Neurology

To visit our Alzheimer's Disease & Memory Disorders Program, click: 

cornellneurology.org/specialty/alzheimers-disease-memory-disorders

Or, for more information on our Alzheimer's Prevention Clinic, click:

cornellneurology.org/alz

The Center for Sleep Medicine at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center is a state-of-the-art facility that provides patients with comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment to improve sleep health. Learn more about the center.

Internationally regarded as one of the premier neurologic care, teaching and research facilities in the world, The Neurology Faculty Practice at Weill Cornell Medicine offers the most advanced, comprehensive care available today. As an integral part of the medical center, the Neurology Faculty Practice physicians have the unique advantage of being able to interface with other teams of residents and specialists in all areas of medical care, and to utilize the vast resources of one of the country's most prestigious medical and teaching institutions.

Many health-restoring procedures and treatments in use today are the result of breakthrough discoveries made by renowned Weill Cornell Medicine practitioners and researchers. Utilizing emerging technologies and advanced diagnostic procedures including serum studies, special testing (carotid doppler, EEG, EMG, Evoked Potentials), and central nervous system imaging, our physicians offer people coping with nervous system disorders the most recent clinical innovations and more effective treatment approaches.

For more information, please visit: http://cornellneurology.org/

While most headaches are not life-threatening, they can be debilitating and we understand they may negatively affect one's work and family life.

As global leaders in diagnosing and treating headache and migraine pain, our team of experts has the experience and tools to address your specific condition. We are dedicated to helping alleviate your pain and restoring your quality of life.

Introduction
The Laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology, directed by Dr. Douglas Labar, provides the full spectrum of diagnostic neurophysiologic testing (EEG, EMG/NCV, evoked potentials, sleep studies, and related clinical services) for adults and children undergoing neurologic evaluation.

Referrals to the Laboratory for routine or investigational diagnostic testing can be arranged through any of the members of the neurology group, as well as by neurologists and internists in the local community and the greater metropolitan area who desire routine or highly specialized neurophysiologic evaluations.

The Laboratory is conveniently located adjacent to the outpatient suite of the neurology group. Diagnostic studies are performed by highly-skilled technicians and interpreted by board-certified subspecialists. Examination results are generally available on the day of the examination. Most insurance and managed care plans are accepted.

Staff
The medical staff of the Laboratory consists of doctors who are full time academic members of the Department of Neurology and Neuroscience. The staff physicians are specially trained in areas of neurology and pediatrics related to epilepsy and seizures, neurologic monitoring, infant development, neuromuscular disease, and sensory physiology. In addition to performing diagnostic tests, the physicians contribute to medical progress and education through their research, lectures, and teaching activities.

Laboratory technicians are fully trained to serve you and to conduct the test your doctor has requested. They have had formal training in the tests they perform and maintain their professional abilities with ongoing training in electrodiagnosis.

Diagnostic Services
We perform several basic diagnostic tests that evaluate how specific parts of the nervous system work. They are:

• Electroencephalography (EEG). This is an examination of spontaneous brain activity.
• Electromyography and nerve conduction studies (EMG/NCS). These are examinations of nerve and muscle activity.

   

• Evoked potentials (EP's). These are examinations of brain activity related to sensory stimulation. Three common varieties are performed: sight (VEP's), hearing (BAEP's, and touch SSEP's.
• Polysomnography (PSG's). This is an examination of brain, eye movements, breathing, and other activity during sleep.

As a group, these studies evaluate the function (physiology, or how it works) of parts of the nervous system. In this respect, they differ from MRI, CT, and related tests, which examine the structure (anatomy, or what it looks like) of the nervous system. Conditions in which physiological testing is useful include (but are not limited to) epilepsy and seizures, sleep disorders, disorders of nerve, muscle, and movement, multiple sclerosis and related conditions.

Specialized Services
In addition to the basic diagnostic tests described above, the Laboratory provides highly specialized services to inpatients at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, the Hospital for Special Surgery, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. These services are important to patients who may be undergoing neurosurgical procedures that place the brain, spinal cord, or nerves at risk.

