Neurology Department

About the Neurology Department

The AHN Neurology Department and its team are dedicated to providing our patients with exceptional care that addresses your unique neurological needs. We believe in delivering a collaborative, patient-centered, and whole-person approach to neurological health, designed to help you live your best life.

At AHN Neurology, you'll find a dynamic and multi-specialty department that stands out for its breadth of expertise and remarkable depth of specialization. Our clinicians are not only adept at diagnosing and treating a wide range of neurological conditions but are also deeply committed to delivering personalized, comprehensive care across the Southwestern and Erie regions of Pennsylvania. Whether you're seeking a general neurology workup or highly specialized neurological care, our team is here to guide you through:

Appointments

Neuroscience

412-359-8850

814-452-7575

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A collaborative physician culture: Our neurologists and specialists work together, sharing insights and developing integrated care plans tailored specifically for you. This team-based approach assures you benefit from the collective wisdom of multiple experts.
Whole-person care approach: We understand that neurological conditions impact more than just your brain. Our care extends beyond diagnosis and treatment to consider your overall well-being, lifestyle, and personal goals.
Integrated multidisciplinary programs: We've built robust programs that bring together neurologists with other essential specialists, such as neurosurgeons, rehabilitation therapists, and mental health professionals, to help in all aspects of your care.
Strong subspecialty expertise: Our department houses specialists in nearly every area of neurology, meaning you'll have access to physicians who are leaders in their specific fields, from stroke and epilepsy to movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, and more.
A growing department and expanding programs: We are continuously evolving to meet the needs of our community. We're actively expanding our programs to incorporate the latest advancements and offer even more specialized services. This commitment to innovation means you're receiving care informed by the most current research and emerging treatments.

AHN’s approach to care

Every decision, every diagnostic test, and every treatment plan is undertaken with one goal in mind: your health. We are relentlessly focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for our patients, helping you regain function, manage symptoms, and enhance your quality of life. Our commitment to your well-being is embedded in the very fabric of our care delivery.

The dedication we have to specialized expertise, whole-person care, and a thoughtful, results-oriented progression means you receive not just treatment, but a true partnership in managing your neurological health.

Our multi-specialty neurology department

When you come to AHN Neurology, you'll find a team of physician specialists dedicated to understanding and addressing your unique neurological concerns. Our experts provide precise diagnoses and tailored treatments for a wide spectrum of conditions affecting your brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles. We recognize that experiencing neurological symptoms can be unsettling, and our goal is to offer clarity, comfort, and effective solutions.

Our approach means that if you're experiencing a complex or less common condition, you won't just see a general neurologist. Instead, our superspecialists focus on particular neurological subspecialties, offering an unparalleled level of expertise in areas such as:

Stroke
Cerebrovascular disease
Epilepsy
Headache, including migraines, cluster and other TAC headaches as well as cervicogenic headache
Neuromuscular disease, such as peripheral neuropathy, Myasthenis Gravis, ALS
Multiple Sclerosis and Neuro-immunological diseases
Movement Disorders, such as Parkinson’s, tremor, Huntington’s and spasticity
Memory Disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, Fronto-temporal Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia and others

We work closely with neurosurgery, neuroradiology and physical and occupations therapy, and palliative care to provide the most up to date treatment options so that you can live your best possible life.

Integrated and whole-person care approach

Your effective neurological care extends beyond a single appointment or a single specialty. Our commitment to an integrated and whole-person approach means we look at your health within the full context of your life, not just your diagnosis. This philosophy drives how we deliver care, ensuring you receive comprehensive, coordinated support designed for your unique needs. We believe the best outcomes are achieved through collaboration. That's why our neurologists work with a network of highly skilled specialists, bringing together diverse expertise to manage every aspect of your condition. This approach includes:

Neurosurgery: Our neurologists partner closely with neurosurgeons to evaluate complex conditions, determine the most appropriate surgical interventions when necessary, and ensure smooth transitions of care pre- and post-operation.
Neuroradiology: We integrate the insights of our neuroradiologists, who specialize in advanced imaging of the brain and spine, to ensure precise diagnoses and guide treatment strategies with the clearest possible picture of your neurological health.
Physical therapy: For patients needing to regain strength, mobility, and balance, our collaboration with physical therapists ensures personalized rehabilitation plans are in place, helping you recover function and improve physical independence.
Occupational therapy: Working alongside occupational therapists, we help patients adapt to challenges in daily living, providing strategies and tools to enhance independence and quality of life at home, at work, and within the community.

