Neuroscience
Part of Tri-Valley
Leaders in Neurology Treatments
When a neurological disorder affects your brain, spinal cord, or nervous system, you need expert care. Our highly trained neurologists use the latest diagnostic tools and therapies to identify and treat nervous system problems.
What We Offer You for Neurology Care
- Specialized expertise in treating all types of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s, dementia, neuropathy, migraines, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and MS.
- Team-based approach, to treatment planning and delivery for thorough, advanced diagnosis and personalized care, including therapy to relieve symptoms.
- Ease of access, to care, with personalized treatment close to home and some of the nation’s leading experts in neurological disorders in the Stanford network.
- Fast stroke care at our Stroke Center of Excellence, certified by both the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, and the recipient of the Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.
Neurological disorders are diseases or conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. They may result from genetic (inherited) causes, injury, infection, or an unknown cause. We offer careful, personalized evaluation and diagnosis of neurological symptoms that may include pain, numbness, or loss of function. By pinpointing the neurological disorders causing your symptoms, we can help you find the answers you need.
Comprehensive care for a broad range of neurological disorders, backed by leading expertise and treatments.
Injuries, diseases, and disorders affecting the nervous system and brain can have a major impact on your life. Our neurologists offer the expertise and experience to painstakingly diagnose the issues you’re experiencing. They recommend the most appropriate surgical, nonsurgical, or therapeutic treatments to provide a path forward.
Degenerative disorders
Functional Disorders
Structural Disorders
Vascular Disorders
Degenerative neurological disorders result in the breakdown of specific mental or physical systems that your nervous system controls. Treatment can halt some of them, but many degenerative conditions are progressive (gradually get worse).
Memory disorders
Many memory disorders cause dementia, which is memory loss combined with other symptoms.
- Alzheimer’s disease: Causes death of brain cells, resulting in memory loss and cognitive decline
- Frontotemporal dementia (FTD): Group of disorders caused by damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain
- Huntington’s disease: Hereditary disorder causing brain and spinal cord degeneration
- Lewy body dementia: Form of dementia that causes gradual decline in mental function and movement problems
- Mild cognitive impairment: Memory issues that are worse than typical for your age but don’t interfere with daily activities or relationships
- Vascular dementia: Dementia resulting from decreased blood flow to the brain, which damages brain tissue
Multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunologic conditions
These conditions affect your nerves and muscles. They are immune-mediated, meaning that your immune system attacks the brain or spinal cord. Our neurologists can consult with colleagues at the Stanford Health Care Multiple Sclerosis Center, one of two designated MS Comprehensive Care Centers in Northern California.
- Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM): Brief, sudden swelling of the spinal cord that causes MS-like symptoms
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): Progressive disease that damages nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing problems with speech, movement, and vision
- Neuromyelitis optica (NMO): Rare autoimmune condition causing inflammation in the optic nerve and spinal cord
- NMO spectrum disorders: Inflammatory disease that causes severe attacks of NMO and transverse myelitis
- Transverse myelitis: Spinal cord inflammation causing motor and sensory problems
Neuromuscular disorders
Neuromuscular conditions affect the way your muscles and nerves work. Many neuromuscular disorders are genetic (passed down in families).
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) familial neuropathies: Inherited disorders resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy (degeneration)
- Congenital muscular dystrophies: Genetic muscle diseases causing muscle weakness and degeneration and developmental delays, including the most common, Duchenne muscular dystrophy
- Myasthenia gravis (MG): Chronic autoimmune disease that causes weakness in voluntary muscles (muscles that control movement)
- Polymyositis (PM): Chronic muscle inflammation that causes pain and weakness in the shoulders, upper arms, hips, thighs, and neck
- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA): Genetic disease that causes muscle wasting and weakness
Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders
Movement disorders cause tremors, tics (repeated involuntary movements), loss of strength, and reduced muscle control. They may result from genetic differences, disease, or injury.
- Ataxia: Loss of muscle coordination and control due to degenerative nervous system disease
- Chorea or dystonia: Abrupt, uncontrollable muscle movements in various parts of the body
- Essential tremor: Involuntary trembling in the hands, arms, voice, or legs
- Parkinson’s disease: Progressive nervous system disease causing tremor, muscle stiffness, and other movement problems
- Progressive supranuclear palsy: Muscle weakness resulting from a rare condition in the part of the brain that controls walking, movement, coordination, eye focus, and thinking
- Tourette disorder or Tourette syndrome: Multiple tics, including involuntary vocal sounds or muscle jerks, due to a neurological disorder
Functional neurological issues affect the way your body works and how you feel. With our partners at Stanford , we deliver leading care for functional problems like autonomic disorders, headaches, and seizures. You receive personalized treatment close to home, bolstered by the expertise of the Stanford Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, which is ranked among the top epilepsy centers in the nation.
