Neil Schwartz, MD, PhD

Clinical Professor, Neurology & Neurological Sciences Clinical Professor (By courtesy), Neurosurgery

Bio

Neil Schwartz completed his undergraduate studies at UCLA, followed by MD and PhD degrees at Northwestern University. After his Neurology residency at Stanford, Dr. Schwartz joined the Stanford Stroke Center in 2004 as a fellow in Vascular Neurology and has remained on as faculty since 2007. Currently, his primary focus is the care of patients with cerebrovascular disease in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, including patients with both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. He has a particular interest and expertise in cervical artery dissection, non-atherosclerotic vasculopathies, stroke in young adults, and stroke recovery trials utilizing stem cells.

Dr. Schwartz is a national leader in neurological education and served as the Program Director for the Stanford Neurology Residency Program for nearly a decade, but remains involved as the Associate Program Director, and Vice Chair (Education). He also serves as the Medical Director for inpatient Neurology (L5) at Stanford HealthCare. He is the director of the Young Stroke Program within the Stanford Stroke Center

Learn more about the Neurology Residency Program and other educational opportunities at: http://neurology.stanford.edu/education

Clinical Focus

Vascular Neurology
Stroke in the young adult

Academic Appointments

Clinical Professor, Neurology & Neurological Sciences
Clinical Professor (By courtesy), Neurosurgery
Member, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute

Administrative Appointments

Vice Chair (Education), Dept. of Neurology & Neurological Sciences (2018 - Present)
Associate Program Director, Neurology Residency Program, Dept. of Neurology & Neurological Sciences (2018 - Present)
Director, Young Stroke Program, Stanford Health Care (2017 - Present)
Medical Director, Neurology (H1), Stanford Health Care (2018 - Present)
Medical Director, Clinical Neurosciences (G1/H1), Stanford Health Care (2010 - 2018)
Program Director, Neurology Residency Program, Dept. of Neurology & Neurological Sciences (2010 - 2018)

Professional Education

Fellowship: Stanford University Vascular Neurology Fellowship (2005) CA
Residency: Stanford University Neurology Residency (2004) CA
Internship: California Pacific Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency (2001) CA
Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Vascular Neurology (2008)
Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Neurology (2006)
Medical Education: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (2000) IL
MD, Northwestern University (2000)
PhD, Northwestern University, Neurophysiology Neuropharmacology (1998)

Contact

Clinical (Primary)

This is the primary clinic for this clinical provider. For additional clinical locations and information, please visit the link(s) listed below in the 'Additional Clinical Info' section.

Center for Academic Medicine Stanford Stroke Center 453 Quarry Road MC 5235 Stanford CA 94304-5235 Tel: (650) 723-4448 Fax: (650) 723-4451

Additional Clinical Info

Stanford Health Care

Current Research and Scholarly Interests

My clinical interests involve inpatient and outpatient care of patients with neurovascular diseases, mostly ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. I have a particular interest in cervical artery dissection, non-atherosclerotic vasculopathies, and stroke in the young.

Clinical Trials

Protected Carotid Artery Stenting in Subjects at High Risk for Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA) (PROTECT) Not Recruiting
More
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of the Xact™ Rapid Exchange Carotid Stent System used in conjunction with the Emboshield® Pro Rapid Exchange Embolic Protection System (Generation 5) and the Emboshield® BareWire™ Rapid Exchange Embolic Protection System (Generation 3), in the treatment of atherosclerotic carotid artery disease in high-surgical risk subjects.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Ronald Dalman, 6507255227.
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Efficacy and Safety Study of Desmoteplase to Treat Acute Ischemic Stroke (DIAS-4) Not Recruiting
More
The purpose of the study is to determine whether desmoteplase is effective and safe in the treatment of patients with acute ischaemic stroke when given within 3 to 9 hours from onset of stroke symptoms.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Maarten Lansberg, 6507234448.
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Triage and Evaluation of Stroke Risk Not Recruiting
More
Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a transient neurological deficit (speech disturbance, weakness…), caused by temporary occlusion of a brain vessel by a blood clot that leaves no lasting effect. TIA diagnosis can be challenging and an expert stroke evaluation combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could improve the diagnosis accuracy. The risk of a debilitating stroke can be as high as 5% during the first 72 hrs after TIA. TIA characteristics (duration, type of symptoms, age of the patient), the presence of a significant narrowing of the neck vessels responsible for the patient's symptoms (symptomatic stenosis), and an abnormal MRI are associated with an increased risk of stroke. An emergent evaluation and treatment of TIA patients by a stroke specialist could reduce the risk of stroke to 2%. Stanford has implemented an expedited triage pathway for TIA patients combining a clinical evaluation by a stroke neurologist, an acute MRI of the brain and the vessels and a sampling of biomarkers (Lp-PLA2). The investigators are investigating the yield of this unique approach to improve TIA diagnosis, prognosis and secondary stroke prevention. The objective of this prospective cohort study is to determine which factors will help the physician to confirm the diagnosis of TIA and to define the risk of stroke after a TIA.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Stephanie Kemp, BS, 650-723-4481.

