The Plummer Movement Disorders Center At Scott & White Healthcare

A Team Approach

 

   Today Rosa Hernandez introduced our surprise speaker, Mrs. Christy Herff.  Dr. Carnacion was suddenly called away and Mrs. Herff (to be more precise the newlywed Mrs. Herff) discussed the Plummer Movement Disorders Center at Scott & White Healthcare (“Plummer Center”) in her stead.

     Mrs. Herff is a social worker at the Plummer Center.  She explained that the Plummer Center is part of the Neurology Department at Scott & White.  While the Plummer Center treats a variety of movement disorders, Mrs. Herff focused on the treatment of individuals with Parkinson’s Disease.  The Plummer Center is one of 2 such centers in Texas (the other is in Houston).  Also the Plummer Center has been recognized by the National Parkinson’s Foundation as an accredited Parkinson’s Disease care facility.

      Parkinson’s Disease is technically a loss of brain cells that carry dopamine.  As dopamine production declines, the motor system nerves are unable to control movement and coordination, and consequently the individual experiences increasing instances of uncontrollable tremors.  Most of us focus on the uncontrollable tremors that we see.  Mrs. Herff explained that the loss of dopamine affects movements inside the body.  For example, an individual might have slow thinking patterns or digestive systems. 

      Parkinson’s Disease is not gender or race specific.  Age appears to be a good indicator of when a person might display symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.  The average age of the onset of Parkinson’s Disease is between 55 and 65.  Nonetheless, there have been cases initially diagnosed in people as young as 25 and as old at 92.   Mrs. Herff said that heredity may account for cases of Parkinson’s Disease about 5% of the time.  Current estimates are that there are about 1.5 million people in the United States alone who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.  There are around 1,000 individuals with this disease in Central Texas.

      What causes Parkinson’s Disease?  Mrs. Herff told us there is no clear cause, but the consensus is that a person may have a predisposition to develop the disease which is then triggered by some environmental event.  Along that line, in January of this year, the Veterans’ Administration added Parkinson’s Disease to the list of diseases caused by exposure to Agent Orange, thereby making health benefits available to veterans who served during the Viet Nam War period.

      The harsh reality is that we do not know exactly what causes Parkinson’s Disease and there is no cure.  There are drugs that can manage some of the symptoms of the disease; however there is a downside to such therapy.  A condition called dyskinesia can develop as a side effect of some of these drugs.  Dyskinesia is the term for the side movements that people with Parkinson’s Disease display.   Another sobering fact shared by Mrs. Herff is that Parkinson’s Disease symptoms are evident when about 70% to 80% of the dopamine in the brain has been depleted!  In short, the disease may be silently attacking a person long before the uncontrollable tremors begin. 

      Mrs. Herff said that there is no test to diagnose Parkinson’s Disease.  Researchers are now trying to develop a way to track dopamine levels in the brain.  Currently Magnetic Resonance Imaging (“MRI”) is used to detect structural changes in the brain.  There is still a great deal of mystery about Parkinson’s Disease.

      What is not a mystery is the role that the Plummer Center plays in improving the health and quality of life of those with Parkinson’s Disease.   The Plummer Center’s exercise classes (e.g. Tai Chi and Yoga) are critical to managing the disease.  Exercise causes the brain to produce dopamine which helps individuals to enjoy some relief from the symptoms of the disease.  

      Perhaps the most innovative facet of the Plummer Center is the use of a team management approach to the care of patients.  Mrs. Herff said we all need to recognize that when a serious chronic illness strikes a person, there is a lot of “collateral damage.”  All of the friends and family of the person diagnosed with the disease are affected.  Thus, family members and caregivers are invited to patient appointments since they are critical members of the team. 

      Also, after taking steps to protect confidentiality, the Plummer Center arranges for patients and caregivers to meet and share information about how they are coping with Parkinson’s Disease.  The first simple benefit is that you become part of a group with similar experiences which helps reduce the sense of loneliness.  The other clear benefit is that others may have approaches to take with a situation that another caregiver or patient may never have considered.  This is a very empowering process for all involved.

      Our community is certainly privileged to have the Plummer Center, as are the many Central Texans who suffer from or will be diagnosed with a movement disorder.