Movement Disorders Course

Lesson 1 • Classification of Movement Disorders

Introduces hypokinetic, hyperkinetic, and ataxic disorder categories with defining clinical features. Builds a taxonomic framework used throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Neuroanatomy of Motor Control

Covers basal ganglia, cerebellum, and motor cortex architecture and their roles in movement. Provides the anatomical framework for understanding all subsequent disorder mechanisms.

Lesson 3 • Physiology of Normal Movement

Explains neurotransmitter systems, motor unit recruitment, and feedback mechanisms enabling smooth movement. Links normal physiology to pathological deviations seen in disorders.

Lesson 1 • Structured History-Taking Techniques

Teaches onset, progression, triggers, and family history elicitation tailored to movement complaints. Accurate history narrows the differential before examination begins.

Lesson 2 • Phenomenological Description of Abnormal Movements

Trains precise characterization of tremor, chorea, dystonia, myoclonus, and tics by observation. Accurate phenomenology is the cornerstone of movement disorder diagnosis.

Lesson 3 • Validated Rating Scales and Tools

Introduces standardized scales for quantifying severity and tracking progression over time. Proficiency with rating tools enables consistent clinical and research communication.

Lesson 4 • Neurological Examination for Movement

Covers tone, rigidity, bradykinesia, reflexes, and coordination testing with standardized techniques. Examination findings directly map to disorder categories introduced in Chapter 1.

Lesson 1 • Laboratory and Genetic Testing

Covers metabolic panels, autoimmune markers, copper studies, and genetic panels for treatable causes. Systematic laboratory testing prevents missed diagnoses of reversible conditions.

Lesson 2 • Functional and Molecular Imaging

Explains dopamine transporter imaging, PET tracers, and their diagnostic utility in parkinsonian syndromes. Functional imaging bridges clinical uncertainty and pathological confirmation.

Lesson 3 • Neurophysiological Testing

Teaches EMG, EEG, and accelerometry applications for characterizing tremor, myoclonus, and cortical excitability. Neurophysiology provides objective data complementing clinical observation.

Lesson 1 • Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Approaches

Integrates physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and dietetics into Parkinson's disease care. Rehabilitation complements pharmacotherapy to maintain function and independence.

Lesson 2 • Pathophysiology and Neuropathology

Explains alpha-synuclein aggregation, Lewy body formation, and progressive dopaminergic neuron loss. Pathological staging informs prognosis and therapeutic target selection.

Lesson 3 • Pharmacological Treatment Strategies

Covers levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, and adjunct therapies with evidence-based initiation and titration. Treatment selection balances efficacy, side effects, and disease stage.

Lesson 4 • Non-Motor Symptom Management

Addresses autonomic dysfunction, sleep disorders, cognitive impairment, depression, and psychosis in Parkinson's disease. Non-motor symptoms significantly affect quality of life and require targeted intervention.

Lesson 1 • Multiple System Atrophy

Explains alpha-synuclein oligodendrogliopathy, autonomic failure, cerebellar and parkinsonian subtypes. Early autonomic testing distinguishes MSA from Parkinson's disease and guides management.

Lesson 2 • Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Covers fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations, REM sleep behavior disorder, and neuroleptic sensitivity. Distinguishing DLB from Parkinson's disease dementia affects medication safety.

Lesson 3 • Corticobasal Syndrome

Addresses asymmetric cortical and basal ganglia degeneration, alien limb, apraxia, and cortical sensory loss. Pathological heterogeneity requires cautious prognostic counseling.

Lesson 1 • Tremor Disorders

Classifies essential, orthostatic, task-specific, and Holmes tremor with distinct treatment pathways. Tremor classification built on examination skills from Chapter 2 drives management decisions.

Lesson 2 • Chorea and Huntington's Disease

Covers CAG repeat expansion, chorea mechanisms, psychiatric features, and disease-modifying research in Huntington's disease. Genetic counseling is integral to management of hereditary chorea.

Lesson 3 • Dystonia Classification and Treatment

Applies the axis-based classification of dystonia and covers botulinum toxin, oral medications, and surgical options. Botulinum toxin injection is the primary treatment for focal dystonias.

Lesson 4 • Myoclonus and Tic Disorders

Differentiates cortical, subcortical, and spinal myoclonus and covers Tourette syndrome diagnosis and management. Accurate localization of myoclonus determines treatment selection.

Lesson 1 • Infusion Therapies for Advanced Parkinson's

Covers continuous subcutaneous apomorphine and intestinal levodopa-carbidopa infusion for refractory motor fluctuations. Infusion therapies bridge the gap between oral therapy and DBS candidacy.

Lesson 2 • Postoperative Management and Follow-Up

Addresses medication adjustment, stimulator programming optimization, and complication recognition after surgical intervention. Ongoing follow-up determines long-term surgical success.

Lesson 3 • Patient Selection and Candidacy

Covers neuropsychological evaluation, levodopa response testing, and multidisciplinary candidacy criteria for DBS. Rigorous selection maximizes benefit and minimizes surgical risk.

Lesson 4 • Focused Ultrasound and Radiosurgery

Covers MRI-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy and stereotactic radiosurgery as incisionless ablative options. These modalities expand surgical access for patients who cannot undergo DBS.

Lesson 1 • Disease-Modifying Therapy Research

Reviews alpha-synuclein, tau, and huntingtin-targeting strategies in clinical trials for neuroprotection. Understanding trial design enables practitioners to counsel patients on experimental options.

Lesson 2 • Gene Therapy and Cell-Based Approaches

Covers viral vector delivery, CRISPR applications, and stem cell transplantation strategies for movement disorders. Gene therapy represents a paradigm shift from symptomatic to curative intent.

Lesson 3 • Precision Medicine in Movement Disorders

Applies genomic, proteomic, and imaging biomarker stratification to individualize treatment selection. Precision approaches reduce trial-and-error prescribing and improve outcomes.