Care clinics

What is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) stems from a widespread brain disease process that is mostly sporadic, or irregular, but in a small minority of cases is due to one of several gene mutations. PD presents in most patients as a movement disorder with tremor, stiffness of muscles, slowness of actions and balance impairments. Over the course of the disease individuals can also experience mood problems, sleep problems, memory and thinking problems, low blood pressure, urinary and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Interdisciplinary evaluation

The VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center interdisciplinary evaluation allows patients to access sub-specialty care providers in one location. This evaluation will include assessments by the professionals described below, and will result in a comprehensive treatment plan that will address each individual's needs. This treatment plan will be shared with other healthcare providers managing a patient's care.

Movement Disorder Neurology
The movement disorder neurologist evaluation includes assessment of symptoms, including non-motor features such as gastrointestinal and sleep problems.
Clinical Neuropsychology
The neuropsychologist examines thinking skills such as attention, speed of thinking, visual and language skills, learning and memory, problem-solving, reasoning, and other brain and behavior functions including mood and quality of life.
Physical Therapy
The physical therapist evaluates conditioning, balance, coordination and motor skills.
Speech Therapy
The speech therapist evaluates speaking and swallowing.
Additional Services
As part of VCU Medical Center, our patients have access to other services as recommended by our team.

Individualized care

Care and treatment

Our center offers access to a variety of treatment options, including:

Botulinum toxin injections
Carbidopa/levodopa enteral suspension for advanced Parkinson's disease
Deep Brain Stimulation surgery and post-surgical programming and support
Mindfulness therapy

Positive findings in the laboratory have moved new therapies into clinical testing, taking our research from bench to bedside. The VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center encourages PD patients to participate in our clinical studies.

We offer state-of-the-art medical and surgical treatment options. Our movement disorders specialists are able to provide individual treatment recommendations and referrals as appropriate.