Dr. Thakkar earned his doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from Western
University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California. He completed his
medical internship at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, followed by his
neurology residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda,
California. He then did his fellowship training in movement disorders
at University of California Los Angeles.
The primary focus of Dr. Thakkar’s practice is patient-centered
care for Parkinson’s disease. He believes in providing academic-level
care in a private clinical setting. Dr. Thakkar believes in the importance
of creating a global awareness of the disease, and strives to stay current
with all modalities of care throughout the movement disorders field, including
conditions such as dystonias, chorea, Huntington’s disease, essential
tremor, Botulinum toxin therapy, spasticity, and other abnormal involuntary
movements.
Dr. Thakkar works with multiple Parkinson’s disease foundations
throughout the area, including the Huntington’s Disease Society
of America - Orange County chapter and the International Essential Tremor
Foundation. He is also involved with the Parkinson’s Disease Research,
Education and Clinical Center (PADRECC) at the United States Department
of Veterans Affairs.
Dr. Thakkar has published numerous journal papers and done clinical research
on the subjects of deep brain stimulation for the treatment of and the
effects diet can have on Parkinson’s disease, as well as the effects
of certain drug therapies on mood and behavior.