The Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Centre, National Neuroscience Institute (PDMDC, NNI) is dedicated to the comprehensive care, research, education and training into Parkinson's disease and movement disorders. We have a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals and research scientists, through a unique partnership between NNI and two major hospitals in Singapore: Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and Singapore General Hospital (SGH). Since 2006, our Centre was designated as a NPF Center of Excellence. This is a designation awarded by the National Parkinson Foundation (http://www.parkinson.org) to health care institutions that excel in Parkinson-related comprehensive care, research and community outreach programmes. We are proud to be one of the 11 International NPF Centers of Excellence outside the United States, and the only NPF Center of Excellence in Asia.


Clinical Service                                                                                             

PDMDC, NNI provides excellent comprehensive clinical services as follow:

These clinics have trained Movement Disorders Specialists who provide comprehensive evaluation and care for patients with Parkinson's disease, tremor disorders, gait disorders, and other abnormal movements. The emphasis is on patient-centred care with focus on the latest treatment strategies and the reduction of symptoms. Our patient's clinical condition is carefully monitored in the areas of motor function, activities of daily living, side effects of treatment, quality of life and memory. A Parkinson's Disease Nurse Clinician provides education and support to patients and their caregivers about their disease and treatment. When necessary, patients are referred to physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, social workers, and dieticians who are skilled in handling these disorders to further optimize their care. For appointment and enquiry, please contact

These clinics are run by Movement Disorders Specialists who are trained in administering botulinum toxin injections to a wide range of movement disorders such as hemifacial spasm, blepharospasm, dystonia, and spasticity. Patients with these conditions need to be evaluated first at the Movement Disorders Clinics or by a neurologist to assess their suitability for these injections. If suitable, minute doses of botulinum toxin are injected intramuscularly at various sites into the affected muscles using small needles. No anaesthesia or hospitalization is required to perform this procedure. The effects of botulinum toxin can be observed four to seven days after an injection, and the effects usually last three to four months. Repeat injections will be necessary when the symptoms recur. For appointment and enquiry, please contact

Minimally invasive stereotactic surgery and implantation of deep brain stimulators (similar to pace makers) into various parts of the brain are new modes of therapy for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease.Neurosurgeons specially trained in these techniques provide surgical expertise and use special recording devices during the operation to ensure correct placement of the electrode stimulators (wires). The major part of the procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia. After each operation, programming of the stimulators is carried out to turn on the stimulators and determine the best settings that will alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Patients undergoing this procedure are managed by an experienced team of neurosurgeons, movement disorders specialists, and nurses. For appointment and enquiry, please contact

The team of Movement Disorders Specialists and Nurse Clinicians also provide consultation services, clinical evaluation and care to persons suffering from Parkinson's disease and Movement Disorders who are admitted to Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Singapore General Hospital. Referrals may be made through their treating physicians. The Nurse Clinicians will coordinate comprehensive inpatient care by appropriate referrals to the multidisciplinary team.

Parkinson's Disease Support Group

We have a support group specially organized to provide educational and emotional support for Parkinson's disease patients and their caregivers. The support group is managed by the Parkinson's Disease Nurse Clinician, medical social workers and other paramedical staff. Support groups help raise awareness about the challenges of living with Parkinson's disease, and help patients replace negative attitudes with a more realistic understanding of the disease. It provides a caring environment for patients and their caregivers to ask questions about Parkinson's disease, as well as to share experiences with one another. The details of the support group meetings are as follow:

PDMDC, NNI @ TTSH	PDMDC, NNI @ SGH
Venue: Neuroscience Clinic, Level 1, Tan Tock Seng Hospital Time: 9:30 - 11:00 am First Saturday of the month English and Chinese groups meet on alternate months Tel: (65) 6357 7060	Venue: Rehabilitation Centre (Education Resource Room), Block 1 Level 1 (opposite specialist outpatient clinics) Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm First Monday of the month Tel: (65) 8125 3543

The Growth group provides an avenue for our patients to share their experiences and psychosocial issues in greater depth. In so doing, the Growth group aims to help patients cope better with the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease as well as the social, emotional and physical implications of the condition. Each group meets on a weekly basis for 8 sessions. These meetings are facilitated by medical social workers and Parkinson's disease Nurse Clinicians. For appointment and enquiry, please contact:                                                        

TTSH Care and Counselling Department Tel:(65) 6357 8222

Parkinson's Disease Exercise Class

Exercise helps to maintain and improve flexibility, balance, general fitness, and the ability to move. After an initial assessment by a physiotherapist, suitable patients are encouraged to participate in regular exercise classes. These classes are conducted in groups of up to 10 patients by physiotherapists. Patients are taught various exercises and strategies to cope with their mobility, balance and posture. They are encouraged to practise the exercises daily. For appointment and enquiry, please contact:

Some patients with Parkinson's disease have a soft voice, and difficulties being understood. The Voice Class is conducted by speech therapists and helps patients learn how to speak louder, with proper articulation and pronunciation of words so that family and friends can better understand them. For appointment and enquiry, please contact:

Patients can browse and borrow our collection of educational material relating to Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. The library is open monthly, during the Parkinson's Disease Support Group meetings at PDMDC, NNI @ TTSH. Registered members have access to books, brochures, and videotapes in English and Chinese, thereby increasing their knowledge and awareness of their condition.

Research                                                                                                     

Besides clinical service, PDMDC, NNI also engages actively in research to ultimately improve the quality of care for our patients. We have a well-coordinated research programme ranging from basic science to clinical and translational research, with aims to understand the etiopathogenesis and disease profile of Parkinson's disease and other Movement Disorders. Please follow the links of individual researchers to find out more about the ongoing research and the list of publications by our research faculty.