Many people see the movement and mobility challenges of Parkinson’s, but physicians at the Penn Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center (PD&MDC) understand that there are many non-motor aspects to the disease that also require treatment.
The motor system disorder of Parkinson’s disease is the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s, but a variety of medications and procedures can provide dramatic relief from the symptoms. Physicians at Penn focus on the complete care of patients with Parkinson’s and its associated symptoms, including tremor; stiffness; slow movement; and impaired coordination, as well as depression and other emotional changes; difficulty in swallowing, chewing, and speaking; urinary problems or constipation; skin problems; and sleep disruptions.
“Our goal is to provide state-of-the-art, comprehensive clinical care and to conduct innovative research into causes of the disease as well as unique, experimental therapies.” said Matthew Stern, MD, neurologist and director of the Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders Center. “It is a unique, full-service program built on a strong foundation. It integrates all of the services in a way that provides patients with the best of all treatment options and the benefits of ongoing research.”
Providing care to nearly 3,000 patients each year, Penn’s program is one of the largest in the country. It is recognized by the National Parkinson Foundation as a worldwide Center of Excellence. The PD&MDC and the Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research at the University of Pennsylvania were recently named the newest Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), joining 12 other distinguished academic institutions in the U.S. with this designation. Clinicians and basic scientists at the new Penn Udall Center are conducting research to understand and develop better treatments for the cognitive impairment and dementia associated with PD. Penn is the only national Udall Center to focus specifically on cognitive functions in PD.
“We understand the motor symptoms and have become very good at treating them,” said Dr. Stern, “but loss of intellectual functions are often a major cause of disability as the disease evolves and now requires our focus.”
Treatments for movement disorders have advanced as researchers have discovered new and better ways to address the symptoms. Along with medications, Penn’s team of neurologists and neurosurgeons has experienced a great deal of success with deep brain stimulation (DBS) for some patients whose response to medications has declined. DBS involves implanting electrodes into the brain and attaching them to a pacemaker-like device that delivers continuous impulses to restore electrical balance. Penn is the leading center on the East Coast and one of the foremost centers in the world for DBS.
Penn has also spearheaded a large-scale trial following first-degree relatives of Parkinson’s patients to determine their risk of developing the disease. They have coined the term, “Parkinson’s Disease at Risk Syndrome (PARS)” to describe the various stages of the disease before recognizable symptoms emerge. It is hoped that by developing a variety of screening tools, physicians will one day be able to predict who will develop Parkinson’s disease and initiate therapies that will delay or prevent its onset.
The work of Penn’s PD&MDC also extends to the Philadelphia Veteran’s Administration Medical Center. The site is one of only six Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers (PADRECC) in the country. The Philadelphia PADRECC offers the same exceptional care for veterans, as well as opportunities to participate in clinical trials and other research initiatives.
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