Parkinson's Disease & Other Movement Disorders

The Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders Clinic of SIU School of Medicine provides comprehensive medical, physical and emotional support for individuals with Parkinson disease, Huntington disease, Tourette syndrome, dystonia, blepharospasm, essential tremor, ataxia and other movement disorders.

This innovative clinic offers complete care for the movement disorder patient. The initial screening by neurologists provides complete diagnostic information and treatment plans. Based on this evaluation, the patient may be referred to other specialists to meet each individual's short-term and long-term needs.

While attending the clinic, a continuing relationship with the patient's primary physician is maintained. Patients are provided educational materials and information regarding outside community resources.

Services Available

Movement disorders affect the patient and their families in many ways. In order to respond most effectively, the following services are available:

• Neurologists, specializing in movement disorders, conduct an initial neurological examination as well as provide ongoing treatment.

• Botulinum treatment for dystonia including blepharospasm is available.

• Genetic counseling and comprehensive evaluation of "at risk" individuals is available as necessary.

• Physical therapists provide rehabilitative treatment for development of ambulatory skills through exercise and gait training.

• Occupational therapists aid in adaptation to self-care activities, work and leisure skills.

• Clinical dieticians help you develop diets to meet your specific nutritional needs.

• Health care psychologists address emotional and intellectual adaptations associated with the disability.

• Speech therapists provide treatment aids and family education for speech difficulties.

• The social worker helps with personal, social and emotional problems surrounding the disorder.

• A clinical data bank and register of available resources provide complete information for patients and their families.

• Deep brain stimulation.

Research

The clinic supports basic and clinical research in the treatment and understanding of Parkinson disease, essential tremor and other movement disorders.