Clin Prof Louis Tan Chew Seng — Movement Disorders Neurologist (Parkinson’s) in Singapore

Clinical Professor Louis Tan is a Senior Consultant Neurologist at the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), Singapore, where he also serves as Director of Research and Director of Clinical Programmes. His areas of expertise are general neurology, movement disorders and Parkinson’s disease.

He graduated from the National University of Singapore (MBBS, 1990) and completed his neurology training at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, followed by a movement disorders fellowship at The Parkinson’s Institute in California. He received Specialist Accreditation in Neurology from the Ministry of Health, Singapore in 2000.

He is a Clinical Professor in the SingHealth Duke-NUS Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme and has held leadership roles within the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Clinical focus

Movement disorders (Parkinson's).

Qualifications (as publicly listed)

MBBS (NUS, 1990), MRCP (UK, 1995), FAMS (Neurology), FRCP (Edin); Specialist Accreditation in Neurology, MOH Singapore (2000); Movement disorders fellowship, The Parkinson's Institute, California.

Where they practise

• Clinic / practice: National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) (see our clinic listing) — Tan Tock Seng / Novena
• Hospital / training affiliation(s): National Neuroscience Institute

Getting to the clinic

Clinical Professor Louis Tan sees patients at the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), whose main campus sits within the Tan Tock Seng Hospital grounds in the Novena health district. The most direct route by public transport is Novena MRT station (NS20) on the North-South Line, from which the hospital campus is a short walk or a one-stop bus ride along Jalan Tan Tock Seng and Irrawaddy Road. The campus is well served by several public bus routes that stop along Moulmein Road and Thomson Road, and a sheltered drop-off point is available at the main entrance for taxis and ride-hailing vehicles, which is often the easiest option for patients with reduced mobility or those attending with a walking frame or wheelchair.

If you are driving, visitor parking is available within the Tan Tock Seng Hospital and NNI carparks; these are paid carparks and can be busy during weekday clinic hours, so allow extra time to find a space and to walk to the correct clinic block. Because the campus is large and made up of several connected buildings, it helps to confirm the exact clinic location and building when you book, and to follow the internal wayfinding signage for Neurology once you arrive. Patients living outside the city or travelling from the east or west of the island may find it simplest to combine the MRT to Novena with a short feeder bus or taxi for the final stretch.

What movement disorders and Parkinson’s care covers

Movement disorders neurology focuses on conditions that affect the control, speed and smoothness of movement. Parkinson’s disease is the best known of these and is characterised by a combination of slowness (bradykinesia), muscle stiffness (rigidity), tremor at rest and changes in balance and walking. A movement disorders neurologist also assesses and manages a wider group of related conditions, including atypical parkinsonian syndromes, essential tremor, dystonia (sustained or repetitive muscle contractions that cause abnormal postures), chorea, myoclonus, tics and gait disorders. Many of these conditions evolve over time, so the emphasis is on accurate diagnosis followed by long-term, individualised management.

Treatment is rarely a single intervention. For Parkinson’s disease it often combines medication adjusted carefully over months and years, attention to non-motor symptoms such as sleep disturbance, mood, constipation and blood-pressure changes, and supportive therapies including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy where appropriate. In selected patients, advanced options such as device-assisted therapies may be discussed. Because symptoms and response to treatment differ greatly between individuals, a specialist in this area spends considerable time fine-tuning therapy to balance benefit against side effects, and reviewing how the condition affects daily living, work and family life.

What to expect at a consultation

A first appointment with a movement disorders neurologist usually begins with a detailed history. You will be asked about your symptoms, when they started, how they have changed, which activities are affected and whether anyone in your family has had similar problems. The doctor will also review your full medication list, because some drugs can cause or worsen movement symptoms. A neurological examination follows, with particular attention to tone, tremor, the speed and amplitude of repeated movements, posture, balance and walking. The neurologist may ask you to perform simple tasks such as tapping your fingers, rising from a chair or walking across the room so that subtle features can be observed.

Depending on the findings, investigations such as blood tests or brain imaging may be arranged to support the diagnosis or to exclude other causes. The neurologist will then explain the likely diagnosis in plain terms, discuss what it means and outline the options for treatment and monitoring. It is common to leave the first visit with a clear plan, a follow-up date and an understanding that medication may need gradual adjustment over subsequent visits.

Preparing for your appointment

A little preparation makes the consultation more productive. Bring along:

• Photo identification and any referral letter from a GP or polyclinic.
• Previous medical records, brain scans or test results, including the images themselves where possible, not only the reports.
• A current list of all medications and supplements, with doses and timings, as this is especially important in movement disorders.
• A written list of your main symptoms and the questions you most want answered.
• A simple symptom diary noting when tremor, stiffness or slowness are worse or better through the day, which can reveal patterns linked to medication timing.

If a family member or carer usually helps you, it can be helpful to bring them, as they may have noticed changes you are not aware of and can assist with remembering the plan.

After your consultation and follow-up

After the visit you can expect a written record of the diagnosis and plan, and copies of any test results once they are ready. Movement disorders are typically managed over the long term, so review appointments are arranged to assess how you are responding, to adjust medication and to address new symptoms as they arise. You may be referred for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy or other investigations as part of a coordinated approach. Continuity of care matters in these conditions, and seeing the same team over time helps with fine-tuning treatment. You are always entitled to seek a second opinion if you wish. Seek urgent medical attention if you experience a sudden marked deterioration, frequent falls, choking, confusion or a high fever, as these may need prompt assessment.

Booking, referrals and fees

At a public institution such as NNI, a referral from a GP, polyclinic or another doctor is commonly required and can help you access subsidised rates where you are eligible. MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans may apply to certain procedures or admissions within set limits, while outpatient consultations are usually paid out of pocket. Fees vary, so confirm the current charges and any subsidy eligibility directly with the clinic when you book.

Common questions

Is tremor always due to Parkinson’s disease?

No. Tremor has many causes, and essential tremor in particular is common and different from Parkinson’s. A careful examination helps distinguish between them.

Can Parkinson’s disease be cured?

There is currently no cure, but symptoms can often be managed effectively for many years with medication and supportive therapies tailored to the individual.

Will I need a brain scan?

Not everyone does. Imaging is used selectively to support the diagnosis or rule out other conditions, based on your symptoms and examination.

How often will I need to be reviewed?

This depends on your condition and how your treatment is settling. Early on, more frequent visits may be needed to adjust medication, with longer intervals once things are stable.

Related guides

• Dementia & memory loss

Sources & verification

• NNI specialist profile
• Duke-NUS faculty directory

See also: our editorial directory of neurologists in Singapore and our shortlist of neurology clinics.

This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.