FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 17, 2001

CONTACT: Carole Gan
UC Davis Health System
(916) 734-9047

UC DAVIS AND KAISER PERMANENTE OFFER EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MOVEMENT DISORDERS

SACRAMENTO, Calif. --UC Davis Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente are teaming up to offer an interactive educational conference for people with movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. The free conference takes place Thursday, April 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Sacramento Radisson Hotel.

The conference will focus on providing patients and caregivers with information on the latest medical and surgical treatments for these movement disorders. Participants may also sign up for sessions on techniques for managing speech and swallowing problems; handling grief associated with a chronic illness; medical and herbal remedies; and management tips for those with deep brain stimulators. They will also have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with experts in the field.

"We're fortunate to be able to use the joint resources of UC Davis Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente in organizing this educational conference," said Vicki Wheelock, assistant professor of neurology at UC Davis School of Medicine and Medical Center. "The teaching and research strengths at the medical center complement wonderfully the clinical expertise and infrastructure at Kaiser."

Approximately six to seven percent of this country's population are affected with a movement disorder such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's Disease, essential tremor and dystonia. Parkinson's disease, which affects approximately one million individuals nationwide, once was regarded primarily as an affliction of "old age." Much of that perception educational conference is changing now with actor Michael J. Fox speaking publicly about his experience with the disease.

Because many movement disorders are linked with age, especially Parkinson's disease, Wheelock believes physicians will continue to see an increase in the number of patients diagnosed with these disorders due to the aging baby boomer population. By providing an educational conference to patients and their caregivers, Wheelock hopes more people will take advantage of the advances in medical and surgical treatments.

"These movement disorders are extremely treatable by many modalities including neurological surgery and newly developed drugs," Wheelock said. "We urge people affected with these disorders to explore all treatment options. Despite the progressive nature of movement disorders, most people can stay highly functional for long periods of time with treatment."

Advanced surgical treatments include inserting a deep brain stimulator, or tiny electrode, into a small region of the brain. A fine filament wire connects the electrode to a pulse generator placed below the patient's collarbone and programmed by a lap top computer in much the same way pacemakers are controlled. By passing a radio frequency pulse wand over the pulse generator, a physician can use the computer to change parameters of the deep brain stimulator in order to optimize benefits for the patient.

For nearly 15 years, physicians have used botulinum toxin to treat patients with muscle spasms, especially those affected with dystonia. However, this treatment also helps those with Parkinson's disease, Essential tremor and various tics such as Tourette's syndrome.

Stem cell research, although novel and controversial, also holds tantalizing possibilities for improving treatment of movement disorders. This type of research will most certainly have an impact on this field in the future because it is a powerful tool for understanding disease mechanisms and developing new therapeutics, Wheelock said. In addition to advances in medical and surgical treatments, Wheelock says a multidisciplinary approach to patient care and the dedication of nurse practitioners enable patients with movement disorders to function longer and to lead fuller lives than was possible even five years ago.

"Kaiser Permanente is pleased to co-sponsor this important educational event," said Conrad Pappas, director of the neuroscience program at Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento. "With the technological advances in today's medicine, there is a great deal of information to share about the newest surgical, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for Parkinson's disease, Essential tremor, and dystonia."

Registration, conference material and lunch will be provided free of charge but pre-registration is mandatory due to limited space. For a brochure or registration, please contact Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center at (916) 971-0893.

This conference is sponsored by UC Davis Medical Center Movement Disorder Programs, Kaiser Permanente Sacramento, Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center and supported by grants from Medtronic Neurological and Elan Pharmaceuticals.

Copies of all news releases from UC Davis Health System are available on the Web at http://news.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu