Movement Disorders:
Current Concepts and Practice
Enhance your clinical expertise in diagnosing and managing complex movement disorders with leading neurologists from Harvard Medical School, featuring real patient cases, expert insights, and practical strategies for improving patient outcomes.
Led by Dr. David Simon & Dr. Samuel Frank
Course Statistics
36
Patient Case Videos
17
Detailed PDF Guides
39.7 GB
Learning Assets
Course Description & Goals
The goal of this course is to improve the ability of clinicians in primary care, neurology, and psychiatry to recognize clinical features of common and uncommon movement disorders, use testing to aid diagnosis, and manage complications of both disease and treatment. The evaluation and management of movement disorders depend upon targeted, historical assessment and physical examination of the patient. Conditions, such as essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease, are common and can produce significant disability and disease burden on patients and their caregivers.
Though Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor are two well-known disorders commonly encountered by the general practitioner and neurologist, a considerable percentage of cases are misdiagnosed. In addition, other highly treatable disorders, such as drug-induced movement disorders, dystonia, and tics, can be difficult to recognize, which can pose an obstacle to initiating proper treatment.
There have been considerable advances in our understanding of certain complex movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease. We will also focus attention on the non-motor aspects of Parkinson’s disease, which are increasingly being recognized as important determinants of quality of life.
The course will cover current concepts on pathophysiology of the various movement disorders, evidence-based evaluation and treatment recommendations, clinical practice guidelines as well as experience-based recommendations. Numerous patient videos will be shown throughout the presentations. Finally, the course will culminate with an interactive discussion of video-based case examples.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to demonstrate mastery in the following areas:
Evaluate and diagnose movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, dystonia, tremor, myoclonus, tics, gait disturbances, chorea, and tardive dyskinesia in various settings.
Summarize treatment options and considerations in the management of movement disorders.
Recognize pitfalls in making an erroneous diagnosis in Parkinson’s disease, tremor, or dystonia.
Describe the pharmacology and side effects of commonly used medications for treatment of various movement disorders.
Interpret the role of dopamine blockers in disease pathophysiology and management of tardive dyskinesia.
Integrate physical examination techniques into practice to aid in the diagnosis of a movement disorder.
Summarize diagnostic criteria and genetic counseling principles for hereditary chorea or ataxia.
Explain a clinical evaluation method for gait disorders and diagnostic “red flags” for atypical parkinsonism.
Identify components of the basic anatomy and pathophysiology of the basal ganglia pertaining to movement disorders.
Assess potential therapeutic uses of botulinum toxin injections for dystonia and related disorders.
Discuss patient factors in the screening of candidates for deep brain stimulation (DBS).
Identify relevant issues regarding pre-operative evaluation and post-operative care for DBS patients.
Examine history taking skills in making the diagnosis of a psychogenic movement disorder.
Describe common non-motor aspects of Parkinson’s disease, including mood disorders and cognitive impairment.
Course Schedule
Day 1
HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL| Time | Session Title | Faculty |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00-8:05 am | Welcome, Introductions, and CME Instructions | David K. Simon |
| 8:05-8:45 am | Overview of Movement Disorders | Ludy Shih |
| 8:45-8:50 am | Break | |
| 8:50-9:40 am | Clinical Approach to Gait Disorders | Lan Luo |
| 9:40-9:50 am | Morning Break | |
| 9:50-10:50 am | Tremor and Myoclonus | Shabbir Merchant |
| 10:50-10:55 am | Break | |
| 10:55-11:40 am | Chorea and Huntington's Disease | Samuel Frank |
| 11:40-11:45 am | Break | |
| 11:45 am-12:25 pm | Diagnosis of Parkinsonism and Early Treatment | David K. Simon |
| 12:25-1:20 pm | Lunch | |
| 1:20-1:55 pm | Management of Advanced Parkinsonism | David K. Simon |
| 1:55-2:00 pm | Break | |
| 2:00-2:50 pm | Nonmotor Aspects of Parkinsonism | Veronique VanderHorst |
| 2:50-3:00 pm | Afternoon Break | |
| 3:00-3:50 pm | Atypical Parkinsonism | Veronique VanderHorst |
| 3:50-3:55 pm | Break | |
| 3:55-4:55 pm | Movement Disorders Video Case Rounds | Veronique VanderHorst; David K. Simon |
Day 2
HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL| Time | Session Title | Faculty |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00-8:45 am | Tardive dyskinesia and other drug-induced movement disorders | Samuel Frank |
| 8:45-8:50 am | Break | |
| 8:50-9:35 am | Dystonia: Phenomenology, classification, and treatment | Samuel Frank |
| 9:35-9:45 am | Morning Break | |
| 9:45-10:30 am | Clinical Evaluation of Ataxia Syndromes | Jeremy Schmahmann |
| 10:30-10:35 am | Break | |
| 10:35-11:15 am | Tourette Syndrome | Kinga Tomczak |
| 11:15-11:20 am | Break | |
| 11:20 am-12:00 pm | Restless Leg Syndrome | John Winkelman |
| 12:00-12:05 pm | Break | |
| 12:05-12:40 pm | Cognitive and Psychiatric Aspects of Parkinson's Disease | Daniel Press |
| 12:40-1:25 pm | Lunch | |
| 1:25-2:10 pm | Introduction to Brain Stimulation | Michael Fox |
| 2:10-2:15 pm | Break | |
| 2:15-2:55 pm | DBS Surgery: Procedures and Outcomes | Ron Alterman |
| 2:55-3:05 pm | Afternoon Break | |
| 3:05-3:50 pm | Functional Movement Disorders | David Perez |
| 3:50-3:55 pm | Break | |
| 3:55-4:55 pm | Movement Disorder Video Case Rounds | Samuel Frank; Ludy Shih |
| 4:55-5:00 pm | Concluding Remarks | Samuel Frank |
Faculty Leadership
David K. Simon, MD, PhD
Course Director
Professor of Neurology, HMS; Chief, Division of Movement Disorders; BIDMC.
