Comprehensive Neurology Services at UCLA Health Santa Monica

UCLA Health provides extensive neurology services, including general neurology and subspecialty care, at the UCLA campus in Westwood and multiple clinic locations, including Santa Monica. The UCLA Neurology Clinic consistently ranks among the best in the country, offering thorough, personalized evaluation and treatment for a full range of problems affecting the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

Accessing Neurological Care at UCLA Health

To access neurological care at UCLA Health, patients must have a UCLA patient registration ID number. If you have never seen a UCLA physician before, you are required to obtain a UCLA medical record number prior to your appointment. Contact the patient pre-registration coordinator at 310-825-2631 to register, providing insurance information, date of birth, Social Security number, home address, and the referring physician's contact information. The UCLA Neurology Clinic works with many insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people. In most cases, a physician referral is required, and some insurers may have additional requirements for certain medical care, which requires prior authorization.

General Neurology Services

The general neurology clinics at UCLA Health provide evaluations and ongoing care to patients with a broad spectrum of neurological problems, including headaches, neuropathy, and low back pain. These clinics also manage the neurologic complications of multiple medical conditions, including rheumatological disorders and endocrine disorders.

Comprehensive Care Approach

UCLA Health's general neurologists work with other specialists to ensure each patient receives targeted care. Patients with complex or advanced diagnoses are referred to subspecialty clinics. Because of the emphasis on research, patients have access to additional treatment options, and neurologists continually learn and implement the latest treatment techniques.

Treatment Options

Neurologists can prescribe medications to treat conditions such as migraines, seizures, pain, or vertigo. Steroid injections may be used to decrease inflammation and reduce neck and back pain. Nerve stimulator devices can be implanted to send low-dose electrical signals to specific spinal or peripheral nerves. General neurologists also may refer patients to other subspecialists as needed, such as neurosurgeons or behavioral neurologists.

Subspecialty Programs and Clinics

UCLA Health offers a wide range of disease-specific programs and clinics with neurologists who have specialized training in niche areas of neurology diseases and conditions, allowing them to offer more targeted treatments.

Behavioral Neurology Program

This program focuses on neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other progressive cognitive problems. The Mary S. Eaton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research provides comprehensive diagnosis and management of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, including access to clinical trials.

Goldberg Migraine Program

Experts in the Migraine Program diagnose, treat, and manage all types of headache disorders.

Sleep Disorders Clinic

In this outpatient clinic, specialists diagnose and treat sleep disorders. Clinicians also conduct studies to help better understand narcolepsy.

Comprehensive Stroke Center

The UCLA Stroke Center provides comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic care to patients with disorders of the brain and spinal cord. It is home to one of the nation’s first dedicated inpatient stroke units and is the first and only stroke center in Los Angeles County certified by The Joint Commission. This means specialists are available 24/7 for immediate care, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up rehabilitation for all types of stroke. Advanced diagnostic technology is available on-site, allowing for real-time monitoring of conditions including ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and cerebral hemorrhage.

Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA

Movement Disorders Program

A multidisciplinary team of specialists treats patients with Parkinson’s disease, tremors, tics, Tourette syndrome, and other movement disorders.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Program

A team of dedicated experts provides life-changing clinical care while conducting research to advance MS treatment. The Marilyn Hilton MS Achievement Center provides education that empowers people with MS to take control of their health and well-being in collaboration with the Southern California and Nevada Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Neuromuscular Program

A range of specialty neuromuscular clinics are available for patients with undiagnosed conditions, nerve damage, muscular dystrophy, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Epilepsy Program

Specialists treat patients from all over the world and conduct investigative research to treat the most complex adult epilepsy. Electroencephalograms (EEGs) are an essential tool in epilepsy diagnosis, recording the brain’s electrical activity using electrodes attached to the scalp. Clinicians also conduct studies to help better understand epilepsy treatment and seizure disorders.

Neurocritical Care Program

The highest quality critical care is provided to patients with life-threatening neurologic conditions. The Level I TBI Center and 24-bed Neurocritical Care Unit provide advanced care for critically ill patients.

Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors

Neuro-infectious Diseases Program

Experts provide assessments and second opinions about the neurological effects of chronic infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS or hepatitis C.

