Movement Disorders

Understanding Movement Disorders

Our expert team of neurologists and neurosurgeons work together to provide you the care you need. We offer advanced diagnostic testing, the latest treatments, and many education and support services. Your physicians will help you manage your movement disorder so you can enjoy life more fully.

Movement Disorders Types We Treat

We have extensive experience treating a wide range of movement disorders, including:

• Ataxia
• Blepharospasm
• Chorea
• Dystonia
• Essential tremor
• Gait disorders
• Huntington’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Torticollis
• Tourette’s syndrome

IU Health experts have advanced expertise in Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. The IU Health Neuroscience Center is Designated as a Center for Care by the National Parkinson Foundation and a Center of Excellence by the Huntington’s Disease Society of America.

With experts from many specialties, we are able to provide the highest level of care for you. People from all over Indiana and beyond seek out our Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease teams.

Diagnosis

The earlier you begin treatment for a movement disorder, the better. Treatment has a better chance of controlling your symptoms—and for longer—if you start it early on. Your prognosis depends on prompt, accurate diagnosis.

Your physicians will base your diagnosis on a physical and neurological exam, neurodiagnostic testing and laboratory testing.

Our doctors provide renowned expertise in treating movement disorders. They have the clinical knowledge to identify your signs and symptoms. Many people seek our doctors' highly specialized expertise when frustrated with lack of diagnosis or adequate treatment.

Movement Disorders Treatment

When medicine alone cannot control a movement disorder, the IU Health Neuroscience Center provides a variety of advanced treatment options.

Deep Brain Stimulation

A neurosurgeon will place electrodes in your brain. These electrodes are connected by wires to a small pacemaker-like device placed under your skin near your collarbone.

Once activated, the device sends electrical impulses to the targeted areas of the brain. It does this to block the impulses that cause tremors. There are very few side effects for this treatment. The treatment is reversible if necessary.

Ablative Surgeries

In ablative surgery, your neurosurgeons use electrical charges to eliminate a tiny section of your brain. Using advanced, 3D brain mapping and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), your surgeon will find the exact area of the brain that causes abnormal movements.

Then, with exact precision, your surgeon will apply a small charge directly to your brain with electrodes. The charge interrupts the electrical currents within that section of your brain.

Once it disrupts that part of your brain, you can better control movements.

Electromyography (EMG)-guided Botulinum Injections

Known as Botox therapy, this is used to relax excessive muscle contraction for movement disorders.

Clinical Research

IU Health physician-scientists play a leading role in understanding the causes and progression of movement disorders.

You can find more information about clinical trials through the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI).

Support Services

Movement disorders have a profound impact on your daily functioning and quality of life. Because of this, each treatment plan considers the emotional toll of the disorder.

Our neuropsychologists provide treatment for associated anxiety, depression or mood disorders. Your dedicated staff of specialists will include a social worker. We will help you and your family through all aspects of your care.