Research
The Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders Center at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine conducts a large number of research projects. We actively collaborate with basic scientists in the university to bring their discoveries to the clinical setting, as well as our peers in the field of movement disorder research.
Research Areas
Parkinson's Disease/Atypical Parkinsonisms
Our center does extensive research in Parkinson's disease, a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system. Our research includes both industry-sponsored and investigator-driven studies aimed at symptomatic improvement as well as disease modification. We also specialize in other forms of parkinsonism, including atypical syndromes such as Multiple System Atrophy and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
We are a Center of Excellence with the Parkinson Foundation. Centers of Excellence are top medical institutions featuring comprehensive care that meet every patient need and provide access to clinical trials and experimental therapies. We also collaborate with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for research in Parkinson’s disease.
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Huntington's Disease
Our center does extensive research in Huntington's Disease, a hereditary degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. Basic and clinical research is the best way to improve our understanding of the causes of Huntington's Disease, with the ultimate goal of finding new treatment options.
Our scientists have contributed significantly to the understanding of the mechanism underlying this disease, and we are a Huntington Study Group credentialed research site.
Ataxia
Basic and clinical research is the best way to improve our understanding of the causes of ataxia, with the ultimate goal of finding new treatment options.
Our center’s research includes the study balance and coordination issues when performing voluntary movements. The Opal Laboratory studies the cellular and molecular basis of human neurodegenerative syndromes that affect the cerebellum and basal ganglia to result in abnormalities of movement such as ataxia and parkinsonism.
We are a member of the Clinical Research Consortium for the Study of Cerebellar Ataxias, a research consortium funded by the National Ataxia Foundation. In this consortium, patients with ataxias are monitored to understand the natural progression of the disease and participate in clinical studies to evaluate potential therapeutic interventions. These clinical studies are closely connected with the research on cerebellar disorders at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Dystonia
Our center’s research includes the study of dystonia or involuntary contraction of muscles. Our research has included the study of neurotoxins as well as neurosurgical interventions for dystonia.
Essential Tremors & Other Tremor Disorders
Our center’s research includes the study of various tremor disorders, wherein individuals are subjected to involuntary, rhythmic, oscillatory movement about a joint, and it can be a manifestation of a variety of neurological conditions.
Tic Disorders
The goal of tic disorders research at our center is to develop innovative, multidisciplinary treatments for people and families affected by tic disorders and other movement disorders. We aim to conduct pre-clinical and clinical research to extend the knowledge and treatment of simple and complex tic disorders.
Northwestern Movement Disorders Center is in collaboration with Tourette’s Association of America, demonstrating our commitment to optimizing treatment for tic disorders.
Wilson's Disease
Our center conducts research related to Wilson’s disease, a rare genetic disorder that causes excessive copper accumulation in the liver and brain.We are one of six worldwide Wilson’s Disease Association Center of Excellence, demonstrating our commitment to optimizing Wilson’s disease care.
Meet the Investigators
Click on the names of our investigators below to visit their faculty profiles and learn more about their recent work.
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