Welcome to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. Tune in to hear leaders in neurology sound off on topics that impact your clinical practice.

In this episode, "Improving Quality of Life in Movement Disorders Through Nonmotor Symptom Management" Alex Dessy, MD, clinical assistant professor in movement disorders at Jefferson Health, shares a comprehensive look at modern-day care strategies for patients with Parkinson disease and other movement disorders. Dessy discusses the foundational role of detailed history-taking, exam-based observation, and phenomenology in diagnosing complex conditions, along with the growing utility of genetic and imaging tools. She also explains the challenges of managing nonmotor symptoms—like sleep disturbance, fatigue, and constipation—and how lifestyle strategies and interdisciplinary collaboration are often as vital as medication. Lastly, she emphasizes the importance of clear and compassionate communication with patients and families as neurology becomes increasingly therapeutic.

Episode Breakdown:

1:00 – How movement disorder diagnosis is approached through history, physical exam, and phenomenology

4:05 – What makes certain movement disorder cases complex and how diagnostics like genetics and imaging are used

6:20 – Neurology News Minute

8:45 – How nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson’s (fatigue, constipation, sleep) are managed with lifestyle strategies

12:30 – Approaching therapeutic communication and expectation-setting with patients and families

The stories featured in this week's Neurology News Minute, which will give you quick updates on the following developments in neurology, are further detailed here:

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