Subspecialties

 

Victoria Pelak, MD     

Interim Section Chief

 

 

The Cognitive & Behavioral Neurology Section was established in 1991 by Dr. Christopher Filley to represent the study of brain-behavior relationships. Clinical expertise of the group is broad, encompassing the neurodegenerative dementias, focal neurobehavioral syndromes, traumatic brain injury (TBI), neuropsychiatric disorders, neurobehavioral aspects of movement disorders, sleep, and higher visual dysfunction. and scholarship are vigorously pursued, extensive educational opportunities are available, and UCNS-certified fellowship training is offered for interested neurology or psychiatry residents. Our combined academic efforts led to the publication of a comprehensive and widely acclaimed textbook: Behavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry, Cambridge University Press, 2013. Unique clinical offerings include a multidisciplinary Behavioral Neuro-Ophthalmology Movement Disorders Clinic, Healthy Brain Aging Clinic, Adults with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Clinic, Comprehensive Care Planning Clinic, Neuropsychiatry Clinic, and Advanced Therapies in Neurodegenerative Dementia Clinic. We have been designated a Lewy Body Dementia Association Research Center of Excellence since 2017. Active research programs led by our faculty focus on early onset and atypical presentations of Alzheimer’s disease, the role of the immune system in cognitive aging, cognitive reserve, sex and gender differences in dementia risk, neuromodulation of sleep, cognitive scale development and validation, and complementary medicine interventions for cognition and behavior, including neurologic music therapy.

 

The Cognitive & Behavioral Neurology Section works in concert with the University of Colorado Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center. The CUACC is engaged in patient care, clinical research, and translational research through collaborations with the Anschutz Medical Campus and the University of Colorado Health System. Section members conduct clinical research within the CUACC, studying the science and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases with laboratory research scientists, and with the generous participation of patients seen at the Memory Disorders Clinic and Neurobehavior Clinic. The major project now underway is the expansion of the University’s national presence in AD. In collaboration with Huntington Potter, PhD, Cognitive & Behavioral Neurology Section faculty are investigating the neurobiology of inflammation as it impacts the etiopathogenesis of the disease.

 

Cognitive & Behavioral Neurology Faculty:

 

David Arciniegas, MD

Delia Bakeman, DO
Brianne Bettcher, PhD
Tara Carlisle, MD, PhD

Morgan Farley, MD

Kelly Finch, NP

Samantha Holden, MD, MS

Brice McConnell, MD, PhD
Victoria Pelak, MD
Jessica Sanders, MD
Avani Shah, PA-C

C. Alan Anderson, MD (Professor Emeritus)

Christopher M. Filley, MD (Professor Emeritus)

 

To schedule a patient appointment in the Memory Disorders Clinic at the UCHealth Central Park Medical Center, call 720-848-2080.

 

For Fellowship information, please click here.

 

The Comprehensive Neurology service at the University of Colorado Hospital delivers diagnostic expertise and treatment recommendations for a broad range of neurological conditions. This group primarily evaluates patients referred by primary care providers and other medical or surgical specialties, providing a comprehensive view of the entire nervous system for their patients and referring providers. Visits with the Comprehensive Neurology group are most appropriate for initial evaluations of neurological symptoms or evaluation of multiple, overlapping neurological symptoms. Any patient requiring further sub-specialty neurology care will be appropriately referred as indicated.

 

Comprehensive Neurology Faculty:

Nicole Morgan, MD
Xuan Kang, MD
Minseon Kim, MD
Ang Li, MD

 

To make an appointment:

1. Have your referring physician complete the referral intake form and FAX it and your medical records and insurance information to (720) 848-2106.
2. Please allow 2 business days for processing of your paperwork. Then CALL (720) 848-2080 to schedule your appointment.
3. Be sure to BRING discs with images of MRI/CT scans, as well as copies of lab results and pertinent medical records in person with you to your appointment. 

We accept all PPO/HMO/POS plans. Please call your insurance carrier to verify benefits and coverage at the University of Colorado Hospital.

