Neurology & Neurosurgery

Neurological Conditions We Treat

The neurologists and neurosurgeons at UI Health provide some of the most advanced, comprehensive care available for all types of neurological disorders. Our team is made up of nationally and internationally recognized experts.

This expertise allows us to treat an extraordinary variety of disorders, including:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It usually is diagnosed in people between the ages of 40 and 70. Our ALS Clinic has been certified as an ALS Center of Excellence by the ALS Association.

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM): AVMs are vascular wounds of the brain and spinal cord that can lead to stroke or seizure disorders. Our team of neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, and radiosurgeons provide several advanced treatment options.

Alzheimer's Disease/Memory Loss: Our Memory and Aging Clinic diagnoses and treats people with memory disorders, difficulties with language, and cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia, traumatic brain injury, and associated behavioral disorders.

Brain Aneurysm: A brain (or cerebral) aneurysm forms in weak areas of arteries that supply blood to the brain. Over time, the aneurysm can expand and form a bulge that's at risk for leaking or rupturing. Our specialists can treat brain aneurysms surgically or through an endovascular approach.

Brain Tumors: A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain or central spine that can interfere with brain function. Not all brain tumors are cancerous. Our staff includes world leaders in neuro-oncology research, and our neurosurgeons perform between 200 and 300 brain tumor procedures each year.

Epilepsy/Movement Disorders: We offer advanced computer-guided surgical technology to treat epilepsy, spasticity, and movement disorders like Parkinson's disease.

Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD): FMD is a vascular disease that causes abnormal cell development in the artery wall(s). This can result in narrowing (stenosis) of the artery, possibly leading to a decrease in blood flow and increased risk for high blood pressure, stroke, and aneurysm. We have the experience and expertise to diagnose and treat FMD using the latest modalities available.

Headache: Common types of headaches that may require treatment by one of our specialists include tension, migraine, and cluster headaches.

Mental Health: Mental wellness is manageable. Mental Health providers at UI Health can help you get to the root of the problem. This will allow you to regain control on your life and feel better. Speak with one of our specialized behavior health counselors.

Moyamoya Disease: A rare blood vessel (vascular) disorder in which the carotid artery in the skull becomes blocked or narrowed and tiny blood vessels develop in an attempt to supply the brain with blood.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS): MS is a potentially disabling disease of the central nervous system. In severe cases, it can lead to permanent paralyses or blindness. In milder cases, there may be numbness in the limbs. Our Multiple Sclerosis Clinic offers comprehensive care for people with MS and related diseases.

Muscular Dystrophy (MD): MD is a group of more than 30 genetic diseases, all characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control movement. We run a multidisciplinary MD clinic sponsored by the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Myasthenia Gravis: Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the muscles. Often affected are muscles that control eyelid movements, facial expression, chewing, talking, and swallowing. We run the largest myasthenia gravis clinic in Chicago.

Pediatric conditions: Our neurologists can diagnose and treat children with neuromuscular disorders like epilepsy and muscular dystrophy. And our pediatric neurosurgeons are leading experts in the Chicago area for treating brain AVMs and vein of Galen aneurysms. We also are global leaders in the treatment of craniofacial disorders.

Pain: Our neurosurgeons perform the spectrum of neurosurgical procedures for the treatment of pain, and our program has a proven track record of research success in the field of neuromodulation therapy.

Peripheral nerve disorders: There are more than 100 types of peripheral nerve disorders. Working together with other specialties, our neurosurgeons participate in a special clinic to diagnose and treat disorders of the peripheral nerves.

Pituitary Tumors: Pituitary tumors are unusual growths that develop in your pituitary gland. Most pituitary tumors are noncancerous (benign) growths (adenomas). However, they can cause overproduction of the hormones that regulate essential functions of the bod or can cause the pituitary gland to produce lower levels of hormones.

Sickle Cell Disease: Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited blood disorders that causes blood cells to clump inside blood vessels and can lead to blocking of the small arteries in the brain. One of its most disabling complications is stroke. Our Sickle Cell Center specializes in the management and prevention of stroke in people with sickle cell disease.

Spinal Cord Tumors: We evaluate and treat spinal cord tumors — including ependymomas and gliomas that develop in the nerves, and tumors that develop inside the spinal cord (intramedullary) — in addition to tumors that occur in and around the membranes and bones of the spine (extramedullary, intradural, and extradural).

Spine and Spinal Cord Disorders: Our Spine Center offers complete surgical and nonsurgical care for spine problems, including complex spinal and spinal cord tumors, degenerative conditions, scoliosis, vascular lesions, disc herniation, spinal fracture, and kyphosis.

Stroke: Our neurosurgeons have pioneered new therapies for the prevention and treatment of stroke, including a unique type of brain imaging designed by one of our physicians. We have the experience and technology to provide the latest in stroke care.