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Movement Disorders

While many common movement disorders can't be cured, successful symptom control can manage each condition's effects and promote quality of life for patients and families. Our specialty-trained, interdisciplinary movement disorder team provides complete care to help patients live to their fullest potential.
Our world-renowned movement disorders experts in Kansas City provide advanced diagnoses and leading-edge treatments to help patients maintain function and enjoy life.
We offer a variety of appointment types. Learn more or call 913-588-1227 to schedule now.
About movement disorders
Movement disorders are a group of conditions in which the brain abnormally signals the nervous system. This causes uncontrolled, involuntary or slow movement. Disease progression may eventually make daily functions – such as eating, drinking, dressing and walking – difficult.
Our team treats common movement disorders, including:We also offer experience in rarer conditions, such as:
- Progressive supranuclear palsy, which can progress rapidly, causing difficulty controlling the feet, falling, speech challenges and cognitive issues.
- Multiple system atrophy, characterized by symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease, like slowness, stiffness, balance issues and tremor, along with early autonomic symptoms including hypotension, urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
- Lewy body dementia, which is responsible for 15-20% of dementia cases, but is difficult to differentiate from Parkinson's disease, occurring within a year of the initial onset of Parkinson's disease symptoms, as opposed to occurring later during the disease's progression.

Advanced imaging
We were the first in Kansas City and the region to offer DaTscan, a diagnostic test to diagnose Parkinson's disease and other tremors. DaTscan uses a radioactive imaging drug injected into the bloodstream to detect dopamine transporters in the brain. DaTscan helps distinguish tremors from other neurological conditions. The precision helps physicians choose the most appropriate treatment.

Parkinson's Disease Center
We offer a Parkinson's Disease Center of Excellence recognized by the National Parkinson Foundation. 
Still the best
Our hospital continues to rank as the best in Kansas City and in Kansas according to U.S. News & World Report.

Leading researchers
Our providers are also leading researchers. They care for patients today and drive research to develop new treatments. 
Turning Point
Turning Point offers free classes, programs and tools designed to empower and educate people affected by chronic or serious illness.
What to expect
Our providers collaborate with you to determine a treatment approach that may combine physical, occupational, speech/swallowing and cognitive therapies, medication or surgery to control symptoms and slow disease progression.
Diverse specialists contribute to care plans. Experienced neurologists, neurosurgeons, general surgeons, neurophysiologists, neuropsychologists, neuro-ophthalmologists, neuroradiologists, psychologists, dermatologists, urologists and specialized nurses and anesthesiologists may play a role. The interdisciplinary approach achieves outcomes that surpass the national average.
In evaluating new patients, our physicians perform a complete assessment to answer:
- How disruptive to daily activities are your symptoms?
- Are you having non-motor symptoms, such as problems with memory, thinking, mood, sleep, dizziness or balance?
- What is your current overall quality of life?
Our care team combines neurological and physical examinations with symptom observation and neuroimaging to evaluate your needs. We provide education and help explore the long-term outlook. Through discussion of specific symptoms and their severity, our physicians partner with you and your family to create a personalized treatment plan.

Leading research and clinical trials
As part of one of the nation's premier academic medical centers, our care providers are committed to research and scientific discovery through the University of Kansas Medical Center. We can often include our patients in potentially lifesaving clinical trials and treatment options not available anywhere else.
Our movement disorders experts
Learn more about our leaders in movement disorder treatment and research.
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Accepting New Patients
Jennifer J Cheng
NeurosurgeryLocations:- Medical Pavilion
- 2000 Olathe Boulevard
- Kansas City, KS 66160
Clinical Focus:- Neurosurgery
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Accepting New Patients
Richard M Dubinsky
NeurologyLocations:- Landon Center on Aging
- 3599 Rainbow Boulevard
- Kansas City, KS 66103
Clinical Focus:- Neurology
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Accepting New Patients
Harsh V Gupta
NeurologyLocations:- Corporate Medical Plaza, Building 2
- 10777 Nall Avenue
- Overland Park, KS 66211
Clinical Focus:- Neurology
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Accepting New Patients
Michael J Kinsman
NeurosurgeryLocations:- Medical Pavilion
- 2000 Olathe Boulevard
- Kansas City, KS 66160
Clinical Focus:- Neurosurgery
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Accepting New Patients
Jules M Nazzaro
NeurosurgeryLocations:- Medical Pavilion
- 2000 Olathe Boulevard
- Kansas City, KS 66160
Clinical Focus:- Neurosurgery
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Accepting New Patients
Rajesh Pahwa
NeurologyLocations:- Landon Center on Aging
- 3599 Rainbow Boulevard
- Kansas City, KS 66103
Clinical Focus:- Neurology
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Accepting New Patients
Vibhash D Sharma
NeurologyLocations:- Landon Center on Aging
- 3599 Rainbow Boulevard
- Kansas City, KS 66103
Clinical Focus:- Neurology