Comprehensive Movement Disorders

At the University at Buffalo Comprehensive Movement Disorders Center, our patients receive highly specialized, individualized care from our team. This team consists of fellowship-trained neurologists and neurosurgeons with extensive expertise conducting Parkinson’s research and stereotactic neurosurgery.

Led by Dr. Jonathan Riley, the UBNS comprehensive movement disorders team believes in a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Members of the team are certified by the National Parkinson’s Foundation to provide supportive services to Parkinson’s disease patients and their families.

Our multidisciplinary movement disorders program specializes in the evaluation and treatment of:

  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Medically refractory epilepsy
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Essential tremor
  • Dystonia
  • Tics & other movement disorders
  • Botulinum toxin injections for dystonia, blepharospasm and sialorrhea
  • Medically refractory spasticity secondary to multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and stroke
  • Gamma knife for tremor and tumors

Our patients have access to current drug studies and surgical treatments from our expert team. We also provide ongoing patient support and communication.

What You Can Expect

At their initial appointment, patients are first introduced to the movement disorders team before undergoing an in-depth interview, history, and exam with a fellowship-trained movement disorders neurologist, Dr. Kelly Andrzejewski.

Treatments

We offer our patients the most current medications for the treatment of movement disorders, including:

  • Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
  • Botulinum Toxin injections for the treatment of spasmodic torticollis, blepharospasm, focal dystonias, and spasticity
  • Intrathecal baclofen pump therapy for the treatment of spasticity and dystonia
  • Intracranial ablations for selected patients that are surgical candidates but not appropriate for long-term stimulation

We participate in the most appropriate experimental protocols for the surgical and medical management of movement disorders. Surgical management consists of either DBS or an ablative procedure to treat PD, essential tremor, and dystonia. Surgical procedures are performed by Dr. Jonathan Riley, who specializes in stereotactic procedures.

What Sets Us Apart

Each member of the comprehensive movement disorders team is a trained professional with expertise and passion for treating Parkinson’s disease and other chronic movement disorders. We treat the entire course of Parkinson’s and take pride in the level of care we offer for early, middle, and advanced stages of the disease.

Our team spends as much time as is necessary to properly and thoroughly assess each patient’s needs in order to devise and recommend the best course of treatment for that individual. We offer the most innovative treatment options and hold the distinction of being the only practice in Western New York to offer deep brain stimulation to treat Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia.

The same team familiar with your condition and treatment also implants and programs your device. We know your symptoms and manage your medications, making the DBS programming process just an extension of your treatment.

We are the largest provider of intrathecal baclofen therapy (ITB) for spasticity in the region.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Deep Brain Stimulation is a surgical therapy that is extremely effective for properly selected patients who suffer from movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and essential tremor. UBNS’ Movement Disorders team has been successfully treating Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, and essential tremor for more than 20 years. Our highly specialized movement disorders team is comprised of fellowship-trained physicians who serve those afflicted with PD as well as other movement disorders.

What is DBS Therapy?

It consists of surgical implantation of one or two leads, with four electrical contacts into specific areas of the brain. The leads are attached by an extension wire to an implanted battery-operated medical device called an impulse generator or neurostimulator. The DBS leads deliver electrical currents to the brain to modulate abnormal nerve signals and thus lessen PD symptoms. The symptoms that respond best to DBS are shaking (tremor), muscle stiffness (rigidity), slowed movement (bradykinesia), and dyskinesia (involuntary movements which is a side effect from medication). For some patients, it can improve walking.

The system can be turned on or off by the patient or by the clinician. The clinician can activate one or more of the four contacts on each brain lead to provide the stimulation and control, to some extent, a variety of electrical parameters or settings to control the amount of stimulation. These adjustments are often referred to as “programming” the DBS system. They allow the ability to maximize benefit and minimize side effects. Because DBS is entirely reversible and can be performed on both sides of the brain, the majority of patients choose DBS over the other surgical treatments.

The DBS System

There are two types of DBS systems: unilateral (placement only on one side of the brain) and bilateral (placement on both sides of the brain). Several pieces make up the DBS system, including:

  • Lead—A metal wire that allows for transmission of electricity is surgically implanted into the brain. There are four different contacts at the end of the wire to allow for the delivery of electrical impulses to the brain target site. The wire is just over a millimeter in diameter.
  • Extension Wire—A wire runs from the brain electrode to the pulse generator.
  • Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG), or Neurostimulator—A battery-powered device supplies electricity through the extension wire to the four contacts on the DBS lead.
  • Programmer—A device that communicates with the IPG using radiowaves. This is used to set the electrical stimulation.
  • Patient Controller—A remote control device allows the patient to turn on and off the IPG and to check the battery status.

The DBS Protocol

Evaluation of PD, ET, and dystonia begins with our movement disorders neurologist, Dr. Kelly Andrzewski. If PD is suspected, a baseline unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale (UPDRS) should be performed. This scale helps the clinician evaluate the status of your PD. Preoperative tests may include MRI, x-ray, EKG, blood test, and neuro psych evaluation.

