With a focus on movement disorders, the three-day Neuro Update-Chennai 2014 commenced on Friday. Faculty from across the country and abroad are participating.
The Update, which is being conducted by the Madras Neuro Trust, would look at causes, treatment, management and genetics of movement disorders, G. Arjundas, chairman of Neuro Update, said.
“Parkinson’s Disease is the most common movement disorder, with the others being rheumatic chorea and disorders induced by stroke,” he said.
These disorders could occur at all ages, and could also run in families, C.U. Velmurugendran, secretary of the Update said. “It can also occur in a newborn with damages in the brain like in Wilson’s disease in which there is abnormal deposition of copper in the brain,” he said.
Experts said management of movement disorders was good in the country, with nearly 75 per cent of cases managed by drugs. “We are also discussing the latest advances in the field. For instance, deep brain stimulation is one of the latest in the management of these disorders. It is for patients in whom drugs do not act, or act but produce side effects,” Dr. Arjundas added.
Through electrical stimulation to the corresponding part of the brain, the movement disorder is treated, he said. “Treating the disorders is important as it affects day-to-day life of people. There is a good level of awareness as several persons seek treatment,” he said.
Sessions on genetics of Parkinson’s disease and its medical management, movement disorders in children and emergencies, assessment and disorders of balance will be held as part of the Update.
