Neurology
When you choose our team of specialists you have access to a complete line of leading-edge treatments and research for adult and pediatric neurologic disorders. In our neurology department, our mission is to provide outstanding clinical care while training leading neurologists and scientists of the future. We strive to be an international leader in neurology research and treatment.
Why choose us for neurology care?
BJC HealthCare works with Washington University physicians, BJC Medical Group, and providers across the region to deliver extraordinary care. When you choose our neurology team, you’re choosing a longstanding history of excellence. In neurology, our goal is to bring scientific research and discovery from the bench to the bedside to improve your treatment and quality of life.
We offer:
- Specialized care: Our neurologists specialize in multiple areas, including epilepsy, stroke, movement disorders, memory disorders and more. This subspecialization allows us to offer specialty services available at few centers in the nation.
- Recognized expertise: Our physicians include a number of regional and national neurology experts. Our department is nationally recognized as a leader in noninvasive neurology treatment.
- Expert diagnostic tools: We have a range of neurodiagnostic testing tools, including sleep studies, electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG). A positron emission tomography (PET) scanner, a state-of-the art brain imaging technique invented and developed at Washington University, is located in the neurology intensive care unit at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. The unit is one of the largest and most sophisticated in the United States.
- AIDS neurology: Our neurologists are part of the Neurologic AIDS Research Consortium (NARC). This consortium is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health to design and conduct clinical trials for improving therapies for AIDS patients with neurologic conditions. As new challenges arise in the fight against the AIDS epidemic, NARC continues to develop relevant studies.
Neurologic conditions we treat
In addition to treating general adult neurologic conditions, neurologists have expertise in a host of subspecialties. We treat the entire range of neurological conditions, including:
- Alzheimer's diseaseThe most common type of dementia, this condition causes a progressive loss of memory, cognitive function and language skills.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)ALS is a neuromuscular disorder that breaks down nerve cells, causing muscle weakness.
- Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)An AVM is an irregular connection between veins and arteries in the brain.
- AtaxiaThis condition is characterized by a loss of coordination, balance difficulties and trouble walking.
- Brain and head injuriesTraumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a blow to the head or body causes brain dysfunction.
- Brain aneurysmAn aneurysm occurs when a weak spot in one of the brain's blood vessels bulges and fills with blood.
- Brain tumorsTumors occur when a cluster of irregular cells forms in the brain or travels to the brain.
- DementiaThis general term refers to the group of diseases that cause a loss of cognitive skills such as memory or judgment.
- DystoniaInvoluntary muscle contractions affect one or more parts of your body. These contractions can cause repetitive movements, twisting or cramps.
- EncephalitisEncephalitis refers to brain inflammation, usually caused by an infection or autoimmune disease.
- EpilepsyEpilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by seizures, bursts of uncontrolled electrical activity in your brain.
- Essential tremorYou experience involuntary and repetitive, rhythmic shaking. Essential tremor usually affects your hands, but can also affect your arms, legs, head or voice.
- Guillain-Barr' syndromeThis rare disorder occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks your nerves.
- HeadachesA headache may cause dull, sharp or radiating head pain and could have an underlying neurological cause.
- Huntington's diseaseThis hereditary condition causes progressive nerve cell breakdown in your brain. This leads to problems with movement, cognitive skills and emotional regulation.
- MeningitisMeningitis is inflammation in the membranes (meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord.
- Moyamoya diseaseThis rare cerebrovascular disorder causes a narrowing in the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain (carotid arteries).
- Multiple sclerosisThis chronic, progressive disease occurs when the immune system attacks the protective tissue around the nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
- Myasthenia gravisThis autoimmune disease causes breakdown in the communication between your muscles and nerves, leading to muscle weakness and double vision.
- NeurofibromatosisThis rare genetic disease causes noncancerous tumors to grow along nerves.
- Parkinson's diseaseThis progressive nervous system disorder occurs when nerve cell damage leads to a drop of dopamine. Symptoms include tremors, stiffness, balance problems or slow movements.
- Peripheral neuropathyNerve damage outside the brain and spinal cord can cause numbness, weakness and pain, often in the hands or feet.
- Pituitary tumorsThese irregular growths form in the pituitary gland, a small gland in the brain that produces hormones.
- Sleep disordersSleep disorders include conditions that affect sleep patterns and negatively affect your overall health.
- Spinal cord injuriesDamage to your spinal cord prevents nerves below the point of injury from communicating with your brain.
- StrokeA stroke occurs when there's a disruption in blood flow in your brain. Stroke requires emergency treatment to minimize brain damage.
- Tourette syndromeThis condition is characterized by repetitive twitches, sounds or movements known as tics. Tourette syndrome often starts in childhood.
- Trigeminal neuralgiaThis chronic pain disorder causes sudden, sharp pain along one side of the face.
Locations
Neurology News & Resources
Schedule your appointment
Call (314) 362-9355 or (800) 392-0936 to schedule your appointment with a specialist.