Genetic screening in Medipol University Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center (PARMER)

Medipol University Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center (PARMER) is a private specialty center in Istanbul, Turkey. It opened in 2018 as part of Medipol University. The center diagnoses and treats Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders in children and adults.

Center Profile and Recognition

PARMER is recognized as a Center of Excellence and Education for movement disorders. Neurologists and neurosurgeons from the region come here for hands-on training. This includes deep brain stimulation surgery and device programming.

Boston Scientific chose PARMER as its education and excellence center. The center signed a similar agreement with Abbott in 2019.

Movement Disorder Care

Neurology

Neurologists diagnose Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders and plan each patient’s treatment.

Conditions treated include:

• Essential tremor and other tremors
• Dystonia
• Parkinson-plus syndromes
• Huntington’s disease
• Tardive syndromes
• Chorea and paroxysmal dyskinesias
• Myoclonus and Wilson’s disease

Medication comes first for Parkinson’s-related movement symptoms. If it doesn’t control symptoms well enough, surgery becomes an option.

Neurosurgery and Deep Brain Stimulation

PARMER performs deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. DBS sends electrical signals to targeted brain areas, so it changes how cells there behave.

During DBS, surgeons use microelectrode recording and single-cell stimulation. This technique reads activity from individual brain cells.

For tremor, the center also offers MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS). It treats a targeted area without an incision.

Rehabilitation and Speech Therapy

Physical therapy covers walking, balance, and coordination training for movement disorders. Speech therapists treat speech and swallowing problems linked to Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.

Speech treatment includes Lee Silverman Voice Therapy. For swallowing, therapy can involve exercises and changes to food texture.

Diagnostic and Treatment Technology

ExcelsiusGPS provides robotic navigation during DBS surgery. A lab on-site supports genetic diagnostic testing.

With the Biodex balance system, therapists assess fall risk and run balance exercises. Its interactive programs target the specific balance problem found, so training fits each patient.

International Patient Background

PARMER treats international patients from these regions:

• Europe and the Balkans
• The United States and Canada
• Australia