Atypical Parkinson's Disease

Expertise in treating atypical parkinsonian syndromes

Atypical Parkinson’s Program in Boston

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) provides not only world-class care to people with Parkinson’s disease, but our dedicated Atypical Parkinson’s Program provides diagnosis for those showing signs and treatment for those with atypical Parkinson’s. We are a Center of Excellence for Multiple System Atrophy, one of the atypical Parkinson’s conditions.

Understanding Atypical Parkinson's

Atypical Parkinson’s conditions are a group of neurological diseases that share some traits of classic Parkinson’s disease but also have other symptoms. Atypical Parkinson’s conditions include the Multiple System Atrophies (MSA), a group of subtypes of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD).

Comprehensive Atypical Parkinsonism Care Team

The best treatment for each symptom requires an integrated approach with expertise from our atypical Parkinson’s care team. In addition to symptom control, we focus on education and guidance of caregivers and your local support network. This includes your primary care provider.

You also can access BIDMC social workers, resource specialists and palliative care specialists at any stage of the disease. In addition, our center plays an active role in clinical trials for various of the Atypical Parkinson’s conditions.

More About Atypical Parkinson’s Disease Care

Treatments We Offer

After our neurologists have diagnosed you with atypical Parkinsonism, we create an individualized management plan. The course of management we offer varies based on your symptoms and goals. We can adjust the goals for treatment and management of symptoms as the disease progresses.

Our team may make use of the following services

Nutrition care
Oral (by mouth) medications similar to medications given for Parkinson's disease
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Speech and swallow therapy and implementation of assistive technologies
Evaluation and treatment for sleep apnea
Vision therapy

Injectable medications (such as botulinum toxin, or Botox)
Palliative Care
Urology for management of bladder symptoms
Gastroenterology for management of severe constipation
Cognitive behavioral neurology for mood and cognitive symptoms
Autonomic team to manage autonomic symptoms including low blood pressure

We typically don’t use deep brain stimulation (DBS) for those with atypical Parkinsonism.

Research & Clinical Trials

Atypical Parkinsonian syndromes are rare. Therefore, there are fewer chances to join research trials than for those with classic Parkinson’s disease. Ongoing research trials focus on these areas:

Identifying biomarkers
Offering medications that may slow progression of the disease
Treating symptoms

Your neurologist will guide you to clinical trials that are available and relevant for your particular disease subtype and stage.

Interdisciplinary Clinic for Parkinsonian Syndromes

Periodically, we offer a half-day clinic focused on atypical parkinsonian syndromes. This allows us to coordinate multiple specialty appointments with members of our interdisciplinary team in a single visit for you. The clinic also enables you and your caregivers to meet others with a similar disease. (Note: this is organized by the primary neurologist).