Neuroscience Research + Innovation
Taking Out the Trash
Parkinson's Disease
Advancing Parkinson's care and research.
As the first Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence in South Carolina, MUSC Health offers the only comprehensive movement disorders program in the state. Through MUSC, our team of specialists have access to advanced technology, leading research, and a greater number of treatment options. Working together, we can create a personalized, comprehensive treatment plan so we create to improve your quality of life.
How genetic testing is changing treatments for Parkinson’s.
Genetic testing is resulting in more precise, effective trials and treatment since new therapies are regularly being developed for certain genetic changes associated with PD.
Parkinsons Awareness Month
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Parkinson’s Disease: how we can help
At MUSC Health’s Movement Disorders Program, our doctors understand the daily challenges of living with Parkinson’s disease and have the depth of resources to ensure you’re receiving the best care and support available today.
What is Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder and according to the Parkinson’s Foundation, Parkinson’s disease affects approximately 15,000 South Carolinians, and it projects that nearly 1.2 million people in the U.S. will be living with this condition by 2030. The disease is progressive and its hallmark features include slowness of movement, muscle stiffness, tremor, and imbalance.
There is no definitive test for Parkinson’s disease so the diagnosis depends on expert clinical assessment.
Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms
The symptoms of Parkinson's disease can be caused by a variety of factors, although most people are primarily familiar with tremors. The risk of developing Parkinson’s increases with age, particularly for those over 60. While herbicides and pesticides are significant risk factors, exposure to other common toxins, such as those found in dry-cleaning agents, can also increase the risk. Additionally, men appear to be more susceptible to this neurodegenerative disease than women.
While historically categorized as a movement disorder, Parkinson’s disease causes a variety of nonmotor features such as difficulties with sleep or reasoning that can further impact quality of life.
Advanced Technology: We have sophisticated technology to aid diagnosis and treatment. We are one of a few select centers in the state with dopamine transporter imaging (DaTscan) capabilities for diagnosing Parkinson’s disease. An accurate diagnosis is crucial for getting you the treatment you need.
Parkinson’s Treatments at MUSC
Our program offers a multidisciplinary approach when assessing and treating patients with Parkinson’s Disease. This means we have neurologists and specialty staff such as physical therapists and psychiatrists with specific expertise in movement disorders who coordinate for each patient’s needs. That is important because research shows that having a neurologist care for Parkinson’s Disease patients is associated with improved treatment and survival rates.
We also offer neuropsychological assessments to test brain function; specialized rehabilitation therapies such as Lee Silverman Voice Therapy Program to improve speech volume; Lee Silverman Big therapy, a Parkinson’s Disease-specific exercise program; and a nationally recognized psychiatry program that can help patients understand and manage mental health issues related to their diagnosis. We are actively involved in national, multicenter clinical trials and translational research to contribute to advancing both the understanding of the disease and the discovery of promising new therapies. As a National Institutes of Health-designated center for neuroprotective studies, our team is researching treatments that will slow or prevent nerve damage caused by Parkinson’s Disease. We are also conducting research on cognitive impairment, biomarkers, and freezing of gait (walking issues).
Innovative Treatments: Our doctors were the first in South Carolina to use deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. DBS provides symptom relief when medications are not working. We also have special expertise with the Duopa™ Parkinson's medication pump, a device that maximizes a medication’s effects. Learn more about treating movement disorders.
Recent neurology news.
Resources for Parkinson's Patients
To learn more about support groups and helpful state and national organizations, view the Parkinson's disease primer (PDF).
New Parkinson's Disease-related topics are announced each month. Sessions are offered monthly on the first Thursday of each month.
2025 Dates and topics
May 1 - Parkinson's and Lewy Body Dementia Care Partners: Unique Challenges and Novel Approaches to Support with Dr. Jori Fleisher, MUSC
June 5 - Acute Rehab for the Parkinson's Patient with Dr. Eric Westerbeck, Encompass Rehab
July 3 - Trident Area Agency on Aging, Julie Courtright CIRS A/D, Assessment Coordinator
August 7 - Oral Health and Parkinson’s Disease with Dr. Joni Nelson, MUSC
September 4 - Optimizing Sleep for Brain Health and Daytime Function with Dr. Andrea Rinn, MUSC
October 2 - Deep Brain Stimulation and Focused Ultrasound with Dr. Nathan DeTurk, MUSC
November 6 - Caregiver with Dr. Lilia Lovera, MUSC
December 4 - Working Out Through the Holidays with Physical and Occupational Therapy, MUSC
Registration
Virtual registration: Click on each date to register.
In-person registration:
Email Nicole Cool at cool@musc.edu to register.
Please include each attendee and sandwich choices with registration: Hollings Cafe Menu
In-person attendees will receive a boxed lunch at the end of the session. Up to 25 people will be able to register for an in-person* session held on MUSC main campus!
A caregiver class based on the premise of empowering community members close to the people with Parkinson's Disease (PD) to be trained as volunteer caregivers or an as-needed helper, depending on defined needs by the people with Parkinson's. Some of the services caregivers could provide include companionship, time, reading to patient, taking a walk, assistance with light housekeeping, shopping, transportation, or meal prep.
- Class is offered 3 times per year during Lunch and Learns with focus on the following:
- Motor and non-motor symptoms
- Psychological stressors
- Treatment
- Safety and fall prevention
- Swallowing precautions
- Importance of medication compliance
- Coping
- Exercise
- Relaxation
- Those invited to participate:
- PD patient and care partner
- Potential new patient care partners:
- Family members
- Volunteers
- Friends
- Church members
- Neighbors
2025 Class Dates
- July 3
- November 6
Registration: To register, please select a date above or email Nicole Cool at cool@musc.edu to come in person.
For More Information
For more information about the Caregiver Assistance Program, please email MUSC Health Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence Nurse Coordinator Nicole Cool, BSN, RN, at cool@musc.edu.
For "newly diagnosed" patients—defined as one year or less of a new PD diagnosis—our orientation covers helpful topics such as:
- Introduction to Parkinson's Disease and current treatment options
- Introduction to MUSC Health Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence Team
- Community resources locally and globally
- Tips and recommendations from Occupational Therapy on Parkinson's Disease and work life
- Role of Physical Therapy in early Parkinson's Disease and overall importance of exercise
- Role of Speech Therapy in early Parkinson's Disease for speech, voice, swallowing, and communication changes
- Overview of research in Parkinson's Disease, how to stay informed and get involved
Orientation is taught by an MUSC Health Movement Disorders Team:
- Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence Team
- Movement Disorders Physician
- Nurse Coordinator
- Neuropsychologist
- Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy
- Speech Therapy
Location & Time:
In-person sessions are on Fridays from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
2025 Orientation Dates:
- May 16
Registration
To register for the orientation, please email Nicole Cool at cool@musc.edu or call 843-792-7859
For More Information
For more information about the orientation, or if you are not able to attend in person, please email MUSC Health Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence Nurse Coordinator Nicole Cool, BSN, RN, at cool@musc.edu.
Videos and Podcasts
- Nutrition & Parkinson's Disease (podcast)
- Managing Parkinson's disease in the first year after diagnosis
- Exercise for Patients with Parkinson’s Disease (video)
- Nutrition in Parkinson's (video)
- Parkinson's Disease & Medication - What's New (video)
- Women and PD (video)
- Veterans and Parkinson's Disease: What you need to know | A Virtual Symposium (video)
- Managing Mental Health Problems with Parkinson's Disease (podcast)
Articles
