Hear Dr. Bressman discuss Parkinsons disease.

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

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 to other medical disciplines as needed (for instance, deep-brain stimulation surgery, when appropriate)
• 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.

View Parkinsons Disease and Other Movement Disorders Physicians

View Support Groups and Movement Classes

View Winter 2010: Mirken Department of Neurology Movement Disorder News