Our Approach to Movement Disorders

US News Neurosurgery badge

The Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Movement Disorders Center is at the forefront of delivering the most advanced and innovative care for patients with all types of movement disorders. Our world-renowned, interdisciplinary specialists have among the most diverse expertise in a spectrum of related disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and related conditions, essential tremor, dystonia, tardive dystonia or dyskinesia, Tourette’s syndrome, spasticity, and other movement disorders. These conditions can result from various causes, including genetic factors, infections, trauma, metabolic abnormalities, and neurodegenerative processes.

We utilize advanced technologies, including precise minimally invasive surgical placement of electrodes into brain areas uniquely involved in mediating specific movement disorders, along with subsequent programming and refinement of stimulation parameters to optimally treat individual conditions. We are ranked in the top 1% of all hospitals in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery, according to U.S. News & World Report, and an international referral site for complex and challenging movement disorder cases.

Our highly specialized team of leading experts from neurology, neurological surgery, neuroradiology, cognitive neuroscience, neurorehabilitation and biotechnology works together through consensus conferences and precision medicine initiatives, integrating AI into a comprehensive management plan to optimize functional recovery and avoid debilitating side effects often associated with medical management alone.

Nurosurgeons operating on a patient

Leading-Edge Surgical Management

The most common movement disorders are Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. Medical therapy is the first line of treatment for all three conditions, but there are also effective surgical treatments in circumstances where medical therapy fails to control the symptoms or is associated with unacceptable side effects.

Clinical Trials for Movement Disorders

Find a clinical trial that’s right for you.

Clinical Trials illustration

Innovative Surgical Solutions

Montefiore Einstein has developed several effective neurosurgical treatments for movement disorders. By improving our understanding of basal ganglia circuitry and evolving neurosurgical techniques, we have contributed greatly to how treatment is approached both in our center and in care facilities worldwide. With each discovery, we will move closer to fully restoring function for patients with Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, or tremors.

Happy non-binary person playing vintage accordion.

Your Comprehensive Movement Disorders Center Team

Our multidisciplinary team of movement disorder experts is at the forefront of movement disorder care and the development of therapies through a better understanding of the interrelationships between movement disorders and neuromuscular disorders, as well as between movement disorders and psychological conditions. Our specialists also have a keen interest in the genetics of movement disorders. From prevention to treatment options, we will propose an individualized treatment plan that fits your needs and lifestyle.

Meet Your Comprehensive Movement Disorders Center Team

About Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a movement disorder of the nervous system that gets progressively worse over time. Humans have about 200,000 dopaminergic neurons at baseline. With age, some of these neurons are lost. In some individuals, dopaminergic neurons are lost at a higher-than-normal rate, leading to PD. Affected individuals may begin to notice problems with slowing of movement, tremor, stiffness or rigidity in the limbs or the trunk of the body, or impaired balance. As symptoms progress, people may have difficulty walking, talking or completing other simple tasks. Not everyone with one or more of these symptoms has PD, as the symptoms appear in other diseases as well. Hence, an important facet of optimizing care is to arrive at an accurate diagnosis, whether it is PD or another disorder.

About Dystonia

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary or unintended muscle contractions that cause intense and sustained movements or abnormal postures that can, at times, be painful. There are several different forms of dystonia that may affect only one muscle, groups of muscles or muscles throughout the body. The affected areas and severity of symptoms vary from person to person. Some types of dystonia are heritable or genetic, while others arise without a known genetic predilection. Accurately diagnosing the type of dystonia is an important first step in providing the most effective treatment.

Learn More About Parkinson’s Disease & Dystonia

Find Movement Disorders Care Locations

We have more locations than ever to help you with the diagnosis and treatment of movement disorders.

Find Cancer Care Locations

Schedule a Consultation

Consultations are available in-person, by phone or by video visit. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Woman using a tablet on sofa to schedule a consultation

Refer a Patient

Our referral hotline is staffed Monday–Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM to address referrals for patients who need urgent neurosurgical evaluation and management. 

A doctor referring a patient by texting on a smartphone