Jefferson Health’s Comprehensive Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorder Center

Personalized Care For Parkinson’s Disease

Catholic Health’s dedicated Movement Disorders Specialty Care Center offers comprehensive services for Parkinson’s disease, beginning at diagnosis, that encompasses multidisciplinary approaches for treatment. This approach to clinical excellence and compassionate care gives you the best access to quality of life with innovative therapies and treatments as well as education and support to help you and your loved ones cope with Parkinsons Disease.

Our Parkinsons Disease Specialty Care Center at St. Charles Hospital offers specialized care for adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. We also offer support to patients at our Parkinsons Disease Information and Referral Centers at both St. Charles Hospital and St. Catherine of Siena Hospital . Our referral centers are approved by the American Parkinson Disease Association .

Neuropsychology & Cognitive Disorders

Sometimes, disorders in the brain and nervous system can change the way we behave, feel or think. Our neuropsychologists specialize in treating the brain and nervous system disorders that can alter behavior and cognitive function.

Symptoms that may call for a referal to a neuropsychologist include:

• Memory difficulties
• Nervous system dysfunction

Diagnosing neuropsychology and cognitive disorders

• Standardized tests to measure many areas of brain function, including memory, cognitive ability and problem-solving skills
• Brain scans, such as CT or MRI

We take a team approach to care for patients with cognitive and behavioral disorders. A patients team may include clinical psychologists or psychiatrists to help manage behavior and cognitive issues as well as sleep problems. Our speech language pathologists may help patients cope with memory problems. Physical and occupational therapists may help our patients recapture as much previous function as possible.

A Brief History Of Pd& mdc

The PD& MDC was founded at the late, great Graduate Hospital in 1982 by Drs. Howard Hurtig and Matthew Stern, and Nurse Gwyn Vernon, as a center to provide comprehensive care and education to patients and families, and to conduct clinical and basic research in collaboration with basic scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine . After 15 years of steady and expanded growth of its fundamental mission, the PD& MDC moved in 1997 to the Penn Neurological Institute at Pennsylvania Hospital, where patient services and program development accelerated to achieve its current status as one of premier facilities of its kind in the US and a Parkinson Foundation Center of Excellence. PD& MDC is also a Huntington’s Disease Society of America Center of Excellence, a Lewy Body Dementia Association Research Center of Excellence and a CurePSP Center of Care.

DR. HURTIG AND DR. STERN, CO-FOUNDERS PD& MDC

PD& MDC is now directed by Dr. Andrew Siderowf, MD, a Movement Disorders Specialist whose research focuses on the organization and conduct of clinical trials. Dr. Siderowf is the national Co-PI for the Parkinson Progression Marker Initiative study, and the Co-PI for the UPenn NeuroNEXT clinical site. He also serves on the steering committee or safety monitoring boards of several other ongoing multi-center clinical trials.

DR. ANDREW SIDEROWF, DIRECTOR OF PD& MDC

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Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

We offer complete Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation services to help our patients with neurological disorders and musculoskeletal dysfunction achieve the highest possible pediatric neurologic level of function, independence and quality of life possible.

Rehabilitation may help restore functions that have been affected by:

• Neck and back problems
• Parkinsons disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis , also known as Lou Gehrigs Disease

Your care team includes board certified PM& R physicians , pain medicine specialists, and physical, occupational and speech therapists. Their shared goal is to help you recover some of what youve lost to live a healthier, more fulfilling life.

to find the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation services nearest you.

Comprehensive Care Center Locations

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Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders

UNM Health System provides comprehensive care and treatment of movement disorders, including Parkinsons disease, essential tremor, dystonia, tics and ataxia. Here, you will be treated by a wide range of experts. Your personalized care team may include movement disorder specialists, sleep specialists, psychiatrists, physical therapists and speech therapists.

Ahn Cahouet Center For Comprehensive Parkinsons Care

Youâve just received a Parkinsonâs disease diagnosis. If youâre wondering what to expect, what Parkinsonâs treatment options are available, and how this diagnosis may affect you and your family, youâre not alone. Find support and answers to all of those questions at the Allegheny Health Network Cahouet Center for Comprehensive Parkinsonâs Care.

