Biography
Kelvin L. Chou, MD is a Clinical Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery at Michigan Medicine and was the inaugural Thomas H. and Susan C. Brown Early Career Professor in Neurology. Dr. Chou has been named to the Best Doctors of America list since 2011 and sees all patients with movement disorders (i.e. Parkinson’s disease, tremors, dystonia, Huntington disease), though he has a particular interest in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and deep brain stimulation (DBS).
Dr. Chou serves as Co-Director of the STIM (Surgical Therapies Improving Movement) Program and his research focus is on improving the ability to treat movement disorders patients through DBS. He is also an experienced clinical trialist, conducting numerous clinical trials on new therapies for PD, essential tremor and Huntington disease. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, review articles or book chapters on PD and related movement disorders and serves on the editorial board for Neurology and Parkinsonism and Related Disorders.
A strong patient advocate, Dr. Chou serves on the Professional Advisory Board of the Michigan Parkinson Foundation and the Medical Advisory Board of the International Essential Tremor Foundation (IETF). He has also authored a book for patients and families called Deep Brain Stimulation: A New Life for People with Parkinson's, Dystonia and Essential Tremor.
Clinical Interests
Neurology, Parkinson's disease, Dystonia, Essential tremor, Deep brain stimulation for movement disorders, Movement disorders surgery
Featured News
What Can Patients Teach Clinicians About Diagnosis Journey and Treatment Plans?
While all medical students receive training on patient interactions or “bedside manner,” the busy demands of residency often shift priorities firmly onto diagnostics, sometimes at the expense of empathetic connections to the patient’s point of view. Including patient stories in clinical education and knowledge resources can help reinforce those
More Exercise Is Associated with Lower Mortality Among People with Parkinson's Disease
New findings from JAMA Neurology reported that physical activity, regardless of intensity, is associated with reduced all-cause mortality among individuals with Parkinson's disease. Those who began to exercise after their diagnosis also had lower all-cause mortality than those who did not do physical activity.
NIH Awards the University of Michigan $11.7 Million to Fund a Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research
University of Michigan (U-M) clinician-researchers, led by Roger Albin, MD, Anne B. Young Collegiate Professor of Neurology, Co-Director, U-M Movement Disorders Division, and Director, U-M Parkinson’s Foundation Research Center of Excellence, were awarded a five-year $11.7 million grant from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and
How Long Do Deep Brain Stimulation Benefits Last?
Deep brain stimulation remained effective in Parkinson's disease patients more than 15 years after the device was implanted, and patients continued to demonstrate significant improvement in motor symptoms, a retrospective study showed.
Movement Disorders Clinic and DBS Treatment Featured in UM Health Blog
After years of troublesome hand tremors, an active retiree finally found relief. Learn about the procedure that helped him regain function.
Credentials
Medical School or Training
- University of Michigan Medical School, 1998
Residency
- University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Neurology, 2002
Fellowship
- Movement Disorders, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 2004
Board Certification
- Neurology
