Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Clinic


Contact Information
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center
Wang Ambulatory Care Center
15 Parkman Street
8th Floor, Suite 835
Boston,
MA
02114
Mailing Address
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center
8th Floor, Suite 835
15 Parkman Street
Boston, MA 02114
Appointments
To schedule an appointment:
Appointments can be scheduled by calling: 617-726-5532 (toll-free 855-644-6387)
Prior to your first appointment, ask your primary care physician or referring doctor to fax pertinent medical records to the office.
Translation services are available. Please inform us if you need the assistance of a translator.
If you are a new patient to Mass General:
Call to obtain a registration number: 866-211-6588
What to bring to your appointment:
- Your registration card, insurance card, and co-pay
- Any medical records and MRI scans that have not been sent to the office
- List of your current medications
Explore This Treatment Program
About This Program

Our physicians are highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease and related movement disorders. We believe in personalized, focused care centered on the relationship between you and your neurologist. We are recognized by the Parkinson's Foundation as a Center of Excellence for our dedication to Parkinson’s research, clinical care, and outreach.
- New patients should expect a comprehensive evaluation and thorough assessment aimed toward making a quick and accurate diagnoses. If indicated, laboratory testing or brain imaging can be arranged.
- Once a diagnosis is established, we are happy to provide ongoing care to design and optimize medication treatments, or to work in collaboration with your neurologist or other physicians.
- Advanced treatment options, including deep brain stimulation surgery, are available if appropriate.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Care
Parkinson’s disease is a condition that can affect different aspects of your life, including your mobility, mood, and sleep. We work with a highly trained and dedicated team of specialists that are all focused on helping you live better with Parkinson’s.
- A Nurse Practitioner can help your physician provide you the best care and address issues about medications and other Parkinson’s-related issues.
- A Physical Therapist can evaluate and treat you to optimize your mobility, physical activity and exercise, and safety.
- An Occupational Therapist can help you stay active and independent in your daily activities.
- A Speech Therapist can evaluate you and provide recommendations and treatment if the Parkinson’s is affecting your speech or swallowing.
- A Social Worker can answer your questions and provide counseling about lifestyle transitions, options if you need help with your care, and financial and work-related issues.
Diseases we Treat
Though Parkinson's disease is the most common form of a group of motor system disorders known as parkinsonism, our other areas of clinical expertise also include:
- Different forms of tremor
- Myoclonus (sudden, involuntary muscle jerks)
- Chorea (a hyperkinetic movement disorder that may result from a number of neurologic diseases)
- Gait disorders such as ataxia (an inability to coordinate muscle movements)
- Dementia with Lewy body disease
- Restless Legs Syndrome
- Medication-Induced Movement Disorders
Research & Clinical Trials
Our team of physicians is actively involved in research to better understand the causes of Parkinson’s disease and to identify new treatments. As a patient, you may have the opportunity to volunteer for:
- Clinical trials for new investigational drugs
- Research studies to find new and better ways to diagnose and monitor Parkinson’s disease
- Studies that improve delivery and quality of care for Parkinson’s patients
If you are interested in volunteering for research, please ask to speak with a research coordinator. Some currently open trials include:
- Golf for People with Parkinson's Disease
- Comparing Tai Chi and Golf for Parkinson’s Disease
- Harvard Biomarkers Study: Lipid markers for Parkinson's and memory
- PD GENEration: Parkinson's Disease Genetic Initiative
Building on a Rich History
The Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center is one of four entities comprising the Mass General Movement Disorders Unit. Our hospital has a long history of conducting research into Parkinson's disease and caring for patients with this and other movement disorders. Robert Schwab, MD, laid the groundwork for the Movement Disorders Unit in the 1940s when he published his first research paper on Parkinson's disease.
John Growdon, MD, serves as director of both the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center and the Movement Disorders Unit. His clinical interests include the cognitive and behavioral aspects of Parkinson's disease and related disorders. Our staff includes over a dozen neurologists who specialize in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders.
Mass General has earned the prestigious quality of Center of Excellence from the Parkinson’s Foundation. In addition, our clinic’s physicians serve of advisory committees for the Parkinson Study Group (PSG) and Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Deep Brain Stimulation
Our neurosurgeons use deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat patients with a wide variety of movement disorders. DBS involves implanting an electrode in the brain to interrupt and stimulate nerve activity. Our center uses the most advanced stereotactic technology, microelectrode recordings, for optimal lead positioning and the best patient outcome. The most common movement disorder we treat is Parkinson's disease. Other disorders that can be treated using deep brain stimulation include Essential tremor and Dystonia.
- Mass General was one of the first hospitals to perform DBS and today we also use it to treat many different types of Dystonia which include:
- Genetic dystonia
- Generalized dystonia
- Hemidystonia
- Segmental dystonia
- Focal dystonia, such as Spasmodic torticollis
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- Director, Movement Disorders Fellowship Program
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- Director, Lewy Body Dementia Unit
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- Director, Deep Brain Stimulation Program
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- Department of Neurology
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- Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School
- Director of MGH Neurology Community Health, Diversity and Inclusion
- Director of MGH Departmental Community Health Improvement
Parkinson's Disease Stem Cell Therapy
Learn about our recent developments in stem-cell therapy, research and news.
Neuro-immune Interactions Award for Xiqun Chen, MD
Xiqun Chen, MD has received a Neuro-immune Interactions award from the ASAP Collaborative Research Network.
Parkinson's Disease and the Family: A New Guide
Co-authored by Nutan Sharma, MD, and Elaine Richman, PhD, From Harvard University Press Family Health Guides, "Parkinson's Disease and the Family" is a guide for people with Parkinson's disease and their friends and family. It provides medical and practical information in an approachable, easy-to-read manner.