Movement Disorders

Neurology and Neuroscience

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About Parkinson's Disease and Other Movement Disorders

Movement disorders are neurological conditions or diseases that cause abnormal body movements. They are caused by various neurological and medical disorders. These disorders can lead to either slowed-down (hypokinetic) movements (as in Parkinson's disease) or to sped-up (hyperkinetic) movements (as in tics).

Movement disorders include:

Ataxia
Dystonia
Chorea such as chorea in Huntington's Disease
Myoclonus
Parkinson's Disease
Atypical parkinsonism (Parkinsonism Plus)
Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders
Tremor

NewYork-Presbyterian, Parkinson's Disease, and Other Movement Disorders

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital cares for one of the world's largest populations of patients with movement disorders. Our neurologists are expert at diagnosing and treating common and rare movement disorders, and are at the forefront of both basic and clinical research geared to develop new diagnostic tools and therapies for these diseases. Our multidisciplinary team of specialists includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, physical, occupational, and speech therapists, social workers, and other health personnel who work together to ensure that each patient receives optimal care.

We realize that movement disorders are complicated diseases with physical and psychological symptoms that can affect not only the patient but those close to them. Therefore, we take time to guide both patients and their families through the sometimes lengthy treatment process.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital's movement disorders specialists are affiliated with either Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeon's Center for Parkinson's Disease and Other Movement Disorders, or Weill Cornell Medical College's Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Institute. Our neurology and neurosurgery departments consistently rank among the top five in the nation in US News and World Report, and number one in New York City.

Research for Parkinson's Disease and Other Movement Disorders

In addition to clinical care, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital's physicians and scientists are involved in many avenues of research for movement disorders including new drugs, imaging techniques, surgical therapies such as tissue transplantation, gene-therapy-based treatments, and studies to determine the genetic basis of these diseases.