Foreword

Article Outline

• Copyright

Parkinson’s disease encompasses more than a chronic degenerative movement disorder caused by dopamine depletion in the brain. This illness results in a diverse constellation of medical effects that requires a multidisciplinary tactic integrating pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, and surgical techniques. As such, the management of these patients is evolving into a medical team approach including specialized neurological, psychiatric, rehabilitative medicine, and nursing care.

Michael Rezak, MD, PhD, has been a recognized leader in this field for several decades. He is the Medical Director of the National American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Young Onset of Parkinson’s Disease Information and Referral (I&R) Center and Medical Director of the Illinois I&R of APDA. Dr. Rezak oversees a growing and vibrant program that encompasses all aspects of treatment including neurosurgical options as Director of the Movement Center at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare.

Since this review is especially comprehensive, it is necessary to divide the subject into two issues. This first issue deals with the motor implications of Parkinson’s disease, while the upcoming second issue will focus upon the nonmotor aspects.

We thank Dr. Rezak and his colleagues for this excellent review and hope the reader will utilize these unique issues as a reference for years to come.

For further information, the reader may contact the APDA information and referral center at (800) 223-9776 or by email at parkinsonscenter@enh.org. The website for APDA is www.apdaparkinson.org.