Neurology in Minnesota

Movement Disorders Subspecialty Group

The Movement Disorders Subspecialty Group provides specialized care to patients with all types of movement disorders. Services include medical diagnosis and treatments. The group also staffs the Movement Disorders laboratory, which performs diagnostic neurophysiologic studies and administers localized botulinum toxin injections for focal dystonias and tremors.

Surgical treatments offered through the group include selective denervation surgery for spasmodic torticollis and deep brain stimulation (both thalamic and pallidal) for tremor disorders (including patients with Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and multiple sclerosis).

Conditions and Symptoms Treated

• Parkinson's disease
• Parkinsonism
  • progressive supranuclear palsy
  • multiple system atrophy
  • corticobasal degeneration.
• Hyperkinetic movement disorders
  • Myoclonus
  • chorea (e.g. Huntington's disease)
  • dystonia (e.g. spasmodic torticollis)
  • tic disorders (e.g. Tourette's syndrome)
  • tremor (e.g. essential tremor)
• Hereditary and idiopathic late onset ataxias

Staff

• J. Eric Ahlskog, M.D., Ph.D.
• James H. Bower, M.D.
• Robert D. Fealey, M.D.
• Demetrius M. Maraganore, M.D.
• Joseph Y. Matsumoto, M.D.

Research

The group has a very active interest in Parkinson's disease research, and several large studies are currently underway. These activities are described in detail at the Research web site.

Additional studies are continuously underway for a wide range of Movement Disorders and all members of the group are involved in research. Eligibility for such studies can best be addressed at the time of one's clinical appointment.

Education

The group offers one to two postgraduate Movement Disorders fellowships to board eligible neurologists. These clinical and research fellowships are typically for one year. Further inquiries can be made directly to the Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education.

The group also actively participates in several Mayo Continuing Medical Education courses, with practitioners as the targeted audience.