Brain disease can cause intellectual impairments of profound complexity. The diagnosis and management of the cognitive and behavioral impairments accompanying diseases such as epilepsy, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, or systemic illness often require an integrated approach by a team of multidisciplinary experts. The NYU Cognitive Neurology Program is an out-patient specialty clinic dedicated to providing state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatments for adults with brain-based memory, perceptual, cognitive, or emotional impairments. The NYU Cognitive Neurology Program is also committed to conducting varied clinical investigations in this area.
The NYU Cognitive Neurology Program is staffed by a diverse group of specialists: neurologists with expertise in behavioral neurology and epilepsy, a neuropsychiatrist/ psychopharmacologist, senior clinical research neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, clinical research nurse specialists supervising drug trials, and clinical social workers experienced in neurological disease. Our specialists work closely with other branches of the Department of Neurology at NYU Medical Center and have close ties with the Rusk Institute for cognitive rehabilitation and speech therapy.
Patient Care
Services Offered
Referral Information
Patient Care
The NYU Cognitive Neurology Program specializes in the diagnosis and care of patients with the following conditions:
- Epilepsy
- Memory disorders
- Language impairments (aphasias)
- Alzheimer's disease
- Parkinson's disease and other degenerative disorders
- Problems with attention, memory, perception, language, personality, and emotions due to stroke, head trauma, multiple sclerosis, alcohol abuse, epilepsy, or systemic illness
- Tourette's syndrome and attention deficit disorder
- Psychological or psychiatric disorders due to brain disease
Behavioral Neurology
A behavioral neurology evaluation at the NYU Cognitive Neurology Program includes:
- A thorough review of the patient's history, past neuroimaging, and present status.
- A neurological examination including assessment of higher cortical functions such as memory, language, attention, high level visual function, judgment, and comportment.
- Development of a treatment plan and provision of long-term follow-up when necessary.
- Further diagnostic testing as appropriate including MRI or CAT scanning, functional imaging with MRI or SPECT, EEG and/or long term monitoring.
Additional Cognitive Neurology Program core services include:
Neuropsychology
Formal evaluation of patients employing a series of quantitative tests of cognitive function. The neuropsychologic profile is used to confirm a diagnosis, assess potential for rehabilitation, and measure change over time in response to treatment.
Neuropsychiatry
Evaluation and determination of psychopharmacologic interventions for mood disorders and behavioral problems associated with neurological diseases.
Individual and Family counseling
Clinical psychologists address the management of cognitive deficits in daily living activities and the development of effective coping strategies.
Cognitive Rehabilitation
At the Rusk Institute, multi-dimensional cognitive rehabilitation is designed to maximize the functional status of the patient.
Clinical Social Work
Psychosocial assessment and treatment for patients and caregivers. A case manager networks parents and families to appropriate community resources and coordinated care planning.
Ongoing Research
The NYU Cognitive Neurology Program is actively recruiting patients with memory disorders due to traumatic brain injury and/or epilepsy that are otherwise healthy and are interested in participating in medication trials. Non-pharmacological approaches to cognitive remediation in epilepsy (i.e., education, yoga, behavioral strategies) are also being studied.
Other areas of research interest include functional imaging of recovery of language, motor function, and visuospatial neglect from focal or traumatic brain injury.
Referral Information
Cognitive Neurology Program
NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
403 East 34th Street, 4th floor
New York, N.Y. 10016
Orrin Devinsky, M.D.
Oliver Sacks, M.D.
Neuropsychiatry/Psychopharmacology
Ken Alper, M.D.
Neuropsychology
William Barr, Ph.D.
Chris Morrison, Ph.D.
William McAllister, Ph.D.
