Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Care

Turn to UC San Diego Health for diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions that cause an increase or decrease in movements.

You'll find the most experienced, multidisciplinary movement disorder team in the region. We provide compassionate and exceptional care for the full spectrum of movement disorders, based on the latest research.

Conditions We Treat

Access comprehensive care for neurodegenerative diseases that affect the brain, such as:

• Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) – Makes it difficult to move due to shrinking and dying nerve cells in parts of the brain, including the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia
• Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) – Results in slow movements, muscle stiffness, and tremors, along with loss of memory and confusion
• Huntington's disease (HD) – Causes uncontrolled movements, loss of ability to think and reason, and severe mood swings
• Multiple system atrophy (MSA) – Begins with sleep disturbances and can cause difficulty controlling bladder and bowel function, breathing, and maintaining blood pressure, and heart rate
• Parkinson’s disease – Leads to slow movements, tremors, muscle stiffness, and symptoms that affect the mind and mood
• Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) – Has symptoms that worsen over time and vary depending on the area of the brain affected
• Tic disorders and Tourette Syndrome – Cause repetitive, involuntary, or semi-voluntary movements or sounds

Learn more about these disorders

Diagnosing Parkinson's and Other Movement Disorders

Take advantage of the diagnostic evaluation and testing services that include:

• Lab testing
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Neurological exams

Treatment & Support

Get a complete, personal care plan that may include:

• Evaluation and treatment of cognitive (thinking) and emotional problems and assessments of mental health
• Medication to improve symptoms and, when possible, slow the progression of the disorder
• Educational programs available for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers
• Information on what to expect from the disease and its progression
• Neurological rehabilitative assessments and services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and swallowing evaluations and therapy
• Surgical evaluation and treatments, when appropriate, including programming and reprogramming of deep brain stimulators
• Opportunities to participate in clinical studies that examine new treatments for movement disorders
• Local resources and support groups to help manage stress

Parkinson's Disease Research

Researchers at UC San Diego are currently looking at Parkinson's disease and related disorders from multiple angles, from handwriting movements to cognition to clinical trials that test FDA-approved drugs. 

Get Involved in Parkinson's Disease Research at UC San Diego