Houston Methodist Hires Renowned Expert to Lead Movement Disorders Clinic

Houston – (Sept. 29, 2015) – William G. Ondo, M.D., is joining the Houston Methodist Neurological Institute as the director of the Movement Disorders Clinic. He will begin seeing patients on Oct. 1.

Ondo has been in practice for nearly 20 years and specializes in diagnosis, treatment and research of Parkinson’s disease, essential tremors, and the use of botulinum toxins in treating movement disorders, and restless legs syndrome.

Nearly 10 percent of the U.S. population suffers from restless legs syndrome (RLS), which is characterized by the need to move the legs to relieve uncomfortable sensations that get worse with inactivity and at night. The Houston Methodist Movement Disorders Clinic will be one of only five RLS quality care centers in the nation.

“RLS is a very common neurological condition that is often undiagnosed,” Ondo said. “While we don’t have a cure for RLS yet, it is treatable, making proper diagnosis very important to bring relief to RLS sufferers.”

“Dr. Ondo is an internationally renowned expert in restless legs syndrome with extensive experience in diagnosing and treating the disease,” said Stanley H. Appel, M.D., chairman of neurology and director of the Houston Methodist Neurological Institute. “At Houston Methodist, Dr. Ondo will lead numerous research efforts in the genetics and physiology of RLS to help improve current treatment methods.”

Ondo earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia before completing an internship at the University of North Carolina Hospital, a neurology residency at Duke University, and a movement disorders fellowship at the Baylor College of Medicine. He is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in adult neurology and sleep medicine.

Ondo has authored more than 250 original articles and book chapters and edited two books on movement disorders. He currently serves as the president of the Tremor Research Group.

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