Acknowledged centre of expertise
In 2015, the Dutch Federation of University Medical Centers (NFU) appointed national centers of expertise to improve patient care for rare diseases. The movement disorders group of the UMCG is an official expertise center for:
Dystonia Rare dystonia: myoclonus, focal,generalised, dopa responsive
Myoclonus Rare myoclonus; myoclonus dystonia GOSR2 and FCMTE
Ataxia Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, incl recessive ataxias
Hereditary spastic paraparesis Inherited congenital spastic tetraplegia
Paroxysmal dyskinesias Paroxysmal dyskinesia
Hyperekplexia Hyperekplexia
Functional movement disorders Psychogenic movement disorders
Chorea Rare choreic movement disorder, Huntington's disease
Iron storage diseases Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation; a.o. PKAN
Neurometabolic diseases Neurometabolic disease, related to movement disorders
Expertise centers combine knowledge and expertise in the field of rare diseases, develop protocols and guidelines, coordinate research and ensure adequate referral of patients inside and outside the Netherlands. The centers meet the standards set by the European Union for such centers in order to be compatible with the European Network for rare diseases (European Reference Networks).