My original diagnosis of PD was made at the Mayo Clinic. The H & P took 45 minutes and was performed by one of top movment disorders specialists in the country. I was 56 years old at the time. His final advice to me at that time was, "find another institution with more up to date treatment protocol". He went on to add that Mayo's protocol was based on PD patients that were 75-80 years old. I paid my bill (3 times that of similiar neurological specialists in town), and went elsewhere. I have always been thankful that he offered me honest advice. This occured five years ago. Things may have changed.

My personal opinion of Mayo Clinic is it is a fine teaching institution with an excellent staff of physicians. I feel they are more interested in research and publishing papers, then actually treating patients. I prefer to be seen and treated by an experienced neurologist, rather than a second year resident or a physician in their Fellowship.