Autonomic disorders
Autonomic problems affect involuntary functions like breathing, blood pressure, or heart rate. Your autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls these functions.
- Amyloidosis: Buildup of proteins (amyloids) in organs throughout the body, causing dementia, heart problems, and other issues
- Autonomic neuropathy: Organ function problems due to nerve damage
- Multiple system atrophy (MSA): Degenerative disorder that affects both the ANS and muscle movement
- Orthostatic (postural) hypotension: Sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand up
- Postprandial hypotension: Sudden drop in blood pressure after eating
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS): Sudden increase in heart rate when you go from sitting or lying down to standing
- Pure autonomic failure: Problems with multiple areas of the ANS, causing symptoms such as fainting, urination difficulties, dizziness, impotence, and issues with sweating
- Sweat disorders: Conditions including anhidrosis (not sweating) and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
- Vasovagal syncope (fainting): Fainting in response to triggers such as extreme emotional distress or the sight of blood
Epilepsy and seizures
Epilepsy is a disorder that causes seizures, which can appear as jerking muscles (convulsions), loss of awareness (blank staring), or loss of consciousness. Seizures can also result from causes that aren’t epilepsy, such as injury or infection. Our neurologists can determine the cause and work with an epileptologist (a neurologist trained in epilepsy) to deliver appropriate care.
Headache and migraine
Headaches are very common, but some headaches can be crippling. Neurologists treat headaches that become severe enough to interfere with your life.
- Cluster headache: Very painful headache occurring several times a day for days to weeks at a time
- Migraine: Headache with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light
- Tension headaches: Pain or discomfort along with muscle tension
Structural neurological disorders result from problems with nerves and muscles. These issues affect your body’s systems, including bones, muscles, and brain function. They can cause pain, uncontrollable movements, or loss of mobility. Our neurologists and neurosurgeons offer a wide range of treatments for these conditions.
Nerve disorders
Nerves carry messages between your brain and muscles. Neuropathy (disease) and neuralgia (nerve pain) can cause temporary or lasting pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness.
- Peripheral neuropathy: General term for disease or damage that affects nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, sometimes resulting from diabetes
- Post-herpetic neuralgia: Nerve damage resulting from shingles infection, causing lasting pain
- Small fiber neuropathy: Sharp, burning pain due to nerve damage
- Trigeminal neuralgia: Nerve disorder causing brief episodes of sharp pain (like a shock or stabbing feeling) in the face
Stroke and neurovascular conditions are blood vessel problems that can result in neurological issues or even be life-threatening. Our neurology team uses advanced techniques to diagnose and treat stroke, aneurysm, and abnormal blood vessels in the brain and spine.
- Arteriovenous malformation (AVM): Abnormal cluster of blood vessels in the brain or spine that can cause neurological symptoms or even be fatal
- Brain aneurysm: Bulge in the wall of an artery supplying blood to the brain, which could rupture and cause brain bleeding and stroke
- Cavernous malformation (CM): Fragile arteries and veins in the brain or spine that can leak small amounts of blood or hemorrhage (bleed), causing brain damage
- Dural arteriovenous fistulae: Rare connections between veins and arteries in the brain’s covering (dura), which can cause an aneurysm or seizures
- Stroke: Bleeding in the brain, causing damage or loss of brain function
Degenerative neurological disorders result in the breakdown of specific mental or physical systems that your nervous system controls. Treatment can halt some of them, but many degenerative conditions are progressive (gradually get worse).
Memory disorders
Many memory disorders cause dementia, which is memory loss combined with other symptoms.
- Alzheimer’s disease: Causes death of brain cells, resulting in memory loss and cognitive decline
- Frontotemporal dementia (FTD): Group of disorders caused by damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain
- Huntington’s disease: Hereditary disorder causing brain and spinal cord degeneration
- Lewy body dementia: Form of dementia that causes gradual decline in mental function and movement problems
- Mild cognitive impairment: Memory issues that are worse than typical for your age but don’t interfere with daily activities or relationships
- Vascular dementia: Dementia resulting from decreased blood flow to the brain, which damages brain tissue
Multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunologic conditions
These conditions affect your nerves and muscles. They are immune-mediated, meaning that your immune system attacks the brain or spinal cord. Our neurologists can consult with colleagues at the Stanford Health Care Multiple Sclerosis Center, one of two designated MS Comprehensive Care Centers in Northern California.
- Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM): Brief, sudden swelling of the spinal cord that causes MS-like symptoms
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): Progressive disease that damages nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing problems with speech, movement, and vision
- Neuromyelitis optica (NMO): Rare autoimmune condition causing inflammation in the optic nerve and spinal cord
- NMO spectrum disorders: Inflammatory disease that causes severe attacks of NMO and transverse myelitis
- Transverse myelitis: Spinal cord inflammation causing motor and sensory problems
Neuromuscular disorders
Neuromuscular conditions affect the way your muscles and nerves work. Many neuromuscular disorders are genetic (passed down in families).
