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Review
. 2015 Mar;42(2):74-87.
doi: 10.1017/cjn.2015.13.

Saskatchewan movement disorders program

Ali H Rajput  1 , Alex Rajput  1
Affiliations
Review

Saskatchewan movement disorders program

Ali H Rajput et al. Can J Neurol Sci. 2015 Mar.

Abstract
in English, French

We review the Saskatchewan Movement Disorders Program, which started in 1968 and has had the dual goals of patient care and research. The clinics are structured to collect research-worthy data including videos, longitudinal follow-up, and autopsy studies of patients seen in the clinics. At every clinic visit, the patient is evaluated by one or both authors. A total of 25% to 30% of the deceased come to autopsy. Frozen half-brain and formalin-fixed remnants from autopsy are preserved in our laboratories. Patients not seen in our clinic are not included in research, which makes it different from brain banks. So far, 515 cases have come to autopsy. So far, there have been 17 collaborating scientific teams from Canada, the United States, Europe, and Japan. The collaborators are not charged for access to our resources. This program offers a unique opportunity to study multiple aspects of movement disorder patients seen in clinical practice.

Movement Disorders Program de la Saskatchewan. Nous avons revu le Movement Disorders Program de la Saskatchewan établi en 1968. Son but est double, soit les soins aux patients et la recherche. Les cliniques sont structurées de telle sorte que des données de qualité soient générées à des fins de recherche, incluant des vidéos, sur le suivi à long terme et l’autopsie de patients suivis à la clinique. À chaque visite à la clinique, le patient est évalué par l’un des auteurs ou par les deux. Une autopsie est effectuée chez 25% à 30% des patients qui décèdent. Des demi-cerveaux congelés provenant d’autopsies et des tissus conservés dans la formaline sont également conservés dans nos laboratoires. Les patients qui ne sont pas suivis à notre clinique ne sont pas inclus dans notre recherche, contrairement aux banques de cerveaux. À ce jour, 515 autopsies ont été réalisées et 17 équipes de recherche du Canada, des États-Unis, d’Europe et du Japon ont collaboré avec nous. Aucun frais n’est exigé des collaborateurs pour avoir accés à nos ressources. Ce programme offre une opportunité unique d’étudier les multiples aspects des troubles du mouvement rencontrés en pratique clinique.

Keywords: Parkinson disease.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Adapted from Rajput et al, Neurology 1984.
Figure 2
Figure 2
This form is provided to patients to decide on autopsy for research. A copy is provided to each family member and the family physician.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Flow chart of Saskatchewan Movement Disorders Program operations.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Pictures of Saskatchewan Movement Disorders program storage of patient records and research material. (A) Filing cabinet containing hard copies of patient clinical records. (B) −80°C freezers. Currently there are nine freezers. (C) Cardboard boxes, each containing half-frozen brain from a patient. Each box has patient identification at four places—two with only the number and two with name and number. (D) Formalin-fixed remains of the brain tissue after pathology has been completed. (E) Paraffin blocks and glass slides stored in our laboratory. (F) Video library.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Summary of autopsy studies performed at Saskatchewan Movement Disorders Program and available samples. PD=Parkinson disease; PSP=progressive supranuclear palsy; MSA=multiple system atrophy; ET=essential tremor; CBD=corticobasal degeneration; ALS=amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; AD=Alzheimer disease.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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