This close collaboration across specialties isn't just about efficiency; it's about providing wrap-around care that truly considers you as a whole person. We recognize that a neurological condition can impact your work, relationships, hobbies, and overall well-being. Our team actively considers these aspects, tailoring care plans that address not only the medical intricacies of your diagnosis but also how it affects your daily life and your ability to live your best life.

Measured, thoughtful care progression

Our approach to your care is deeply rooted in a measured and thoughtful progression. From your very first interaction, our primary goal is clear: to improve your quality of life, enabling you to live as well as possible despite your condition, and ultimately, to help you live your best possible life.

This isn't just about treating a disease; it's about partnering with you on your unique journey. A fundamental aspect of this thoughtful progression is the team-based decision-making that defines our department. You, along with our diverse specialists, benefit from this collaborative environment, ensuring that every step of your care plan is carefully considered, comprehensive, and tailored to your individual needs and goals.

Team-based care for Parkinson’s patients

We understand that living with Parkinson's affects every aspect of your life, which is why our care goes far beyond just medical treatment and integrates a team-based approach to caring for our Parkinson’s patients. At AHN, you can see a dedicated integrative neurologist who not only manages your medical care but also acts as the central coordinator for a wide array of specialized support services. Our model for Parkinson's care combines:

Clinical care: Expert medical management tailored to your specific symptoms and progression.
Therapy: Access to vital therapies like physical therapy to improve movement and balance, and occupational therapy to enhance daily living activities.
Nutrition support: Guidance from specialists to help you manage dietary needs and maintain optimal health.
Palliative care: Comprehensive support focused on improving quality of life for both you and your family, addressing symptoms, pain, and stress at any stage of the disease.
Education: Structured programs designed to empower you with knowledge about Parkinson's.
Group support: Opportunities to connect with others facing similar challenges.

For those newly diagnosed, we offer a unique and highly beneficial structured program. These group sessions provide a welcoming environment where you can:

Learn about the condition: Gain a deeper understanding of Parkinson's disease, its progression, and available management strategies.
Ask questions: Get direct answers from various members of your care team in an open forum.
Meet multiple members of the care team: Interact with neurologists, therapists, nutritionists, and other specialists, building relationships and understanding the breadth of support available to you from the start.

This holistic approach ensures that your care addresses your entire life context — not solely the disease itself. Our goal is to provide comprehensive care that empowers you to live your best possible life with Parkinson's, integrating medical expertise with practical support, education, and community connection. We focus on enhancing your overall well-being, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to treating the whole person.

Treatment at AHN Neurology Department

Our approach to treatment is deeply rooted in a singular, patient-centered philosophy: to help you live your best possible life. We understand that managing a neurological condition can be challenging, and our goal is to improve your quality of life, not just to treat your disease. The department thrives on a culture of collaborative care, team-based decision-making, and whole-person wraparound care that treats all aspects of your health. This commitment drives everything we do, offering you greater peace of mind and confidence in your care.

Getting treated at AHN

When you come to AHN Neurology, you gain access to sophisticated diagnostic capabilities that pinpoint the nature of your condition, followed by a range of advanced and personalized treatment options. Our goal is to provide clarity and effective solutions tailored specifically for you.

Diagnostic capabilities

Accurate diagnosis is the cornerstone of effective neurological treatment. Our department uses state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to provide precise insights into your condition:

Electroencephalogram (EEG): This non-invasive test measures electrical activity in the brain. At AHN, we frequently use EEG to identify and characterize seizure disorders, helping us diagnose epilepsy and determine the most effective management strategies. Learn more about EEG.
Electromyography (EMG): EMG assesses the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles. Our specialists employ EMG to diagnose and understand the severity of various neuromuscular disorders, such as peripheral neuropathy or Myasthenia Gravis, by evaluating nerve and muscle function. Learn more about EMG.
Autonomic testing: Autonomic testing helps neurologists identify if the autonomic nervous system is malfunctioning.

Treatment examples

Once a clear diagnosis is established, our neurologists develop individualized treatment plans, often drawing upon a diverse array of therapies:

Botox^® injections: Beyond cosmetic uses, Botox is a valuable therapeutic tool in neurology, effectively treating chronic migraines, certain dystonias, and spasticity by relaxing overactive muscles.
Nerve blocks: These targeted injections can provide significant relief for various neurological pain conditions by blocking pain signals from specific nerves, offering respite from chronic headaches or neuropathic pain.
Disease-specific treatments handled within subspecialties: for conditions like Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or epilepsy, our superspecialists utilize the latest disease-modifying therapies, advanced pharmacological approaches, and innovative interventions precisely tailored to the nuances of each specific neurological disorder.

