Ain Shams Movement Disorders Group (ASMDG)
ASMDG was founded in 2008 as the first specialized clinic for Parkinson’s disease and Movement Disorders in Egypt.
The vision of the unit is to establish an international center that provides comprehensive and specialized health care for patients with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders such as dystonia, tremor, chorea; provides advanced training and education in this filed; and conduct distinguishable scientific research in this field.
Vision & Mission
- To provide high-quality training in movement disorders for Egyptian and international physicians, with a particular focus on trainees from Africa.
- To establish a center of excellence dedicated to the diagnosis, management, and research of movement disorders.
- To conduct long-term clinical projects and drug trials in the field of movement disorders.
- To deliver advanced therapeutic options for patients with complex movement disorders.
- To host international educational activities and support the training of African neurologists.
- To collaborate globally in scientific research through partnerships funded by leading international organizations.
Education
- Annual training programs for both Egyptian and international physicians.
- Yearly movement disorders courses and hands-on workshops.
- Organization of major national and international educational events, including:
- The 1st MDS Africa Movement Disorders School (Cairo, 2019)
- Translational Neuroscience Summer Schools (2016 & 2017)
- MDS-AS Skills Course (2023)
- Hosting clinical fellowships for physicians from African and Arab countries.
- Development of virtual educational initiatives, including:
- MDS Africa Multicenter Bimonthly Webinar (2020)
- Online Movement Disorders Course (2017)
- Collaboration with the Movement Disorders Chapter of the Egyptian Society of Neurology for ongoing annual training programs.
- Specialized training in botulinum toxin techniques for treating movement disorders and spasticity.
- Mentorship and institutional support for other African movement disorder centers.
Clinical Services
- Comprehensive care for both adult and pediatric patients with Parkinson’s disease and a wide spectrum of movement disorders.
- Two dedicated outpatient clinics per week for Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders.
- Weekly outpatient clinic for neurocognitive disorders and dementia.
- Botulinum toxin injections for the treatment of spasticity and various movement disorders.
- Inpatient services for emergencies and full diagnostic work-ups.
- Expertise in functional neurosurgery—including ablative lesioning and advanced deep brain stimulation (DBS)—in collaboration with the Ain Shams Neurosurgery Department. Our team is recognized as a pioneer and the most experienced group in this field in Egypt.
- Patient education and public awareness initiatives, including the celebration of World Parkinson’s Day.
Community Services
- Ali Shalash served as a consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO) on guidelines for patient care in movement and neurological disorders (2022–2024).
Fellowships and Observerships
N/A
National and International Collaboration
- Strategic partnerships with international organizations including:
- International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS)
- International Brain Research Organization (IBRO)
- Ongoing collaboration with the Egyptian Society of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery (ESNPN).
Publications
| · Shalash AS, Badr MY, Salah Y, Elgamal S, Elaidy SA, Elhamrawy EA, Abdel-Tawab H, Hamid E, El-Seidy EA, Dawood NL; Egyptian Parkinson Research Group. Gastrointestinal Manifestations in Parkinson’s Disease Using a Validated Arabic Version of Gastrointestinal Dysfunction Scale: A Multicenter Study. Mov Disord Clin Pract. 2025 Mar 15. doi: 10.1002/mdc3.70005. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40088075. |
| · William MB, .. Shalash A, …….Rizig M. The p.Gly2019Ser is a common LRRK2 pathogenic variant among Egyptians with familial and sporadic Parkinson’s disease. NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2024 Nov 6;10(1):215. doi: 10.1038/s41531-024-00826-8. PMID: 39505921; PMCID: PMC11541850. |