 

 

    

     Lesley Kaye, MD
     Interim Section Chief

Epilepsy can affect anyone at any age and from any background. At the University of Colorado, one of our core missions is to effectively treat patients who have epilepsy, while simultaneously striving to research and develop the best possible treatments and procedures in the battle against the disease. That is why The Department of Neurology’s epilepsy program has been rated a Level 4 center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC), the highest designation. In addition to being passionate about teaching future health care professionals, and as leaders in the care of epilepsy patients, our board certified epilepsy program aims to help patients and their families make informed decisions about the best therapies available, including surgical options. The team of epileptologists, researchers, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other providers are specifically trained in treating epilepsy and can provide comprehensive clinical care and diagnostic testing for patients. 

Every patient who visits the epilepsy program at the University of Colorado, receives a comprehensive evaluation, diagnostic testing and treatment to make it possible to live an active life. As Colorado’s only academic medical center, we take a multidisciplinary approach to patient care and have developed specific clinics to meet our patient’s needs.

These specialty clinics and services include:

• Outpatient clinical care
• Advanced epilepsy therapy clinic
• Seizure and epilepsy support group
• Outpatient electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Quantitative EEG
• Long-term video-EEG monitoring in the electrodiagnostic monitoring unit (EMU)
• Tests include:
  • MRI
  • Functional MRI
  • PET
  • SPECT
  • MEG
  • Wada
  • Visual fields
  • Neuropsychological testing
• Epilepsy brain surgery including laser surgery
• Implantation and management of vagus nerve stimulator (VNS), deep brain stimulator (DBS) and responsive neurostimulation (RNS)
• Ketogenic/ modified Atkins diet clinic
• Tuberous sclerosis clinic
• Clinical trials
• Neurofeedback
• Functional Neurology clinic
• Pregnancy clinic

In addition to treating patients with epilepsy, the University of Colorado offers a Non-Epileptic Seizures (NES) clinic and program. NES is a common illness that can be diagnosed in the the electrodiagnostic monitoring unit (EMU). Patients with NES have events that can range from “zoning out” to violent uncontrollable body movements similar to epileptic seizures. Many patients are misdiagnosed as having epilepsy when their NES events are from a different underlying cause. This clinic is one of a handful in the nation and one of two in the western United States. 

Epilepsy faculty:

Alexandra Atwood, MD
Naveed Chaudhry, MD
Brittany Croop, FNP
Jordan Gallegos, MD
Aaron Geller, MD
Nitish Harid, MD
Lesley Kaye, MD
Emily Liu, MD
Kimberly Ndahayo, NP
Jacob Pellinen, MD
Abbie Pennetti, LCSW
Nicole Ralston, PA
Mark Spitz, MD
Kimberly Ndahayo, NP
Jacob Pellinen, MD
Abbie Pennetti, LCSW
Nicole Ralston, PA
Laura Strom, MD
Stacey Wilson, PA
Jared Woodward, DO

To schedule a patient appointment in the Epilepsy Clinic, please click here

For Fellowship information, please click here

​NES is a common illness and has many names: non-epileptic seizures, non-electrical seizures, dissociative attacks, functional seizures, psychogenic non-epileptic events, somatoform disorder, conversion disorder or psychogenic seizures, to name a few. These events are outwardly similar to epileptic seizures but have a different underlying cause. They can involve anything from "zoning out" to fully blacking out and having violent movements similar to epileptic seizures. Sometimes patients are told, incorrectly, that they have epileptic seizures, which can be very confusing as very few patients have both. In some cases, patients with NES are given medicines for epilepsy. Making the right diagnosis is essential because medicines for epilepsy are often not helpful for NES which has a different treatment pathway.

 

 

What's different about NES, and how is it treated?

Unlike epilepsy, NES is not accompanied by abnormal discharges on the EEG. NES is due to a temporary circuit disruption in the brain, akin to "circuit overload." This makes it difficult, or often impossible, to stay aware and control what the body is doing during an event 

 

 

Our NES program has several components:

• A complete psychiatric assessment
• Psychoeducational or psychodynamic group therapy
• Individual therapy
• Family assessment
• Medication management
• You will have a treatment team of neurologists and psychiatrists.
• You will be a full participant in the decisions about your care.
• The individual, group and family interventions focus on teaching techniques to manage the triggers and warning signs of NES and avoiding "circuit overload."

