The Movement Disorders Service at Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery offers advanced treatment options for individuals affected by movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, essential tremor, ataxia, Tourette’s syndrome, myoclonus, and related conditions. We provide state-of-the-art care for patients not only from the metropolitan New York region, but from all over the United States and other countries.
Our movement disorders team is led by Dr. Michael Kaplitt, Executive Vice Chair for Research at Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery and a pioneer in diagnosing and treating movement disorders. Dr. Kaplitt is a leading neurosurgeon with expertise in surgical treatments for movement disorders and pain. In the research laboratory, Dr. Kaplitt leads a team that’s on the forefront of both basic and clinical research geared towards developing novel therapies for a wide range of movement disorders. Find out more about Dr. Kaplitt’s research.
The Movement Disorders service makes use of advanced imaging and guidance technologies for minimally invasive, computer-assisted procedures to precisely target key brain structures. This allows the surgeon to plan and perform the operation as accurately as possible, reducing likelihood of complications. We specialize in deep brain stimulation (DBS), in which electrodes are precisely placed in the appropriate part of the brain for the specific condition. The stimulation provided to the brain minimizes tremors, and a connection to a battery pack on the patient allows the physician to regulate the device without any further need for surgery. Deep brain stimulation has allowed many patients to minimize their dependence on medications. We are also at the leading edge of treatments using focused ultrasound, a technology that is painless, noninvasive, and produces excellent results. (More about focused ultrasound.)
NEWS: Dr. Kaplitt opens clinical trial of focused ultrasound for Parkinson's disease
Our location within the greater Weill Cornell Medicine community allows us the unique ability to provide integrated treatment for our patients. Our neurosurgical team works closely with Weill Cornell Medicine's Departments of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, creating a comprehensive care plan to optimize treatment before, during, and after surgery. This multidisciplinary team approach is one of the hallmarks of our expert care.
Dr. Kaplitt is also the leader of a comprehensive Pain Program within Weill Cornell Medicine. In this role he oversees advanced pain management for those suffering debilitating chronic pain from conditions such as nerve injury or scarring, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), amputated limbs, herpes, or spinal cord injury. In addition to deep brain stimulation, the Pain Program offers spinal stimulation using implantable, programmable spinal cord stimulators as well as intraspinal pumps that deliver drugs directly to the spinal cord to treat a variety of painful conditions. Find out more about the Pain Program at the Weill Cornell Medicine Brain and Spine Center.
For a patient with Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorder, or who is suffering from chronic pain, there is nowhere else where there is greater hope for relief than at Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery.
