Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Program
At the University of Chicago Medicine Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Program, our expert team understand that effective care is customized to the unique symptoms and needs of each patient. We specialize in the treatment and management of complicated and rare movement disorders, as well as symptoms of progressive neurodegenerative diseases. Our movement disorder specialists strive to provide high-quality care, state-of-the-art research and the latest education for patients with Parkinson’s disease, tremor and other movement disorders.
Conditions We Treat:
- Ataxia
- Blepharospasm
- Chorea
- Cortical basal degeneration
- Dystonia
- Dyskinesias
- Essential tremor
- Hemifacial spasm
- Huntington's disease
- Multiple system atrophy
- Myoclonus
- Parkinson's disease
- Parkinsonian syndrome
- Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)
- Tics
- Tourette syndrome
- Rett syndrome
- Wilson's disease
Parkinson's Disease Symptoms
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disease of the nervous system that causes impaired or involuntary movements and can affect behavior, mood and other non-motor functions of the body. Parkinson's disease is a progressive disease, meaning it worsens over time. Diagnosis usually occurs after age 55, though early onset at a younger age is also possible.
Parkinson's disease is caused by the progressive loss of a certain type of neuron cells in the brain. This results in a shortage of the chemical messenger called dopamine, which is important for controlling the body’s motor functions.
Essential Tremor Symptoms
Essential tremor, also known as benign familial tremor, is the most common movement disorder. Characterized by uncontrollable shaking, essential tremor progresses slowly. It is distinctly different from Parkinson’s disease, although commonly misdiagnosed. Some patients may have essential tremor and Parkinson's disease.
Why Choose UChicago Medicine for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Treatment?
- UChicago Medicine is an Information and Referral Center of the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) and a Center of Care for CurePSP.
- Our physicians are experts in deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery and actively research and develop techniques to enhance the effectiveness of DBS surgery.
- We are one of the only hospitals in the region with an intraoperative CT scanner and the first hospital in the Chicagoland area to use the new Percept PC DBS system.
Parkinson’s Disease Information and Referral Center
The University of Chicago Medicine Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Program supports the mission and values of the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA). The APDA recognizes UChicago Medicine as an Information and Referral Center. The APDA provides a dedicated coordinator to help patients with Parkinson’s live life to the fullest in the face of this chronic, neurological disorder.
Living with Parkinson’s disease goes beyond a diagnosis. The Information and Referral Center is a resource for patients, loved ones and health care providers. We want to help patients throughout their treatment, but also, to connect them to a supportive local and national APDA community.
APDA Support Groups
For questions or to sign up for a group, contact Nicole Reidy at 1-773-834-1688 or nicole.reidy@uchicagomedicine.org.