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) familial neuropathies: Inherited disorders resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy (degeneration)
- Congenital muscular dystrophies: Genetic muscle diseases causing muscle weakness and degeneration and developmental delays, including the most common, Duchenne muscular dystrophy
- Myasthenia gravis (MG): Chronic autoimmune disease that causes weakness in voluntary muscles (muscles that control movement)
- Polymyositis (PM): Chronic muscle inflammation that causes pain and weakness in the shoulders, upper arms, hips, thighs, and neck
- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA): Genetic disease that causes muscle wasting and weakness
Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders
Movement disorders cause tremors, tics (repeated involuntary movements), loss of strength, and reduced muscle control. They may result from genetic differences, disease, or injury.
- Ataxia: Loss of muscle coordination and control due to degenerative nervous system disease
- Chorea or dystonia: Abrupt, uncontrollable muscle movements in various parts of the body
- Essential tremor: Involuntary trembling in the hands, arms, voice, or legs
- Parkinson’s disease: Progressive nervous system disease causing tremor, muscle stiffness, and other movement problems
- Progressive supranuclear palsy: Muscle weakness resulting from a rare condition in the part of the brain that controls walking, movement, coordination, eye focus, and thinking
- Tourette disorder or Tourette syndrome: Multiple tics, including involuntary vocal sounds or muscle jerks, due to a neurological disorder
close Degenerative disorders
Functional neurological issues affect the way your body works and how you feel. With our partners at Stanford , we deliver leading care for functional problems like autonomic disorders, headaches, and seizures. You receive personalized treatment close to home, bolstered by the expertise of the Stanford Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, which is ranked among the top epilepsy centers in the nation.
Autonomic disorders
Autonomic problems affect involuntary functions like breathing, blood pressure, or heart rate. Your autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls these functions.
- Amyloidosis: Buildup of proteins (amyloids) in organs throughout the body, causing dementia, heart problems, and other issues
- Autonomic neuropathy: Organ function problems due to nerve damage
- Multiple system atrophy (MSA): Degenerative disorder that affects both the ANS and muscle movement
- Orthostatic (postural) hypotension: Sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand up
- Postprandial hypotension: Sudden drop in blood pressure after eating
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS): Sudden increase in heart rate when you go from sitting or lying down to standing
- Pure autonomic failure: Problems with multiple areas of the ANS, causing symptoms such as fainting, urination difficulties, dizziness, impotence, and issues with sweating
- Sweat disorders: Conditions including anhidrosis (not sweating) and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
- Vasovagal syncope (fainting): Fainting in response to triggers such as extreme emotional distress or the sight of blood
Epilepsy and seizures
Epilepsy is a disorder that causes seizures, which can appear as jerking muscles (convulsions), loss of awareness (blank staring), or loss of consciousness. Seizures can also result from causes that aren’t epilepsy, such as injury or infection. Our neurologists can determine the cause and work with an epileptologist (a neurologist trained in epilepsy) to deliver appropriate care.
Headache and migraine
Headaches are very common, but some headaches can be crippling. Neurologists treat headaches that become severe enough to interfere with your life.
- Cluster headache: Very painful headache occurring several times a day for days to weeks at a time
- Migraine: Headache with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light
- Tension headaches: Pain or discomfort along with muscle tension
close Functional Disorders
Structural neurological disorders result from problems with nerves and muscles. These issues affect your body’s systems, including bones, muscles, and brain function. They can cause pain, uncontrollable movements, or loss of mobility. Our neurologists and neurosurgeons offer a wide range of treatments for these conditions.
Nerve disorders
Nerves carry messages between your brain and muscles. Neuropathy (disease) and neuralgia (nerve pain) can cause temporary or lasting pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness.
- Peripheral neuropathy: General term for disease or damage that affects nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, sometimes resulting from diabetes
- Post-herpetic neuralgia: Nerve damage resulting from shingles infection, causing lasting pain
- Small fiber neuropathy: Sharp, burning pain due to nerve damage
- Trigeminal neuralgia: Nerve disorder causing brief episodes of sharp pain (like a shock or stabbing feeling) in the face
close Structural Disorders
Stroke and neurovascular conditions are blood vessel problems that can result in neurological issues or even be life-threatening. Our neurology team uses advanced techniques to diagnose and treat stroke, aneurysm, and abnormal blood vessels in the brain and spine.