 

What will my program of care look like?

• The NES team meets weekly and discusses the best plan for each patient.
• Our goal is to return you back to your primary care team after six months.
• We will develop a transition plan with you.
• We are optimistic that you will do well with our program.

To learn more about NES treatment, please click on this video.

 

To make an appointment:

Appointments in NES clinic are arranged, when appropriate, after diagnosis in the epilepsy monitoring unit. We suggest that you contact your neurologist or primary care provider to discuss diagnosis and treatment. Please call 720-848-2080 for general questions about appointments in the University of Colorado Outpatient Neurology Clinic.

 

We accept all PPO/HMO/POS plans. Please call your insurance carrier to verify benefits and coverage at University of Colorado Hospital.

Marius Birlea, MD, FAHS

Section Chief

 

Headache is the most frequent symptom for which patients are referred to a neurologist. Migraine (NOT JUST A HEADACHE) is the most common type of headache found and treated in any clinical setting. Each year, in the US, 12-15% of the population suffers attacks of migraine and more than 3 million individuals have them more often than not (Chronic Migraine); overall the condition is under diagnosed and under treated. In only a small minority of cases can a specific cause of head pain be found and eliminated, diagnosed as secondary headache. We bring together our expertise and the state-of-the art diagnostic resources in our hospital, including excellent Neuroradiology, Neuro-Ophthalmology, ENT, GI and Cardiology experts, clinical and research laboratories, in order to identify and treat the underlying conditions specifically. Particular attention is paid to headache conditions associated with high or low cerebrospinal fluid pressure or with viral infections.

Five Headache/Pain Medicine specialists and five dedicated nurse practitioners work together with qualified nurses and supporting staff to assure consultations and long-term management of patients in the Headache clinic. Our Headache program is accredited by the United Council for Neurological Subspecialties (UCNS) for  fellowship to train future Headache Medicine specialists. We participate in clinical research and in local and national advocacy initiatives for patients with headache and migraine.

We collaborate closely with the excellent Headache clinic at the Children’s Hospital Colorado for the transition of adolescents with headache to specialized adult care and for headache education. We also work together with Neurosurgery and other services within the comprehensive Concussion program, assisting with the management of headache after traumatic brain injury. The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a top academic medical center, and we collaborate with the  American Headache Society for maintaining high quality and standard of care. Our group is also actively involved in the activities of the Colorado Headache Society , which strives to provide the best care to patients with headache disorders in our community.

 

Headache Medicine faculty:

Abigail Anderson, MD

Marius Birlea, MD

Haley A. Burke, MD
Heather Free, PA-C​
Kyle Jenkins, MD, PhD
Kathyrn Kerrigan, NP

Chantal M. O'Brien, MD

Alison Percowycz, NP 

Jeffery Reynek, DNP

Betty Rudisaile NP
Danielle Wilhour, MD

 

To schedule a patient appointment in the Headache/Pain Medicine Clinic at the University of Colorado Hospital, call 720-848-2080.

 

For Headache Medicine Fellowship information, please click here.

 

Amy Amara, MD, PhD

Section Head

 

The University of Colorado Movement Disorders Center (MDC) provides state of the art interdisciplinary clinical care and community outreach to patients and families in the Rocky Mountain Region, pursues research to treat and prevent movement disorders and educates the next generation of clinicians and researchers in this field. The University of Colorado has a distinguished history of excellence including the first and largest trial of cell transplantation for Parkinson’s disease, development of the most widely used specialized speech therapy for Parkinson’s disease, ground-breaking work in the description of Fragile-X Tremor Ataxia Syndrome, development of the first palliative care clinic in the United States focused on movement disorders and one of the largest deep brain stimulation surgery centers in the country. 

 

More than 5,000 movement disorders patients are served by the University of Colorado Hospital MDC clinics annually - by far the Rocky Mountain Region’s largest referral center for these conditions. In addition to outpatient visits, our practitioners also provide specialized services such as Deep Brain Stimulation surgery (DBS), botuliunum toxin injections (Botox), physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, neuropsychological testing and psychiatric services. 

