(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

VIENNA — The state’s first two-day symposium for Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders will be held today and Saturday at the Grand Central Church of Christ at 5805 Grand Central Ave. in Vienna.

The event is hosted and sponsored by the West Virginia Movement Disorder Alliance, the Mid-Ohio Valley Parkinson’s Support Group and the Charleston Parkinson’s Support Group. Today’s session will begin at 10 a.m. while Saturday’s session will start at 9 a.m.

“Parkinson’s disease is a specific neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, while other movement disorders encompass a broader range of conditions with varying causes and symptoms,” said Dr. Heather Pinckard-Dover, a neurosurgeon specializing in movement disorders from Marshall Health.

Movement disorders can include: Parkinson’s, essential tremors, Huntington’s disease, restless leg, dyskinesia, dystonia and others.

In West Virginia, there are 6,880 known individuals with Parkinson’s disease, according to The Michael J. Fox Foundation. The annual cost to treat people with Parkinson’s disease in West Virginia, alone, is over $380 million. Statistics are not available for people suffering from other movement disorders in West Virginia.

Emily Taylor, the director of the MOV Parkinson’s Support Group, says the symposium is open to anyone affected by movement disorders, including patients, caregivers, family members and medical professionals.

The symposium features the state’s top Parkinson’s and movement disorder experts from Marshall Health, WVU Medicine and CAMC/Vandalia Health.

One of the country’s foremost movement disorder experts, Dr. Michael Okun, will open today’s presentation via Zoom. He recently co-authored the book, “The Parkinson’s Plan.” Okun believes that “the patient is the sun” and should be at the center of all care decisions.

Lunch will be provided on both days.

For more information on the symposium, people can contact Emily Taylor at 304-483-6418 or go to www.wvmda.org.