Neurodegenerative Disease and the Texas Compassionate Use Program

Added to TX CUP: 2021

A Category, Not a Single Disease

This page covers the umbrella “neurodegenerative disease” category recognized under the Texas CUP. The specific clinical conversation differs significantly between, say, early-stage Parkinson’s and late-stage Alzheimer’s.

Neurodegenerative Conditions Under the Texas CUP

Texas CUP recognizes a category of incurable neurodegenerative diseases as qualifying for certification.

What Each Major Disease Means in CUP Context

Parkinson’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease

Huntington’s Disease

Other Recognized Diseases

What the CUP Authorizes

Low-THC products only. The clinical conversation for neurodegenerative patients typically centers on symptom management — sleep, anxiety, pain, appetite, behavioral symptoms in some cases — not on disease progression.

Coordinating With the Care Team

Neurodegenerative disease patients usually have a treating neurologist, often a movement-disorder specialist or behavioral neurologist. That team should know about CUP enrollment.

Capacity, Consent, and Caregivers

For patients with cognitive impairment, the question of who consents to the evaluation is not optional — it must be addressed at intake. If a legal representative (DPOA-HC, guardian) is involved, we’ll need documentation.

How the Visit Adapts

For patients with motor limitations, cognitive limitations, or both, the visit format adapts:

• Caregivers can fully participate with consent / legal authority
• Visit length is flexible — we will not rush
• If the patient cannot do video, talk to us about alternative formats

What to Bring

• Diagnosis documentation (neurologist note)
• Current treatment regimen
• Current medication list
• Treating neurologist / specialist contact info
• Power-of-attorney / guardianship documentation if applicable
• TX ID (patient + legal representative if applicable)

Common Questions Families Ask Us

Your Next Step

See The Process or call the number on the Contact page.