Up to 1 million people in the United States are affected by Parkinson’s Disease each year. Even more are affected by other movement disorders and tremors such as tics, facial spasms and Tourette syndrome.

A new center opened in Cheshire in July 2016 to assist and treat people with these disorders, the first center of its kind in the region. Dr. Duarte Machado, a board certified neurologist specializing in movement disorders, is leading the new Movement Disorders Center along with co-director Dr. Joy Antonelle de Marcaida. Dr. Machado sees patients for a range of neurological conditions including Parkinson’s Disease, Essential Tremor, Dystonias, Tourette Syndrome, Huntington Disease, Restless Legs Syndrome, Spinocerebellar Ataxias, and Deep Brain Stimulation.

Dr. Machado says that the main job of the center is to help people with movement disorders continue doing the things they love to do and extend their freedom as long as possible. “We take an integrated approach to care, and we have many diagnostic tools at the center that assist us in pinpointing the source of our patients’ concerns,” said Dr. Machado. “We also offer treatment like Botox, deep-brain simulation surgery, injections and other medications, and rehab programs.”

Patients like Helen Moser, from Stratford, come to Dr. Machado and the Movement Disorders Center from all over the state for support and treatment with Movement Disorders. Moser, who also runs a CT Essential Tremor Support Group, said that she was having uncontrollable movement in her hands and chin and made an appointment with Dr. Machado seeking help. “Dr. Machado tested me for everything from Lyme disease to several different autoimmune diseases to heavy metal toxicity,” said Moser. “He also ordered a DAT brain scan in order to rule out any form of Parkinson’s before confirming his diagnosis of Essential Tremors.”

Dr. Machado provides Moser with the medication Primidone to reduce the movements and vibrations in her hand. Primidone is an anticonvulsant that works by decreasing nerve impulses in the nervous system. Moser said that since the treatment started, her vibrations have gone from an inch of movement down to a fourth of an inch. The treatment also has greatly reduced the tremors in her chin and she said that neither tremors in her hands or chin prevent her from performing tasks in her everyday life.

To learn more about the Hartford HealthCare Movement Disorders Center, call 860.870.6385 or visit hhcmovementdisorders.org.