Long-term progressive care

Understanding your long-term care journey is essential for your peace of mind. At AHN Neurology, we embrace a philosophy of progressive care, where treatments evolve thoughtfully alongside your condition. Our neurologists are committed to managing your care for as long as possible within the neurology department, focusing on conservative and effective strategies first.

It's important to know that neurosurgery is not a first step. Our approach is to only bring in additional specialists, such as neurosurgeons, when clinically necessary. Referrals for more aggressive interventions, like surgery, typically occur after a clear progression of your condition or if less invasive treatments have not yielded the desired results. We want to reassure you that escalation is selective and appropriate; it only happens if necessary, based on careful evaluation and continuous monitoring of your health. This thoughtful, measured progression ensures continuity of care, avoiding immediate, aggressive interventions and instead focusing on the most appropriate path forward for your long-term well-being.

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How to get care

If you want to be tested for or have been diagnosed with needing to visit the Neurology Department, we’re here to help.

Schedule your appointment today

What to expect at your new patient visit

When you receive care at the AHN Neuroscience Institute, you’ll be seen by board-certified neurologists, neurosurgeons, and pain management physicians who can deliver highly specialized treatments using the latest, most advanced technologies. We recommend that you bring a trusted friend or family member to attend any appointment, but we do not recommend taking young children who cannot be left unattended in the waiting rooms.

We encourage you to sign up for AHN MyChart access, where you can complete some new patient paperwork and questionnaires through the MyChart web portal or the MyChart app.

Plan to arrive at the check-in desk about 30 minutes prior to the start of your appointment. That will provide enough time for the necessary intake process. Even if you use the eCheck in through MyChart, we ask that you arrive at the check-in desk 30 minutes before the start of your appointment to make sure we have your appropriate information.

What to take to your first visit

We recommend that you bring a trusted friend or family member to attend any appointment, but we do not recommend taking young children who cannot be left unattended in the waiting rooms. There are also certain items and paperwork you’ll want to have with you so our office staff and healthcare team have your necessary information.

Required identification and payment

In order to process your information and start your appointment on time, please bring:

Insurance cards
Photo ID
Copay (no cash accepted)

Medical information and records

Please bring copies of previous medical records, including office visit notes, lab work, hospital stay summaries, and radiology reports from outside health organizations. You’ll also want to have a complete list of medications and supplements, including dosing amounts.

For worker’s compensation or auto claim purposes, please have date of injury, claim number, billing address, and the name and phone number of the claims adjuster.

Imaging studies (if applicable)

If you have had imaging studies done at imaging locations outside of Allegheny Health Network, you will need to follow these steps:

Contact the imaging facility and request a physical disc with the imaging and radiologist report.
Some sites will require a few days to a week’s notice before you can pick up the disc.
If you do not have copies of imaging, your initial evaluation will be incomplete, and we may need to schedule additional appointments.

Personal items and equipment (if applicable)

If you will require any personal items or medical equipment — walker, cane, wheelchair, oxygen — that will make your post-procedure care easier, please bring that with you.

Clinical trials and research

At AHN, we are not only dedicated to providing the best neurological care, but also to shaping the future of treatment. Our Neurology Department Program is actively involved in groundbreaking research and clinical trials for neurology, offering eligible patients access to innovative therapies and interventions that are not yet widely available.

Our research efforts span various aspects of neurological conditions, including prevention, acute treatment, and long-term recovery strategies. We are committed to translating new scientific discoveries into improved patient outcomes.

What is a clinical trial?

Clinical trials are studies that try to answer questions about new ways to treat conditions with medications, radiation, or surgical techniques. Previous trials have shown how new methods of treatment improve survival and quality of life. You participate in a clinical trial only if you volunteer to do so and meet criteria for inclusion in the study, and you can stop participating in a trial at any time.

Who can join a clinical trial?

The plan for the trial, called a protocol, explains what the trial will do and how the study will be done. Based on the questions the research is trying to answer, each clinical trial protocol outlines specific criteria necessary to be eligible to join the trial.

Common criteria for entering a trial are:

Having a certain condition.
Having received a certain kind of therapy in the past.
Being in a certain age group.
Federal rules help ensure that clinical trials are run in an ethical manner, with your rights and safety protected. It’s to ensure that you’re not put at increased risk by participating in the trial, and that the results of the study are accurate and meaningful.

Currently active clinical trials

If you would like to participate in a clinical trial and help our innovative team discover groundbreaking health solutions, ask your doctor if you’re eligible to participate in one. Find currently active clinical trials that are open for participation.

Neurology Department appointments and access

Learn more about our appointment options, second opinions, locations, referrals, and resources that are at your disposal.

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