Parkinson’s & Other Movement Disorders
Parkinson’s & Other Movement Disorders
Parkinson's Disease & Parkinsonism
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurologic movement disorder marked by loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain’s substantia nigra, leading to symptoms such as tremor (especially at rest), muscle rigidity, slowed movements (bradykinesia), and impaired balance.
“Parkinsonism” refers to the set of symptoms (tremor, rigidity, slowness) which can be caused by Parkinson’s disease itself or by other conditions with similar features. Approximately 6 million people in the United States experience some form of movement disorder, such as Parkinson's Disease, essential tremor, ataxia and dystonia. These disorders can be relentlessly progressive and disabling conditions, having a tremendous impact on one's social, emotional and physical wellbeing. We have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating movement disorders and are committed to making sure you receive the care you need.
Huntington Disease & Other Chorea Disorders
An inherited degenerative brain disorder (in the case of Huntington disease) characterized by uncontrolled involuntary (choreiform)movements, cognitive decline, and psychiatric/behavioral changes. “Chorea disorders” more broadly describe conditions marked by these irregular, dance-like, involuntary movements.
Essential Tremor & Various Tremor Syndromes
Essential tremor is one of the most common movement disorders; it causes rhythmic shaking- most commonly of the hands- especially during purposeful movement (action or postural tremor), often hereditary. “Tremor syndromes” refer to the broader group of conditions where involuntary shaking is a dominant feature (which may differ by when tremor occurs, how it appears, what body parts are affected).
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
A neurological and sleep-related condition in which a strong, often unpleasant urge to move the legs arises when at rest or lying down (typically in evenings), often relieved temporarily by movement. It can significantly disrupt sleep and daily life.
Ataxia & Other Inherited or Acquired Ataxic Disorders
Ataxia refers to impaired coordination of movement, often due to dysfunction of the cerebellum or its pathways. These disorders can be inherited (genetic) or acquired (due to injury, toxin, disease). Patients may have unsteady gait, clumsiness, slurred speech, or eye-movement problems.
Dystonia (Genetic & Acquired)
Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by sustained or intermittent muscle contractions that cause abnormal, often twisting movements or postures. It may be inherited (genetic) or acquired (secondary).Variants include focal forms such as blepharospasm (eyelid spasms), cervical dystonia (neck), hemifacial spasm (one side of face), writer’s cramp (hand), etc.
CTNC Expertise
At Central Texas Neurology, we provide highly specialized care for movement disorders grounded in up-to-date knowledge, delivered withcompassion and empathy. Our movement-disorder clinic is led by Dr. Elizabeth Peckham, a neurologist with experience since 2007, together with Nurse Practitioner Breanna Purdie. We diagnose and treat:
- Parkinson’s Disease and parkinsonism
- Huntington Disease and other chorea disorders
- Essential tremor and various tremor syndromes
- Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
- Ataxia and other inherited or acquired ataxic disorders
- Dystonia (both genetic and acquired), including blepharospasm, cervical dystonia, hemifacial spasm, and writer’s cramp
Parkinson’s & Other Movement Disorders Resources
Parkinson's
- Michael J. Fox Foundation (Parkinson's 360 book free for download)
Dystonia
Huntington's Disease
Tourette's
Essential Tremor
Ataxia
Exercise, Nutrition & Physical Wellness
- Rock Steady Boxing
- Dance for PD
- PWR! Parkinson's Wellness Recovery
- Parkinson's Foundation Nutrition Guide
- Davis Phinney Foundation
- 413 Fitness
- Stronger than Parkinson's
Other Resources
Contact Us
Dr. Adam Horvit at Central Texas Neurology Consultants has been fantastic over the past year. He’s very thorough, takes a thoughtful and conservative approach, and always makes sure I understand everything. He’s great about answering all my questions at appointments, by phone, and is available through the patient portal. Highly recommend!
First time seeing Dr. Parisa Khosravi and omg what a gem I found. She just started working here and she is so patient and thorough with her diagnosis. I highly recommend this MS specialist as a doctor and kind human.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. It leads to symptoms like:
- Tremors (shaking, often at rest)
- Stiffness (rigid muscles)
- Slowed movements (bradykinesia)
- Balance problems and postural instability.
Non-motor symptoms (e.g., sleep disturbances, depression, and loss of smell) can appear years before motor issues.
Movement disorders include:
- Essential Tremor (shaking during movement, often hereditary).
- Dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions causing twisting postures).
- Huntington’s Disease (genetic disorder with uncontrolled movements and cognitive decline).
- Tourette Syndrome (vocal and motor tics).
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) (urge to move legs, often at night).
Parkinson’s: Combination of genetics, environmental factors (e.g., pesticide exposure), and aging.
- Essential Tremor: Often inherited.
- Dystonia: May result from genetic mutations or brain injury.
- Huntington’s: Caused by a single defective gene (autosomal dominant).
- Myth Buster: Only ~10% of Parkinson’s cases are purely genetic.
Clinical exams (neurologists assess symptoms like tremors/gait).
- DaTscan (imaging test for Parkinson’s to check dopamine levels).
- Genetic testing (for Huntington’s, some dystonias).
- Blood tests/MRI (to rule out other conditions).
- Red Flags: Sudden onset or worsening symptoms may indicate atypical parkinsonism (e.g., PSP, MSA).
Parkinson’s:
- Levodopa (gold-standard medication).
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for advanced cases.
- Essential Tremor: Beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol) or DBS.
- Dystonia: Botox injections, muscle relaxants.
- Huntington’s: Symptom management (no cure yet).
- Lifestyle Tip: Physical therapy and tai chi improve mobility and balance.
Exercise: Delays progression in Parkinson’s (e.g., boxing, cycling).
- Diet: High-fiber foods combat constipation; protein timing affects Levodopa absorption.
- Avoid: Excessive alcohol (worsens tremors), processed foods.
- Research Highlight: Caffeine may reduce Parkinson’s risk, but not tremor severity.
Parkinson’s: Progresses slowly; life expectancy is near-normal with treatment.
- Essential Tremor: Non-life-threatening but may worsen with age.
- Huntington’s: Progressive; symptoms typically appear in adulthood.