The Cahouet Center offers dedicated neurologists specializing in Parkinsonâs treatment, as well as speech therapists, physical and occupational therapists, referrals to boxing and music therapy, and access to a comprehensive collection of Parkinsonâs-specific resources.

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Patient And Carepartner Education:

• Making the Most of the Holiday Season.Lance M. Wilson, MSS, LSW, C-SWHC, Social Worker/Education and Outreach Coordinator, Jefferson Health Comprehensive Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders Center and Suzanne Reichwein, Manager of Research and Clinical Programs, University of Pennsylvania, Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders Program shared their time and talent on this seasonal and timely topic. . Click on following the link to access the recorded presentation:

• Creating a Team to Manage Mental Health Issues for People Living with Parkinsons. The Parkinson Council hosts Dr. Amy Colcher, MD, Director of Movement Disorders Center, Cooper Neurological and Corlynn Hullfish, LCSW, Cooper Neurological Institute to provide info/tips/tools on how to prepare, what to expect, and what to do to manage aspects of non-motor symptoms associated with Parkinsons disease. . Click on the link to access the recorded presentation:

• Taking Responsibility: A dialogue with adult children of people with Parkinsons, the caregiver experience, and keys to self-care. Facilitated by Patty Davis, MSW, LCS, W, and Senior Social Worker at SOWN with Suzanne Reichwein, MSW, Manager of Research and Clinical Programs at the Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Penn Medicine. Click on the link to the recorded presentation:

Specialized Treatment For Parkinson’s Disease

If you have Parkinsons disease, we can assist in improving your physical abilities and quality of life with specialized, evidence-based care and treatment from our expert physicians. The Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders Program at UNM Health System offers consultation with a movement disorder specialist. This is a neurologist who has expertise in the diagnosis and management of movement disorders including Parkinsons disease, tremor, dystonia, tics and ataxia. We also provide access to a network of providers such as sleep specialists, psychiatrists, a movement disorders nurse, physical therapists and speech therapists. Your treatment plan may medical management, surgery in collaboration with UNM Neurosurgery and Botulinum toxin injections for dystonia.

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Parkinsons Treatment At The Center

AHN works closely with the Parkinson Foundation Western Pennsylvania, so that patients at the Cahouet Center can receive seamless care and support from a wide variety of specialists, including expert neurologists and neurosurgeons, physical and speech therapists, and other health professionals who specialize in Parkinsonâs disease treatment.Patients work with a team of providers to determine the best course of treatment which may include advanced therapies like deep brain stimulation to provide relief from multiple symptoms, or novel therapies like medications, surgical options, or even boxing and dance.

Jefferson Named One Of Three New Centers Of Excellence In Parkinsons Care

PHILADELPHIA Because of its commitment to both the expert treatment of patients with Parkinsons and the research into a cure, the Comprehensive Parkinsons Disease & Movement Disorder Center at Jefferson Health was named one of three new Centers of Excellence by the Parkinsons Foundation today, August 6.

Parkinsons is a complex disease that requires an integrated approach to care, says Richard Smeyne, PhD, director of Jeffersons Comprehensive Parkinsons Disease & Movement Disorder Center at the Vickie & Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience Jefferson Health. So many of our experts came together to demonstrate our commitment to the best treatments, physical therapy approaches and research as part of the application process. And it shows. thanks to the wrap-around care from our social workers, nurses and staff, our patients often comment on how they feel like they receive VIP treatment.

A Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence is a medical center with a specialized team of neurologists, movement disorder specialists, rehab professionals, mental health professionals and others with deep expertise in the latest PD medications, therapies and research to provide the best care. The Parkinsons Foundation Center of Excellence network is now comprised of 48 leading medical centers around the world, with 34 based in the U.S.

Media Contact: Edyta Zielinska, 215-955-7359, edyta.zielinska@jefferson.edu.

