Movement Disorder Research

Movement disorder investigators in the Wake Forest School of Medicine’s Department of Neurology are performing leading-edge research in Huntington's disease, spasticity and Parkinson’s disease.

Huntington’s Disease

Huntington's disease is an inherited brain disorder that results in the progressive loss of both mental faculties and physical control. Presently, there is no effective treatment or cure, although medication can relieve some symptoms.

Our mission is to provide the best possible treatment and care for individuals and their families who are suffering from Huntington's disease. We also strive to further knowledge of the disease and its treatment through basic and clinical research.

Current Clinical Trials


Current Huntington’s Disease Research Faculty Members

  • Francis Walker, MD

Spasticity Research

Spasticity is stiff or rigid muscles with unusual tightness or increased muscle tone. It is usually caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls movements. This condition can interfere with walking, movement or speech.

Our mission is to provide the best possible treatment and care for individuals and their families who are suffering from spasticity. We also strive to further knowledge of spasticity and its treatment through basic and clinical research.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that results when some of the nerve centers in the brain lose their ability to regulate the movement of muscles.

Our mission is to provide the best possible treatment and care for individuals and their families who are suffering from Parkinson's disease. We also strive to further knowledge of the disease and its treatment through basic and clinical research.

Current Clinical Trials


Current Parkinson’s Disease Research Faculty Members

Other Current Research Studies and Trials

  • 2005-Present: A longitudinal study of the variable phenotypic presentations of Rapid-Onset Dystonia Parkinsonism and other movement disorders, Investigator Initiated, Allison Brashear, MD; Jared Cook, MS, jarcook@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-9007
  • 2012-Present: Dystonia Coalition Projects, Sponsors: NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and Office of Rare Disease Research; Janet Hutchens, BS, CCRC, jahutche@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-1715
  • 2013-Present: A study evaluating the efficacy and safety of DYSPORT in patients with Cervical Dystonia, Sponsor: Ipsen
  • 2013-Present: A study assessing the long term efficacy and safety of DYSPORT in patients with Cervical Dystonia, Sponsor: Ipsen ; Charlotte Miller, RN, CCRC, chmiller@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-9056

Ultrasound Study

2010-Present: A study on the establishment of reference values for neuromuscular ultrasound in extremes of population, Investigator Initiated, Michael Cartwright, MD; Jessica Bargoil, jmbargoi@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-3919

Michael Cartwright, MD is the Principal Investigator for the ultrasound study