Movement Disorders

Overview

Movement disorders are a group of diseases that affect the ability to produce and control body movement. Millions of people in the United States have movement disorders, including Parkinson's disease. Specialists at Mayo Clinic work with thousands of patients with movement disorders each year.

At Mayo Clinic, teams of highly trained specialists in neurology and neurosurgery work together to provide patients who have movement disorders with individualized carre, including drug therapies, botulinum toxin injections, and deep brain stimulation (DBS). DBS is an implantable tremor-control device.

Mayo Clinic's extensive research programs, including genetic studies and clinical trials of experimental drug and surgical treatments, help specialists understand the underlying causes of movement disorders and develop effective treatments.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is ranked No. 1 in Neurology & Neurosurgery in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of movement disorders at Mayo usually requires a thorough physical and neurological examination. Mayo physicians compile a complete medical and family history for each patient. Brain imaging studies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET) may be performed to confirm diagnosis of a specific type of movement disorder.

Mayo Clinic provides many tools to help specialists confirm abnormal findings and determine the most appropriate treatment for patients with movement disorders. Mayo's advanced laboratories also help to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment Options

Mayo Clinic researchers continually work to develop new treatments for movement disorders, including botulinum toxin injections, deep brain stimulation and other therapies. A team of experienced medical professionals works with each patient and family to determine the most appropriate treatment for specific movement disorders. Read more about movement disorder treatment.

• Treatment in Arizona
• Treatment in Florida
• Treatment in Minnesota
• Treatment of Children & Adolescents

About Movement Disorders

Every body movement requires a series of interactions among the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. Movement disorders are caused by abnormal function (damage or malfunction) in the brain components involved in movement, including the basal ganglia and cerebellum.

Movement disorder describes many neurological conditions that cause involuntary excessive movements or slow, awkward, deliberate movements. Learn more about types of movement disorders.

Read more about movement disorders at www.MayoClinic.com.