| · Shalash A, …..; Egyptian Parkinson Research Group. Pain Characteristics of Parkinson’s Disease Using Validated Arabic Versions of the King’s Parkinson’s Disease Pain Scale and Questionnaire: A Multicenter Egyptian Study. J Mov Disord. 2024 Oct;17(4):387-397. doi: 10.14802/jmd.24088. Epub 2024 Jun 25. PMID: 38915261; PMCID: PMC11540543. |
| · Essam M, ……, Shalash A. Role of zonisamide in advanced Parkinson’s disease: a randomized placebo-controlled study. Neurol Sci. 2024 Apr;45(4):1725-1734. doi: 10.1007/s10072-024-07396-w. Epub 2024 Feb 20. PMID: 38376645; PMCID: PMC10943138. |
| · George P, ….., Shalash A. The clinical and neuroimaging differences between vascular parkinsonism and Parkinson’s disease: a case-control study. BMC Neurol. 2024 Feb 6;24(1):56. doi: 10.1186/s12883-024-03556-9. PMID: 38321372; PMCID: PMC10845551. |
| · Shalash A, et al. Tremor in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical Characteristics and Impact on Quality of Life. Mov Disord Clin Pract. 2023 May 26;10(7):1099-1106. doi: 10.1002/mdc3.13784. PMID: 37476314; PMCID: PMC10354614. |
| · Hamid E, …., Shalash A. The Gaps and Prospects of Movement Disorders Education and Research in Africa: A Continental Survey. Mov Disord. 2023 Feb;38(2):178-184. doi: 10.1002/mds.29313. Epub 2023 Jan 26. PMID: 36703239. |
| · Shalash A, et al. A 6-month longitudinal study on worsening of Parkinson’s disease during the COVID-19 pandemic. NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2022 Aug 31;8(1):111. doi: 10.1038/s41531-022-00376-x. PMID: 36045133; PMCID: PMC9428872. |
| · Shalash A, Helmy A, Salama M, Gaber A, El-Belkimy M, Hamid E. A 6-month longitudinal study on worsening of Parkinson’s disease during the COVID-19 pandemic. NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2022 Aug 31;8(1):111. doi: 10.1038/s41531-022-00376-x. PMID: 36045133; PMCID: PMC9428872. |
| · Shalash A, Helmy A, Salama M, Gaber A, El-Belkimy M, Hamid E. A 6-month longitudinal study on worsening of Parkinson’s disease during the COVID-19 pandemic. NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2022 Aug 31;8(1):111. doi: 10.1038/s41531-022-00376-x. PMID: 36045133; PMCID: PMC9428872. |
| · Helmy A, Hamid E, Salama M, Gaber A, El-Belkimy M, Shalash A. Baseline predictors of progression of Parkinson’s disease in a sample of Egyptian patients: clinical and biochemical. Egypt J Neurol Psychiatr Neurosurg. 2022;58(1):9. doi: 10.1186/s41983-022-00445-1. Epub 2022 Jan 15. PMID: 35068922; PMCID: PMC8760567. |
| · Ayele BA, Demissie H, Awraris M, Amogne W, Shalash A, Ali K, Zenebe Y, Tafesse A, Venkatasubba Rao CP. SARS-COV-2 induced Parkinsonism: The first case from the sub-Saharan Africa. Clin Park Relat Disord. 2021;5:100116. doi: 10.1016/j.prdoa.2021.100116. Epub 2021 Nov 11. PMID: 34786554; PMCID: PMC8582125. |
| · Elrassas HH, Elsayed YAR, Abdeen MS, Shady MM, Shalash A, Morsy M. Restless Legs Syndrome among patients receiving antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2021 Sep 17:e2817. doi: 10.1002/hup.2817. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34533852. |
| · Shalash AS, Rösler TW, Abdelrahman IY, Abulmakarem HS, Müller SH, Hopfner F, Kuhlenbäumer G, Höglinger GU, Salama M. Atypical pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration with variable phenotypes in an Egyptian family. Heliyon. 2021 Jul 2;7(7):e07469. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07469. PMID: 34286134; PMCID: PMC8273219. |
| · Hamid E, Ayele BA, Massi DG, Ben Sassi S, Tibar H, Djonga EE, El-Sadig SM, Amer El Khedoud W, Razafimahefa J, Kouame-Assouan AE, Ben-Adji D, Lengané YTM, Musubire AK, Mohamed MH, Phiri TE, Nestor N, Alwahchi WA, Neshuku SN, Ocampo C, Sakadi F, Maidal MA, Ngwende GW, Hooker J, Okeng’o K, Charway-Felli A, Atadzhanov M, Carr J, Okubadejo NU, Shalash A. Availability of Therapies and Services for Parkinson’s Disease in Africa: A Continent-Wide Survey. Mov Disord. 2021 Jun 3. doi: 10.1002/mds.28669. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34080713. |
| · Shalash AS, Rösler TW, Salama M, Pendziwiat M, Müller SH, Hopfner F, Höglinger GU, Kuhlenbäumer G. Evidence for pathogenicity of variant ATM Val1729Leu in a family with ataxia telangiectasia. Neurogenetics. 2021 Mar 29. doi: 10.1007/s10048-021-00639-4. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33779842. |
