Greenwich Hospital opens new neurology center

January 17, 2018

Dr. Alice Rusk, a neurologist at the recently opened Yale Medicine Neurology at Greenwich Hospital facility, speaks about her profession at the facility located on 55 Holly Hill Lane in Greenwich, Conn., Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. less Dr. Alice Rusk, a neurologist at the recently opened Yale Medicine Neurology at Greenwich Hospital facility, speaks about her profession at the facility located on 55 Holly Hill Lane in Greenwich, Conn., ... more The recently opened Yale Medicine Neurology at Greenwich Hospital facility located at 55 Holly Hill Lane in Greenwich, Conn., Friday, Jan. 12, 2018.

GREENWICH — About 20 percent of the town’s population is over the age of 65, according to census figures. The good news in demographic trends is that people are living longer, into their 80s or 90s. The not-so-good news is that more neurological maladies are occurring in the older population as it ages.

The field of neurology has been seeing a demand for services by more and more patients, at the same time that new forms of medical interventions and advances are making the quality of life better for people coping with neurological issues like Parkinson’s disease.

“It is going up because people are living longer. We don’t know what causes it, but the longer people live, the more likely they are to develop (a neurological disorder),” said Dr. Alice Rusk, a neurologist who opened started a new medical facility in Greenwich — Yale Medicine Neurology at Greenwich Hospital — on Holly Hill Lane. The new unit, with Dr. Kunal Desai, also is offering care for neurological sub-specialties — including headaches and pain, cognitive disorders, movement disorders and balance issues.

The public also is more educated about neurological issues than in the past, leading to more people seeking treatment.

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While there are no guarantees to good health or longevity, neurologists advise the public to follow certain lifestyle practices for better brain health. Dr. Alice Rusk cites these recommendations, which are adapted from the American Academy of Neurology:

* Regular exercise. “It doesn’t have to be intense. Even regular walking. ”

*Staying active cognitively. “Challenging yourself to learn new things, even as you age. Learning a new language, learning a new card game, new puzzles.”

*Eliminating toxins. “The main one is alcohol. Or reducing it. As you age, you no longer metabolize alcohol as well as you did when you were young.”

*Social interaction. “We’re a language-based people. Maintaining language function and social interaction, it increases brain function.”

“There’s more awareness — the awareness from patients, and their families, they’re more aware when they see changes,” said Rusk.

People might not, however, be aware of how much the field has advanced. A diagnosis of Parkinson’s is far from a death sentence — the ailment can be managed with proper medical care and changes to behavior.

“We have more things we can do, we can be proactive, than people used to think — medication and treatments. And lifestyle changes,” said Rusk, who is the head of neurology at Greenwich Hospital.

It is important for people to get the diagnoses and not ignore symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, which is characterized by tremors and balance problems. “Depression and anxiety can be part of the condition and should be treated,” Rusk added. “It’s often the first symptom of Parkinson’s.”

She continues to hope that a cure for Parkinson’s disease will be found in the near- to medium-term future.

”But we first have to find out what causes it before we can cure it,” said Rusk.

Until then, people can live with the disease for many years.

”And everybody is different, it’s a spectrum,” the neurologist said. She referenced the actor Michael J. Fox, who has been very public about his life with Parkinson’s. “He’s done amazingly well, and he’s had it for over 30 years. Good medical management,” she said.

Until a cure for Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease is found, patients themselves can make a difference.

“We’re so much better off than we were ten years ago,” the neurologist said. “And people who are proactive do so much better than people who ignore it.”

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