 

University of Colorado Movement Disorders investigators are conducting 30-50 research studies at any time, funded by the National Institutes of Health and other governmental agencies, Michael J. Fox Foundation and other private foundations and industry. These studies include: basic research, translational and clinical trials; multi-center and investigator initiated trials; and collaborations across our department, medical school, campus, and local, national, and international institutions. Our faculty engages students and graduates of all levels in these research projects.

 

As well as educating students in research, our faculty teaches health care students and professionals locally, nationally and internationally. The MDC sponsors a monthly campus multidisciplinary lecture series and co-sponsors a quarterly video rounds and an annual CME event for local physicians and neurologists. MDC members have an educational conference every other week, which includes journal club, lectures and video rounds. Further, the MDC actively participates in and educates community lay movement disorders groups.

 

Movement Disorders Center faculty: 

Amy Amara, MD, PhD

Sana Aslam, DO

Jessica Barr, PA
Alexander Baumgartner, MD
Ece Bayram, MD, PhD

Jeanne Feuerstein, MD

Emily Forbes, DO

Michelle Fullard, MD, MSCE

Trevor Hawkins, MD

Samantha Holden, MD, MS

Drew Kern, MD, MS
Michael Korsmo, MD

Dorothy Mathieson, FNP
Christina Vaughan, MD, MHS
Maureen Leehey, MD (Professor Emerita)

 

To schedule a patient appointment in the Movement Disorders Center Clinic at the University of Colorado Hospital, call 720-848-2080.

 

For Fellowship information, please click here.

 

Enrique Alvarez, MD, PhD
Section Chief and Director, Rocky Mountain MS Center         

The Neuroimmunology group of the Department of Neurology at the University of Colorado is comprised of six physicians, two physician assistants, three RNs and a host of associate staff. The physicians include a neuro-ophthalmologist, autoimmune specialist, pediatric neuroimmunologist, and neuro-immunologically trained hospitalist. We provide clinical care at four sites in Denver and the surrounding region, with the bulk of patients seen at the University of Colorado Hospital. This year we will complete over 10,000 patient visits for multiple sclerosis and other immunological conditions affecting the central nervous system. We provide state-of-the-art care, and partner with dedicated experts in numerous related fields including neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-radiology, neuro-urology, physical therapy, neuro-otology, neurosurgery, neuropsychology and many others. Through an affiliation with a longstanding patient advocacy organization, the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center, we offer local, regional, national and international education for patients, their families, and their providers (through professional education).

In addition, we have a robust basic and translational science program dedicated to a greater understanding of MS and related conditions, with several labs within the department of Neurology and related departments. We run the Rocky Mountain MS Center Tissue Bank, providing CNS tissues to international researchers for over 30 years. Our clinical research program is one of the largest in the U.S., with over 40 active clinical research projects focused on both clinical trials as well a greater understanding of these conditions.

Enrique Alvarez, MD, PhD
Jeffrey Bennett, MD, PhD

John Corboy, MD

Robert Gross, MD

Ryan Kammeyer, MD

Kavita Nair, PhD

Amanda Piquet, MD

Teri Schreiner, MD, MPH

Anna Shah, MD

Pauline Sok, NP
Andrew Wolf, MD

Grace Worland, NP

Daniel Pastula, MD, MHS

Section Chief

 

The Neuro-Infectious Diseases and Global Neurology Section in the Department of Neurology is a novel, cross-disciplinary group of physicians with expertise in neurology, infectious diseases, and global health. Within our section are two groups: Neuro-Infectious Diseases Group and Global Neurology Group. 

Our Neuro-Infectious Diseases Group is a multidisciplinary group whose goal is to better understand infectious diseases that affect the nervous system. We are involved in various basic science, clinical, and epidemiologic research projects, many of which are collaborative with other institutions. We are also heavily evolved in education, whether through our unique Neuro-Infectious Diseases/Autoimmune Neurology Fellowship, giving educational talks, or providing media interviews. Finally, we have a specialty referral Neuro-Infectious Diseases Clinic staffed by our neuro-infectious diseases fellow in conjunction with the faculty. 

Our Global Neurology Group is interested in collaborating with colleagues around the world in to improve neurologic care, education, and research across the globe. We also have a global neurology elective rotation for senior neurology residents in the Republic of Fiji. 

