral focused ultrasound. This advanced therapy utilizes a device called Exablate Neuro.

Dr. Salinas elaborated on the procedure:

• Mechanism: The Exablate Neuro device delivers precisely targeted ultrasound waves to specific areas on both sides of the brain, implicated in Parkinson's motor symptoms.
• Guidance: The entire procedure is guided by real-time Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
• FDA Approval: The FDA approved this therapy for bilateral treatment of Parkinson's motor symptoms in July 2023, allowing for treatment of both sides of the brain, typically six months apart.
• Benefits: It is a non-invasive procedure, eliminating the need for incisions and the associated risks of surgical bleeding, making it an appealing alternative to deep brain stimulation for qualified patients.

While focused ultrasound is not a cure for Parkinson's, Dr. Salinas hails it as a 'game-changer' and a 'new category of intervention' for the right candidates.

Despite its promise, the procedure comes with a significant cost and is not consistently covered by insurance. Dr. Salinas urges patients to consult their neurologists about their candidacy and actively advocate for insurance coverage, emphasizing the importance of broader access to this transformative technology.

Optimism and Advocacy for the Future of Parkinson's Care

Amidst ongoing research into neuroprotective therapies for Parkinson's disease, Dr. Salinas expresses a profound 'reason for optimism.' He encourages individuals grappling with symptoms not to 'suffer in silence,' but to seek specialized neurological care and remain informed about the rapidly evolving landscape of treatments and research.

Christina Dugan Ramirez of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.