Providence Brain Institute uses the most advanced diagnostics and treatments – including the work of multidisciplinary care teams – for people with neurological conditions. Some innovative features are:
 
Vagal nerve stimulation. A small device is used to control seizures in people with epilepsy. Similar to a pacemaker, it is implanted in the chest wall and sends an intermittent electrical current to the vagus nerve, interrupting electrical activity in the brain.

Providence Portland and Providence St. Vincent medical centers have epilepsy inpatient monitoring units, which allow brain activity to be tracked over a few days for the most accurate diagnosis.

Providence Stroke Center, the first nationally certified stroke center in Oregon, has a team of neurologists available around the clock to diagnose and rapidly treat “brain attacks.” In some cases, they can administer a clot-dissolving drug and reverse the damage from stroke. Or a neurointerventionalist may use a catheter-based device to remove a clot or repair an aneurysm.
 

People with peripheral nerve disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, can benefit from diagnostic tools such as electromyography and nerve conduction studies.

Pediatric neurology

Providence Neurodevelopmental Center for Children offers multidisciplinary evaluations and treatments for children from infancy to 18 years of age. The center helps children who have sensory integration deficits; hearing problems; speech, language and cognitive disorders; fine or gross motor deficits; autism; swallowing or nutrition problems; and other disorders.

Learn more or contact Dr. Pohowalla, director of pediatric neurology, at 503-216-1280. 

Research and discovery

Providence neurologists are active in a range of research studies, such as the following:

Providence Multiple Sclerosis Center is on the front lines of research and treatment for this unpredictable disease, which can affect movement, vision, cognition or other functions. The center is involved in six trials, including drugs that would prevent relapse, reduce fatigue and restore vision for MS patients.

The nationally certified Providence ALS Center is testing how effective lithium carbonate is in slowing the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease. The center is also studying a drug that would delay loss of muscle strength.

Providence Brain Institute is evaluating drugs that would lessen the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, reduce the incidence of stroke in people with vascular disease, and ease the head rush and dizziness associated with a Parkinson’s disease-related disorder.