For those with Parkinson’s disease, or disorders that mimic Parkinson’s disease, the University of Michigan offers comprehensive care delivered by an internationally recognized medical team, including neurologists that specialize in Movement Disorders. We treat more than 1,000 Parkinson’s patients each year as well as patients suffering from corticobasal degeneration, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy. Parkinson’s disease affects about one percent of people over the age of 60, and more than one million people in the United States. Parkinson’s usually begins after the age of 40, but younger patients can be affected. It is caused by the deterioration of nerve cells that make a chemical called dopamine. The disease generally presents slowly and progresses gradually over the years. The main signs of Parkinson’s disease are tremor, slowness of movement (called bradykinesia), stiffness (called rigidity), and poor balance. The tremor is a rest tremor, meaning that it is most noticeable when the limb is at rest and improves when the limb is in use. These symptoms are usually mild and barely noticeable in the early stages, but progressively worsen over time. Patients may also have symptoms that are not related to movement, many of which affect mental functioning, mood, senses and the ability to sleep or remain awake. As symptoms worsen, people may have difficulty walking, talking, or performing other tasks. It is important that patients discuss their symptoms with their physicians so that treatment can be started and optimized.

Patients who come to the Movement Disorders Clinic are seen by a movement disorders specialist, a neurologist who has extra training in evaluating and treating a person with Parkinson’s disease. There are no blood or imaging tests that can confirm Parkinson’s disease, so diagnosis is based on visible signs and symptoms, which are reviewed during a medical history and neurologic examination. Despite the fact that Parkinson’s disease slowly worsens over a number of years, we now have effective medications that act on the dopamine system and allow patients to do well for a significant period of time. One of the best medications for the disease is called levodopa, which gets changed to dopamine in the brain and significantly improves symptoms. Other treatment options include dopamine agonists, COMT inhibitors, and MAO-B inhibitors, all of which help to enhance dopamine transmission in the brain. Early in the disease, medications may work well, but as time goes on patients may find the effects don’t last as long. They will feel slow, stiff, and many will develop dyskinesias or abnormal, involuntary movements. When people start experiencing these symptoms despite taking medications, deep brain stimulation surgery (DBS) is often recommended. DBS involves placing electrodes in precise locations of the brain. The electrodes are connected to a wire that runs underneath the skin to a battery in the chest. When electrical stimulation is delivered to the brain, the tremor improves. It’s like a pacemaker for the brain, instead of the heart. To make an appointment, call 734-764-6831.

Phone: 1-800-617-8711

Here you can find basic PD information as well as information on classes, events calendar and support group meetings in the Grand Rapids, Holland, Montcalm County and Muskegon areas. They also maintain a library of materials — accessible at meetings or by mail — to help patients and their families learn as much as possible about the disease.

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Phone: 231-947-1946 (Maxine Meach) OR 231-947-7389 (Hettie Molvang)

Parkinson’s Network North is a non-profit organization based in Traverse City.  Their mission is to empower individuals and families to meet the challenges of living with Parkinson’s Disease through sharing of information, education, personal support, and advocacy for a cure.  They strive to maintain an up-to-date list of available community resources which may be helpful to people with Parkinson’s and their families, and they host an educational forum every summer.

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