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Who We Are And What We Do:

Dr. Georgia Lea, Dr. Julia Staisch, and Dr. David Houghton are specialty-trained neurologists and Colleen Knoop is a specialty-trained nurse practitioner in the field of Movement Disorders. Dominique Thomas is the Movement Disorders and DBS Program Coordinator.

We see patients with Parkinson’s Disease, Essential Tremor, Dystonia, Restless Legs Syndrome, Huntingtons disease and Tourettes syndrome, to name a few. We are named a Huntingtons Disease Society of America Center of Excellence and are a Parkinsons Foundation Comprehensive Care Center Designation.

We also work in close collaboration with Neurosurgery, Neuropsychology and our allied health partners in several interdisciplinary clinics.

Stroke & Vascular Neurology

Primary Stroke Centers

All Kaiser Permanente Southern California medical centers have been certified as primary stroke centers by The Joint Commission. Research shows that patients receiving care at primary stroke centers have a higher incidence of survival and recovery than those treated in hospitals without this type of specialized care.

Our comprehensive stroke services include:

• Evaluation of cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke and transient ischemic attack
• Physical, occupational and speech therapy
• Dietary/lifestyle modification
• Comprehensive medical management
• Neurovascular intervention, such as thrombectomy

Our Neurology Department regularly participates in clinical trials to evaluate new medications and treatments for stroke. Visit kp-scalresearch.org to read about our latest neurological research and clinical trials.

Tele-Stroke Program

Our Tele-Stroke Program puts video to the best possible use to save lives. This video system allows emergency physicians to contact and consult with a stroke neurologist in real time, often before a patient reaches the ER via ambulance. In a very real sense, this system brings a stroke care specialist to the patients bedside via video, to shave precious minutes off diagnostic and treatment time.

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Study In Mice Suggests That Covid

New research finds that the novel coronavirus can make the mouse brain more susceptible to a toxin that induces nerve-cell loss seen in Parkinsons.

Thomas Jefferson University

PHILADELPHIA Brain fog, headaches, insomnia are some of the neurological symptoms doctors have observed in COVID-19 patients. Neurological sequelae after a viral infection is not new in fact, following the 1918 influenza pandemic, it took almost a decade for patients to present with the neurological syndrome called post-encephalic parkinsonism. But, the mechanisms by which viruses impact the brain is poorly understood. Now, Jefferson and collaborators show in a new study performed in mice, that the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic could increase the risk of brain degeneration seen in Parkinsons disease.

Parkinsons is a rare disease that affects 2% of the population above 55 years, so the increase in risk is not necessarily a cause for panic, says Richard Smeyne, PhD, Director of the Jefferson Comprehensive Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorder Center at the Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience and first author of the study. But understanding how coronavirus impacts the brain can help us prepare for the long-term consequences of this pandemic.

This work was supported by a grant from the State of North Carolina and NIH R21 NS122280. The authors report no conflict of interest.

Media Contact: Karuna Meda, 267-624-4792, .

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Advanced Movement Disorder Treatments

Our movement disorders experts have advanced skills in some of the latest treatments, including:

• Botox® injections. This neurotoxin is used to relax muscles that are having spasms. Its also used to treat dystonia and dyskinesia .
• Deep brain stimulation . This procedure is used to treat Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia and tic syndromes.
• DUOPA infusion. This medicine, which is given through a feeding tube, can improve movement and function in people who have Parkinson’s disease.

When you choose MU Health Care, you benefit from all the medical experience and resources that can only be found at an academic health system. And, because our doctors take part in research, you can feel confident that youll get the most advanced care.

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Parkinsons Network Of Excellence

A Network of Excellence is comprised of multiple, independent medical sites that together provide high-quality, patient-centered and multi-disciplinary care to people with PD within a specific country or region. A Network demonstrates exemplary care, innovative research, a commitment to medical professional training and educating the community of people with and affected by PD.

