The Rush Approach to Neurosciences
We understand that issues that affect your brain, spine and nerves have a profound effect on your quality of life.
That's why Rush neurologists and neurosurgeons collaborate with experts across specialties on your treatment plan. They’ll explore options with you that best meet your unique needs and goals.
Our experts use advanced imaging and can provide minimally invasive treatment options. For example, brain mapping techniques allow neurosurgeons to create 3D maps of your brain and plan procedures for brain tumors or epilepsy with high precision.
Our specialists can perform focused ultrasound for patients with essential tremors or parkinsonian tremors that don’t respond to medication. It’s a treatment that uses sound waves, or ultrasonic energy, without the need for surgery.
And our neurosurgeons can perform minimally invasive endovascular surgery through blood vessels in the brain, rather than traditional open surgery. This can reduce risks and recovery time.
And although we're constantly researching new ways to treat neurologic conditions in the future, we never lose sight of the fact that you need care today. For many of our services, we can meet with patients within one to two weeks.
Our Areas of Care
Brain Surgery Services
Surgery for a full range of neurological conditions, including epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and brain tumors. We offer innovative techniques, such as deep brain stimulation, focused ultrasound and stereotactic radiosurgery.
Brain Tumor Care
Treatment for all types of brain cancer, including glioma, glioblastoma and other brain tumors. Our specialists rely on advanced brain mapping techniques that create 3D images of your brain to plan and precisely guide surgery.
Concussion Care
Treatment of concussion and traumatic brain injury, or TBI. We provide a range of rehabilitation services and balance training to help you preserve your quality of life.
Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Disorders Care
Diagnosis for memory loss and all types of dementia, including Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Our clinical trials can provide new care options that aren’t widely available, and we connect patients and their families to support groups that can help navigate these conditions.
Epilepsy and Seizure Disorder Care
Many seizures can be managed with medication. But when these disorders do not respond to drug therapy, our providers specialize in surgical procedures, including minimally invasive options, that can provide relief, such as LITT and vagus nerve stimulation.
General Neurology Services
Diagnosis and treatment of a full range of neurological conditions. Our specialists rely on advanced imaging to find the cause of your symptoms. They’ll work with you to explore your options, from medication to surgery, and refer you to a specialist when you need it.
Huntington's Disease Care
Treatment for Huntington's disease, including genetic testing and counseling. Our experts make sure you have the physical, mental and emotional support you need to maintain your quality of life.
Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmune Disorders Care
Treatment for all types of MS — including relapsing-remitting MS and primary progressive MS — as well as neuroimmune disorders like neuromyelitis optica (NMO), transverse myelitis and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD).
Neurocritical Care Services
In-hospital care for emergencies such as stroke, brain infection or brain injury. We also provide advanced monitoring that allows the critical care team to quickly tell if you are at increased risk for a second brain injury.
Neuroinfectious Disease Care
Treatment for infections of the brain, spine and nerves, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder. Our experts work with you to explore your options, from immunomodulation therapy to dietary supplements.
Neuromuscular Disease Care
Treatment for ALS, myasthenia gravis, muscular dystrophy, neuropathy and other neuromuscular diseases. Beyond medical support, we ensure you have psychological support and access to physical, occupational and speech therapy when you need it.
Neuro-Ophthalmology Services
Treatment for issues that affect your eyes, including optic neuritis, because of other neurological conditions such as stroke, brain tumors or multiple sclerosis. Your neuro-ophthalmologist will work with your neurological care team to make sure your eye treatment fits within your overall care plan.
Neurosurgery Services
Planned and emergency surgical treatments for even the most rare or complex brain, spine and nerve conditions. Our neurosurgeons will help you explore advanced and minimally invasive options whenever possible, including focused ultrasound, laser interstitial therapy and endovascular neurosurgery.
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Care
Treatment for Parkinson's disease, dystonia, Tourette syndrome and other movement disorders. Our specialists can provide minimally invasive treatments, such as deep brain stimulation and focused ultrasound.
Pituitary Tumor Surgery Services
Treatments for pituitary tumors, including minimally invasive procedures. Your surgery team can visualize your tumor in real time with intraoperative CT and surgical navigation.
Skull Base Surgery Services
Surgery for tumors at the base of your skull, such as acoustic neuroma or sinus cancer. Our ENT surgeons, neurosurgeons and other specialists work together to solve even the most difficult and rarest tumor cases.
Spine and Back Care
Medical, rehab and spine surgery services for neck and back pain, scoliosis, sciatica, spinal stenosis and more. Our team creates a personal care plan to meet your needs, whether that means physical therapy, injections, neurostimulation, surgery or other options.
Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease Care and Surgery Services
Treatment for stroke, TIA, brain aneurysm, AVM and other cerebrovascular diseases. We help prevent future strokes by educating you and your family about health and lifestyle changes that can manage your risks.
