My Center: National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery at Mexico City 

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The National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, located in Mexico City, was inaugurated on February 28, 1964. It is comprised of three main clinical services: neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. In close contact with basic science labs, it aims to provide a comprehensive approach to the neurosciences. Being a National Institute, its bylaw specifies that besides clinical attention, both teaching and research activities are required.  

While persons with movement disorders (MD) were regularly seen, the Movement Disorders Outpatient Clinic was not formally created until 1999. However, it was not until 2002 that the first movement disorders specialist was added to the staff. Currently, the institute has three movement disorders specialists all trained abroad. 

The Neuroimaging Department offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic imaging, including 3T MRI, and 18-FDG and 18F-DOPA PET/CT scans. The Clinical Neurophysiology Department provides MD-oriented studies and overnight polysomnograms.  

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, an average of 3,500 consultations for persons with MD were given per year. As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a follow-up telemedicine program has been developed. Weekly specific clinics include acute L-dopa and apomorphine challenges, deep brain stimulation (DBS), initial and follow-up programming, anatomy and ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injections. Advanced therapies offered in the clinic include DBS lead implantation and subcutaneous apomorphine infusion.  

In addition, education and training for general physicians and other healthcare professionals are provided not only through in-person courses but also via telementoring as part of the project ECHO. 

Outreach to the PD community is also proactively sought. Efforts to improve the well-being and the quality of life of people living with PD, their families, friends, loved ones and their caregivers include in-person and virtual educational events within local support groups, as well as with the Mexican Net of Parkinson’s Associations. 

We believe that with all our efforts from different perspectives and through an interdisciplinary team approach, we contribute to tackling the health inequities of our Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders community. 

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