Neuro-oncology Program

Neurosurgery, neuroradiology, neuropathology, and radiation oncology experts collaborate to provide comprehensive brain tumor treatment. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans can help diagnose tumors.

Neuro-Otology Program

Neurotologists study and treat patients with dizziness, vertigo, balance disorders, or tinnitus.

Neurorehabilitation Program

A dedicated team of neurorehabilitation specialists ensures that patients achieve the highest quality of life with a neurologic condition.

Research and Innovation

Research is a crucial part of the UCLA Health neurology division. For more than 20 years, neurologists have been instrumental in moving the field of neurology forward through research. UCLA Health's scientists and clinicians have been ranked 1st or 2nd in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding since 2002, leading multiple research studies each year in neurology. The faculty teach courses at national meetings, author textbooks on neurology subspecialties, and are well-known nationally and internationally.

Clinical Neurogenomics Research Center

This center allows clinicians to compile and use an informational database to conduct research and find the best treatments.

Neurophysiology Research

Clinicians conduct studies to help better understand cerebral blood flow, epilepsy treatment, seizure disorders, and narcolepsy.

Conditions Treated

UCLA Health neurologists treat a wide array of neurology concerns, including:

ALS: A progressive disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Alzheimer’s disease: A brain disorder that progressively destroys memory, thinking skills, and other important cognitive functions.
Epilepsy: A brain disorder that causes recurring, unprovoked seizures.
Migraines: A neurological condition that causes severe headaches, often accompanied by head throbbing, nausea, or sensitivity to light.
Multiple sclerosis: A chronic disease where your immune system attacks the protective coverings over your nerves, leading to pain, fatigue, and impaired coordination.
Parkinson’s disease: A progressive brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness, and loss of balance.
Stroke: A sudden interruption of the blood supply in your brain.

Diagnostic Tests and Procedures

UCLA Health uses advanced tools and tests to ensure patients receive a detailed, accurate diagnosis. Common tests include:

CT scans: This test uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to create detailed images of the inside of your body.
Electroencephalogram (EEG): EEGs are an essential tool in epilepsy diagnosis. During an EEG, electrodes are attached to your scalp to record your brain’s electrical activity.
Electromyography (EMG): During an EMG, electrodes are placed over certain muscle groups to evaluate your muscle and motor functions.
MRI: MRIs use a combination of radio waves, magnets, and computer technology to create detailed images of your body.
Positron emission tomography (PET): During a PET scan, you take a safe radioactive drug, then images of your body are taken. The drug collects in areas of your body where there is disease, helping diagnose tumors, seizures, or Alzheimer’s disease.
Spinal tap: During a spinal tap, a needle is inserted into your low back to take a small sample of your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which cushions the brain and spinal cord. Testing CSF can reveal information about infections, tumors, or other brain disorders.
Ultrasound (sonography): High-frequency sound waves are used to look at your internal organs and evaluate your blood flow.

Expert Neurology Team

UCLA Health neurologists are leaders in clinical care, research, and education. The UCLA Department of Neurology consists of a diverse team of accomplished, dedicated, and talented faculty and staff who deliver exceptional patient care and conduct a wide variety of internationally recognized clinical, basic science, and translational research projects. The faculty and staff provide care in Westwood and other clinic locations.

Westwood Faculty

The Westwood Faculty dedicate their time to research, patient care, or a combination of both, working on the Westwood campus exclusively, except where indicated. Many of the faculty at Westwood are experts in subspecialties within neurology, such as stroke, epilepsy, or migraine.

Faculty at Affiliated Sites

Some faculty provide patient care at off-site clinics.

UCLA Community Neurologists

Community neurologists provide general neurology care at off-site clinics and are employed by UCLA Health, serving as a first point of contact for patients needing neurological care. UCLA community neurologists are closely linked to the subspecialists within areas of neurology at the UCLA Neurology Clinic in Westwood, and patients are referred, if needed for additional consultation, to Westwood.

Department of Neurology Staff Providers

Staff providers include neurologists and a nurse practitioner who are employees of the Department of Neurology.

Fellows and Residents

Post-graduate fellows choose their area of expertise or subspecialty and are supervised by faculty who are leaders in their fields of specialization. Residents come from the top medical schools in the country and are exposed to all neurology programs at all levels of training during their residency.

tags: #ucla #health #santa #monica #neurology #services