Surgery

Once the team has determined that and the patient has decided to move forward with a surgical procedure, a choice is made as to whether the patient will receive Deep Brain Stimulation or an ablative procedure. If DBS is chosen, then an implantation site for the neurostimulator is also necessary.

Before brain surgery, MRI and CT scans are used to locate the target brain structure. Once an internal map is drawn, this map is matched with external landmarks so surgeons can make an accurate incision using a local anesthetic. Surgery is performed by creating a small burr hole in the skull about the size of a nickel. A microelectrode is then guided to the pre-selected target. This customized mapping process helps to fine-tune the exact location individually for each patient, to the desired accuracy of one millimeter or less.

A local anesthetic to numb the skin is administered when the surgeon makes the opening in the skull.

Once the patient has successfully recovered, the extension wire is placed. During this procedure, the patient is placed under general anesthesia. The “pacemaker” is surgically implanted under the skin of the chest, just below the collarbone. The stimulator is turned on for the first time a few weeks post-operation. Programming does not require any further surgery.

As with any surgery, there are risks associated with deep brain stimulation therapy which are explained by your surgeon. The results can be dramatic and life-altering.

The hospital staff will provide you with discharge instructions for care of your incisions. Your DBS staff will provide you with information for follow up appointments for DBS programming and for dosing of your PD medications. This information will include phone numbers to call in case of emergency.

If you have additional questions about DBS and would like to speak to a nurse who specializes in caring for DBS patients, please call Rachel Shepherd, RN at (716) 932-6080, ext 135.

Am I a Candidate for DBS?

When you are first diagnosed with PD, your neurologist or movement disorders specialist will use medications to help reduce the symptoms of PD. Your condition may be well controlled with medication alone and DBS may not be necessary or may be delayed for several years. That said, recent evidence and a revised FDA-approval consideration of DBS earlier in the course of Parkinson’s disease (a minimum of four years after diagnosis) so as to get the best long-term symptom improvement benefit. A movement disorders specialist is the best resource to confirm your diagnosis of PD and help determine if DBS would be a good choice for you.

The best candidates for DBS therapy meet most of the following criteria:

  • You have had PD symptoms for at least four years.
  • You have “on/off” fluctuations, with or without dyskinesia.
  • You continue to have a good response to PD medications, especially carbidopa/levodopa, although the duration of response may be insufficient.
  • You have tried different combination of carbidopa/levodopa and dopamine agonists under the supervision of a movement disorders neurologist.
  • You have tried other PD medications, such as entacapone, tolcapone, selegiline, or amantadine without beneficial results.
  • You have PD symptoms that interfere with daily activities.

DBS is NOT as effective to relieve some symptoms, such as difficulty with balance or walking, freezing episodes, or speech problems. DBS would not be advised if you have severe confusion, depression, anxiety, or another psychiatric illness that is not improved with medication or counseling. If you are not certain about your PD diagnosis, or you have another serious health condition, you may need further evaluation by a movement disorders specialist and/or your primary physician.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

At the Comprehensive Movement Disorders Center, the UBNS team regularly collaborates with a multidisciplinary group of specialized medical professionals, including:

Kelly Andrzejewski, DO, PhD
Movement Disorders Specialist
Professor of Neurology, University at Buffalo

Dr. Andrzejewski is a neurologist with special training in the treatment of movement disorders and is the lead neurologist of the deep brain stimulation (DBS) program at the University at Buffalo. She evaluates patients to determine if DBS surgery will help alleviate their neurological symptoms; if it will, she performs intraoperative electrophysiology monitoring during DBS lead placement. Dr. Andrzejewski also programs patients’ neurostimulator system following DBS surgery and collaborates closely with the neurosurgical team from UB Neurosurgery and the DBS team to provide an integrated treatment plan for each of her patients.

David G. Lichter, MB, ChB, FRACP
Movement Disorders Specialist
Clinical Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry, University at Buffalo

Dr. Lichter received his medical degree from the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1977 and was admitted to Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 1984. Following a residency in neurology and a fellowship in movement disorders at the University of Rochester, New York, he joined the faculty of the Department of Neurology, SUNY at Buffalo, in 1989. At that time, he founded the Tourette syndrome clinic at the Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and established the first movement disorders clinic at the UB University Physician’s office. This clinic was then relocated to Buffalo General Hospital in 1995. He is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, the Movement Disorders Society, and the American Neuropsychiatric Association.

Deep Brain Stimulation DBS Therapy
Free Health Seminar

Held quarterly, the Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) therapy one-hour free health seminars are designed to educate patients and families about DBS therapy. Our experienced staff will explain the procedure in detail including all preoperative information, during the surgery, and follow-up programming. You will also have an opportunity to meet a patient who uses DBS therapy. This program is for group education, not a personal medical consultation. No insurance coverage or fees needed. Family members are welcome and encouraged to attend. View seminar information

The Seminar dates for 2021 are:
Feb 1st
May 3rd
August 2nd
Nov 1st

All seminars begin at 4 PM.

UBNS Comprehensive Neuroscience Center Office
40 George Karl Blvd (off Wehrle), Suite 100,
Williamsville, NY 14221

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Browse Topics

IS DBS a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD) or essential tremor (ET)?