Would you like to help? The Neuro-Infectious Diseases and Global Neurology Section welcomes philanthropic gifts and partnerships to support our mission and projects. Learn more about philanthropic donations to our section here. 

Dianna Quan, MD
Section Chief

 

The Neuromuscular Clinic at the University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) continues to serve as a regional referral center for the six-state area, with 1,200 new patients and 2,100 follow-up visits annually. The clinic and neuromuscular program are directed by Dr. Dianna Quan and includes Vera Fridman, MD, Stacy Dixon, MD, PhD, Laura Foster, MD​, Thomas Ragole, MD, Varun Sreenivasan, MD, Amanda Kennedy, MD, Debra O’Reilly, MS, PA, Marrisa Lafreniere, MS, CGC, Lydia Little, MPAP, Kaitlin Smith, MS, CGC, and a neuromuscular fellow. The clinic has a close working relationship with the Neuromuscular Clinic at Children’s Hospital of Colorado (CHCO), so that children with chronic neuromuscular conditions can seamlessly transition to adult care.

 

We interpret 180 muscle/nerve biopsies, perform 250 muscle and skin biopsies, and conduct 1,250 electrodiagnostic (EMG/NCVs) studies annually. Our multidisciplinary clinic for ALS and other neuromuscular disorders includes physical, occupational and speech therapy, a registered dietician, social worker, registered nurse, orthotist, clinical research coordinators, and durable medical equipment vendors. The clinic is sponsored by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and the regional office of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALSA). Patient cases are discussed in a weekly staff meeting.

 

The Neuromuscular program and research center have been in existence for more than 50 years and have made major educational and research contributions in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic areas. We founded the Western ALS (WALS) Study group and continue to participate in multi-university trials with this consortium, as well as with the NEALS consortium. We participate in various national and international research consortia and have been recognized by the following organizations: ALS Association Care Center, Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT) Association of Excellence, Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America 'Partner in Care', Inherited Neuropathies Consortium member, Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) Clinical Trails Research Network member & Center for Research Excellence, Myotonic Dystrophy Research member, GRASP-Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD) research consortium member, RYR1 Foundation 'Expert in Care' site. We are also a part of the DMD Center of Excellence at Children's Hospital Colorado and a member of the TREAT-NMD Alliance Neuromuscular Network.

 

Dr. Quan is director of the neuromuscular fellowship program and electrodiagnostic laboratory, and Dr. Sreenivasan will direct the muscle pathology fellowship program beginning May of 2023. Our neuromuscular fellowship program is ACGME approved and includes rotations at University of Colorado Health and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. The muscle pathology fellowship program is UCNS accredited. Fellows are required to complete a performance improvement project and are given the opportunity to participate in clinical research. Over the years, some have conducted independent research in a second year of fellowship and are now academic physicians at other universities. Our pediatric and adult neuromuscular faculty physicians attend a monthly neuromuscular research conference and are integrated into all of the educational programs of the Department of Neurology.

 

Neuromuscular faculty:

Nicole Brock, DNP

Stacy Dixon, MD, PhD
Laura Foster, MD​
​Vera Fridman, MD

Amanda Kennedy, MD
Marrisa LaFreniere, MS, CGC
Lydia Little, MPAP
Leah Moser, FNP
Debra O'Reilly, PA

Dianna Quan, MD

Thomas Ragole, MD
Varun Sreenivasan, MD

To schedule a patient appointment in the Neuromuscular Clinic at the University of Colorado Hospital, call 720-848-2080.

 

Learn about our Neuromuscular Pathology Laboratory, including the protocol for performing muscle and nerve biopsies, here.

For Fellowship information, please click here.

Denise Damek, MD

Section Chief

Douglas Ney, MD     

The Neuro-Oncology program at the University of Colorado is the regional tertiary referral base for the Rocky Mountain Region, serving a six state region of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. The University of Colorado Cancer Center is an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Member Institution. We offer the latest advances in care for adult patients with tumors of the brain, spinal cord, or meninges, genetic disorders that cause tumors within the nervous system such as neurofibromatosis, as well as neurologic complications of systemic cancer and its treatments.

