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Movement Disorders

Neurological movement disorders are slow-progressing conditions that affect a person’s movement, muscle control and/or balance. Movement disorders usually have a genetic or environmental cause and they are very complex. They can be divided into two groups: those that result in too much movement and those that result in insufficient movement. Parkinson’s disease, tremor, and dystonia are all examples of movement disorders.

Categories of Movement Disorders

  • Insufficient Movement: Akinetic, bradykinetic, or hypokinetic syndromes
  • Too Much Movement: Jerky movements (chorea, myoclonus, and tic disorders) and non-jerky movements (dystonia and tremor)

There is not yet a cure for movement disorders, but the symptoms can be managed effectively with help from a neurologist. Ogden Clinic’s high standard of care includes advanced diagnostic testing for our patients and a variety of treatment options for those who live with involuntary movement disorders.

Managing Involuntary Movement Disorders

There are many options for people with movement disorders and Parkinson’s disease, but since everyone reacts to symptoms differently, it can take several tries to find the correct combination for your needs. Many people with Parkinson’s disease, tremor, and dystonia manage their symptoms with medication therapy and lifestyle adaptations. Those with complex and severe movement disorders may also consider surgery to improve their quality of life.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Treatment

Ogden Clinic neurologists perform an in-office surgical procedure called Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for people whose quality of life is no longer acceptable with medication therapy only. Deep brain stimulation is not a cure for movement disorders, but it can successfully treat the symptoms by disrupting the abnormal patterns of brain activity that define these diseases. It’s often described as a brain “pacemaker” because constant pulses of electrical charge are delivered at settings that are thought to restore normal brain rhythms and allow the restoration of more normal movements.

We will consider all options for our patients depending on their therapeutic needs and their changing needs over time. Ogden Clinic neurologists also have strong ties with neurosurgeons in the area and will make referrals for patients who can benefit from surgical intervention.

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