Michael Okun

Fay Horak, et. al., at the Oregon Health & Science University just published this paper suggesting that STN DBS may have a more detrimental effect on balance as compared to GPi DBS.  Many studies are now focusing on better defining the differences in the surgical targets chosen…

This TEDx talk on Deep Brain Stimulation titled the Electric Brain was given on February 11, 2012. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7udZ5ux0dYE Learn more about Deep Brain Stimulation… The human brain is a supercomputer with networks that control the various functions that make us who we are,…

This post originally came out in 2007 in the Parkinson Report and has been so popular that our patients asked us to repost on the treatment tips.  We will have more on hospitalization soon as we work with NPF on the Aware in Care campaign and on…

Former UF graduate student, now at Brown University published an important paper examining longitudinal trajectories of apathy, depression and motor changes in Parkinson’s Disease.Neuropsychology. 2011 Dec 5. [Epub ahead of print] Mood and motor trajectories in Parkinson’s disease: Multivariate latent growth curve modeling. Zahodne LB, Marsiske M, …

Dr. Steindler and colleagues published an article in one of the Nature series of journals (Modern Pathology) about the potential role of stem cells in neurological diseases including Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Brain Tumors. Stem cell pathologies and neurological disease. Steindler DA, Okun MS, Scheffler B.

Natlada Limotai, a fellow at the University of Florida Center for Movement Disorders & Neurorestoration, published an important paper on addiction-like manifestations in Parkinson’s disease.  The data is drawn from a 9 year experience and reveals important information for patients and clinicians using Parkinson’s disease medications. Dr. Limotai has recently…

What are the problems/challenges of stem cells for Parkinson’s disease that are keeping it from becoming a major treatment? There are significant problems with stem cells as a potential savior therapy for Parkinson’s disease.  First, when you take a cell and make it divide you must be able to turn…

What are dyskinesias and how can I manage them? Dyskinesias are abnormal, involuntary movements that occur in response to repeated dopamine-replacement therapy (Brotchie 2005; Olanow 2001). Sometimes, they can be debilitating. These motor complications are typically “choreiform”. Chorea comes from the Greek word meaning “to dance”, so the dyskinesias looks…

What is the best test for my doctor to order to diagnose Parkinson’s disease? There is no reliable blood test to diagnose Parkinson’s disease.  The best way to make a diagnosis is to have a neurological examination by someone experienced in the care of Parkinson’s disease patients.  There are diagnostic…

These are quick tips to work on with your doctor in case of acute worrisome hallucinations and psychosis in the setting of Parkinson’s disease: Check for a urinary tract infection or pneumonia Consider the medication list and consider that medications may be the underlying cause, or contributing to the cause…