The Norton Neuroscience Institute Cressman Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders Center is dedicated to offering the most advanced treatments and support for people with Parkinson’s disease.

More people in Louisville and Southern Indiana choose Norton Neuroscience Institute for neurologic care than any other provider in the area. While a cure has yet to be found for Parkinson’s disease, Norton Neuroscience Institute offers some of the most advanced treatments available to help control your symptoms.

Parkinson’s usually affects people between the ages of 55 and 75, but it can develop earlier. Nearly 1 million Americans are living with the disease.

Parkinson’s disease can be unpredictable, and sometimes it can feel unmanageable. With a personalized treatment plan, we help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. All of our movement disorders specialists work together, sharing insights, ideas and expertise to give you the benefit of many specialists’ viewpoints. In addition to the benefits of collaboration, you can schedule multiple appointments for the same day at the same location.

Together, our team’s diverse perspectives can provide a robust care plan that works for you and your lifestyle — beginning from diagnosis and as your disease progresses. We are with you every step of the way.

Woman credits early diagnosis, specialized care for successful life with Parkinson’s disease

Dianne Steinert’s symptoms started in 2020. She was introduced to Jason L. Crowell, M.D., who diagnosed her with Parkinson’s disease in 2022 and set a specialized care plan in motion.

Read Dianne’s story

Diagnosing Parkinson’s disease

A neurologist can make a diagnosis based on:

• Medical history
• Symptoms, including severity
• Neurologic and physical examinations
• Blood tests
• Imaging scans, such as MRI

The Syn-One Test is a simple skin test that can help doctors confirm or rule out a suspected Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. Alpha synuclein is a protein found in the brain that is key to brain function. Alpha synuclein clumps are abnormal clusters of this protein and are one of the hallmark symptoms of neurologic disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. The test takes about 15 minutes. Skin biopsies are taken from three places on the body and sent to a lab for testing for the alpha-synuclein protein. Along with other diagnostic tools, this test may help physicians make a more accurate and timely diagnosis.

Advanced Treatment at the Cressman Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders Center

Treatment for Parkinson’s disease is directed at relieving symptoms, usually through medication or surgery. General lifestyle modifications, physical therapy, support groups, occupational therapy and speech therapy have been shown to be helpful for some patients. Our specialists stay at the forefront of rapidly developing advances in medication and surgical techniques to offer state-of-the-art treatment for Parkinson’s disease.

During a deep brain stimulation (DBS) procedure, our neurosurgeons place electrodes precisely inside your brain to alter nerve signals that cause symptoms such as tremors, rigidity and stiffness. The electrodes deliver mild pulses generated from a small device implanted in your chest. DBS typically improves motor symptoms by 50% to 80% or more.

Norton Neuroscience Institute neurosurgeons have advanced DBS training and technology and have one of the few programs to offer DBS while patients are under general anesthesia. Traditionally, all patients had to be awake to improve placement of the electrodes. Advanced techniques allow our providers to achieve precise electrode placement while the patient is unconscious, making the procedure faster and safer.

A consultation with a Norton Neuroscience Institute neurosurgeon and a series of tests help determine whether you are a candidate for DBS.

Patient Support

In addition to expertise in medical care for patients with Parkinson’s disease, we provide extensive support that includes:

• Dedicated patient navigator: As part of our commitment to personalized care, a patient navigator can help guide patients through their care journey and help to connect them with resources and answer questions.
• Norton Neuroscience Institute Cressman Neurological Rehabilitation: Located at Norton Medical Plaza III – Brownsboro, provides rehabilitation services for patients managing neurologic conditions. At Cressman Neurological Rehabilitation, patients have access to some of the most advanced technology and specialized services in one location to help with gait, balance, strength, flexibility, speech, fine motor skills, swallowing, driving, cognition, vision and more.
• Exercise groups: Yoga for Parkinson’s and our semiannual Parkinson’s golf clinic are specifically tailored to improve balance, maintain flexibility and reduce stress.
• Patient support classes: We offer a variety of classes designed to help mobility, posture, balance, strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, speech and cognitive challenges.
• Parkinson’s Mentor Program: To help foster personal relationships between patients and sympathetic professionals, Norton Neuroscience Institute participates as a partner in the Parkinson’s Mentor Program. Patients are paired with doctoral candidates studying physical therapy at Bellarmine University School of Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences, so both patients and students can benefit.

Care That’s Focused on You

It’s part of Norton Neuroscience Institute’s goal to care for the whole person, not just the condition.

• Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers offer ways to improve your access to care, provide valuable information on managing your disease and address your quality-of-life issues. The Norton Healthcare Foundation funds this important service, so patients don’t need to pay.
• Dedicated patient navigators can help schedule follow-up appointments, coordinate prescription assistance, create customized diet plans and provide guidance on disability benefits, housing, financial and employment concerns, and more.
• Patients can access support groups, exercise classes and other educational events to connect with others and learn how to make the most of life while managing a neurologic condition. 
• Access an on-demand video library of educational content across a variety of condition-related topics.
• We want to help prevent illness. Get help quitting smoking and learn the signs of stroke.
• Communicate with your provider, manage appointments, refill prescriptions and more anytime from a computer or mobile device with a free Norton MyChart account.

A Louisville Leader in Neurologic Care

More patients from Louisville and Southern Indiana seek their neurology and neurosurgery care from Norton Neuroscience Institute’s nationally recognized specialists than any other providers in the area.

Your Norton Neuroscience Institute medical provider has the expertise, experience, diagnostic tools and sophisticated treatments to provide care tailored to your needs.

• More than 75 medical, surgical and research specialists are dedicated to providing innovative care to those with brain, spine and nervous system conditions.
• Advanced, minimally invasive neurosurgery equipment can speed your recovery and minimize pain.
• Multidisciplinary clinics provide easy access to care in one convenient appointment for your neurologic condition, with specialists in oncology, cardiology, orthopedics and behavioral health.
• Norton Healthcare’s four adult-service hospitals in Louisville are certified by DNV, recognizing excellence and expertise in stroke care.
  • Norton Brownsboro Hospital is recognized as a Comprehensive Stroke Center.
  • Norton Audubon Hospital and Norton Hospital are Primary Stroke Centers.
  • Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital is an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital.
• Norton Neuroscience Institute is at the forefront of neuroscientific research. As investigators on numerous trials, our physicians contribute to groundbreaking studies and publications in peer-reviewed journals. Also, patients may be eligible to take part in these experimental treatments. Learn more about current neuroscience clinical trials and studies.
• The American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines stroke care program has recognized Norton Hospital and Norton Brownsboro Hospital in Louisville for exceeding national averages in getting patients in the door and administering lifesaving treatment to restore blood flow to the brain.
• Norton Neuroscience Institute’s multiple sclerosis (MS) program has been designated a Center for Comprehensive MS Care by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
• The National Association of Epilepsy Centers has recognized Norton Neuroscience Institute Comprehensive Epilepsy Center as a Level 4 center, providing the highest level of medical and surgical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy.
• Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Center navigators help educate patients and their families about new diagnoses, available treatments and ways to manage their disease.
• We are listed by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of 100 great neurosurgery and spine programs.