The UF Movement Disorders Center offers a multidisciplinary team of specialists, dedicated to providing the latest treatments for disorders including:

• Parkinson’s disease
• tremor
• dystonia

The specialists working together at the UF Movement Disorders Center include:

• neurologists
• neurosurgeons
• neuroscientists
• neuropsychologists
• speech and communication disorders specialists
• psychiatrists
• neuropathologists
• computer scientists
• physical therapists

About Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a disorder that affects nerve cells, called neurons, in a part of the brain that controls muscle movement. In Parkinson’s, neurons that make the chemical dopamine die or do not work properly. Dopamine normally sends signals that help coordinate movements.

Parkinson’s generally appears around age 60, though it can strike earlier. It is more common in men than in women. No one knows what damages the neurons and no cure is available today for the disease.

Diagnosis

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease may include:

• trembling of the hands, arms, legs, jaw and face
• stiffness of the arms, legs and trunk
• slowness of movement
• poor balance and coordination

As symptoms get worse, people with Parkinson’s can have trouble walking, talking or doing simple tasks. Depression, sleep issues or trouble chewing, swallowing or speaking may follow. New treatment options may improve symptoms.

Treatment

New treatments are available for patients at the UF Movement Disorders Center, including advances in medications and surgical procedures such as:

• deep brain stimulator therapy (DBS)
• pallidotomy
• thalamotomy

Clinical trials are also available through the University of Florida. Click here to learn more.

Information

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call the Shands HealthCare Consultation Center at (800) 749-7424 or (352) 265-8000.

Shands at UF Neurological and Neurosurgery services were ranked 44th in the country by U.S.News&World Report. Learn more.

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Make an Appointment

To make an appointment or find out more information about neurology services offered at Shands at the University of Florida, please call 352.265.8000 or toll-free 1.800.749.7424

You may also email our Consultation Center (consult@shands.ufl.edu) or use our secure online form.