Neurology & Neurological Sciences Research

Research Overview

The Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences hosts one of the top neurology research programs in the U.S. with its faculty serving as leaders in many fields of neurology research. The department is currently ranked among the top 5 neurology departments in NIH funding and has NIH and other formally designated Centers of Excellence in multiple areas. In addition, our department has the highest number of NIH Pioneer Award Faculty members in the U.S. (four), a reflection of the exceptionally innovative Stanford research milieu and department research support. Our research activities cover a wide range of programs ranging from basic neuroscience studies, quantitative data sciences, translational studies, and clinical trials. In addition, Stanford University is well known for its outstanding, high-impact neuroscience community consisting of several hundred faculty including many international leaders in multiple areas. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, our researchers benefit from collaboration with leading experts in medical imaging, computer science, genomics, proteomics, stem cells, and bioengineering. Our department also benefits from being located on the main Stanford campus with collaborations across all the full range of schools and departments.

Research Facilities

Our researchers have access to the finest shared core research resources including the Stanford Center for Clinical and Translational Education and Research, the Stanford Behavioral and Functional Neuroscience Laboratory, and The Richard M. Lucas Center for Imaging, one of the premiere centers in the world devoted to research in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), spectroscopy (MRS) and CT imaging. 

Stanford continues to grow and provide new, exciting opportunities for research. The new Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building houses the Stanford Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Institute, integrating researchers from multiple specialties and disciplines including cancer, neuroscience, cardiovascular medicine, transplantation, immunology, bioengineering, and developmental biology. And soon, The Jill and John Freidenrich Center for Translational Research (FCTR) will be the home for innovative, collaborative, and interdisciplinary clinical and translational research at the School of Medicine and the University.

Research Training

Through our training program, we are committed to teaching residents in both laboratory and clinical research.  Our fellowship program offers training in many specialties including clinical neurophysiology (with subspecialty in epilepsy, neuromuscular disease, or intraoperative monitoring), stroke/vascular neurology, multiple sclerosis, headache, neurocritical care, neurohospitalist, neuro-oncology, and movement disorders.

Research Labs

Along with laboratory research, members of our department actively engage in investigator-initiated clinical trials in addition to national and international multicenter clinical trials. Current trials include those for stroke, ependymoma, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, movement disorders including Parkinson’s disease, and memory disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (ADRC).

Neurology research is an incredibly dynamic area of medicine. We invite you to follow our progress as we continue to explore new scientific and clinical frontiers in neuroscience.