Lead Sponsor
- Stanford University
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Endovascular Therapy Following Imaging Evaluation for Ischemic Stroke 3 Not Recruiting
More
This is a study to evaluate the hypothesis that FDA cleared thrombectomy devices plus medical management leads to superior clinical outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients at 90 days when compared to medical management alone in appropriately selected subjects with the Target mismatch profile and an MCA (M1 segment) or ICA occlusion who can be randomized and have endovascular treatment initiated between 6-16 hours after last seen well.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact SPECTRUM, .
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Imaging Collaterals in Acute Stroke (iCAS) Not Recruiting
More
Stroke is caused by a sudden blockage of a blood vessel that delivers blood to the brain. Unblocking the blood vessel with a blood clot removal device restores blood flow and if done quickly may prevent the disability that can be caused by a stroke. However, not all stroke patients benefit from having their blood vessel unblocked. The aim of this study is to determine if special brain imaging, called MRI, can be used to identify which stroke patients are most likely to benefit from attempts to unblock their blood vessel with a special blood clot removal device. In particular, we will assess in this trial whether a noncontrast MR imaging sequence, arterial spin labeling (ASL), can demonstrate the presence of collateral blood flow (compared with a gold standard of the angiogram) and whether it is useful to predict who will benefit from treatment.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Gregory Zaharchuk, MD, 650-723-4448.

Lead Sponsor
- Stanford University
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Computed Tomography Perfusion (CTP) to Predict Response to Recanalization in Ischemic Stroke Project (CRISP) Not Recruiting
More
The overall goal of the CTP to predict Response to recanalization in Ischemic Stroke Project (CRISP) is to develop a practical tool to identify acute stroke patients who are likely to benefit from endovascular therapy. The project has two main parts. During the first part, the investigators propose to develop a fully automated system (RAPID) for processing of CT Perfusion (CTP) images that will generate brain maps of the ischemic core and penumbra. There will be no patient enrollment in part one of this project. During the second part, the investigators aim to demonstrate that physicians in the emergency setting, with the aid of a fully automated CTP analysis program (RAPID), can accurately predict response to recanalization in stroke patients undergoing revascularization. To achieve this aim the investigators will conduct a prospective cohort study of 240 consecutive stroke patients who will undergo a CTP scan prior to endovascular therapy. The study will be conducted at four sites (Stanford University, St Luke's Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and Emory University/Grady Hospital). Patients will have an early follow-up MRI scan within 12+/-6 hours to assess reperfusion and a late follow-up MRI scan at day 5 to determine the final infarct.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Stephanie M Kemp, BS, 650-723-4481.

Lead Sponsor
- Stanford University
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Clot Lysis: Evaluating Accelerated Resolution of Intraventricular Hemorrhage Phase III Recruiting
More
The overall objective of this Phase III clinical trial is to obtain information from a population of 500 ICH subjects with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), representative of current clinical practice and national demographics of ICH regarding the benefit (or lack thereof) of IVH clot removal on subject function as measured by modified Rankin Scale (mRS). This application requests funding for five years to initiate a Phase III randomized clinical trial (RCT) testing the benefit of clot removal for intraventricular hemorrhage. The investigators propose to compare extraventricular drainage (EVD) use plus recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA; Alteplase; Genentech, Inc., San Francisco, CA) with EVD+ placebo in the management and treatment of subjects with small intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and large intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH defined as ICH < 30 cc and obstruction of the 3rd or 4th ventricles by intraventricular blood clot).
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Diagnostic Utility of MRI in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Not Recruiting
More
The overall aim of this project is to prospectively determine whether MRI can improve the conventional neuroradiological evaluation (CT with or without cerebral angiography) of patients with a spontaneous ICH or IVH. The study design will also allow us to identify the added benefit of specific MR sequences and repeat MRI in the chronic stage, thereby allowing us to prospectively determine their value in a consecutive series of patients. This information should have a major impact on the management of these patients by providing data on the diagnostic yield of routine MRI in patients presenting with a wide variety of causes for ICH or IVH. These data will help guide the diagnostic evaluation and the management of brain hemorrhage patients in the future.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Stephanie M Kemp, BS, 650-723-4481.