Samuel Frank, MD
Course Director
Associate Professor of Neurology, HMS; Director, HDSA Center of Excellence, BIDMC.
Ron Alterman, MD
Chief, Division of Neurosurgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Professor of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School
Ann Connor, MS, RN
Jacqueline Forbes, BS
Michael D. Fox, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School; Director, Center for Brain Circuit Therapeutics; Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry, Neurosurgery, and Radiology; Brigham and Women's Hospital / Massachusetts General Hospital / Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Lan Luo, MD, MS
Instructor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School; Co-Director, DBS Program, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Shabbir Merchant, MD
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School; Movement Disorders Fellowship Director, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
David Perez, MD, MMSc
Director, MGH Functional Neurological Disorders Clinic; Associate Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School; Massachusetts General Hospital
Daniel Press, MD
Associate Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School; Clinical Director, Cognitive Neurology Unit, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Jeremy Schmahmann, MD
Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School; Founding Director, Ataxia Unit; Cognitive Behavioral Neurology Unit; Director, Laboratory for Neuroanatomy and Cerebellar Neurobiology; Massachusetts General Hospital
Ludy Shih, MD
Member of the Faculty, Harvard Medical School
Kinga Tomczak, MD, PhD
Instructor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School; Director, Tic Disorders and Tourette Syndrome Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital
Veronique VanderHorst, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
John Winkelman, MD, PhD
Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Chief, Sleep Disorders Clinical Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital
Who Should Participate
This course is designed for clinicians seeking practical, evidence-based guidance in the diagnosis and management of movement disorders.
Primary Care Physicians
Neurologists
Pharmacists
Specialty Physicians
Physician Assistants
Psychologists
Nurse Practitioners
Nurses
Movement Disorder Fellows
Other Healthcare Professionals
What Clinicians Say
Real-world feedback from clinicians who use this course to sharpen diagnosis, refine treatment plans, and avoid common pitfalls.
Amina R.
Neurology Resident
"The video case rounds were the difference-maker. I finally feel confident separating tremor phenotypes and spotting red flags for atypical parkinsonism. Practical, structured, and immediately useful on service."
Javier M.
Family Physician
"Clear approach to gait disorders and drug-induced syndromes. The PDFs are concise, and the medication pearls helped me counsel patients better. This is exactly the kind of practical movement-disorder update primary care needs."
Sarah K.
Psychiatry Clinician
"Excellent coverage of tardive dyskinesia and dopamine-blocker pharmacology. The course helped me recognize subtle phenomenology and coordinate care with neurology sooner—patients benefit, and so does my prescribing confidence."
Reviews shown are representative testimonials for marketing purposes.
FAQ
Quick answers to common questions about access, content, and who this course is for.
Who is this course designed for?
Clinicians in neurology, primary care, and psychiatry who want a practical framework for recognizing, differentiating, and managing common and complex movement disorders.
What will I learn (in practical terms)?
A structured diagnostic approach (history + exam), red flags for atypical parkinsonism, medication side-effect recognition (including dopamine blockers), and evidence-based management strategies—reinforced with video case rounds.
Is this course case-based?
Yes—patient videos are woven throughout sessions, and dedicated video case rounds help you practice phenomenology recognition and clinical reasoning.
What do I get with purchase?
Full course access plus downloadable learning materials (including video case content and PDF guides). Exact access method depends on your platform checkout and delivery workflow.
Can I use this to prepare for boards?
It’s primarily designed for clinical practice, but the structured coverage of phenomenology, differential diagnosis, and management principles can strongly support board-style review.
Download Course
Join HMS faculty for this definitive course on movement disorder practice.
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