- Arteriovenous malformation (AVM): Abnormal cluster of blood vessels in the brain or spine that can cause neurological symptoms or even be fatal
- Brain aneurysm: Bulge in the wall of an artery supplying blood to the brain, which could rupture and cause brain bleeding and stroke
- Cavernous malformation (CM): Fragile arteries and veins in the brain or spine that can leak small amounts of blood or hemorrhage (bleed), causing brain damage
- Dural arteriovenous fistulae: Rare connections between veins and arteries in the brain’s covering (dura), which can cause an aneurysm or seizures
- Stroke: Bleeding in the brain, causing damage or loss of brain function
close Vascular Disorders
Diagnostic Services
As the first step in delivering personalized care for a neurological disorder, our experienced neurologists understand the condition and how it’s affecting you. We use advanced, sensitive diagnostic testing to evaluate your symptoms and physical condition to diagnose brain, spinal cord, and nervous system disorders.
Imaging tests
- Brain PET scan : Imaging test that uses a small bit of radioactive material (tracer) to point out injury or diseased cells in the brain
- Cerebrovascular ultrasound: Noninvasive test using sound waves to check for blockages in the blood vessels supplying the brain
- Head CT scan: Series of X-rays that produce a 3D image of your skull and brain
- MRI scan: Imaging test that uses powerful magnets to produce images of your brain, spine, blood vessels, or muscles
Nerve tests
- Nerve biopsy: Procedure to take a sample of nerve tissue to test for injury or disease
- Electromyography (EMG): Test to check nerve function using tiny electrodes inserted through the skin
Other tests
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): Procedure to take a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using a needle inserted carefully into the lower spine, sometimes with X-ray guidance
- Diagnostic electroencephalogram (EEG): Test using electrodes (flat metal disks) on your scalp to measure the brain’s activity
- Evoked potentials test: Electrodes attached to your scalp and nerves to measure how your brain responds to visual, audio (hearing), or sensory (touch) stimulation
All Treatments
We offer advanced neurological and neurosurgical care for disorders affecting the brain, spine, and nervous system. We start by recommending the least invasive option that might help you. If your condition requires surgery or nonsurgical treatments such as CyberKnife radiosurgery, we can provide those options, too.
Nonsurgical treatments
- Diet: Changes in nutrition or elimination of certain foods to control or minimize symptoms
- Medicines: Medications to control or slow down symptoms, either long-term or for a time
- Rehabilitation: Physical exercise, nerve stimulation, or mental and social activities designed to strengthen or maintain abilities
- Supports: Physical tools, such as canes or walkers, and lifestyle tools, from fall prevention to social activities and support groups
Movement disorder, headache, and migraine treatment
- Botulinum toxin therapy: Use of a type of neurotoxin (Botox®) to reduce muscle spasms and relieve resulting pain
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS): Implanting a neurostimulator (similar to a pacemaker) in the brain to relieve movement disorders
- Hypnosis: Treatment to relax muscles and calm tremors
- Medications to control involuntary movements
- Nerve block: Injection to temporarily “turn off” a problem nerve
- Physical therapy
- Speech therapy
- Trigger point injections: Injections of anesthetic (pain reliever), saline, and sometimes corticosteroids into knots of tense muscles to release the muscle tension
Your Neurology Care Team
Our neurologists and other care providers focus on you. We work together to understand what you’re experiencing and find the diagnosis and treatments that best suit your needs. Our goal is to offer the answers that help you achieve the best possible quality of life.
Your Doctors
Neurologists
Our neurologists are fellowship trained to manage disorders of the nervous system. They diagnose and treat all conditions and diseases involving the central and peripheral nervous system, including nerves, their coverings, blood vessels, and affected muscles.
View All NeurologistsNeuroradiologists
A neuroradiologist uses imaging studies such as CT scans and MRIs to diagnose conditions of the central nervous system, head, neck, and spine. You may not meet your radiologist, since these doctors usually work behind the scenes to determine your diagnosis.
View All Neuroradiologists
Support Services
We help with the details so you can focus on your health and wellness. We offer a range of patient services and helpful information to coordinate the various aspects of your care:
We help with the details so you can focus on your health and wellness. We offer a range of patient services and helpful information to coordinate the various aspects of your care:
Videos and Resources
You can receive caring, personalized attention for neurological disorders close to home, backed by the expertise of some of the nation’s leading experts in brain, spine, and nervous system problems.
Convenient care where you live and work
- Insurance and billing: We accept several insurance plans to serve you. We work with you to confirm insurance coverage and discuss financial arrangements.
- Coordinated care: Access diagnostic testing, evaluation, and treatment from a dedicated team of neurologists and rehabilitation experts, close to home.
- MyHealth: Our MyHealth system allows you to access your records and view test results through a secure, online portal and device app. You can also communicate with your doctors.
- Send referrals online
- Place radiology orders
- View referral status
- Access medical records