Office of University Communications

Lawrence Elmer

Lawrence Elmer
Professor of Neurology
Medical Director of the Center for Neurological Health

A disease best known to the public due to the high profile of people like Muhammad Ali, Michael J. Fox and Janet Reno, Parkinson's Disease affects as many as one million in the United States and 10 million worldwide and concerns of more cases rise with an aging population. Currently overseeing the construction of The University of Toledo Medical Center's new Parkinson's Center, Lawrence Elmer is able to point to significant advances diagnosis and in the way the disease is treated and in ways to slow its progression so that people do not become trapped inside their own bodies.

Expertise: Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s research advances
"There have been tremendous advances in the past 10 years that have greatly expanded our understanding of Parkinson's disease and the ways we care for people with this disease. One of the keys we have learned over the years is the value of exercise in slowing the progression of Parkinson's and the importance of a team-care approach in combating complications of the disease."

UTMC breaks ground on 6,000 sq. ft. Parkinson's center
Toledo News Now
June 2012

New Parkinson’s treatments
Dr. Elmer says there are exciting new medicines too, including a patch that mimics a chemical in the brain called dopamine. He says Parkinson's patients don't have sufficient dopamine, which he says is sort of like WD-40. "And if you don't have enough WD-40 in your brain you become just like the tin man in the Wizard of Oz. It's just everything becomes difficult to do."

Advances in Parkinson's Treatment
WTVG ABC 13
June 2012

Neurology, Parkinson's, Parkinson's Disease, aging
Last Updated: 6/27/22