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Welcome to Neurology!

Welcome to Neurology!

Welcome to the Department of Neurology at the University of Chicago! Embedded in one of the premier universities in the world our department has a long and storied history that dates back to the late 19th century and early 20th century with Henry H. Donaldson, former president of the American Neurological Association, to Charles Herrick, a famous neuro-anatomist, Douglas Buchanan, the father of pediatric neurology and Paul Bucy, Sean Mullan, and Bryce Weir, renowned neurosurgeons.

The modern Department of Neurology was formed by Barry Arnason in 1976. Besides being a pioneer in multiple sclerosis and neuro-inflammation, Dr. Arnason’s legacy includes training many residents and faculty who would become chairs of Neurology around the world. It remains a central mission of the department of neurology at the University of Chicago to train the next generation of scientists, educators, and clinicians. Our residency is the keystone of our department and has grown to comprise 10 residents per year and numerous accredited fellowship programs.

In recent years, we have expanded the Department of Neurology from its legacy of strengths in basic neuroscience to incorporate clinical and translational neuroscience. We have recruited faculty who are leading major initiatives in cerebrovascular, aging and dementia, brain circuitry, and neurogenetics research. Our department is also leading site for clinical trials in stroke, movement disorders, dementia, cerebellar ataxias, multiple sclerosis, ALS, and many other areas. With one of the first neuro-ICUs in the United States and the first comprehensive stroke center in Chicago, our neurologists are dedicated to serving our community and reducing the burden of acute neurologic disease. Our centers for ataxias and ALS see patients from around the world, while our stroke, epilepsy, movement, and multiple sclerosis centers have achieved centers of excellence recognition.

Today, the field of neurology has seen the advent of immunotherapies for multiple sclerosis, the targeted treatments for epilepsy and movement disorders, and acute medical and interventional therapies for stroke which has made for even more exciting times for the field of neurology with much to offer our patients. We stand at the dawn of new era that will approach the frontiers of neuroscience where stem cell and gene therapies as well as brain-machine interface technologies, once only imagined, are within reach. With collaborative partnerships with the Departments of Neurosurgery, Radiology, Neurobiology, the Neuroscience Institute, the Argonne National Laboratory, and many other University of Chicago departments and affiliates, our department is at the forefront of neurosciences.

It is an exciting time at the University of Chicago and for the Department of Neurology. With the growth of neurosciences and neurology on campus, new tests and treatments to offer, and expansion of the health system into the South Side of Chicago, western suburbs, and Northwest Indiana, we are poised to make a major in the lives of our patients and their families, striving for just and equitable neurologic care while leading discovery and innovation into the mysteries of neurologic illness.

Dr. Shyam Prabhakaran

Shyam Prabhakaran, MD

Chair, Department of Neurology