Parkinson’s disease referral center based at UW Neurology Department

For patients who have just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and families of patients with more advanced disease, the Information and Referral Center run by the American Parkinson Disease Association can provide both comfort and information, as well as connections to services.

The Information and Referral Center has been based for more than 15 years in the School of Medicine’s Department of Neurology. Alisa Malloch, a registered nurse, is the current information and referral coordinator.

Alisa Malloch talks with a caller at the Parkinson’s disease information center.

Dr. Phillip Swanson, professor of neurology, and Dr. Ali Samii, a movement disorder specialist, are medical co-directors of the service.

Malloch says that questions coming into the service run the gamut from a need for basic information on the disease to requests by caregivers for referral to support groups.

“Sometimes people just need ‘a good listening ear’ so they can talk about their fears and frustration dealing with this disease,” Malloch adds.

And then there are very practical questions, such as where to get equipment needed for the home or how to go about getting a ramp built when a wheelchair is needed.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological degenerative condition resulting from a lack of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. The cells that produce dopamine gradually degenerate, although no one knows why.

The most common symptoms are tremors, slowness and rigidity. Although the disease can be treated, it is a chronic condition and becomes worse with time.

Despite years of study, the basic cause of Parkinson’s is not known. There is no clear evidence that a tendency to develop the disease is inherited, and no clear environmental cause has been identified.

The Information and Referral Center offers free services to anyone who is interested in Parkinson’s and wants to learn more about the disease. The phone number is (206) 543-5369 or 1-888-400-2732. Services include: