A big step forward for movement disorders

Photo graphic of brain neurons.

Prestigious designation expands and enhances Parkinson’s care in Texas

By Jessica Binkley Lain

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease that progresses over time. Some symptoms may include shaking or tremors, slow movement, stiffness and balance issues. It is typically diagnosed after age 65, but people under 50 can also have Parkinson’s.

According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, about 90,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s each year. About 1 million people in the U.S. are currently living with Parkinson’s, and that number is expected to increase significantly in the next 20 years due to an aging population.

At a state level, Texas has the third largest number of patients living with Parkinson’s disease. The high rates of the disease in the state can be attributed to several factors. Notably, Texas has many people living in rural regions working and living on farmlands that often use harmful pesticides and other chemicals, putting them at a higher risk for developing Parkinson’s, which is often caused by exposure to toxic agents, said Okeanis Vaou, MD, associate professor and director of the movement disorders program in the Department of Neurology, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine.

“Despite being one of the largest cities, it is evident that San Antonio is considerably underservedin Parkinson’s care when compared to other citiesof similar or even smaller size,” Vaou noted. “This gap in service provision not only hampers the quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s, but also places an undue burden on their families and caregivers. It is a situation that warrants immediate attention and action. We’re hoping to change that.”

Okeanis Vaou, MD, associate professor and director of the movement disorders program in the Department of Neurology.

“This designation gives us the leverage to grow and to serve the city as well as the surrounding rural areas.”

-Okeanis Vaou, MD, associate professor and director of the movement disorders program in the Department of Neurology

Leverage to grow

In 2023, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio’s Movement Disorders Program was designated as a Comprehensive Care Center for Parkinson’s Disease by the Parkinson’s Foundation, one of the largest nonprofit foundations for Parkinson’s. The designation — which is the first of its kind in Texas — recognizes centers that provide excellent care to people with Parkinson’s disease within a broad geographic region. Each center is required to meet rigorous care, professional training, research, community education and outreach criteria.

“We are the only center in San Antonio for Parkinson’s disease and care, and this designation gives us the leverage to grow and to serve the city as well as the surrounding rural areas. And the need is tremendous,” said Vaou.

For San Antonio in particular, another high-risk population — veterans — compounds the need for Parkinson’s care in the city and surrounding areas.

“San Antonio has a large VA system with a very large population of veterans and active military personnel. We do know that service members exposed to chemicals from burn pits or from Agent Orange in the Vietnam War are at a high risk to develop Parkinson’s disease,” Vaou said. “So, the need for specialists is high, and part of our vision is to grow and hire more movement disorder specialists to meet that need and better serve our community.”

A hub for research and care

By being recognized as the only Comprehensive Care Center for Parkinson’s Disease in the state, the university aims to redefine Parkinson’s care for San Antonio and surrounding areas, leveraging its designation to expand outreach and research efforts. With a commitment to pioneering early diagnostic approaches and enhancing patient outcomes, the center aspires to serve as a pivotal hub for innovation and support in Parkinson’s care, addressing critical needs in the community and beyond.

“Our goal is to establish the center as a beacon of information and hub for Parkinson’s research and care, fostering innovation and expanding knowledge in the field,” said Vaou.

Early diagnosis and novel diagnostics for Parkinson’s are core research objectives for the center. Currently, there is no test or imaging to diagnose Parkinson’s disease, and the gold standard of diagnosing Parkinson’s relies on the clinical exam. Vaou underscored the center’s commitment to changing that.

“Our current focus is on discovering biomarkers or novel diagnostic methods for detecting Parkinson’s disease at its earliest stages, as well as new therapies,” Vaou said. “Early identification and intervention would make a significant impact by slowing down the progression of the disease, leading to better patient outcomes.”


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