Movement Disorders Clinic

Kentucky Parkinson's Disease
Information and Referral Center
provides physician and service referrals,
educational programs and develops and
maintains support groups across the state.

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 caused by brain degeneration such as Parkinson's disease, Parkinson-plus syndromes, torticollis and other dystonias, Huntington's disease, tremors, spinocerebellar syndromes, myoclonus, and all other neurodegenerative illnesses.

Also, patients are evaluated for involuntary closure of the eyes (blepharospasm), facial spasms and loss of coordination (cerebellar ataxias). Specialized care, including Botulinum Toxin is provided for all types of involuntary muscles spasms including torticollis, writer's cramp, musicians cramp and focal dystonia in the limbs. Experimental trials to evaluate the efficiency of new drugs for Parkinson's patients are being developed.

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.

Common Movement Disorders

Dystonia
A neurological disorder that causes involuntary muscle spasms in certain parts of the body, or sometimes the whole body

Essential Tremor
A type of tremor that is its own symptom and cannot be associated with other brain disorders

Huntington's Disease
Slowly progressing and degenerative brain disorder with similar symptoms as Parkinson's Disease such as tremor, muscle stiffness, and loss of motor function. Huntington's differs from Parkinson's in that it involves psychological deterioration caused by a gene mutation.

Myoclonus
A very brief but intense involuntary movement that feels like a shock through the arms or legs

Parkinson's Disease
A slowly progressive, brain-degenerative disease generally associated with tremor of the arms and legs, stiffness and rigidity, and slowness of movement

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
A condition existing at birth (congenital) that gradually deteriorates with age. Parts of brain cells called neurons will slowly die off, producing movement problems and an inability to aim the eyes properly. This condition may also cause depression and apathy as well as a decline in intellectual functioning.

Restless Legs Syndrome
An uncomfortable sensation in the lower extremities that causes voluntary leg movement to relieve the condition

Spasmodic Dysphonia
Involuntary movement of the muscles in the voice box (larynx) that causes disrupted speech patterns

Spasmodic Torticollis
Contractions of the neck muscles where the head and torso posture is involuntarily rotated and extended

Tardive Dyskinesia
Involuntary movements, primarily of the facial muscles that control the jaw, mouth, and tongue

Wilson's Disease
An inherited (congenital), genetic defect leading to excessive accumulation of copper in the liver, eventually causing damage to the liver and brain, resulting in tremor.

Deep Brain Stimulation

Movement disorders including Parkinson’s, dystonia and multiple sclerosis often produce tremors or erratic movement. Deep Brain Stimulation uses an electric pulse to counteract the abnormal brain activity that triggers those movements, thereby offering patients relief from these debilitating symptoms.

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 teams at Kentucky Neuroscience Institute work 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.

Learn more about Deep Brain Stimulation