Professor Avner Thaler – Parkinson’s Disease Specialist

Professor Avner Thaler is a senior Israeli neurologist with many years of clinical experience in the diagnosis and management of Parkinson’s disease and complex movement disorders. He provides long-term care for patients at all stages of the disease — from initial diagnosis to more advanced phases — with an individualized approach to treatment for each patient.

In his clinical work, Professor Thaler focuses not only on making an accurate diagnosis, but also on understanding how the disease evolves in a specific individual. His approach combines up-to-date neurological expertise with close attention to quality of life, daily functioning, and the personal challenges each patient faces in their own way.

Areas of Expertise

Parkinson’s Disease

Early and differential diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease
Assessment of disease stage and progression
Selection, adjustment, and monitoring of pharmacological treatment
Long-term follow-up and management as symptoms change over time
Management of both motor and non-motor symptoms, including tremor, rigidity, slowness of movement, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and cognitive symptoms

Movement Disorders

Tremor of various etiologies
Dystonia
Complex neurologic movement disorders
Differentiation between Parkinson’s disease and overlapping or similar conditions

Clinical Approach

As a specialist in Parkinson’s disease, Professor Thaler places strong emphasis on diagnostic accuracy and a thoughtful, gradual approach to treatment selection.

Not every clinical change requires immediate adjustment of therapy, and not every medication is appropriate for every patient.

Key principles of his clinical practice include:

Identifying which symptoms truly interfere with a patient’s daily life
Recognizing and managing potential side effects of treatment
Deciding when a change in therapy is necessary — and when it is not
Building a structured treatment process rather than searching for a “quick fix”

When appropriate, Professor Thaler also supports patients during the evaluation of more advanced treatment options, as part of a comprehensive neurological consultation.

Professional Experience

Professor Avner Thaler has extensive experience working with patients affected by Parkinson’s disease in both public and private medical settings. He follows patients over many years, manages clinically complex cases, and combines medical treatment with a deep understanding of the functional and emotional aspects of living with Parkinson’s disease.

Private Neurological Consultation

Professor Thaler provides private neurological consultations at Tel Aviv Medical Clinic (TAMC).

The consultation includes a comprehensive clinical assessment, detailed review of medical records, and a structured professional medical opinion.

To schedule a consultation with Professor Avner Thaler:

📞 Phone: +972-73-374-6844
📧 Email: [email protected]
💬 WhatsApp: +972-52-337-23108

Languages

Hebrew, English

Frequently Asked Questions About Parkinson’s Disease

1. If a person has hand tremor, does that necessarily mean Parkinson’s disease?

No — and this is the first thing I usually explain during a consultation.
Hand tremor is a very common complaint, and in most cases it is not related to Parkinson’s disease.

I regularly see patients who come in very worried because they have noticed tremor.
After examination and discussion, it often becomes clear that the cause is something else entirely — essential tremor, stress, fatigue, or a side effect of medication.

In Parkinson’s disease, tremor may be present, but it is neither mandatory nor the only symptom.
A diagnosis is never made based on a single sign.

2. How is Parkinson’s disease diagnosed in practice?

In real clinical practice, the diagnosis is never based on a single test.

I begin with a detailed conversation and a neurological examination — this is the foundation.
What matters is not only what symptoms are present, but how and when they appeared,
what has changed over the past year,
and what has become more difficult in daily life.

Imaging or other investigations can help rule out alternative causes,
but there is no blood test or scan that automatically confirms Parkinson’s disease.
Sometimes observation over time is required — and this is a completely normal part of the process.

3. Is it necessary to start treatment immediately after diagnosis?

Honestly, this is a question I hear at almost every first consultation — and the answer is not always the same.

There are patients who already have a diagnosis, but the disease has very little impact on their daily lives.
They walk, work, drive, and manage everyday tasks without major difficulty.
In such cases, I do not see a reason to start treatment simply because “it’s time.”

Sometimes it is better to wait and observe how things develop — not out of fear of medication, but because treatment should bring real benefit, not just fill a checkbox in the medical record.

There are other situations, however, when patients say:
“I’ve become slower,”
“It’s hard for me to initiate movement,”
“I get tired from very simple tasks.”

In those cases, medication can genuinely help, and delaying treatment makes little sense.

So the guiding principle is always the same:
the decision is based not on the date of diagnosis, but on how a person is actually living with their symptoms.

4. How important is physical activity in Parkinson’s disease?

Very important — more than many people expect.

I have seen patients with an excellent medication regimen whose condition still deteriorated faster because they were physically inactive.
And I have seen the opposite as well: people who stay physically active often preserve balance, coordination, and confidence in movement for much longer.

This does not mean intense sports training.
In many cases, regular daily walking is more effective than occasional strenuous exercise.

Movement is not an add-on to treatment.
It is part of the treatment.

5. Is it possible to live a normal life with Parkinson’s disease?

This question comes in many forms, but the meaning is always the same — and I understand why it is asked.

My answer is this: yes, it is possible.
But not in exactly the same way as before — rather, in a different way.

Many people continue to work, travel, and remain active for many years.
With proper medical guidance, the disease does not necessarily disrupt daily life immediately.

What matters is not denying change, but adapting to it.
Adjusting pace, treatment, and expectations — and not facing the process alone.

When a person understands what is happening and knows what steps to take next,
fear decreases.
And life becomes much easier to manage.