Intraoperative neurological monitoring consists of EEG, EMG, or EP's (see above) performed during surgical procedures. These techniques provide an assessment of function of the nervous system during a surgical procedure, and help the surgeon minimize the risk of damage.

In collaboration with the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, directed by Dr. Douglas Labar, we provide intensive monitoring to identify the source of seizures in epilepsy patients who are considering surgery.

In collaboration with the Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Laboratory at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, directed by Dr. Joy Hirsch, we provide a multimodal approach to neurosurgical planning. This technique, which consists of fMRI imaging prior to surgery and electrophysiological study during surgery, helps to identify identify important brain areas, and thus reduce the risk of impairment.

Fees, Billing, Managed Care, and Insurance
In order to help keep costs at a minimum, we expect payment in full at the time of service. There are two charges: one from NewYork-Presbyterian for the technician's services, and one from the Weill Cornell Faculty Practice Plan for the doctor's services. We will provide you with a receipt that you can send to your insurance company. Fees vary according to the complexity of the procedures, and the doctor and technician time required. For your convenience, we accept major credit cards.

Our physicians participate in a large number of managed care programs. Managed care approval requirements and fee arrangements vary widely and change rapidly, and it is wise to consult with your managed care provider to be sure that your visit will be covered. We also encourage you to speak with our Accounts Representative at (212) 746-2340 if you have questions on these matters.

Reports and Confidentiality
Your doctor will receive a written report of your test within a few days. He or she will also speak with your doctor if he requests us to call or if there are major or unexpected findings. Because it is important for your test to be reviewed with your complete medical record, we do not inform you directly of the test result. We maintain your record in a confidential manner to protect your privacy.

Our clinical and surgical neuro-oncology programs treat malignant brain and spine tumors in adults and children, including primary or metastatic tumors. The neuro-oncologists and neurosurgeons of the Weill Cornell Brain Tumor Center offer a comprehensive approach to brain and spine tumors and see hundreds of patients each year with newly diagnosed and recurrent tumors.

Our team has expertise in treating all stages of brain cancer, including low grade gliomas, glioblastomas, and astrocytomas. We pride ourselves in our patient-first, multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing and treating cancers of the brain and spine. Neurosurgeons, neurologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, and nutritionists work alongside one another to develop comprehensive treatment plans for our patients that emphasize overall health and well-being.

The experts of the Surgical Neuro-oncology Program and Clinical Neuro-oncology Program collaborate to create a comprehensive treatment strategy built around each patient’s unique situation. This often includes approaches centered on the surgical removal of brain and spine tumors followed by medical control of tumors using radiation therapies (such as stereotactic radiosurgery and brachytherapy), and delivery of novel drugs and other anti-tumor agents. Additionally, our clinical and surgical neuro-oncology programs partner with the Cognitive Remediation Program, to provide support during and after treatment.

At the Weill Cornell Brain Tumor Center, we are devoted to brain tumor research in both the laboratory and clinic to better understand the biology of brain cancers and develop new treatment options.

Our physicians are well versed in clinical research and are actively studying the latest breakthrough diagnostic techniques and therapeutic options in order to make these available to our patients. In conjunction with standard clinical care, our Brain Tumor Center offers clinical trials with novel treatments, precision or “personalized” medicine, and translational research in order to target individual genes that may have a role in the disease. Some open clinical trials are currently examining the use of immunotherapy, PARP inhibitors, diet modification, and numerous other investigational agents to treat brain cancer.

We work closely with a multitude of national research institutions and hospitals to take part in new clinical trials that benefit our patients and add to our diversity of treatment options. For information regarding our open clinical trials please click here.

Learn more about our research to study brain cancer using organoids in order to identify potential treatments in this interview with CNN:

Second Opinions

In concert with your referring physician, we are always available to offer a second opinion in the form of a consultation with one of our specialists.

Why Choose Us?

We provide cutting-edge care, customized to each patient, ensuring that patients and their families receive the best care available with treatment plans that are designed to improve quality of life – both physically and mentally.

Our deep investment in clinical research allows us to offer the most innovative treatments currently available. From diagnostic tools to breakthrough clinical trials, we have the ability to provide advanced care found only in established research facilities.

