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Welcome pageWhat's NewCNI Center for Movement Disorders
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Our specialists are happy to discuss your individual case with you. Serious inquiries only, please. For an appointment, call 303-357-5455. |
This page provides a brief description of some of the movement disorders treated at our Center, including causes and treatments.
On other pages, also see: |
For more information on all of these conditions,
please visit our Links page.
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The CNI Movement Disorders Center is proud to be a Center of Excellence designated by the Huntington's Disease Society of America. |
Huntington's disease is a rare neurologic condition causing involuntary movements, cognitive impairment and personality change or depression. This disorder is an inherited condition which can be passed on from generation to generation. We now understand that a mutation on the fourth chromosome results in the production of abnormal proteins affecting brain function.
Major breakthroughs in research show promise for new treatments or even cure of this disorder. Currently, treatment is available to help control many of the symptoms of Huntington's Disease. Our main focus now is on research to better understand the genetics and ultimately, a cure.
The CNI Movement Disorder Center is a designated Huntington's Disease Society of America Center of Excellence and a research center for the Huntington's Study Group. A team of CNI experts meets twice monthly to provide evaluation, treatment and counseling for affected individuals and their families.
NEW! Huntington's Headlines Newsletter, Spring 2007
Parkinson's Disease |
 The CNI Movement Disorders Center is proud to be a Care
Center designated
by the National Parkinson Foundation |
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Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common disorder affecting nearly 1.5 million Americans. The onset of symptoms is usually around age 60 with slow progression over 10-20 years. The most common symptoms include a resting tremor, slowness of movement and stiffness. In addition many patients develop problems with walking and balance. Associated problems may include depression or cognitive impairment, particularly in later stages of the illness.
Excellent symptom control is possible with medication during the early stages of the disease. More radical intervention with neurosurgical techniques may help relieve symptoms in more advanced stages (See the CNI Thompson Center for Restorative Neurosurgery website for in depth information regarding Parkinson's surgery). Exciting research breakthroughs have led us closer to the cause and cure of this disorder.
The CNI Movement Disorders Center is a designated National Parkinson Foundation Care Center and a research center for the Parkinson Study Group. We are involved in a broad spectrum of research projects including new oral medications, neurosurgical techniques, genetic studies and other therapies.
Would you like to learn more about Parkinson's Disease?
CNI provides outreach and education regarding Parkinson’s disease to allied healthcare professionals, hospital staff, extended care facilities, assisted living facilities, support groups, community groups, families and individuals. If interested, please contact Josette Pressler at 303-597-1922 or jpressler@thecni.org |
Summer
2007 Dementia is described as advanced cognitive deficits that impair normal functioning such as when memory problems start to interfere with basic daily activities. It is a process whereas the individual becomes progressively confused. The earliest signs are usually memory problems, changes in their way of speaking, such as forgetting words, and personality problems. The person may have difficulty with problem solving, learning new skills and impaired decision making.
Spring
2007 The FDA is notifying you that the companies that manufacture and distribute pergolide have
agreed to withdraw this drug from the market due to the potential for heart valve damage. Two
new studies showed that patients with Parkinson’s disease who were treated with pergolide had
an increased chance of serious damage to their heart valves when compared to patients who did
not receive the drug. Pergolide is a member of a class of drugs known as dopamine agonists and is
used with levodopa and carbidopa to manage the signs and symptoms (tremors and slowness of
movement) of Parkinson’s disease.
You
will need Acrobat Reader to view PDF files. Get
Acrobat Reader.For back issues of the CNI Parkinson Press Newsletters, please visit our Archive page.
Involuntary contractions of multiple muscles may produce abnormal posture of head, neck, face or other body parts. Such contractions may occur as one of the childhood dystonias or as one of the focal dystonias of adulthood.
Accurate diagnosis of dystonia is often difficult; most patients see several physicians or health-care providers prior to correct diagnosis and treatment. Proper evaluation requires testing by a neurologist, and if necessary, laboratory testing, MRI scans or other tests.
Treatment of dystonia may include oral medications, neurosurgical procedures or injection of botulinum toxin into overactive muscles. The CNI Movement Disorder Center provides special expertise in the treatment of dystonia and is an active participant with the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF).
Rhythmic shaking of the hands and voice (and occasionally the legs) is a common movement disorder among individuals over the age of 50 years. Children and young adults may be affected as well. Essential tremor is a familial condition that begins in midlife and may worsen over time.
Symptoms
may be controlled with oral medications in the approximately two-thirds
of individuals. For patients with more severe tremor, new neurosurgical
techniques such as Deep Brain Stimulation
may be beneficial. The photo shows programming for deep brain stimulation.
The CNI Movement Disorder Center provides care for hundreds of patients with essential tremor and works closely with International Tremor Foundation and other research organizations.
Below are links to slides and presentations as further education about Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA) and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP):
Russell
Wood Lecture Series on Parkinsonism: MSA and PSP
This uncommon movement disorder consists of brief muscle contractions that are usually very quick. Myoclonus may effect face, trunk, and limbs. There are many possible causes including medication side-effects, head injury, stroke, degenerative disorders and inherited conditions. There are childhood and adult disorders with myoclonus. It is usually necessary for a careful neurological evaluation including examination by a neurologist, MRI scan, blood tests, EEG and possibly other studies. Once diagnostic testing is complete, treatment may be available depending upon the cause and severity of myoclonus. Patient information is also available from the Myoclonus Research Foundation.
Tics are fragments of normal movements or sounds that occur out of context. They may be brief movements, such as blinking or facial grimacing. Some tics are more complex movements or sounds, including words. There is often an urge prior to the tic and a sense of relief afterwards. The presence of noise tics and movement tics for more than one year is called Tourette's Syndrome. Most often, tics are not disabling and may not require treatment. Effective therapy is usually available if symptoms become more troublesome. Excellent support materials are available from the Tourette's Syndrome Association.
Brief involuntary movements, fragments of normal movements, or involuntary sound production may be part of a tic disorder. Tourette's Syndrome is defined simply as the presence of movement and noise tics for more then 1 year beginning prior to age 21 years. It is also called Tourette's syndrome, Tourette's disorder, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, GTS or the more common Tourette's or TS.
Individuals with tics often find they have an urge before the movement and a sense of relief after the movement is complete. The movements themselves may be simple or complex. The noises may be simple sounds or complex words. Onset of tics usually begins around age six years and intensifies around puberty.
Associated problems may include attention deficit disorder or obsessive-compulsive phenomena. Tic disorders often run in families although there may be environmental factors (such as infection) that modify symptoms. Symptoms are often mild and do not require treatment. If more disabling, there are effective suppression medications available.
The CNI Movement Disorders Center is involved with the national Tourette Syndrome Study Group and a variety of research projects. The local Rocky Mountain regional chapter of the Tourette's Syndrome Association is available for support groups and resource materials.
Progressive balance and coordination problems, known as ataxia, may result from damage to or degeneration of the cerebellum. This structure in the back of the brain is responsible for many coordinated tasks such as speaking and walking.
Recent research has revealed a wide range of causes for ataxia including more than one dozen inherited conditions.
The CNI Movement Disorders Center provides state-of-the-art diagnostic testing and care to affected individuals with ataxia.
This relatively common problem can be very disruptive to normal sleep activity. Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) typically causes uncomfortable sensations in the limbs that make going to sleep difficult.
In addition, many people with RLS have Periodic Limb Movement disorder (PLMD) consisting of involuntary limb jerking while asleep.
RLS may be caused by specific medical problems such as iron deficiency anemia or it can run in families as an inherited condition. Effective therapy is available for most patients.
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Colorado Neurological
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