164: Tremor vs Dyskinesia: Practical Bedside Clues for Clinicians

About this episode

Julie Kurek, MD discusses how to differentiate dyskinesia from tremor in movement disorders.

Welcome to the NeurologyLive ® Mind Moments® podcast. Tune in to hear leaders in neurology sound off on topics that impact your clinical practice. In this Mind Moments episode, Julie Kurek, MD , Associate Professor of Neurology at Augusta University/Wellstar-MCG, joins the podcast to provide a clinical breakdown of how neurologists can differentiate dyskinesia from tremor in patients with Parkinson disease and other movement disorders. Drawing from bedside experience, Kurek outlines the key phenomenologic differences between these movements, emphasizing the importance of rhythm, distribution, and overall movement quality in distinguishing the two. The conversation also explores how timing in relation to levodopa dosing serves as a critical diagnostic anchor, including recognition of peak-dose and biphasic dyskinesias. Kurek discusses real-world challenges in identifying patient-specific patterns, the importance of clinician–patient communication, and common diagnostic pitfalls, particularly in younger-onset or atypical presentations. She also highlights the growing role of digital tools, including wearable sensors and adaptive deep brain stimulation, in improving longitudinal…

People in this episode

Host: Julie Kurek

Guest: Julie Kurek Md

Topics covered

• tremor
• dyskinesia
• Parkinson disease
• movement disorders
• clinical practice

Keywords

• neurology
• diagnosis
• levodopa
• digital tools
• wearable sensors

Mentioned in this episode

Products: UX111 Elecsys, Cala kIQ Plus, wearable sensors, adaptive deep brain stimulation

Books & works: Neurology News Minute

More episodes of NeurologyLive® Mind Moments®

• 168: Analyzing Phase 2 Data for PACAP Targeting Therapy Bocunebart in Migraine · June 12, 2026 · 18 min
• 167: New AASM Guidance on Combination Treatment for Chronic Insomnia · May 29, 2026 · 20 min
• 166: Understanding RNFL Asymmetry as a Biomarker in Pediatric MS · May 15, 2026 · 15 min
• 165: Addressing Cognitive Decline in Parkinson Disease · May 1, 2026 · 20 min
• 163: The Clinical Reality of Seronegative Myasthenia Gravis · April 3, 2026 · 17 min
• Key Challenges Facing Neurology in the Year Ahead · March 13, 2026 · 19 min