Why choose DBS therapy over the other surgical treatments?

What symptoms does DBS help?

Am I a good candidate for DBS?

IS DBS a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD) or essential tremor (ET)?

No. DBS is a treatment for PD: it does not cure PD nor does it stop the progression of PD. The same is true for ET, it reduces tremor but the disease can progress.

Why choose DBS therapy over the other surgical treatments?

DBS therapy is considered a safe and effective treatment for PD and ET and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States. IT is covered by Medicare and all major insurance carriers.

What symptoms does DBS help?

DBS can help improve the motor symptoms of PD including: shaking (tremor), muscle stiffness (rigidity), slowed movement (bradykinesia), “on/off” fluctuations and dyskinesia (a side effect of PD medication). DBS increases patients “on” time by five and a half hours per day on average. Eighty-five percent of Essential Tremor patients receive dramatic benefit.

Am I a good candidate for DBS?

When you are first diagnosed with PD, your neurologist or movement disorders specialist will use medications to help reduce the symptoms of PD. Your condition may be well controlled with medication alone and DBS may not be necessary or may be delayed for several years. A movement disorders specialist is the best resource to confirm your diagnoses of PD and help determine if DBS would be a good choice for you. The same is true for ET, your movement disorders neurologist will evaluate you and recommend DBS as needed.The best candidates for DBS therapy meet most of the following criteria: You have had PD symptoms for at least five years. You have “on/off” fluctuations, with or without dyskinesia. You continue to have a good response to PD medications, especially carbidopa/levodopa, although the duration of response may be insufficient. You have tried different combination of carbidopa/levodopa and dopamine agonists under the supervision of a movement disorders neurologist. You have tried other PD medications, such as entacapone, tolcapone, selegiline, or amantadine without beneficial results. You have PD symptoms that interfere with daily activities. For ET, if your tremor is affecting activities of daily living. DBS is NOT as effective to relieve some symptoms, such as: difficulty with balance or walking, freezing episodes or speech problems. DBS would not be advised if you have severe confusion, depression, anxiety or another psychiatric illness that is not improved with medication or counseling. If you are not certain about your PD diagnoses, or you have another serious health condition, you may need further evaluation by a movement disorders specialist and/or your primary physician.

Browse Topics

IS DBS a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD) or essential tremor (ET)?

No. DBS is a treatment for PD: it does not cure PD nor does it stop the progression of PD. The same is true for ET, it reduces tremor but the disease can progress.

Why choose DBS therapy over the other surgical treatments?

DBS therapy is considered a safe and effective treatment for PD and ET and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States. IT is covered by Medicare and all major insurance carriers.

What symptoms does DBS help?

DBS can help improve the motor symptoms of PD including: shaking (tremor), muscle stiffness (rigidity), slowed movement (bradykinesia), “on/off” fluctuations and dyskinesia (a side effect of PD medication). DBS increases patients “on” time by five and a half hours per day on average. Eighty-five percent of Essential Tremor patients receive dramatic benefit.

Am I a good candidate for DBS?

When you are first diagnosed with PD, your neurologist or movement disorders specialist will use medications to help reduce the symptoms of PD. Your condition may be well controlled with medication alone and DBS may not be necessary or may be delayed for several years. A movement disorders specialist is the best resource to confirm your diagnoses of PD and help determine if DBS would be a good choice for you. The same is true for ET, your movement disorders neurologist will evaluate you and recommend DBS as needed.The best candidates for DBS therapy meet most of the following criteria: You have had PD symptoms for at least five years. You have “on/off” fluctuations, with or without dyskinesia. You continue to have a good response to PD medications, especially carbidopa/levodopa, although the duration of response may be insufficient. You have tried different combination of carbidopa/levodopa and dopamine agonists under the supervision of a movement disorders neurologist. You have tried other PD medications, such as entacapone, tolcapone, selegiline, or amantadine without beneficial results. You have PD symptoms that interfere with daily activities. For ET, if your tremor is affecting activities of daily living. DBS is NOT as effective to relieve some symptoms, such as: difficulty with balance or walking, freezing episodes or speech problems. DBS would not be advised if you have severe confusion, depression, anxiety or another psychiatric illness that is not improved with medication or counseling. If you are not certain about your PD diagnoses, or you have another serious health condition, you may need further evaluation by a movement disorders specialist and/or your primary physician.

Meet Our Physicians

Jonathan P. Riley

MD

Clinical Team

Comprehensive Movement Disorders

Assaf Berger

MD

Clinical Team

Comprehensive Movement Disorders

WNY Locations

  • Dunkirk

  • John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital

  • Erie County Medical Center

  • Buffalo General Medical Center

  • Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

  • Gates Vascular Institute

  • Summit Park Office Complex

  • Oishei Children’s Outpatient Center

  • Brook Bridge Medical Complex

  • Conventus Building

  • Comprehensive Neuroscience Center

Surgical Locations:  Sisters of Charity Hospital, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo General Medical Center, Gates Vascular Institute, Kenmore Mercy Hospital

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