Movement Disorders
General Information
The Movement Disorders Clinic specializes in the evaluation and treatment of disorders of gait, coordination, and other aspects of movement. Patients are seen with diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Parkinson-plus syndromes, torticollis, and other dystonias, Huntington's disease, tremors, spinocerebellar syndromes, myoclonus, and all other neurodegenerative illnesses involving the cerebellum and basal ganglia.
Patients also are evaluated for blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm, and cerebellar ataxias. Specialized care, including botulinum toxin is provided for all types of dystonia including torticollis, writer's cramp, musician's cramp, sialorrhea and focal dystonia in the limbs. Surgical options, including deep brain stimulation (DBS), pallidotomy, and carbidopa-levodopa enteral suspension (CLES) delivered by PEF/J, are available for appropriate patients with Parkinson's disease. Multiple experimental trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new drugs and procedures for Parkinson's disease and Parkinson Plus syndromes are also available for appropriate patients.
Patients may be referred for a single consultation visit or for continued care and management of particularly difficult movement disorders. Other patients may be enrolled in clinical studies while continuing to receive routine medical care from their primary physicians. In all cases, the staff strives to arrange a treatment program among the patient, referring doctor, and clinic that maximizes patient care, communication, and efficiency.
Our multidisciplinary team is comprised of neurologists with special expertise in movement disorders, pharmacists, nurses, social workers, and a patient services coordinator. Each of these health care professionals plays a key role in making your visit as efficient and comfortable as possible.
Listen below to hear Dr. John Slevin and Janet Greene talk about Parkinson's Disease!
Treatment
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an FDA-approved surgical procedure that does not destroy any parts of the brain. A small electrode is surgically implanted in the brain; it emits an electrical pulse that controls erratic movements. Following the initial surgery, doctors monitor the patient's progress and adjust the electrical pulse accordingly. The multidisciplinary team at Kentucky Neuroscience Institute works with each patient to find the best course of treatment. Medication is usually the first step, but some patients don't respond to medication. In those cases, KNI offers the most advanced surgical alternatives – including deep brain stimulation. For more information on DBS, click here.
Providers
Support
There are many support groups and resources available to you if you have questions about movement disorders. Among these are both local and national organizations along with informational courses about Parkinson's Disease. Find links and brief descriptions below.
Parkinson's Foundation
For over half a century, the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) has focused on meeting the needs in the care and treatment of people with Parkinson's disease (PD). NPF has funded more than $164 million in care, research and support services
Parkinson Support Center of Kentuckiana
The Parkinson Support Center of Kentuckiana was founded in 1999 with the vision of helping people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners and families embrace the future with hope. In 2020, the Parkinson Support Center joined Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers to grow its resources for patients in our community.
American Parkinson Disease Association
The American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc. was founded in 1961 to "ease the burden and find a cure" for Parkinson's disease. Headquartered in New York, the organization focuses its energies on research, patient services, education and raising public awareness about the disease. APDA supports nine Centers for Advanced Research, 52 regional Information and Referral (I&R) Centers, 45 chapters, and 250 affiliated support groups nationwide. Each year, the APDA Scientific Advisory Board reviews grant applications, and submits recommendations, for funding researchers whose work shows promise for making scientific breakthroughs or for finding improved treatments for Parkinson's disease.
Medtronic for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Therapy
Medtronic Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy is an adjustable, reversible treatment option for movement disorders caused by Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. By sending signals to areas of the brain that control movement, Medtronic DBS Therapy may help control the movement-related symptoms associated with these conditions.
Clinical Trials
If you are interested in learning more, please contact Renee Wagner at Renee.Wagner@uky.edu.
See a current list of our ongoing clinical trials by clicking the link below.