Rush Excellence in Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Nationally ranked care: The neurology and neurosurgery programs at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago are ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Specialists across our locations collaborate to bring this high level of care closer to home for patients in the suburbs.
- Neurosciences experience and expertise: Our neurologists and neurosurgeons meet with thousands of patients each year. This high-volume experience means they've likely diagnosed and treated many patients with conditions like yours . They bring that expertise to your treatment — drawing on what they have seen work well in other cases.
- Advanced treatments and diagnostics: Our specialists have access to cutting-edge tools and techniques to accurately diagnose and treat your neurological condition. Our operating rooms use advanced technology, including surgical imaging and brain mapping. These technologies allow brain and spine surgeons to better visualize the areas they need to address during surgery and ensure the procedure is as successful as possible. For example, diagnostic cerebral angiograms through our robotic system offer greater precision and safety.
- Personalized treatment for you: Your providers will tailor your treatment to your needs. They know that neurologic conditions can greatly affect your ability to live your life the way you want, so they listen to you to understand your needs and goals. They rely on highly advanced diagnostic tools to explore your unique brain and condition. They can find options that will be the best fit for you medically, as well as personally.
- General neurologists across the Chicago area: General neurologists will typically be your first point of contact for neurology care. This level of treatment will often be the right fit for many issues, such as migraines, neuropathy, concussions and ongoing dementia care. That's why Rush has general neurologists at locations in and around Chicago, including Oak Brook, Oak Park and Aurora/Fox Valley. And all our locations share an electronic medical record, so your providers will be able to share records with each other. You won't need to reshare the same information at each location you visit.
- Subspecialty care: If your issue is advanced or difficult to treat, you may benefit from care by a subspecialist who focuses on one condition or group of conditions. We make it easier to see subspecialists in convenient locations. For example, we have movement disorders specialists in Chicago, Oak Park, Oak Brook and Aurora/Fox Valley. And, we have epilepsy and neuromuscular specialists in Chicago and Oak Brook.
- Focusing on your safety: We always look for new ways to make your care as safe as possible. As one example, Rush University Medical Center is the first in Chicago to use a robotic system during diagnostic cerebral angiograms. This system gives neurosurgeons greater visibility within the brain and allows them to more precisely position stents when they are needed — all of which means greater safety for you.
Neurology and Neurosurgery Services Centers
Our world-class specialists in Chicago are part of a neurology and neurosurgery program that U.S. News & World Report ranks among the best in the nation.
Most of our neurologists and neurosurgeons provide subspecialty care. That means they diagnose and treat specific conditions or groups of conditions within neurology and neurosurgery. For instance, we have providers who specialize in only movement disorders treatment, stroke care, epilepsy or brain tumors. And, at the academic center of the Rush system, they draw on the latest neuroscience research and technology to provide you with up-to-date and innovative care.
Many of our neuroscience Centers of Excellence are at this location. Centers of Excellence receive this designation because they offer a higher level of care for a particular disease.
This location has been designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery for our commitment to high-quality care, patient safety and providing excellent outcomes. It also reflects our expertise with cervical and lumbar fusion, cervical laminectomy and lumbar laminectomy/discectomy procedures, leading to fewer complications and readmissions.
Rush University Medical Center's neurointensive care unit (neuro ICU) is staffed with neurocritical care providers, called neurointensivists. They have specialized training in helping the brain recover from infection, injury, stroke or surgery. More than 1,200 patients are transferred to Rush University Medical Center each year for this high level of expertise.
Rush locations in Oak Park, Oak Brook, Lisle, and at North & Harlem offer high-quality neurological care to patients in the western suburbs with the convenience of staying close to home.
In Oak Brook, you have access to brain surgery and spine surgery services. Our neurosurgeons offer some movement disorder, brain tumor, epilepsy and spine surgeries at this location. These include deep brain stimulation and focused ultrasound for essential tremor and parkinsonian tremor.
In Oak Park, our experts can perform minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery. This involves using small tools and high-definition cameras through tiny incisions, rather than open surgery, which can reduce scarring, complications and recovery time. This location is part of the Rush Telestroke Network. That means that they consult virtually with stroke experts at Rush University Medical Center during a stroke emergency. They also offer outpatient speech, occupational and physical therapy for patients who need after-stroke care. And we have an inpatient acute rehab and a skilled care unit (sub-acute rehab).
Our Lisle location offers many neurologic oncology care options for patients with brain tumors and spine tumors, including neurosurgical consultations, imaging and supportive services.
Our location at North & Harlem offers care for a range of neurological conditions, including headaches, dementia and neuropathy. Our experts also treat epilepsy and movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease. And neurosurgeons provide consultations and care options for disorders such as tumors, stroke, and neck and back pain.
Rush neurologists and neurosurgeons at Rush Copley Medical Center offer academic health system-level care in a community setting.
