Clinical studies & DBS
It is important that movement disorders are recognised, diagnosed and treated appropriately. For this reason, clinical and therapeutic research takes up an important position at UMCG Movement Disorders. Our scientists are using a range of approaches to increase our knowledge of diagnostics and treatment and the impact of disease on daily life.
In children and young adults with dystonia, we are systematically investigating the impact of dystonia on quality of life by mapping motor and non-motor symptoms. In parallel, research is being done into the occurrence of movement disorders in metabolic diseases and the impact this has on patient quality of life.
One or more rating scales exist for each movement disorder, to map the severity of the disorder. Within the UMCG, we do a lot of research with these rating scales, for instance by administering them to healthy children, which enables us to evaluate the influence of age on the scale’s results.
For patients with movement disorders, deep brain stimulation (DBS) can be a good treatment. We are conducting several studies into the effects of DBS on Parkinson’s disease, tremor and dystonia. In the clinic, our researchers are measuring multiple domains of functioning in dystonia and evaluating the predictive value of electromyography (EMG) on DBS efficacy.
DBS
Automated Deep Brain Stimulation therapy for Movement Disorders
Ataxia
European SARA Age-Validation Trial
Recognition of Early Onset Ataxia
Myoclonus
Progressive myoclonus ataxia: an international database
Parkinson
Apomorphine in Parkinson’s disease patients with visual hallucinations: a RCT
Treatment of apomorphine-induced skin reactions
The DBS team