| · Shalash AS, Hamid E, Elrassas H, Bahbah EI, Mansour AH, Mohamed H, Elbalkimy M. Non-motor symptoms in essential tremor, akinetic rigid and tremor-dominant subtypes of Parkinson’s disease. PLoS One. 2021 Jan 27;16(1):e0245918. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245918. PMID: 33503062; PMCID: PMC7840014. |
| · Shalash A, Fathy M, Dawood NL, Hamid E. Adopting Virtual Visits for Parkinson’s Disease Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Developing Country. Front Neurol. 2020 Oct 27;11:582613. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2020.582613. PMID: 33193042; PMCID: PMC7652791. |
| · Ayele BA, Zenebe Y, Demissie H, Tafesse A, Melka D, Debebe Y, Tsehayneh F, Awraris M, Shalash A. Impact of COVID-19 on the clinical care of Ethiopian PD patients: A glimpse into the burden. eNeurologicalSci. 2020 Dec; 21:100273. doi: 10.1016/j.ensci.2020.100273. Epub 2020 Sep 15. |
| · Shalash A, Fayed ZY, Hamid E, Radwan H, Nada MA, Eid M, Abdel Ghany WA. Outcome of pallidal stimulation of idiopathic generalized dystonia with predominant mobile truncal dystonia: case report. Int J Neurosci. 2020 Sep 16:1-5. doi: |
| · Hassan A, Mari Z, Gatto EM, et al. Global survey on telemedicine utilization for movement disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic [published online ahead of print, 2020 Aug 24]. Mov Disord. 2020;10.1002/mds.28284. doi:10.1002/mds.28284 |
| · Shalash A, Okubadejo NU, Doumbe J, et al. Translation, Validation, Diagnostic Accuracy, and Reliability of Screening Questionnaire for Parkinsonism in Three African Countries. J Parkinsons Dis. 2020;10.3233/JPD-202040. doi:10.3233/JPD-202040. |
| · Shalash A, Roushdy T, Essam M, et al. Mental health, physical activity and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease during COVID-19 pandemic [published online ahead of print, 2020 May 19]. Mov Disord. 2020;10.1002/mds.28134. doi:10.1002/mds.28134 |
| · Shalash A, Hamid E, Elrassas H, Abushouk AI, Salem HH. Sexual dysfunction in male patients with Parkinson’s disease: related factors and impact on quality of life. Neurol Sci. 2020. |
| · Shalash AS, Mohamed H, Mansour AH, et al. Clinical Profile of Non-Motor Symptoms in Patients with Essential Tremor: Impact on Quality of Life and Age-Related Differences. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y). 2019;9:10.7916/tohm.v0.736. |
| · Rösler TW, Salama M, Shalash AS, Khedr EM, El-Tantawy A, Fawi G, El-Motayam A, El-Seidy E, El-Sherif M, El-Gamal M, Moharram M, El-Kattan M, Abdel-Naby M, Ashour S, Müller U, Dempfle A, Kuhlenbäumer G, Höglinger GU. K-variant BCHE and pesticide exposure: Gene-environment interactions in a case-control study of Parkinson’s disease in Egypt. Sci Rep. 2018 Nov 8;8(1):16525. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-35003-4. |
| · Shalash AS, Hamid E, Elrassas HH, Bedair AS, Abushouk AI, Khamis M, Hashim M, Ahmed NS, Ashour S and Elbalkimy M (2018) Non-Motor Symptoms as Predictors of Quality of Life in Egyptian Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study Using a Culturally Adapted 39-Item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire. Front. Neurol. 9:357. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00357 |
| · Mohamed Salama, Ali Shalash, Alshimaa Magdy, Marianne Makar, Tamer Roushdy, Mahmoud Elbalkimy, Hanan Elrassas, Passent Elkafrawy , Wael Mohamed, Mohamed B Abou Donia. Cytoskeletal proteins, Tubulin and Tau, as targets for diagnosis of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. PLOS One, 2018; 13(5): e0196436. |
| · Shalash Ali, Mohamed Salama, Marianne Makar, Tamer Roushdy, Hanan Elrassas, Wael Mohamed, Mohamed B Abou Donia, Mahmoud El-Balkimy. Elevated Serum alpha-synuclein autoantibodies in patients with Parkinson’s disease relative to Alzheimer’s disease and controls. Front. Neurol. 2017 Dec 22; 8: 720. |
| · Shalash AS, Hassan DM, Elrassas HH, Salama MM, Méndez-Hernández E, Salas-Pacheco JM, Arias-Carrión O. Auditory- and Vestibular-Evoked Potentials Correlate with Motor and Non-Motor Features of Parkinson’s Disease. Front Neurol. 2017 Feb 27;8:55. |
| · Shalash, AS, Elrassas, HH, Monzem, MM, Salem, HS, Abdel Moneim, AN, and Moustafa RR. Restless Legs Syndrome in Egyptian medical students using a validated Arabic version of Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale. Sleep Medicine 16 (2015) 1528–1531. |