We provide specialized care for movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, and exercise therapies, including boxing classes, designed to slow Parkinson's disease progression. We also offer Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) and music and art therapy to support your quality of life.
Pediatric neurologists from Rush University Children's Hospital also offer care at Rush Copley. They provide pediatric care for muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and epilepsy, among other issues.
Through our END lab, you can have neurodiagnostic tests in your local community that help determine your diagnosis. Among these tests, we offer EEGs to diagnose the cause of seizures.
Rush Copley neurosurgeons treat pain and other issues related to your brain, spine, neck and back. If you are considering spine surgery, our nurse practitioners are available to discuss your options. We also offer a pre-surgery education class to help you prepare for your procedure.
Patients who have neurosurgery or emergency stroke care at Rush Copley recover in our dedicated neuro ICU. The Rush Copley neuro ICU team has specialized training in neurology and neurosurgery issues to better support your recovery.
And we have support groups for brain tumors and movement disorders to help you share with other people going through similar experiences.
Rush Munster offers a range of neuro-oncology services to treat brain and spinal tumors. Our neurosurgery team relies on advanced imaging techniques and will review your case with a board of experts across specialties. They'll make sure you have an accurate diagnosis and a comprehensive care plan that is customized for you.
While this location does not offer surgery, it can provide much of the consultation, testing, preparation and follow-up care that you’ll need before and after surgery on site.
Second Opinions on Neurology and Neurosurgery
A diagnosis or treatment plan for a neurological issue can leave you with a lot of questions. But a second opinion can help you understand your condition, explore treatment options and help you feel confident when it comes to decisions about your care.
Neurologists and neurosurgeons throughout our locations in Chicago and the surrounding region offer in-person consultations closer to home for many patients. And they can offer virtual second opinions in many cases.
They’ll review your case with a team of experts who specialize in many fields, including stroke, epilepsy, brain tumors, movement disorders and spine care. They rely on advanced imaging techniques to provide you with an accurate diagnosis. And they have access to innovative treatments and clinical trials that can provide you with care options not available elsewhere.
If your diagnosis is unclear, you want to explore new care plans or you just want peace of mind, a second opinion can help. Call Rush at (888) 352-7874, and a care coordinator will help you schedule an appointment.
FAQs About Neurology and Neurosurgery at Rush
Rush offers treatment for all neurological conditions, including brain tumors, movement disorders, spine conditions, headaches and migraines, seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, stroke and Alzheimer’s.
Rush provides advanced treatments and procedures for all neurological conditions. For example, we offer focused ultrasound for parkinsonian and essential tremors and deep brain stimulation for movement disorders, epilepsy and obsessive compulsive disorder. Our neurosurgeons can perform minimally invasive surgeries through blood vessels in the brain. And they rely on advanced brain mapping with robotic guidance to ensure procedures are as precise as possible.
Many patients are referred to a neurologist or neurosurgeon by their primary care physicians when they have concerning symptoms or imaging results. Some signs that may suggest you need to see a specialist include persistent headaches, changes in your senses, memory issues, seizures, tremors, difficulty speaking or moving, unexplained numbness or tingling, balance problems or other neurological symptoms. You can learn more on our When to See a Neurologist page.
Rush is a major academic medical center with neurology and neurosurgery programs ranked among the best in the nation. Our experts often specialize in specific conditions and can offer a wide range of care options. Each case is reviewed by a team of experts from many fields who rely on highly advanced imaging and diagnostic techniques to ensure accuracy. Patients have access to cutting-edge treatments, including clinical trials that can offer options not available elsewhere.
Yes, our neurologists and neurosurgeons in Chicago and throughout the suburbs offer second opinions on even the most complex cases. You can call Rush at (888) 352-7874 or visit our page on making an appointment. A care coordinator will help you schedule.
Rush offers minimally invasive and robot-assisted spinal and neurovascular surgery for many conditions. For example, they can perform endovascular surgery through blood vessels in the brain, rather than open cranial surgery. They can use deep brain stimulation for conditions like epilepsy and Parkinson’s. They can perform focused ultrasound for tremors or use laser ablation treatments for brain tumors or epilepsy. Your neurosurgeon can discuss your options with you.
Yes, Rush treats epilepsy, stroke and movement disorders with specialists and centers dedicated to these conditions. You can learn more about treatments for these conditions on our epilepsy, stroke and movement disorders pages.
Our neurologists have access to advanced imaging and diagnostic tools to create detailed images of your brain and ensure you have an accurate diagnosis. Some of these tools include high-definition MRIs, angiograms, CT scans, and many types of noninvasive or minimally invasive EEGs.
To make an appointment with a neurologist or neurosurgeon, call Rush at (888) 352-7874 or visit our page on making an appointment. A care coordinator will help you schedule.
U.S. News & World Report ranked Rush University Medical Center among the best in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery care.
