Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders

10/12/2026

A new option for Parkinson's disease.

The FDA approved tavapadon (brand name Juvmo) for adults with Parkinson's disease. We asked Dr. Aaron Ellenbogen, medical director of MIND's Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Center and a fellowship-trained movement disorders neurologist, what patients and families should know:

“Tavapadon is a new kind of Parkinson's medication. Like other drugs in its class (called dopamine agonists), it works by acting on the brain's dopamine system — the signaling that Parkinson's disease damages and that controls movement. What makes tavapadon different is that it's more selective: it switches on one specific set of dopamine receptors (called D1/D5) that drive movement, while largely leaving alone another set (D2/D3) that earlier medications stimulated. Because those D2/D3 receptors are tied to some of the troublesome side effects we've seen with older drugs in this class — such as sudden sleepiness and impulse-control problems like compulsive gambling or shopping — targeting movement more precisely may ease Parkinson's symptoms with less of that risk. It's taken as one pill once a day.

“Tavapadon may help people across the range of Parkinson's disease: those in earlier stages, and those with more advanced disease whose symptoms come and go between doses of their current medication (levodopa)."

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder affecting millions of people worldwide.

If you or someone you love is living with Parkinson's, talk with your MIND neurologist about whether tavapadon could be part of your care.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/3W5N1CB

10/09/2026

October is Facial Pain Awareness Month. Here are a few things worth knowing about trigeminal neuralgia, one of the most common causes of nerve-related facial pain:
1. It's often mistaken for a tooth problem. Many people see a dentist first, which can delay getting the right diagnosis.
2. Everyday things can set it off. Chewing, talking, brushing your teeth, or even a light breeze can trigger an attack.
3. The pain usually hits one side of the face. People often describe it as sharp, stabbing, or like an electric shock.
4. It doesn't always look the same. Some have brief episodes that come and go, while others live with a constant ache or burning.
5. Help is available. A neurologist can pinpoint the cause and walk you through treatment options.

At the MIND Headache & Facial Pain Center, Medical Director Dr. Lauren Aymen and the MIND team provide specialized care for patients experiencing facial pain and other headache disorders.

If facial pain is getting in the way of your day, call (248) 553-0010 or visit https://bit.ly/3I6T2bx to schedule an appointment.

10/06/2026

At MIND, our certified physician assistants are often the familiar faces at follow-up visits. They explain a new medication, check how patients are responding, and make time for the questions that come up between appointments.

Working alongside our doctors, they keep care moving, from the first evaluation through long-term treatment of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, epilepsy, migraine, chronic pain, and neuroimmunological conditions such as MS.

To Jessica Epstein, Alexis Franklin, Olivia Nastovski, McKinlay Scott, Michelle Sierant, and Sarah Vella: thank you for the help and reassurance you give our patients, and for keeping every piece of their treatment connected.

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10/05/2026

24 hours. That's how quickly meningitis can turn deadly.

This World Meningitis Day, MIND is joining a worldwide push for faster diagnosis, wider vaccine access and stronger support for survivors led by the Meningitis Research Foundation. Around 2.5 million people are affected each year, and for many, the story continues long after the hospital stay.

Our neurologists see that chapter firsthand. We help patients navigate cognitive changes, epilepsy and other lasting effects so they can get back to the lives they love.

Think it could be meningitis? Head to the ER immediately.

10/01/2026

The Hour Detroit Magazine 2026 Top Docs are out, and MIND is well represented.

Top Docs are chosen by fellow physicians. When the doctors who know the field best keep choosing the same people, that tells you something.

Congratulations to:
- Jonathan Fellows, DO, FACN, Alzheimer’s and Neurology
- Daniel Singer, DO, FACN, Neurology
- Robert Pierce, DO, FACN, Neurology
- William Boudouris, DO, Neurology

Congratulations to MIND Doctors Jonathan Fellows, Daniel Singer, Robert Pierce and William Boudouris on being named to HOUR Detroit's 2026 Top Docs! Chosen by fellow physicians for excellence in neurology and Alzheimer's treatment, they stand among metro Detroit's most respected specialists, a refle...

09/30/2026

Tried migraine treatments and still looking for relief? Your treatment history matters.

When symptoms persist, it can feel discouraging to consider another appointment. But what you’ve already tried—and how you responded—provides valuable information about what to consider next.

At MIND’s Headache & Facial Pain Center, our specialists evaluate persistent and complex headache symptoms and develop individualized treatment plans informed by your symptoms, medical history, and previous treatments.

A specialized evaluation can help you explore your next steps.

Before your visit, write down:
→ Treatments you’ve tried
→ What helped and what didn’t
→ Side effects you experienced
Save this checklist for your next appointment.

Learn more about MIND’s Headache & Facial Pain Center:
https://bit.ly/3I6T2bx

09/28/2026

Your hand keeps “falling asleep.” Your feet keep tingling. When is it time to find out why?

Temporary pins and needles after sitting or sleeping in an awkward position are common. But numbness or tingling that lingers, keeps returning, or spreads deserves a closer look.

The pattern matters—and testing can help investigate the cause.

At MIND, our neurologists evaluate your symptoms and, when appropriate, recommend testing such as EMG to assess muscle and nerve function. These findings can help us understand what’s happening and guide your next steps.

Before your appointment, pay attention to:
→ Where you feel it
→ How often it happens and how long it lasts
→ Whether you also notice pain or weakness

Save this checklist for your next visit, and follow MIND for more What a Neurologist Wants You to Know.

Learn about evaluation and testing at MIND: MINDonline.com

Sudden numbness—especially on one side, or with weakness, trouble speaking, or vision changes—can be an emergency. Call 911.

09/25/2026

Balance, walking, coordination—when these change, everyday tasks can become difficult.

Ataxia describes problems with coordination that can affect how someone walks, uses their hands, or speaks. It can have many causes, making neurological evaluation an important step toward understanding what’s happening.

At MIND, our neurologists evaluate these changes and recommend testing when appropriate to help investigate the cause and guide care.

Knowing the word “ataxia” is a start. Understanding what’s behind it is the next step.

Save or share this post to help more people recognize a condition they may not have heard of.

Learn more about neurological care: MINDonline.com

09/22/2026

As fall brings shorter days and earlier sunsets, those cues change. Daylight helps set your body’s internal clock—the system that influences when you feel awake and when you feel ready for sleep.

Consider this your seasonal reminder to check in with your routine:
Make time for daylight.
Keep your sleep and wake times consistent.
Give yourself time to wind down before bed.

At MIND, we know brain health is part of everyday life—including the rhythms that carry us through each season.

What’s one routine that helps you settle into fall? Share yours below. 🍁

09/21/2026

Expert care. A listening ear. A familiar face along the way.

This National Advanced Practice Provider Week, we’re celebrating MIND’s physician assistants and nurse practitioners—and the expertise and compassion they bring to neurological care.

From evaluating symptoms and helping manage treatment to answering questions and explaining next steps, our APPs help patients navigate care with greater understanding and support.

To our APPs: thank you for the skill, patience, and dedication you bring to MIND every day.

Join us in thanking our team in the comments! 💙