Department of Neurology
Important updates for patients with Parkinson's disease, friends, and families.
1. Generic forms of Stalevo (carbidopa/levodopa/entacapone) are now available in all strengths.
2. Neupro (rotigotine) has returned to the market, as of July 2012.
The Vanderbilt Parkinson's Disease Center
The mission of the VPDC is to provide excellence in research, patient care, and education in Parkinson’s Disease and related disorders.
RESEARCH
The VPDC has active programs in clinical trials for PD, investigations of genetic contributors to movement disorders, and also development of pluripotent stem cells for the future treatment of PD and other neurological disorders. Current clinical trials are focusing on feasibility in interventions that slow the progression of PD and also treatment of motor fluctuations in PD.
For more information about participating in clinical trials in PD, please contact Ms. Dorothy Shearon, RN, at (615)-936-0219.
PATIENT CARE
The VPDC has the largest clinical program in the state of Tennessee and offers medical and surgical management options for patients with PD and related disorders.
To schedule an appointment with consulting physicians in the VPDC, please ask your primary physician or neurologist to send a referral to Ms. Linda Perry, 1161 21st Ave South, A-0118 MCN, Nashville, TN 37232. Please be aware that insurance authorization will be necessary.
EDUCATION
The educational program has several components.
Physicians in training may rotate with VPDC physicians. Fellowship applications should visit the Fellowship site.
The VPDC also offers patient outreach services including networking with patients support groups through a grant from the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF). This program is headed by Ms. Kelly Arney. Along with monthly support group meetings, Ms. Arney coordinates an annual "Blazing for a Cure" PD symposium in October. Families and patients are invited to attend this educational program.
The 14th Annual Program will be held on October 6, 2012, from 8:30am until noon.
VPDC Members
Director: Thomas L. Davis, M.D., Professor of Neurology
- Kelly Arney, NPF Outreach Coordinator
- P. David Charles, M.D. Associate Professor of Neurology
- Daniel O. Claassen, M.D. M.S., Assistant Professor of Neurology
- Michael Cooper, M.D., Assistant Professor of Neurology
- John Y. Fang, M.D., Assistant Professor of Neurology
- Elizabeth Ferluga, M.D., Clinical Instructor
- Peter Hedera, M.D., Associate Professor of Neurology
- Changqing Chris Kao, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
- Peter E. Konrad, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery &Biomedical Engineering
- Heather Koons, M.D., Clinical Instructor
- Joseph S. Neimat, M.D., Assistant Professor of Neurosurgical Surgery
- Fenna T. Phibbs, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Neurology
- David Robertson, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology and Neurology
- Dorothy Shearon, R.N., Clinical Research Nurse
- Christopher Tolleson, M.D., Assistant Professor of Neurology
- Michael Tramontana, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology
- Scott Wylie, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Neurology
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION MATERIAL
Documents (PDF files)
Tyramines in PD
Patient and Caregiver Conference on Parkinson’s disease:
http://media-srv1.its.vanderbilt.edu/asxgen/neurology/npf_081011a.wmv
http://media-srv1.its.vanderbilt.edu/asxgen/neurology/npf_081011b.wmv
Real:
http://media-srv1.its.vanderbilt.edu/ramgen/neurology/npf_081011a.rm
http://media-srv1.its.vanderbilt.edu/ramgen/neurology/npf_081011b.rm
Phone (615) 936-0060
Fax (615) 936-1229
Additional Links of Interest:
1) NINDS - Parkinson's disease
2) WeMove.org
3) National Parkinson Foundation
