The General Neurology Clinic runs on a daily basis and is staffed by numerous faculty. Patients with any neurologic problem may be seen in the general clinic. Within the general clinic scheduling system, appointments are reserved daily for availability on an emergency basis to see patients with more acute neurologic illnesses.

E. Torage Shivapour, M.D.
James P. Worrell, M.D.

The Department of Neurology collaborates with the Department of Dermatology to provide an interdisciplinary service for patients with autonomic disorders.

William T. Talman, M.D.

The Division of Behavioral Neurology and Cognitive Neuroscience is dedicated to the diagnosis and investigation of disorders of higher nervous function. The principal research goal of the division is elucidation of the neuroanatomical structures that underlie cognition and behavior. Current projects focus on the study of vision, memory, language, emotion, and decision making. Neuroimaging techniques and experimental anatomy techniques are used in an effort to understand these problems. There are separate laboratories within the division for the study of visual function, psychophysics, and psychophysiology. Research on the diagnosis and treatment of dementia is a special concern. The division's permanent staff includes cognitive neuroscientists, experimental neuroanatomists, neuropsychologists, and a senior consultant.

Thomas Grabowski, M.D.
Matthew Rizzo, M.D.
Daniel Tranel, PhD

In the Electroencephalography/Evoked Potential (EEG) Laboratory, analysis and application of somatosensory, auditory, and visual evoked potentials is performed with computerized averaging.

Mark A. Granner, M.D.
Eric K. St. Louis. M.D.
Jon M. Tippin, M.D.
Thoru Yamada, M.D.
Malcolm H. Yeh, M.D.

Activities of the neuromuscular division are centered in the Electromyography (EMG) Laboratory, where research is focused on development and application of clinical electrophysiologic techniques for the diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders.

Edward A. Aul, M.D.
Praful Kelkar, M.D.
Jun Kimura, M.D.

An epilepsy clinic for the management of patients with difficult-to-control seizures is available. Diagnostic and therapeutic problems are commonly assessed. Trials of experimental drugs are considered along with the need for inpatient video-EEG monitoring in patients with difficult diagnostic and management problems and for patients who are being considered for surgical treatment of epilepsy.

Mark A. Granner, M.D.
Eric K. St. Louis. M.D.
Jon M. Tippin, M.D.
Thoru Yamada, M.D.
Malcolm H. Yeh, M.D.

A service for the rehabilitation of patients with speech and language disorders (aphasia, dysarthria) is available within the department.

Regaining control of headaches may involve multiple treatment modalities. In the Department of Neurology Headache Clinic, patients are assessed with a detailed history and physical examination, followed by testing as appropriate. Individual treatment plans may include medication adjustment, lifestyle recommendations, physical modalities, relaxation, and counseling. Research in this area focuses on hormonal aspects of migraine.

Lynne Geweke, M.D.

The Memory Disorders Clinic provides evaluation, diagnosis, and continuing care of patients with mental decline caused by neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease, and dementias due to stroke, tumor, or head injury. The clinic offers standard laboratory tests, radiological studies, neuropsychological assessments, speech pathology, and psychiatric and medical consultations.

Steven Anderson, Ph.D.
Natalie L. Denburg, Ph.D.
Lidia A Domitrovic, Ph.D.
Thomas Grabowski, M.D.
Robert D. Jones, Ph.D.
Coleman Martin, M.D.
Mehrdad Razavi, M.D.
Matthew Rizzo, M.D.
Daniel Tranel, Ph.D.

A special clinic for the diagnosis of movement disorders is held weekly. This includes a special clinic devoted to the application of botulinum toxin for dystonic disorders. Investigational agents for the treatment of movement disorders are being evaluated by this group. Also of investigative interest is evaluation of various non-motor functions in patients with movement disorders, including the study of olfaction, vision, thermoregulation, autonomic regulation, and sleep.

Henry L. Paulson, M.D., Ph.D.
Robert L. Rodnitzky, M.D.
Ergun Y. Uc, M.D.

The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Clinic provides comprehensive evaluation for the diagnosis of MS. Treatment options are thoroughly explored and assistance is provided to deal with the special needs of persons with MS and their family members.

E. Torage Shivapour, M.D.

The Neuromuscular Disease Clinic provides comprehensive evaluation and care for patients with peripheral nervous system disorders (e.g., motor neuron diseases, peripheral neuropathies, neuromuscular transmission disorders, and primary muscle diseases). The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has designated this service as an Adult MDA Clinic and regularly assists patients and their families in obtaining care.

Edward A. Aul, M.D.
Praful Kelkar, M.D.
Jun Kimura, M.D.

The Department of Neurology along with the Department of Ophthalmology share in the daily care of patients in the neuro-ophthalmology unit. Special interests include thyroid ophthalmology, pseudotumor cerebri, and new methods of sensory visual testing.

Michael Wall, M.D.

The Benton Neuropsychology Laboratory provides neuropsychological and psychological assessments of a wide variety of patients with known or suspected brain dysfunction or psychological conditions. The Laboratory is staffed by licensed and board-certified clinical neuropsychologists. Examinations take approximately two to four hours, depending on the referral question, and can typically be scheduled within a week of request. Reports back to referral sources are completed within 24-48 hours of the assessment.

In general, patients are referred when there is some question of an impairment in cognition, or a psychological condition that bears on patient management or treatment. The aim of the evaluation is to quantify these cognitive (e.g., memory, intellect, attention, language) and psychological (e.g., depression, anxiety) factors, and to identify possible etiologies. Also, recommendations and guidelines pertaining to the practical implications of assessment findings are provided (e.g., ability to drive, manage finances, manage medication or medical regimens, or make independent decisions). Common types of patients served include those with dementia, stroke, traumatic brain injury, seizures, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, developmental disorders, and various other medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, HIV, lupus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Psychological and behavioral conditions are also addressed, such as somatoform disorders, depression, anxiety, or aggression.

Outreach clinics run all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Knoxville and Grinnell, Iowa. They function as a General Neurology Clinic, with the attending neurologist providing consultation, educational instruction and materials, and other support services.

Edward A. Aul, M.D.
Malcolm H. Yeh, M.D.

The Sleep Disorders Clinic serves patients with excessive daytime sleepiness, severe chronic insomnia, unusual spells during sleep, and disorders of the sleep-wake cycle. Prolonged sleep monitoring is available in the Neurophysiology Monitoring Unit.

Mark E. Dyken, M.D.
Jon M. Tippin, M.D.
Malcolm H. Yeh, M.D.

The Stroke Clinic provides continued management of patients who have been treated in the stroke unit.

Harold P. Adams, M.D.
Patricia H. Davis, M.D.

The Neurology Service at the VA is fully integrated with University services and is staffed only by members of the Department of Neurology. Full neurodiagnostic services and all of the subspecialty expertise of the department's staff are available to VAMC patients.

Patricia H. Davis, M.D.
Ramon Lim, M.D.
William T. Talman, M.D.
Jon M. Tippin, M.D.
Ergun Y. Uc, M.D.
Michael Wall, M.D.