Parkinson's Disease

A Parkinson’s disease Center of Excellence, we offer Parkinson’s diagnosis and more Parkinson’s treatment options than any other center in the region.

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1-800-777-8442

For Neurology related requests:: 1-319-356-2572

For Neurosurgery related requests:: 1-319-356-2237

For Psychiatry related requests:: 1-319-353-6314

University of Iowa Health Care is one of the top destinations in the country for diagnosing and treating Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.

A leader in Parkinson’s disease treatment and research, we’re the only center in Iowa designated as a Parkinson’s Center of Excellence. We’re also one of fewer than 50 centers of excellence worldwide.

Our specialists have years of experience with diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease and can offer expert second opinions.

We offer the newest therapies, and our research program is one of the most active in the nation. That gives you access to groundbreaking treatments not available anywhere else.

Parkinson’s disease symptoms and diagnosis

If you have Parkinson’s disease, you have a shortage of a brain chemical called dopamine. Dopamine helps your brain control muscles by sending messages through your nervous system.

Parkinson’s disease causes gradual damage to the nerve cells that create dopamine. As those cells die, the brain loses its ability to control movement.

Parkinson’s is a progressive disease. Early symptoms can be mild, but they get worse over time. Your UI Health Care team will help you manage your symptoms and slow down their progress.

Symptoms

Parkinson’s disease can be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms are different for everyone and can be very mild at first. The UI Health Care team has deep expertise in diagnosing this disease, even in its earliest stages.

Some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:

Tremor or shaking
Slow movement (bradykinesia)
Muscle stiffness or rigidity
Trouble with balance, leading to falls
Changes in your speech, such as slurring your words or speaking more softly

Diagnosis

Diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease involves a multidisciplinary team of UI Health Care experts. When you’re seen for possible Parkinson’s disease, three specialists will examine you.

A neurologist will evaluate your movement (chorea), posture, muscle stiffness (rigidity), and balance.
A neuropsychologist will do a cognitive assessment to identify strengths and weaknesses in your thinking processes.
A psychiatrist will assess your current mood and level of day-to-day functioning.

Parkinson’s disease treatment from UI Health Care

Treatment for Parkinson’s disease focuses on controlling your symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease. UI Health Care offers the widest range of treatment options in the region.

Medication

Deciding which medications will be most effective for your Parkinson's disease symptoms requires special expertise. Our physicians are experienced in the use of all Parkinson's disease medications and will work with you to choose the right combination.

The following medications treat symptoms related to movement, like tremor and stiffness. Amantadine reduces dyskinesia (involuntary movements).

Adenosine receptor antagonists block a brain chemical that interferes with dopamine.
Anticholinergic drugs lessen tremors.
Carbidopa-levodopa is converted into dopamine in the brain.
COMT inhibitors block an enzyme that breaks down dopamine.
Dopamine agonists imitate dopamine in the brain.
MAO-B inhibitors prevent dopamine from breaking down in the brain.

Other drugs can treat some of the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. These symptoms might include fatigue, low blood pressure, constipation, insomnia, or sleepiness, among others.

Deep brain stimulation

For many people with Parkinson's disease, deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery is a highly effective way to control symptoms. It's important to make sure that DBS is the best option for you before you have the surgery. Our specialists have the expertise to know whether DBS is likely to be successful for you.

Physical therapy

Exercise can help you stay more mobile, improve your balance, and reduce pain. Physical therapists trained in working with Parkinson’s disease patients will teach you special exercises.

Counseling

Parkinson’s disease affects all aspects of your daily life, from walking and speaking to writing and eating.

Feeling discouraged, angry, or depressed is normal. Antidepressant medications prescribed by your psychiatrist may help. It can also help to talk with a UI Health Care counselor who’s specially trained in working with people who have chronic illnesses.

Changes in the brain caused by Parkinson's disease can lead to dementia. Our team includes specialists in neuropsychological rehabilitation and geriatric nursing who can help you manage any cognitive changes.

Clinical trials

UI Health Care researchers are devoted to finding better ways to treat and diagnose Parkinson’s disease.

In 2021, we launched the Iowa Center for Neurodegeneration. The center focuses on research related to Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

As a UI Health Care patient, you’ll have access to clinical trials for therapies that aren’t available anywhere else in the region.

Current trials related to Parkinson’s disease include investigations of new drugs, the effects of exercise, and the impact of different kinds of brain stimulation.

Your care team

After a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, your neurologist will lead your treatment. Because Parkinson’s affects many different systems in your body, more experts join your team to work together on your treatment plan.

If your symptoms are mild, you will see specialists as needed, in areas such as:

Neuropsychology
Physical and occupational therapy
Speech pathology, including specialists in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT)
Psychiatry

Our nurse practitioner and our clinic coordinator, who specialize in Parkinson’s disease, work closely with your physicians and therapists. They are always available to answer questions, coordinate appointments, and help you navigate your care.

A multidisciplinary clinic built around your convenience and comfort

When your symptoms worsen, you can be seen in our Parkinson’s disease multidisciplinary clinic. Multiple members of your care team come to see you in one location. The team members then meet as a group to talk about adjusting your care plan to minimize your symptoms and maximize your quality of life.

Advanced care for all your needs

Our advanced care team works with UI Health Care’s supportive and palliative care team. Palliative care is not only for people at the end of life. It’s also for anyone living with a serious, lifelong illness.

The team of palliative care specialists will work to improve your overall quality of life, addressing your medical needs and providing social, emotional, and spiritual support.

Genetic testing and counseling: Support for a very personal decision

If you have a family history of Parkinson’s disease, UI Health Care offers genetic testing and counseling. Testing can tell you how much risk you or your family members have for developing the disease. It can also determine eligibility for enrolling in certain clinical trials.

One of our trained genetic counselors will talk with you about your family history and walk you through the testing process. They’ll also explain what the results could mean for you and your family.

Testing is a personal decision, so the genetic counselor will help you think about what it would mean to learn that you or your family members are at risk.

If you decide to be tested, a sample of your blood will be drawn. When the results come in, you’ll meet with the genetic counselor again. They’ll explain your results, provide you with more information, and offer you resources and emotional support if needed.