Gardner Family Center specialists in neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychology and physical medicine and rehabilitation play an integral role in evaluating and treating patients with Parkinson’s disease. The team begins with a comprehensive patient evaluation, including a thorough medical history, video observation and evaluation and physical assessment of the patient’s condition. When necessary, patients also can be admitted to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center (UCMC) for 24-hour inpatient observation and evaluation.
In patients whose diagnosis is uncertain or atypical, physicians at UCMC can also employ a new technology known as DaTscan, the first and only radiopharmaceutical approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The test, which requires the injection of a radioactive tracer into the patient’s bloodstream, enables doctors to assess the degree of loss of dopamine function in the striatum, which is typically observed in patients with Parkinson’s disease. DaTscan can also assist in the diagnosis of patients with Parkinson’s disease at early stages.
Once an individual’s assessment is complete, physicians determine the most effective course of therapy.
