

St. Luke’s Movement Disorders CenterAaron C. Lasker, MD is the Medical Director of the St. Luke’s Movement Disorders Center. The team includes fellowship-trained neurologists Nancy Diaz-Pichar, MD and James Shou, MD. This group treats Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, restless leg syndrome, essential tremor and other movement and gait disorders. The team also includes functional neurosurgeon Roy Hwang, MD who performs Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) to treat movement disorders. |
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Parkinson's DiseasePD STEPS ProgramThe Support To Empower Register by calling InfoLink Parkinson's Disease is a brain disorder that occurs when certain nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls muscles and movement are damaged or die. Normally, these cells produce a chemical (dopamine) that lets the body's muscles move smoothly. According to the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF), the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease appear when about 80 percent of these cells are damaged. Symptoms
Although Parkinson’s disease usually appears after the age of 65, 15 percent of people with the disease are younger than 50. It affects men and women at almost the same rate. While there is no test that can diagnose the disease, tests are done to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. TreatmentMedications can be used to ease or control the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Since most of the symptoms of the disease are caused by a lack of dopamine in the body, the most commonly used medications replace or imitate dopamine. Doctors may suggest:
PreventionThere are no known ways to prevent Parkinson’s disease. |
TremorSymptomsOccurring most often in the hands, tremor is an unintentional, rhythmic, muscle movement involving to-and-fro movements. The tremor also may affect the chin, lips, legs, and trunk. Excessive alcohol consumption or alcohol withdrawal can kill certain nerve cells, resulting in tremor, especially in the hand. Other causes include an overactive thyroid and the use of certain drugs. Although tremor is not life-threatening, it can cause embarassment and make it harder to perform daily tasks. TreatmentThere is no cure for most tremors. The appropriate treatment depends on accurate diagnosis of the cause.
PreventionAlthough the most common form occurs in otherwise healthy people, some forms of tremor run in families, while others have no known cause. Tremor may occur at any age but is most common in middle-aged and older persons. |
Huntington's DiseaseHuntington's Disease is distinguished by uncontrolled movements, loss of intellectual faculties and emotional disturbance. It is caused by genetically programmed degeneration of brain cells (neurons) in certain areas of the brain. A child has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the mutated gene. If a child does not inherit the HD gene, he or she will not develop the disease and cannot pass it to subsequent generations. A person who inherits the HD gene will sooner or later develop the disease. SymptomsEarly symptoms include mood swings, depression, irritability or trouble driving, learning new things, remembering a fact, or making a decision. Later symptoms include increasing difficulty with intellectual tasks, feeding and swallowing. A genetic test along with a complete medical history, neurological tests and laboratory tests will help physicians diagnose Huntington's Disease. TreatmentA number of medications are available to help control emotional and movement problems associated with Huntington's Disease. Most of these medications have side effects including fatigue, restlessness or hyperexcitability. It is recommended that people with Huntington's Disease maintain physical fitness. There is evidence that individuals who exercise and keep active tend to do better than those who do not. PreventionAt this time, there is no way to stop or reverse the course of Huntington's Disease. Now that the gene has been located, investigators are continuing to conduct research to better understand how it causes disease in the human body. |
Restless Leg SyndromeSymptomsRestless legs syndrome is a common neurological disorder distinguished by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move them for relief. These sensations can range from uncomfortable to irritating to painful. TreatmentLifestyle changes can help those experiencing mild to moderate symptoms.
PreventionThere is no cure for Restless Leg Syndrome. Symptoms gradually may get worse with age. Current therapies can control the disorder, minimizing symptoms and increasing periods of restful sleep. Some individuals have experience remissions in symptoms, which may decrease or disappear for short or long periods. However, symptoms eventually reappear. |
DystoniaDystonias are characterized by sustained muscle contractions that cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. These involuntary and sometimes painful movements, may affect a single muscle, a group of muscles or the entire body. SymptomsDystonia can affect many different parts of the body.
TreatmentsThere is no single treatment for dystonias. Physicians recommend a number of therapies to reduce or eliminate muscle spasms and pain including:
PreventionThere is no current evidence to suggest that dystonias can be prevented. |