Comprehensive Movement Disorders Program

Our neurosciences experts have special training to diagnose and treat all types of movement disorders including:

• Ataxia, tic disorders and dystonia
• Cortical basal ganglionic degeneration
• Progressive supranuclear palsy
• Shy-Drager syndrome

We offer a wide range of treatments and services to help improve the quality of your life and ease symptoms including:

• Medicines to control your symptoms
• Rehabilitative evaluation and services to help you maintain function
• Cognitive exams and treatment to improve the way you process information
• Psychological counseling to improve your emotional well-being
• Complete presurgical tests to decide if surgery is right for you
• Parkinsons disease support groups to help you and your loved ones cope with your health problem

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Pd& mdc Statement Regarding Covid

As we continue to face the many challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we would like to reassure our patients that safety is our top priority. PD& MDC follows rigorous disinfection practices, observes all social distancing measures and follows all local, state and federal guidelines. All staff and patients within our premises are required to wear surgical masks at all times, and we encourage vaccinations and boosters for all eligible patients. Telemedicine visits can be made available for eligible patients who prefer to be seen remotely. To learn more about COVID-19, telemedicine and the University’s policies, you may visit any of the links below:

The University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Neurology provides comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and management for all types of movement disorders. Movement disorders are complex neurological disorders that affect your ability to produce and control bodily movements. Movement disorders occur when changes in the brain cause either abnormal, excessive, involuntary movements or slower, delayed movements.

Recognized by the Parkinson Foundation as one of 45 worldwide Centers of Excellence, the Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders Center is one of the largest of its kind in the country and the most pre-eminent in the Philadelphia region, providing care to thousands of patients each year.

Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms Treatment & Management

Parkinsons disease is a slowly progressive, neurodegenerative disorder. While there are validated clinical criteria for making a clinical diagnosis of Parkinsons disease, there is no single clinical test for diagnosing the disorder nor any known cure. The disease develops differently for each patient. Early detection plays a key role in developing a customized treatment plan to suppress symptoms and improve function.

Contact your doctor to schedule a neurological and physical exam if you think you are experiencing symptoms.

Parkinsons disease is a slowly progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that impacts a person’s function and ability to perform daily activities.

Most people, on average, develop the symptoms of Parkinsons disease between ages 55-60. Early onset Parkinson’s disease is defined when someone is diagnosed under 50 years old.

Parkinsons disease symptoms fall into two major categories: motor and non-motor. The motor symptoms of stiffness and slowness define parkinsonism”a person who looks like they could have Parkinsons disease.

While rest tremor is common, not everyone diagnosed has a tremor. The symptoms are typically slowly progressive and generally affect one side greater than the other.

The four primary motor symptoms include:

• Depression and anxiety
• Disturbances in the sense of smell
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Lightheadedness

Parkinson’s disease symptoms can be managed with:

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Centers Of Excellence Locations

American Parkinson Disease Association Names Chase Family Movement Disorders Center As The First Information And Referral Center In Ct

The Chase Family Movement Disorders Center was recently appointed as an Information & Referral Center by the American Parkinson Disease Association. This Center serves as a resource for those with Parkinsons disease and their loved ones as well as healthcare providers. The Center has a dedicated Information and Referral Center Coordinator, Rachel Geoffrion, who connects and provides resources from the state and national organization directly to the patient and family. She is under the medical direction of Dr. Joy DeMarcaida, Neurologist and Movement Disorder Specialist associated with Chase Family Movement Disorders Center of Hartford HealthCare.

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Treatments For Parkinson’s Disease

While there is still no cure for Parkinson’s Disease, management by a Parkinson’s Disease Specialist often results in many years of good quality of life. Levodopa remains the most effective medication available for the symptoms of PD. It can be found in the medications Sinemet, Parcopa and Stalevo . However, because chronic use of levodopa can lead to a different kind of abnormal movement called “dyskinesia”, many Neurologists try to limit this medication as much as possible. Depending on the symptoms of the patient and their other health problems, many other kinds of medications may be used. The most commonly used group besides levodopa are the “dopamine agonists” including ropinerole and pramipexole .