Parkinson's disease Archive

February 5, 2024

VUMC recognized for atypical Parkinsonism care and research

Vanderbilt’s Department of Neurology has been named a CurePSP Center of Care

September 14, 2023

Study suggests way to relieve cognitive deficits caused by Parkinson’s disease

Vanderbilt research raises the possibility of using DBS to slow the decline of cognitive function, a major source of disability, diminished quality of life, and death in more than three-quarters of patients with Parkinson’s disease.

By Bill Snyder

photo of David Charles and Mallory Hacker

June 7, 2023

Deep brain sweet spot might be key to halt Parkinson’s

A sweet spot in the deep brain with direct lines of communication to motor regions far out on the cerebral cortex might hold a key to halting the progression of early-stage Parkinson’s disease.

By Paul Govern

The certification team included, from left, Arlene Boudreaux, MSN, RN, CNRN, Ryan Schell, PharmD, BCPS, Fenna Phibbs, MD, MPH, and Jessica Stroh, RN. (photo by Donn Jones)

December 1, 2022

VUMC receives national certification for Parkinson’s disease care

Vanderbilt University Medical Center recently became the nation’s second health care organization to receive The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Parkinson’s Disease Certification.

By Paul Govern

November 17, 2022

Study examines impulsiveness in Parkinson’s disease

Vanderbilt researchers are studying aspects of dopamine release and its regulation in Parkinson’s patients with and without impulsive-compulsive behaviors.

By Paul Govern

June 30, 2020

Pilot study suggests Parkinson’s disease progression can be slowed

A pair of ultra-thin electrodes surgically implanted deep into the brain might slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease, according to five-year outcomes from a 30-patient randomized clinical trial conducted by investigators at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

By Paul Govern

December 6, 2018 Neuromodulation Society honors Hacker’s Parkinson’s research
Mallory Hacker, PhD, research assistant professor of Neurology, is the 2019 recipient of the Kumar New Investigator Award from the North American Neuromodulation Society.
By Tom Wilemon
August 30, 2018 Parkinson’s study to track impact of DBS on earliest patients
A decade after taking part in the first clinical trial of deep brain stimulation (DBS) administered during very early-stage Parkinson’s disease, participants will return to Vanderbilt University Medical Center this year to be re-evaluated.
By Tom Wilemon
June 29, 2018 DBS treatment may slow tremor progression in early-stage Parkinson’s patients
June 29, 2018 - Analysis of data from a clinical trial conducted at Vanderbilt suggests that deep brain stimulation (DBS) administered to patients with very early-stage Parkinson’s disease slowed the progression of rest tremor. The study, published June 29 in Neurology, is significant because it is the first evidence of a treatment that may possibly delay the progression of one of the cardinal features of Parkinson’s disease.
By Tom Wilemon
January 18, 2018 Investigators eye new target for treating movement disorders
Blocking a nerve-cell receptor in part of the brain that coordinates movement could improve the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, dyskinesia and other movement disorders, researchers at Vanderbilt University have reported.
By Bill Snyder
October 27, 2017 Impulsivity in Parkinson’s Disease
A noninvasive MRI technique may help predict a troubling side effect of common medications for Parkinson’s Disease and improve clinical treatment plans.
By Allyson Mallya
September 1, 2016 Trial to test whether DBS slows Parkinson’s progression
A consortium led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) researchers has received funding as it makes plans for a multicenter trial that could determine whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) slows the progression of Parkinson’s disease in early-stage patients.
By Tom Wilemon
March 24, 2016 Deep brain stimulation program marks milestones
Vanderbilt Clinical Neurosciences is marking two milestones — the 20th anniversary of its deep brain stimulation (DBS) program and its 1,000th DBS procedure.
By Tom Wilemon