 

Medical Neuro-Oncology works closely with a multi-disciplinary team including neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, neuropathologists, and neuroradiologists to create a comprehensive treatment plan unique to each individual patient taking into account the patient’s and family’s needs while providing state-of-the-art care and access to new developments and appropriate clinical  trials. Neuro-Oncology patients are additionally supported by the availability of dietician, social work, physical medicine, and neuropsychological services. 

A major mission of our Neuro-Oncology Program is to contribute to advances in treatment of brain tumors through clinical trials. We offer our patients access to a range of clinical trials for various types and stages of brain and spinal cord cancers. We have participated in clinical trials of the following types of treatments:

• Radiation in unusual doses or schedules
• Radiation-enhancing or sensitization drugs
• Experimental chemotherapy drugs
• Chemotherapy drugs known to be effective against other tumors, but experimental for brain tumors
• Immunotherapy treatment using a vaccine directed against tumors
• Targeted therapies designed to attack specific molecular abnormalities in the tumor
• Angiogenesis inhibitors
• Electrical field based therapy, an anti-mitotic therapeutic device that exploits the mechanical properties of dividing cells

 

The Neuro-Oncology program actively participates in the education of medical students, residents, and fellows with both didactic lectures and outpatient clinical rotations. The Neuro-Oncology Fellowship is a United Council for Neurological Subspecialties (UCNS) Accredited program.

 

Recent Publications:

• Oushy S, Sillau S, Ney DE, Damek D, Youssef AS, Lillehei K, Ormond DR. New-onset seizure during and after brain tumor excision: a risk assessment analysis. J Neurosurg. 2018 June 128(6):1713-1718.
• Nguyen GH, Mohler A, Leppert M, Parra C, Zeng YP, Prok L, Schowinsky J, Magro CM, Pacheco T, Ney D. Index case of cutaneous follicular mycosis fungoides with central nervous system involvement. Am J Dermatopathol. 2018 Mar;40(3):185-190.
• Jordan JT, Sanders AE, Armstrong J, Asher T, Bennett A, Dunbar E, Mohile N, Nghiemphu PL, Smith TR, Ney DE. Quality improvement in neurology: Neuro-oncology Quality Measurement Set. Neurology. 90(14):652-658, 2018.
• Jordan JT, Sanders AE, Armstrong J, Asher T, Bennett A, Dunbar E, Mohile N, Nghiemphu PL, Smith TR, Ney DE. Quality improvement in neurology: Neuro-oncology Quality Measurement Set. Neuro Oncol. 20(4):531-537, 2018.
• Ung T, Ney DE, Damek D, Rusthoven CG, Youssef AS, Lillehei KO, Ormond DR. The Neurologic Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (NANO) Scale as an Assessment Tool for Survival in Patients with Primary Glioblastoma. Neurosurgery. 84:687-695, 2019.
• Johnson PD, Sillau S, Masdeu JC, Ney DE, Korb PJ. Education Research: Neuroradiology Curriculum in Neurology Residency Training Programs: How we teach neuroimaging. Neurology. 92:199-203, 2019.
• Khan M, Ney DE, Kleinschmidt-DeMasters BK, Horton L, Alvarez E, Piquet AL. CNS atypical T-cell lymphoproliferative disease following treatment with alemtuzumab. Neurol Clin Pract. 9(3):273-276, 2019.
• Kluger BM, Ney DE, Bagley SJ, Mohile N, Taylor LP, Walbert T, Jones CA. Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know When Caring for Patients with Brain Cancer. J Palliat Med. 2019 Oct 15.
• Mohile NA, Blakely JO, Gatson NTN, Hottinger AF, Lassman AB, Ney DE, Olar A, Schiff D, Shih HA, Strowd R, van den Bent MJ, Ziu M. Urgent Considerations for the Neuro-Oncologic Treatment of Patients with Gliomas During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Neuro Oncol. 2020 Apr 11.

Neuro-Oncology faculty:

Denise Damek, MD

Douglas Ney, MD 

 

To schedule a patient appointment in the Neuro-Oncology Clinic at the University of Colorado Hospital, call 720-848-9264.

 

For Fellowship information, please click here.

Victoria Pelak, MD      

 

Jeffrey Bennett, MD, PhD

Section Chiefs

 

The Division of Neuro-Ophthalmology is focused on the advancement and delivery of care to patients with vision problems due to disorders of the nervous system. In the clinic, Drs. Victoria Pelak and Jeffrey Bennett deliver highly specialized subspecialty care to patients with optic nerve disorders, visual field loss, double vision, higher-order visual dysfunction, orbital diseases, and unexplained vision loss. In addition to individual care, clinical research in optic neuritis, neuromyelitis optica, and visual-cognitive function is performed through participation in multicenter and investigator-initiated clinical trials. Outside of the clinic, the division of neuro-ophthalmology has active translational research and educational programs. Dr. Bennett conducts research on the pathophysiology of neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis, and Dr. Pelak investigates cortical visual processing, with a particular focus on the effects of aging and dementia on visual motion processing. Dr. Pelak directed the Neurology Residency program from 2007-2013, and both Dr. Bennett and Dr. Pelak are actively involved in training residents and medical students. Neuro-Ophthalmology education is offered during numerous resident education seminars in the neurology and ophthalmology departments, grand rounds, and elective and required outpatient clinic rotations.

 

Recent publications:

• Soltys J, Liu Y, Ritchie A, Wemlinger S, Schaller K, Schumann H, Owens GP, Bennett JL. Membrane assembly of aquaporin-4 autoantibodies regulates classical complement activation in neuromyelitis optica. J Clin Invest. 130:2000-2013, 2019.
• Cotzomi E, Stathopoulos P, Lee CS, Ritchie AM, Soltys JN, Delmotte FR, Oe T, Sng J, Jiang R, Ma AK, Vander Heiden JA, Kleinstein SH, Levy M, Bennett JL, Meffre E, O’Connor KC. Early B cell tolerance defects in neuromyelitis optica favour anti-AQP4 autoantibody production, Brain, 142:1598–1615, 2019.
• Liu Y, Given KS, Dickson EL, Owens GP, Macklin WB, Bennett JL. Concentration-dependent effects of CSF1R inhibitors on oligodendrocyte progenitor cells ex vivo and in vivo. Exp Neurol 318:32-41, 2019.
• Cook LJ, Rose JW, Alvey JS, Jolley AM, Kuhn R, Marron B, Pederson M, Enriquez R, Yearley J, McKechnie S, Han MH, Tomczak AJ, Levy M, Mealy MA, Coleman J, Bennett JL, Johnson R, et al. Collaborative International Research in Clinical and Longitudinal Experience Study in NMOSD. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm, 6:e583, 2019.
• Piquet AL, Khan M, Warner JEA, Wicklund MP, Bennett JL, Leehey MA, Seeberger L, Schreiner TL, Soldan MMP, Clardy SL. Novel clinical features of glycine receptor antibody syndrome. A series of 17 cases. Neuro Neuroimmuno Neuroinflamm, 6:e592, 2019.
• Cree BAC, Bennett JL, Kim HJ, Weinshenker BG, Pittock SJ, et al.  investigators NMs. Inebilizumab for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (N-MOmentum): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled phase 2/3 trial. Lancet. 394:1352-1363, 2019.
• Bennett JL. Optic Neuritis. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 25(5):1236-1264, 2019.
• Jonzzon S, Suleiman L, Yousef A, Young B, Hart J, Peschl P, Reindl M, Schaller KL, Bennett JL, Waubant E, Graves JS. Clinical Features and Outcomes of Pediatric Monophasic and Recurrent Idiopathic Optic Neuritis. J Child Neurol. 35(1):77-83, 2020.
• Duan T, Tradtrantip L, Phuan PW, Bennett JL, Verkman AS. Affinity-matured 'aquaporumab' anti-aquaporin-4 antibody for therapy of seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Neuropharmacology. 162:107827, 2020. Epub 2019 Oct 22.
  
• Pelak VS, Bateman JR, Bettcher B. The Clinical Examination of Higher Order Visual Function: Syndrome-Based Approach. PDF.  [NOVEL]. 2018. Available at: https://collections.lib.utah.edu/details?id=1365811. January 8, 2019.
• Bateman JR and Pelak VS. The Mental Status Examination. PDF.  [NOVEL]. Available at: https://collections.lib.utah.edu/details?id=1365832. January 9, 2019.
• Pressman PS, Gola K, Shdo SM, Miller BL, Fredericks C, Mielke C, Pelak V, Rankin KP. Relative Preservation of Facial Expression Recognition in Posterior Cortical Atrophy. Neurology, 92(10):e1064-e1071, 2019.
• Peterson B, Armstrong M, Galasko D, Galvin JE, Goldman J, Irwin D, Paulson H, Kaufer D, Leverenz J, Lunde A, McKeith IG, Siderowf A, Taylor A, Amodeo K, Barrett M, Domoto-Reilly K, Duda J, Gomperts S, Graff-Radford N, Holden S, Honig L, Huddleston D, Lippa C, Litvan I, Manning C, Marder K, Moussa C, Onyike C, Pagan F, Pantelyat A, Pelak V, et al. Lewy Body Dementia Association's Research Centers of Excellence Program: Inaugural Meeting Proceedings. Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy 11(23), 2019.
• Schofield JR, Palestine AG, Pelak V, Mathias MT. Deep capillary retinal ischemia and high-titer prothrombin-associated antiphospholipid antibodies: A case series of three patients. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 14:105-109, 2019.
• Bettcher BM, Bateman JR, Pelak VS. Neuropsychological Assessment. PDF. [NOVEL]. Available at: https://collections.lib.utah.edu/details?id=1367993. May 31, 2019.
• Bou Ghannam AS, Mehner LC, Pelak VS. Sialidosis Type 1 Without Cherry-Red Spot. J Neuro-Ophthalmol 39(3):388-390, 2019.
  • Holden SK, Van Dok E, Pelak VS. Co-occurrence of Convergence Insufficiency and Cognitive Impairment in Parkinsonian Disorders: A Pilot Study. Front Neurol 10:864, 2019.
• Hamedani AG, Pelak VS. The Charles Bonnet Syndrome: a Systematic Review of Diagnostic Criteria. Curr Treat Options Neurol 21(9):41, 2019.
• Holden SK, Bettcher BM, Pelak VS. Update on posterior cortical atrophy. Curr Opin Neurol 33:68-73, 2020. doi:10.1097/WCO.0000000000000767.

 

Neuro-Ophthalmology faculty:

Jeffrey Bennett, MD, PhD

Victoria Pelak, MD

 

To schedule a patient appointment in the Neuro-Ophthalmology clinic at the University of Colorado Hospital, call 720-848-2080.

 

For Fellowship information, please click here.

Christina Vaughan, MD, MHS

Section Chief

 

Neuro-Palliative Care faculty:

Christina Vaughan, MD, MHS

Julie Berk, PA

 

Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. Palliative care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, and specialists who work together with a patient’s other doctors to focus on physical, psychosocial, and spiritual concerns, in addition to providing an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided along with curative treatment. Learn more about Neurology Supportive and Palliative Care here.

 

To schedule a patient appointment in the Neuro-Palliative Care Clinic at the University of Colorado Hospital, call 720-848-2080.

William Jones, MD

Section Chief

Neuro-Vascular/Stroke Faculty:

Katherine Alpogianis, PA
Jennifer Bitzan, FNP, MS
Dana Coutts, PA
Kelsey Eklund, MD
Nicole Gonzales, MD
Nicole Gonzales, MD
William Jones, MD
Sarah Kelly, PAC, MPAS
Michelle Hu Leppert, MD, MBA, MS
Elizabeth Matthews, MD
Darcy O'Banion, CNS
Karen Orjuela, MD, MSCR, MBA
Daniel Pastula, MD
Sharon Poisson, MD
Thomas Ragole, MD
Setareh Salehi Omran, MD
Brian Sauer, MD, PhD
Jennifer Simpson, MD
Matthew West, MD
Grace Yanosich, PA

To schedule a patient appointment in the Neuro-Vascular/Stroke Clinic at the University of Colorado Hospital, call 720-848-2080.

 

For Fellowship information, please click here.