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Movement Disorders Clinic
Our Clinic specializes in the diagnosis and management of movement disorders (including those caused by Parkinson’s disease). We offer a multidisciplinary approach, personalized follow-up, and access to advanced therapies.
For specialized care of movement disorders
Abnormal movements may result from various neurological, genetic, or metabolic diseases, may be related to certain medications or brain injuries, and are influenced by different risk factors. Their diagnosis and management therefore require specialized expertise to accurately identify the cause and adapt treatment in order to best preserve patients’ quality of life.
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Diagnosis and management of movement disorders
We provide personalized care focused on quality of life and the patient’s goals through, among other things, a multidisciplinary approach integrating both motor and non-motor aspects (cognition, sleep, pain, mood, autonomy, etc.). When necessary, we refer patients to advanced therapies and specialized care pathways.
Personalized and multidisciplinary care
Our comprehensive clinical assessment and longitudinal follow-up include the possibility of objectively tracking disease progression through clinical examinations, standardized scales, and even video recording when indicated. Movement disorders are not limited to motor symptoms; therefore, we pay special attention to non-motor symptoms and their impact on relatives. As a clinic within a leading university hospital, our academic expertise and our teaching and research activities directly benefit patients. Finally, our close collaboration with neurological rehabilitation within Erasmus Hospital allows us to offer optimal functional care and autonomy.
Our care services
Depending on the clinical situation, the Movement Disorders Clinic of the H.U.B offers:
- Specialized consultations (diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment adjustment)
- Assessment and management of:
- Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonian syndromes
- Tremors
- Dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions causing abnormal postures or repetitive, sometimes painful movements)
- Chorea (rapid, jerky, unpredictable movements giving the impression the body is “dancing” involuntarily)
- Tics
- Myoclonus (sudden, very brief muscle jerks similar to involuntary startles)
- Gait and balance disorders (also called “ataxias”)
- Functional movement disorders
- Evaluation of complications (fluctuations, dyskinesia, pain, falls, autonomic nervous system disorders, sleep, anxiety, depression, fatigue, cognitive disorders, etc.)
- Referral to specific/advanced treatments when indicated (in collaboration with relevant teams):
- Botulinum toxin injections
- Pump therapies
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
- Coordination of multidisciplinary care (physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, neuropsychology, etc.)
- Patient education and information: practical advice, reliable resources, information sessions
Our team
The team of the Movement Disorders Clinic of the H.U.B includes specialized physicians and multidisciplinary healthcare staff:
- Physiotherapist: Sara Ben Chekroun
- Speech therapist: Sophie Robert
- Neuropsychologists: Hichem Slama and Christelle Maenhout
- Psychologist: Véronique Simons
Dr. Frédéric Supiot, Director of the Clinic
Position: Neurologist, specialist in movement disorders
- Consults for Parkinson’s disease, tremors, dystonia, and other movement disorders
- Principal investigator in clinical research (Enroll HD program for Huntington’s disease)
- Performs botulinum toxin injections for certain movement disorders such as dystonia and hemispasm
- Expertise in DBS (deep brain stimulation) implantation and programming
- Expertise in initiation, adjustment, and follow-up of patients treated with Duodopa pump therapy
Dr. Virginie Destrebecq
Position: Neurologist, specialist in movement disorders
- Consults for Parkinson’s disease, tremors, dystonia, and other movement disorders, as well as degenerative cerebellar diseases (ataxia) and functional neurological disorders
- Reference specialist for rare ataxia diseases within the European network (ERN-RND)
- Principal investigator in clinical and cross-sectional research (essential tremor)
Dr. Vincent Leclercq
Position: Neurologist, specialist in movement disorders
- Consults for Parkinson’s disease, tremors, dystonia, and other movement disorders
- Pays special attention to non-motor symptoms (behavioral disorders, mood disorders, sexual dysfunction, urinary and digestive disorders, pain, etc.)
- Promotes a global approach, with links to neurological rehabilitation when needed
- Performs DBS programming and botulinum toxin injections
Dr. Alexandra Boogers
Position: Neurologist, specialist in movement disorders
- Consults for Parkinson’s disease, tremors, dystonia, and other movement disorders
- Expertise in DBS implantation and programming
Services we collaborate with
Services we collaborate with
Neurology
Neurosurgery
Radiology - Medical Imaging
As part of our collaboration with the Neurology Department, we regularly work with:
- Neurological Rehabilitation Unit (multidisciplinary rehabilitation)
- Sleep Unit (polysomnography)
- Clinical Neurophysiology Unit (recording of abnormal movements)
FAQ on Parkinson’s disease and its management
FAQ on Parkinson’s disease and its management
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1. What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic neurological disorder associated with a progressive decrease in dopamine in certain regions of the brain. It can lead to motor symptoms (slowness, stiffness, tremor), but also non-motor symptoms (sleep disorders, fatigue, constipation, pain, anxiety, cognitive disorders, etc.).
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2. What are the first symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?
The first symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be subtle and variable. The most common are:
- Slowness of movement (bradykinesia),
- Stiffness (rigidity),
- Resting tremor (not always present),
- Reduced arm swing when walking,
- Smaller handwriting (micrographia),
- Changes in voice,
- Non-motor symptoms such as constipation, loss of smell, sleep disorders (especially agitation during dreams), or unusual fatigue.
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3. At what age does Parkinson’s disease begin?
Parkinson’s disease most often begins after the age of 60, but it can also affect younger people. Early-onset Parkinson’s is defined when symptoms appear before the age of 50. The age of onset varies from one person to another and does not necessarily affect the severity of the disease.
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4. What are the causes of Parkinson’s disease?
The exact causes of Parkinson’s disease remain partially unknown. It results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In most cases, the disease is not hereditary. Exposure to certain pesticides or toxins is being studied as a possible risk factor.
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5. How is Parkinson’s disease diagnosed?
The diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is primarily clinical. It is based on neurological examination and observation of symptoms. There is currently no single biological test. Additional examinations (brain MRI, dopaminergic scintigraphy) may be performed to rule out other diseases.
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6. Is there a treatment for Parkinson’s disease?
There is currently no curative treatment for Parkinson’s disease, but several treatments can effectively relieve symptoms. Dopaminergic medications, rehabilitation (physiotherapy, speech therapy), and in some cases deep brain stimulation significantly improve quality of life.
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7. Is Parkinson’s disease hereditary?
In the vast majority of cases, Parkinson’s disease is not hereditary. Only 5 to 10% of patients have an identified genetic form. Having a relative with the disease does not necessarily imply a high risk of developing it.
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8. What is the life expectancy with Parkinson’s disease?
The life expectancy of people with Parkinson’s disease is close to that of the general population, especially when the disease is well managed. Medical advances and multidisciplinary care have significantly improved prognosis and quality of life.
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9. Can you live normally with Parkinson’s disease?
Yes, it is possible to live a long and active life with Parkinson’s disease. Appropriate treatment, regular physical activity, medical support, and psychological support allow many people to maintain their independence and a satisfactory social life for many years.
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10. Where can you find reliable information about Parkinson’s disease?
For reliable information about Parkinson’s disease, it is recommended to consult:
- Your neurologist,
- Recognized patient associations,
- Institutional websites (university hospitals, scientific societies),
- Resources validated by healthcare professionals.