The Department of Neurology is a major part of WashU Medicine’s world-renowned neuroscience research community. Through groundbreaking basic science and clinical studies, our researchers are on a quest to improve the lives of individuals with neurological disorders.
Our department conducts research in every area of neurology. Our work spans the research continuum — from basic science seeking to understand the underlying processes of health and disease through translational and clinical studies to develop and evaluate possible clinical diagnostics and treatments. As we face some of medicine’s toughest challenges, we are determined to find solutions.
Comprehensive areas of study
alzheimer disease • developmental and genetic disorders • neurodegenerative disease • neuroimmunology • neuroinfectious disease • epilepsy • sleep disorders • neuromuscular disorders • brain tumors • headache • stroke • traumatic brain & spinal cord injury
Centers
National experts provide care and conduct research to advance diagnosis and treatment.
Laboratories
Roughly 40 labs cover the full spectrum of neurological investigations from basic science through clinical application.
Clinical trials
Groundbreaking clinical trials provide opportunities for participants to shape the future of care.
“We do what I like to call team science.’ Rather than working in silos, faculty can gather colleagues, mentors and expertise from across the university, and they have access to amazing facilities and technologies. That’s especially great for junior faculty, and it makes our research move forward much more quickly and easily.”
Joel Permutter, MD, Elliot Stein Family Professor of Neurology;
Chief, Section of Movement Disorders
Explore in depth
Visit the Profiles.wustl.edu website for an interactive exploration of our research.
- Department of Neurology Overview
- Research areas
- Worldwide collaboration network
- Faculty bios
- Publications
Coming soon: The Neuroscience Research Building
Highlights
- More than 56,000 square feet of dedicated research space
- Ranked No. 1 in NIH funding among all neurology departments in the U.S. (Source: NIH RePORTER)
- Two endowed research centers
- McDonnell Center for Systems Neuroscience, directed by Steve Petersen, PhD
- McDonnell Center for Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, directed by Linda Richards, PhD
Community engagement
The department is expanding efforts to engage with members of our St. Louis community. With community partners, we aim to improve diversity in clinical trial recruitment and to guide the direction of our research to address community priorities. As a model, we look to the years-long successes of our Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center.
Neuroscience at WashU
Across disciplines and departments, we’re leading advances in discovery, education and care.
30 training programs | 100+ research teams | 1 DEDICATED BUILDING