Disease expertise

Parkinson’s disease is caused by the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain. Hallmark features include tremors, stiffness, slow movement, and balance difficulties. Non-motor symptoms such as sleep problems, constipation, and mood changes are also common.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare disease marked by the gradual loss of function in certain brain regions. There are two types: one that causes Parkinson-like symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and slow movement, and another that mainly affects coordination and balance. In both forms, the autonomic nervous system, responsible for automatic body functions, does not work properly. This can lead to low blood pressure and loss of bladder or bowel control. Diagnosis usually involves brain scans and excluding similar conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.

In progressive supranuclear palsy or PSP, deposits of abnormal tau protein accumulate in the brain. This rare disorder disrupts movement, balance, and eye control, often leading to early falls, gaze problems, and difficulty swallowing. Because its symptoms mimic those of other conditions, PSP often remains undiagnosed in the early stages. Specialized neurological exams and brain imaging are essential for an accurate diagnosis.

Corticobasal degeneration is a rare brain condition involving abnormal buildup of tau protein in regions that control movement and higher thinking. This leads to stiffness, one-sided coordination problems, and sometimes language difficulties. Since deeper brain structures are also affected, symptoms frequently overlap with Parkinson’s disease and other tau-related disorders. Diagnosis is complex and usually based on imaging and expert assessment, while definite confirmation is only possible after death.

IBM is a slowly progressive muscle disease that usually begins after age 50. It causes weakness in both proximal (near the body) and distal (hands and feet) muscles, leading to difficulties with walking, climbing stairs, and gripping objects. Swallowing problems are also common. Unlike other inflammatory muscle diseases, IBM does not respond well to standard immune therapies, and diagnosis requires a muscle biopsy showing characteristic “inclusion bodies” within muscle fibers.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurological disease that damages motor neurons, the nerve cells responsible for voluntary movement. Muscle weakness usually begins subtly and worsens over time, eventually interfering with speech, eating, and breathing. Diagnosis relies on careful neurological examination, supported by tests that measure nerve and muscle activity. In some cases, genetic testing helps confirm the condition.

SMA is a genetic disorder that leads to the gradual loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord. It most often starts in infancy or childhood and causes muscle weakness that can affect movement, breathing, and swallowing. The severity varies by type, and while there is no cure, gene therapy and other treatments have significantly improved outlooks for many people.

SCAs are inherited disorders that affect coordination and balance. Symptoms include gait instability, slurred speech, and difficulty with fine motor tasks. Genetic testing helps identify the specific subtype.

Spinocerebellar atrophy (SCA) refers to a group of inherited conditions that gradually damage the cerebellum, the brain’s coordination center. People with SCA may experience unsteady walking, slurred speech, and difficulty with fine movements or eye control. Genetic testing helps confirm the diagnosis. Although symptoms worsen over time, supportive therapies can help maintain independence.

Leukodystrophies are a group of inherited disorders that damage myelin in the brain and spinal cord. Without this protective coating, nerve communication fails, leading to progressive neurological decline. Most leukodystrophies begin in infancy or childhood, with symptoms ranging from movement and speech difficulties to vision and cognitive problems. Diagnosis typically requires genetic testing along with brain or spinal imaging.

Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) is an adult form of leukodystrophy that mainly affects men. It usually begins in young adulthood with stiffness, weakness, and pain in the legs, and may also cause bladder problems and sexual dysfunction.

In multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), the immune system mistakenly attacks motor nerves, leading to slowly progressive weakness in the arms and hands. Unlike many similar disorders, MMN does not affect sensation and often responds well to immunoglobulin therapy, which can improve strength and slow symptom progression.

Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) is an adult form of leukodystrophy that mainly affects men. It usually begins in young adulthood with stiffness, weakness, and pain in the legs, and may also cause bladder problems and sexual dysfunction

Cerebrovascular disease refers to problems with blood vessels in the brain that result from reduced blood flow, often due to strokes or damaged vessels. This can cause memory problems, mood changes, or difficulties with speech and movement, and is a common cause of dementia after Alzheimer’s. Diagnosis may involve brain scans to detect signs of previous strokes or vessel damage, and treatments focus on reducing stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure.