Participating Hospitals
Each of the participating hospitals is a major teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, located on the Quadrangle Campus. All of the participating hospitals are within a three block radius, located one block from the Harvard Medical School Quadrangle and the Countway Medical Library. The program offices and department library are at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center East Campus.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a 550 bed adult medical-surgical hospital, that was formed in 1996 by the merging of the Beth Israel and New England Deaconess Hospitals , which were located diagonally across from one another at the intersection of Longwood and Brookline Avenues. The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is well known internationally for its research and training in all fields of adult medicine. The Chief of the Neurology Service and Chairman of the Department is Dr. Clifford Saper. Dr. Michael Ronthal is Vice Chairman for Clinical and Teaching Programs, and Dr. Daniel Tarsy is Administrative Vice Chairman. Dr. Frank Drislane is the Program Director for both the Neurology Residency and Medical School Teaching Programs. The Department of Neurology staff are full-time and all of their patients are available for teaching and research. In addition to the traditional hospital services, the Shapiro Clinical Center provides state-of-the-art facilities for outpatient teaching and patient care. The Department's research laboratories are located mainly in the Harvard Institutes of Medicine Building, but also include additional laboratory and clinical research space and a cutting-edge functional MRI facility within the Hospital. There are about 1,300 admissions to the inpatient Neurology Ward Service, 300 to the NeuroICU service, and 1,500 inpatient consults and a similar number of Emergency Unit consults annually. There are more than 10,000 outpatient visits per year in General Neurology, and more than 15,000 per year in Neurology Subspecialties including Behavioral Neurology, Epilepsy, Stroke, Neuromuscular Disease, Neuroendocrinology, Movement Disorders, Neuro-ophthalmology, Neuro-oncology, Neuro-HIV, Neurogenetics, Multiple Sclerosis, and Sleep.
Dr. Michael Ronthal, Deputy Clinical Chief of the Department, heads the Division of General Neurology, which provides the core of the clinical and teaching activities of the Department. The residency training and outpatient clinic programs are coordinated through this division. Research programs in the Division emphasize innovative methods in training and education in Neurology.
The Division of Cerebrovascular Disease (Drs. Gottfried Schlaug, Louis Caplan, Sandeep Kumar, Sean Savitz, and Magdy Selim) provides state-of-the-art care for patients with stroke or transient ischemic attacks. The Division integrates cutting edge technology for detection of stroke (including new MRI approaches to localization) with drug development programs to evaluate new pharmacological approaches to the treatment of stroke. The Division also includes post-stroke neurorehabilitatoin (Dr. Mick Alexander and Chun Lim) and study of brain plasticity that allows functional recovery after stroke (Dr. Alvaro Pascual-Leone and Dr. Michael Alexander). The Division offers an ACGME-accredited fellowship program in Cerebrovascular Disease and Stroke.
The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center (Drs. Donald Schomer, Steven Schachter, Frank Drislane, Babu Krishnamurthy, Volney Sheen, and Bernard Chang) is the largest in New England and provides care to patients with complex and difficult-to-control seizure disorders. The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, which runs a joint fellowship training program with Children's Hospital, includes both inpatient and outpatient facilities for long-term monitoring of EEG to assess seizure control, as well as research programs in innovative pharmacological approaches to seizure control and surgical treatment of epilepsy. Basic research (Dr. Christopher Walsh) examines the mechanisms for development of epilepsy as well as normal development of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. A fellowship is offered in Clinical Neurophysiology, specializing in EEG/Epilepsy.
The Brain Tumor Center (Drs. Eric Wong, Suriya Jeyapalan, Ekkehard Kasper, Peter Warnke) is a multi-disciplinary program that provides care for patients with primary brain tumors and with the neurological complications of systemic cancer. Research programs are coordinated with those at Children's Hospital and the Harvard Dana-Farber Cancer Center , and include basic studies of the interactions of trophic factors with CNS tumors, and clinical trial of new chemotherapy and radiotherapy protocols for brain tumors.
The Division of Movement Disorders is headed by Dr. Daniel Tarsy. It includes the Movement Disorders Center , staffed by Dr. Tarsy, and Drs. David Simon, Daniel Press, and Clifford Saper. The Movement Disorders Center specializes in the care of patients with disorders ranging from Parkinson's disease and tremors to dystonia and chorea. Innovative therapies, including microelectrode guided placement of subthalamic and thalamic stimulators, and new investigative medications are available. Research programs include clinical studies coordinated with the Movement Disorders Center and basic studies of the mechanisms of neural degeneration in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. The Division offers a fellowship in Movement Disorders.
The Division of Behavioral Neurology (Drs. Albert Galaburda, Daniel Press, Alvaro Pascual-Leone, Michael Alexander, Chun Lim, Tamara Fong, Margaret O'Connor, and fellows) provides integrated neurological, neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological care for patients with a variety of behavioral disorders due to nervous system disease. Research and clinical programs include dyslexia and learning disorders, memory, degenerative dementias, and schizophrenia, as well as a vigorous program in transcranial magnetic brain stimulation. There is a strong program on the use of functional MRI to investigate higher cortical functions of the brain. Behavioral Neurology interacts closely with the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center and with the Department of Psychiatry, which maintains an inpatient ward for the care of patients with severe behavioral disturbances. The Division maintains active fellowship programs in Behavioral Neurology for neurologists, psychiatrists, and neuropsychologists.
The Division of Neuromuscular Disease (Drs. Seward Rutkove, Elizabeth Raynor, Pushpa Narayanswami, Roy Freeman, Christopher Gibbons, and Rachel Nardin) provides care for patients with disorders affecting peripheral nerve and muscle, ranging from muscular dystrophies to peripheral neuropathies. Research programs include new methods for measuring dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system and investigations into the genetics of neuromuscular disorders, particularly those due to mitochondrial gene defects. The Division offers a fellowship in Clinical Neurophysiology, specializing in EMG and Neuromuscular Disease.
The Division also includes the Autonomic and Peripheral Nerve Laboratory, directed by Dr. Roy Freeman. This is a nationally recognized diagnostic and research laboratory that evaluates both common and rare autonomic and peripheral nerve disorders. The diagnostic services provided include autonomic function testing, quantitative sensory testing, quantitative axon density in skin biopsies, and standard peripheral nerve studies and electromyography. Research endeavors of the laboratory encompass the development of methods to assess autonomic and small fiber nerve function; the investigation of the physiology, pathology and pathophysiology of autonomic function; the investigation of the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathy, including diabetic neuropathy; and the treatment of autonomic dysfunction and peripheral neuropathies. A fellowship is offered in Clinical Neurophysiology, specializing in autonomic disorders and physiological testing.
The Multiple Sclerosis and Demyelinating Disorders Clinic (Drs. Timothy Vartanian, R. Philip Kinkel, Marion Stein, and Jacob Sloane) cares for patients with a wide range of demyleinating disorders. The research programs include research on the biology of myelinating cells as well as clinical trials of new diagnostic methods and therapies in multiple sclerosis.
The Sleep Center is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and is staffed by both Neurology (Dr. Jean Matheson, neurology co-director, Daniel Cohen, and Dr. Thomas Scammell) and Pulmonary Medicine. It is a regional referral center and provides evaluation and care to patients with a variety of sleep disorders. Research programs include the use of new monitoring techniques and drugs to treat sleep disorders (Dr. Matheson), interaction of human circadian rhythms with neuroimmune function (Dr. Janet Mullington), as well as basic research in the mechanisms of sleep and arousal (Drs. Clifford Saper and Thomas Scammell). The Division offers an ACGME-accredited Sleep Disorders fellowship.
The Neurogenetics Clinic (Drs. Penny Greenstein, Bernard Chang, David Simon, and Christopher Walsh) provides evaluation and long-term management of patients with a wide range of inherited disorders of the nervous system. The Neurogenetics Clinic is coordinated with Children's Hospital and interfaces with intensive research programs on the genetics of epilepsy (Christopher Walsh) and mitochondrial gene defects (David Simon).
The Neuroendocrinology Unit (Dr. Andrew Herzog) provides care for patients whose hormonal state impacts upon their neurological disease (e.g., effects of reproductive hormones on seizure control and migraine) and conversely, those whose neurological disorder affects endocrine response (e.g., polycystic ovary disease in patients with temporal lobe seizure disorders). Research programs include clinical studies such as the evaluation of the relationship between temporal lobe seizure activity and hormone secretion. The Division offers a fellowship program in Neuroendocrinology.
The Division of Neuropathology (Dr. Matt Anderson) provides diagnostic services for both surgical and autopsy neuropathology. Research programs include the development of new molecular methods for the evaluation and diagnosis of tissue specimens.
The Neuro-ophthalmology Clinic (Dr. Nurhan Torun) provides cross-disciplinary care of patients with disorders of the neurological function of the visual and vestibular systems.
The Neuro-HIV Clinic (Dr. Igor Koralnik) provides care to patients with neurological complications of AIDS and its many subsequent complications. Research in this Clinic focuses on drugs to prevent AIDS dementia and mechanisms of opportunistic infections of the CNS and methods for early diagnosis.
The Neuro-rehabilitation Service (Drs. Michael Alexander, Chun Lim, and Alvaro Pascual-Leone) provides rehabilitation consultation to the Neurology inpatient services at Beth Israel Hospital , coordinated with neurology follow-up at Youville Hospital , a local rehabilitation hospital. Research includes studies on the mechanisms of neuronal death and recovery of function.
The Arnold Pain Center is a multi-disciplinary pain unit, run through the Department of Anesthesia, including a pain neurologist, Dr. Zahid Bajwa, and provides research opportunities in pain neurophysiology with Dr. Rami Burstein.
These clinical units are complemented by extensive research activities both at the level of basic science investigation and human studies. Basic science laboratories include programs in the Genetics of Cortical Development (Drs. Chris Walsh and Volney Sheen); Dyslexia and Cognitive Cortical Development (Drs. Albert Galaburda and Glenn Rosen); Oligodendrocyte Development, Myelination, and Remyelination (Dr. Timothy Vartanian); Molecular Biology of Ion Channels Regulating Neuronal Rhythmic Firing (Dr. Matt Anderson); Mitochondrial Disorders (Dr. David Simon); and Brain Circuitry Regulating Integrated Functions such as Sleep and Feeding (Drs. Clifford Saper, Thomas Scammell, Jun Lu, and Nancy Chamberlin). Human studies work includes programs in Magnetic Brain Stimulation and Cognitive Function and Response to Injury (Dr. Pascual-Leone); Prefrontal dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (Dr. Dan Press); Effects of Immune Stimulation on Circadian Regulation of Sleep and Physiology (Dr. Janet Mullington); and Memory (Drs. Margaret O'Connor, Chun Lim, and Michael Alexander).
Children's Hospital
Children's Hospital is a primary and tertiary care facility of 325 beds serving as the largest referral center for pediatric patients in New England . There is a neurological service of approximately 10-15 beds, with an active turnover of patients and about 500-600 admissions per year. First-year residents are responsible for the care of these patients under the supervision of a third year pediatric neurology resident. The second year resident performs neurologic consultations on other services, particularly general pediatrics, oncology, cardiology, neonatology, and the emergency room. The active outpatient clinic meets daily. Dr. Scott Pomeroy is the Chief of Service and Chairman of the Department. The Department of Neurology at Children's Hospital is the largest child neurology faculty in the world, with more than 40 pediatric neurologists, a broad spectrum of clinical subspecialists, and an extensive neuroscience program.
The Division of Epilepsy/Clinical Electrophysiology, headed by Dr. Blaise Bourgeois, includes nine faculty. A 6-bed inpatient long-term monitoring unit that interfaces with a strong epilepsy surgery service is a key component of this Program. Major activities in EEG, evoked response studies, sleep disorders, and quantified EEG are important components and available to the resident for training.
The Behavioral Neurology Program, headed by Dr. David Urion, emphasizes autism, learning disturbances and attention deficit disorders. Clinical study and research involve sophisticated neurophysiological methodologies and functional imaging.
The Neurocritical Care Service, headed by Dr. Adre du Plessis, carries out consultative activity for the 135 intensive care beds in the multidisciplinary, the cardiac and the neonatal intensive care units. This extremely active service is a superb source for education in pediatric neurological intensive care.
The Neuromuscular Program, headed by Dr. Basil Darras, is clinically very active, with a broad spectrum of disorders involving anterior horn cells, peripheral nerve, and muscle. Clinical investigation is especially active in the area of molecular diagnosis of Duchenne-Becker muscular dystrophy and in the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy.
The Neuro-oncology Program, headed by Dr. Nicole Ullrich, plays an important role in the large and very active Brain Tumor Center. Approximately 75 new pediatric patients with brain tumors are seen yearly, in concert with colleagues in Neurosurgery, Medical Oncology, and Radiation Therapy.
The Neonatal Neurology Program, headed by Dr. Adre du Plessis, includes an active outpatient service with clinical research studies of neonatal hemorrhagic and ischemic disorders and hydrocephalus, studied with innovative noninvasive technologies.
The Pediatric Sleep Program, headed by Dr. Richard Ferber, is the oldest comprehensive pediatric sleep program in the world. The program includes an active outpatient clinic and 7 pediatric sleep beds located at Children’s Hospital and in network sites in Greater Boston.
The broad spectrum of clinical activities is complemented by the largest Basic Neuroscience program of any pediatric neurology facility in the world. Led by Dr. Michael Greenberg, the group includes approximately 20 neuroscientists who occupy 30,000 square feet of research space on three floors of the Enders Research Facility, adjacent to Children's Hospital. Productive programs include research in molecular, cellular and systems neurobiology, and are available for resident training. Regularly scheduled research seminars, including a series for residents, are presented. Opportunities for research electives and post-residency fellowships are available.
