Parkinson's Disease

Dr. Julia Staisch and Dr. David Houghton are specialty-trained neurologists and Colleen Knoop is a specialty-trained nurse practitioner in the field of movement disorders. Dominique Thomas is the movement disorders and Deep Brain Stimulation Program coordinator.

We see patients with Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, restless leg syndrome, Huntington’s disease and Tourette’s syndrome, to name a few. We are named a Huntington’s Disease Society of America Center of Excellence and are a Parkinson’s Foundation Comprehensive Care Center Designation.

We also work in close collaboration with neurosurgery, neuropsychology and our allied health partners (physical, occupational and speech therapy) in several interdisciplinary clinics.

While there is still no cure for Parkinson's disease, management by a Parkinson's disease specialist often results in many years of good quality of life.

Levodopa remains the most effective medication available for the symptoms of Parkinson's. It can be found in the medications Sinemet, Parcopa and Stalevo (among others). However, because chronic use of levodopa can lead to a different kind of abnormal movement called "dyskinesia,'' many neurologists try to limit this medication as much as possible.

Depending on the symptoms of the patient and their other health problems, many other kinds of medications may be used. The most commonly used group besides levodopa are the "dopamine agonists" including ropinerole (Requip) and pramipexole (Mirapex).

Deep Brain Stimulation therapy can be used with medical therapy.

It is not a cure for Parkinson's disease, nor does it replace medications, but it can significantly improve the symptoms of Parkinson's in appropriate patients.

Neurosurgeons across the world are learning how to place the fine wire into the deep brain, but many do not work in close collaboration with a Parkinson's disease specialist. The involvement of the specialized neurologist in all steps of the procedure greatly effects the success of the surgery.

At Ochsner, only patients who have been seen and evaluated by a Parkinson's disease specialist (neurologist) and deemed appropriate candidates are referred for surgery. The neurologist is then present during the surgery for critical intra-operative testing. After surgery, the patient is followed closely in the neurology department for programming of the generator and optimizing medications.