Lead Sponsor
- Stanford University
Stanford Investigators
View full details

2023-24 Courses

Independent Studies
- Directed Reading in Neurology and Neurological Science
  NENS 299 (Aut, Win, Spr, Sum)
- Early Clinical Experience in Neurology and Neurological Sciences
  NENS 280 (Aut, Win, Spr, Sum)
- Graduate Research
  NENS 399 (Aut, Win, Spr, Sum)
- Medical Scholars Research
  NENS 370 (Aut, Win, Spr, Sum)
- Undergraduate Research
  NENS 199 (Aut, Win, Spr, Sum)

All Publications

Profiles With Related Publications

close
Gregory W. Albers, MD

Coyote Foundation Professor and Professor, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
Clinical Focus
Vascular Neurology
Research Interests
Our group's research focus is the acute treatment and prevention of cerebrovascular disorders. Our primary interest is the use of advanced imaging techniques to expand the treatment window for ischemic stroke. We are also conducting clinical studies of both neuroprotective and thrombolytic strategies for the treatment of acute stroke and investigating new antithrombotic strategies for stroke prevention.

704 Total Publications
close
Patrick Barnes

Professor of Radiology (Pediatric Radiology) at the Stanford University Medical Center, Emeritus
Research Interests
Advanced imaging, including magnetic resonance imaging, of injury to the developing central nervous system; including fetal, neonatal, infant and young child; and, including nonaccidental injury (e.g. child abuse).

See Biosketch for details.

193 Total Publications
close
Hansen Chen

Instructor, Neurosurgery

36 Total Publications
close
Huy M. Do, MD

Professor of Radiology (Neuroimaging and Neurointervention) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery and of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)
Clinical Focus
Interventional Neuroradiology, Endovascular Neurosurgery, Cerebral aneurysm coiling, Brain AVM (arteriovenous malformation), Stroke, Spinal Intervention for pain, Head and neck vascular malformations and anomalies, Interventional Oncology, Pediatric Neuroradiology, Vascular Malformations, Percutaneous Sclerotherapy, Vertebral compression fractures, Trigeminal Neuralgia and facial pain, Neuroradiology

162 Total Publications
close
Anna Finley Caulfield, MD

Clinical Professor, Neurology & Neurological Sciences
Clinical Focus
Neurology, Neurocritical Care, Vascular Neurology
Research Interests
Dr. Finley joined the Stanford Stroke Center in 2004 from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. She cares for acute stroke patients and other neurologically critical ill patients in the intensive care unit. Currently, her research interests include hypothermia after cardiac arrest and comparing health care provider's predications of future neurological function in neurologically critical ill patients to their 6-month outcome.

9 Total Publications
close
Nancy Fischbein

Professor of Radiology and, by courtesy, of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) , of Neurology, of Neurosurgery & of Radiation Oncology
Clinical Focus
Diagnostic Neuroimaging

215 Total Publications
close
Robert Harrington

Arthur L. Bloomfield Professor of Medicine, Emeritus

726 Total Publications
close
Melanie Hayden Gephart

Professor of Neurosurgery and, by courtesy, of Neurology
Clinical Focus
Neurosurgery

155 Total Publications
close
Karen G. Hirsch, MD

Associate Professor of Neurology (Adult Neurology) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery
Clinical Focus
Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Cardiac Arrest, Coma, Brain Death, Hypoxic ischemic Brain Injury, Neurocritical Care

72 Total Publications
close
Sung Soo Jang

Postdoctoral Scholar, Neurology and Neurological Sciences

13 Total Publications
close
Karthikeshwar Kasirajan (Kasi)

Clinical Professor, Surgery - Vascular Surgery
Clinical Focus
Vascular Surgery, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Deep vein thrombosis, Carotid Artery Stenosis, Limb Salvage, Dialysis access creation

82 Total Publications
close
Barton Lane

Professor of Radiology (Diagnostic Radiology) at the Stanford University Medical Center, Emeritus
Research Interests
As a professor in the Medical Center Line, my primary investigative interest has been in clinical neuroradiology. This encompasses spinal cord and spine disease, degenerative and demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, strokes and infarction, and chronic epilepsy syndromes. Facial and head and neck vascular malformations and hemangiomas have been a focus of interest for many years, with collaborative projects involving dermatology and functional restoration services.

114 Total Publications