Neuroimmunology

UI Health Care diagnoses and treats many types of neuroimmunologic disease, including MS, optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, and autoimmune encephalitis.

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For Neuroimmunology related requests:

1-319-356-2573

For Neurosurgery related requests:: 1-319-356-2237

For all other requests:: 1-800-777-8442

Inflammatory neurological diseases occur when your immune system or an infection attacks your nervous system.

These conditions—including multiple sclerosis (MS), transverse myelitis, optic neuritis, and encephalitis—can cause inflammation and nervous system damage that leads to symptoms throughout your body. Depending on which parts of the nervous system are affected, symptoms vary but may include:

Balance problems
Behavior changes
Bladder and bowel problems, such as urinary incontinence
Confusion
Headache
Muscle weakness, especially in the arms or legs
Seizures
Vision problems

Because most inflammatory neurological diseases are rare, it’s hard to find specialists who know how to diagnose and treat them.

Fortunately, University of Iowa Health Care is home to some of the region’s most experienced neuroimmunologists (neurologists with special training in inflammatory neurological disease). We know how to distinguish these diseases from other conditions and prescribe the right treatments.

Leading expertise, right here in Iowa

During the last decade, there has been huge growth in the field of neuroimmunology. For the first time, many people with inflammatory neurological diseases have treatment options that help calm their immune system and control their symptoms.

Because the field is expanding so rapidly, neuroimmunology experts—like those at UI Health Care—are essential to keep up with the latest discoveries and treatments.

Our neuroimmunologists are often among the first to learn about new or better ways to diagnose and treat these conditions. And because we take part in clinical trials and other types of research, our patients are often among the first to try promising new treatments.

Unique services for people with inflammatory neurological diseases

We offer services that make it easier to diagnose and treat inflammatory neurological diseases. These services, which aren’t available at every medical center, include:

Neurologist-led infusion management:

Because many people with inflammatory neurological disease need IV (intravenous) medicines, we offer infusion treatments at three locations. Our staff understands how these medicines work and knows which side effects to watch for. We also work with your health insurance provider to confirm your treatments are covered. We have a team that can help patients enroll in special financial assistance programs.

Specially trained pharmacists:

Our team includes pharmacists who have a deep understanding of the medicines used to treat inflammatory neurological diseases. They’ll help you understand your medication doses and schedule and teach you about common (and potentially serious) side effects.

Our approach to neuroimmunology care

Inflammatory neurological diseases are complex. They can cause several physical and cognitive (thinking) problems that each require treatment. And, because they can be caused by gene mutations, infections, or immune system problems, we also need to address the underlying cause.

To that end, our neuroimmunologists work closely with other UI Health Care specialists. One or more of the following providers may also be involved in your care:

Infectious disease experts who treat neurological symptoms caused by viruses, bacteria, or chronic infectious diseases (such as HIV)
Neurogenetic counselors who can help determine if a neurological disease is due to a genetic mutation rather than inflammation.
Neuro-ophthalmologists who treat vision problems caused by conditions such as optic neuritis
Neuropsychologists who perform tests to see if your condition has affected any of your cognitive abilities
Neuroradiologists who use special imaging techniques to evaluate your brain and spinal cord
Neurosurgeons who perform surgeries to obtain biopsy material (microscopic sample) to help with diagnosis in severe cases of suspected nervous system inflammation
Pulmonary specialists
Rehabilitation specialists such as physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists who can often help you feel and function better and improve your ability to perform everyday tasks
Rheumatologists/immunologists who specialize in treating immune system problems and inflammatory diseases that affect any part of your body and can help manage conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
Urologists who can help you manage bladder problems caused by your condition