Click here for information on our Clinical Neuropsychology Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program

Click here for information on more Training Opportunities in Clinical Neuropsychology

The Weill Cornell Neuropsychology Service is an outpatient program in the Department of Neurology. The service evaluates patients with a wide variety of neurologic disorders affecting cognition.

The service provides comprehensive assessment of cognitive functioning using standardized tests. The evaluation includes assessment of intellectual abilities, language, attention, memory, problem solving, visuospatial functions and motor skills. Inpatient evaluations can also be arranged, if necessary. Both brief and comprehensive evaluations are available.

The Weill Cornell Neuropsychology Service offers evaluations which can be useful in differential diagnosis, establishing baseline level of cognitive functioning, patient care management and treatment planning. The results can provide objective information relating to an individual's potential for rehabilitation, return to work or ability to function independently.

Referrals for neuropsychological evaluation may be arranged by physicians, other health care professionals, the prospective patient or family members. Our network of referral services includes neurology, psychiatry, social work services, cognitive rehabilitation and occupational therapy.

Common Reasons for Referral:

• Memory & Attention Problems
• Dementia vs. Depression
• Normal Aging vs. Early Dementia
• Cognitive effects of toxic exposure, substance abuse or medications
• Recovery of function (Head Injury, Stroke)
• Seizure Disorders
• Disability & Competency

Information for Patients:

What is a neuropsychological evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation involves testing that is sensitive to problems in brain functioning. Unlike neuroimaging such as CT or MRI scans, which show changes in the structure of the brain, or EEG, which can identify electrical abnormalities in the brain, neuropsychological assessment examines how well the brain is working when it performs certain cognitive functions (for example remembering)

Why have you been referred for a neuropsychological evaluation?
There are many reasons why you have been referred for a neuropsychological evaluation. Your health care provider may request an exam in effort to:

• Evaluate possible brain dysfunction
• Provide information for diagnosis
• Define strengths & weaknesses
• Document changes over time
• Evaluate response to treatment
• Determine the need for assistance with daily activities
• Make recommendations relevant for your care & treatment planning

What tests are used?
The standardized tests used typically assess functioning in the following areas: attention, memory reasoning, problem solving, visuospatial skills, language, motor functions, academic skills, and emotional functioning. The types of tests that you will take depend upon the questions you and your doctor have. The tests are not invasive; that is, they do not involve attaching you to machines or using X-rays. Most of the tests will involve questions-and-answers, or working with materials on the table.

How long is the evaluation?
The length of the evaluation can range from 3-6 hours, and may be conducted over the course of two or more appointments.

What else do I need to know?
Bring all sensory aides (e.g., glasses, hearing aides), records from any prior cognitive testing and a list of current medications with you to the exam. Our office is wheelchair accessible; please notify us in advance of any special needs.

Clinical Neuropsychology Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program

Weill Cornell Medicine’s Neuropathy Center is a leading comprehensive neuropathy center in New York City.

For more information please visit neuropathy.weillcornell.org

This recently expanded program focuses on the entire spectrum of neurovascular diseases- (1) prevention and reduction of risk factors, (2) acute intervention with thrombolysis, endovascular therapy, and neurovascular surgery, (3) neurocritical care, and (4) rehabilitation. On the frontline of clinical research, the program is conducting trials of new drugs to prevent brain injury during stroke and prevent recurrent stroke. The Stroke Center maintains a skilled team of stroke neurologists, 24/7, who are available to respond to emergencies and administer thrombolytic drugs (rTPA) according to the most advanced protocols. State-of-the-art imaging is on site, including CT, MRI, MR angiography, CT perfusion/angiography, neurovascular ultrasound, and PET. The most advanced endovascular devices are used, including the MERCI (Concentric, Inc.) mechanical clot extractor, and coil and glue embolization for brain aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The Division collaborates with neurosurgery, interventional neuroradiology, emergency medicine, and rehabilitation medicine in providing treatments for all types of neurovascular disorders, including carotid and vertebral artery stenosis, brain aneurysms and AVMs, brain hemorrhage, and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs).