Read our latest issue of Movement Disorders News.

The Jewish Daily Forward published an article about Dr. Bressman's genetic research focusing on Parkinson's disease patients in the Ashkenazi Jewish population.

The Alan and Barbara Mirken Department of Neurology treats a wide range of disorders that affect movement, including:

• Parkinson’s Disease (The department is one of only 37 National Parkinson’s Foundation Centers of Excellence) and atypical forms of parkinsonism.
• Dystonia
• Essential tremor
• Tics and tourette syndrome
• Drug-induced or tardive movement disorders
• Ataxias
• Huntington’s disease

Movement Disorders may occur sporadically (as in Parkinson’s disease), within families (essential tremor, spinocerebellar ataxias, Huntington disease), or as a result of systemic illnesses or trauma. Because of the complex nature of movement disorders, the department works closely with other disciplines within Beth Israel Medical Center and throughout the Continuum health system, including physical therapists, genetic counselors, psychiatrists, and neuropsychologists. All movement disorders physicians within the department have completed subspecialty fellowships in this area. Children and adults are evaluated and treated by our physicians.

Diagnosing Movement Disorders
Movement disorders are diagnosed through clinical evaluation of the patient’s history and symptoms. Imaging studies, bloodwork, and genetic testing play roles as well. Both CT and MRI facilities are available, and our genetic counselor is available to discuss family histories and testing.

Treating Movement Disorders
Treatment of movement disorders usually centers on improving symptoms, because many diseases still await a cure. Treatment plans developed in collaboration with our patients may include:

• Medication to improve symptoms
• When appropriate, the opportunity for patients to participate in clinical trials for new medications and protocols
• Physical therapy to improve and retain function
• Occupational therapy to give patients adaptive living skills
• Coordination with the Continuum Center for Health and Healing for teaching relaxation and therapeutic alternatives such as meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, Feldenkrais Method for movement, dance, and exercise
• Practical and emotional support for the patient, caregivers and family, including various support groups and input from the department’s social workers
• Collaborative psychological and psychiatric counseling and evaluation when necessary to help patients with co-existing mood or memory problems that can accompany their illnesses. Depression and anxiety may be symptoms of Parkinson’s disease or other neurological diseases, and the department has a psychiatrist who specializes in treating patients with movement disorders.
• Referrals for deep brain stimulation surgery when appropriate. We work very closely with the neurosurgery team at Roosevelt Hospital, led by Dr. Robert R. Goodman, to determine the appropriate treatment and match each patient with the surgeon that specializes in treating the condition.
  
• Ongoing care and follow-up. In fact, because of the chronic condition of some movement disorders, the department attentively follows some patients for decades.

The division’s movement disorders specialists also maintain close ties with organizations such as the National Parkinson Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, The Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia and Parkinson Foundation, and others. Physicians here are actively involved in international professional organizations, such as the Movement Disorder Society.

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Movement Disorders News

• NEW! Summer 2011
  
  
• Winter 2010