Highlights From 2025
Elevating Science and Clinical Excellence in Neurology and Neurosurgery

We’re proud to share that Northwestern Memorial Hospital ranks No. 6 in the nation for Neurology and Neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report, 2025 – 2026. We are consistently recognized as a leader in neurology and neurosurgery research that is shaping the future of the field. Both departments rank among the top 10 nationally for National Institutes of Health funding, securing $45 million for leading-edge research.

Our collaboration with departments across Northwestern Medicine, including with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, combined with our expanding portfolio of clinical trials enables us to keep pushing the boundaries of neurology and neurosurgery. Our research portfolio spans clinical trials, translational studies and international collaborations, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technologies today and in the future.
 
Discover the breakthroughs emerging from our leading-edge research — advancing excellence in patient care today and shaping the future of neurology and neurosurgery. Learn more about what our teams accomplished in 2025.

RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGHS​

CRISPR Technology Helps Identify Hidden Key Genes in Parkinson’s Disease
A recent Northwestern Medicine study published in Science has identified a new set of genes that contribute to Parkinson’s disease risk. This finding opens the door to previously untapped drug targets for treating the disease. Dimitri Krainc, MD, PhD, was corresponding author.
Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption Reveals Genetic and Structural Changes in Neurological Diseases
Northwestern Medicine investigators led by Adam Sonabend, MD, have discovered unique genetic and structural changes in endothelial cells in the brain after disrupting the blood-brain barrier in patients with recurrent glioblastoma, according to findings published in JCI Insight.
Common, Usually Harmless Virus May Trigger Parkinson’s Disease
Research from Northwestern Medicine has found that a usually harmless virus might be an environmental trigger to Parkinson’s disease. While some cases are linked to genetics, most Parkinson’s cases are not, and the cause is unknown. The findings were published in JCI Insight.
Higher Malignant Brain Tumor Risk Found in Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury
A study published in JAMA Network Open involving Stephen T. Magill, MD, PhD, explored whether traumatic brain injury history in adults could lead to an increased chance of developing brain tumors.
Factors Linked to Risk for Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy Identified
The findings published in The Lancet offer new hope for early intervention and improved monitoring strategies, says study co-author Stephan U. Schuele, MD.
25 Years of SuperAger Research Show Cognitive Decline Is Not an Inevitable Part of Aging
For more than a quarter of a century, Northwestern Medicine scientists have been studying individuals 80 years and older who have the memory capacity of those at least 30 years younger. Their goal is to identify the biological and behavioral traits associated with “SuperAging.”
Vaccination Does Not Impact Severity of Long COVID’s Neurological Symptoms
A Northwestern Medicine study led by Igor J. Koralnik, MD, and published in Brain Communications examined data from more than 1,000 patients from Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive COVID-19 Center.

CLINICAL ADVANCES

Minimally Invasive Surgery May Improve Outcomes in Severe Stroke
“This trial shows this procedure is safe, effective, generalizable and surgeons can offer it,” says Babak Jahromi, MD, PhD, co-author of the study published in JAMA Neurology. “Hemorrhagic stroke is the one place where we still don’t have good surgical treatments, and this is why this study is so important because it’s finally showing that there is hope on the horizon.”
New Blood Test Determines Whether Brain Cancer Treatment Is Working
Researchers at Northwestern Medicine — including Adam Sonabend, MD — and University of Michigan have developed a microfluid chip that isolates tumor-derived exosomes and provides a minimally invasive way to monitor glioblastoma treatment response. The study was published in Nature Communications.
AI Tool Is 96% Accurate in Differentiating Parkinson’s Disease From Mimics
Rizwan Akhtar, MD, PhD, co-authored a study that found an AI-based imaging approach could distinguish Parkinson’s disease from atypical parkinsonism with 96% sensitivity. The study was recently published in JAMA Neurology.
Diabetes Drug Shows Promise as Non-surgical Option for Hydrocephalus
A drug commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes may reduce excess fluid in the brains of patients with hydrocephalus, which could help treat the disease less invasively than current treatments, according to a Northwestern Medicine study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. Stephen T. Magill, MD, PhD, was senior author of the study.

EXPERT INSIGHTS

Clinical Spectrum of NUS1-Related Epilepsy and Movement Disorders
Niccolo Mencacci, MD, PhD, Sarah Brooker, MD, PhD, and Elizabeth Gerard, MD, discuss their research published in Annals of Neurology. It covers a case series of 41 patients with pathogenic variants in the NUS1 gene, highlighting a spectrum of neurological phenotypes that include developmental delays, epilepsy and various movement disorders.
Whose Brain Aneurysm Should Be Treated and How? A Dual-Trained Neurosurgeon’s Perspective
In this multimedia CME video presentation, Babak S. Jahromi, MD, PhD, shares seven case studies along with detailed surgical footage that demonstrates both open surgical and endovascular approaches to brain aneurysm management. 
Managing Tumors Compressing the Optic Nerve
Neurosurgeon Stephen T. Magill, MD, PhD, leads a panel discussion with Preeti J. Thyparampil, MD, an ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and Adam D. Baim, MD, PhD, a neuro-ophthalmologist, to discuss how these tumors affect eye function, symptoms, diagnostic strategies and treatment options. 
MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound for Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s Disease
Go behind the scenes with Joshua M. Rosenow, MD, as he performs an MR-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy on a patient with essential tremor.

MILESTONES AND RECOGNITIONS

Northwestern Medicine Neurology and Neurosurgery Welcome New Faculty
In 2025, Northwestern Medicine proudly welcomed nearly 30 outstanding physicians in the departments of neurology and neurosurgery. Their clinical expertise and dedication to innovation will strengthen our patient care and advance our academic mission.
Celebrating a Century of Excellence: The Neurosurgery Residency Program at Northwestern Medicine
Northwestern Medicine’s Neurological Surgery Residency Program marks 100 years of training leaders in neurosurgery. From its founding by Loyal Davis, MD, to the collaborative ethos among faculty and residents today, the program continues to shape innovation and patient care on a global scale.
Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute: Innovations and Insights of 2025
As we reflect on the remarkable achievements and breakthroughs of 2025, we are proud to share some of the most compelling stories from Northwestern Medicine Lou & Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute.

AWARDS and HONORS

neurosurgery

Stephen T. Magill, MD, PhD
Nominated member, National Clinical Cancer Network CNS Cancers Guidelines Committee
 
John A. Rogers, PhD
Fellow, the Royal Society
The Royal Society’s Bakerian Medal and Lecture recipient
2025 “Highly Cited Researchers” list
 
Roger Stupp, MD
American Radium Society 2025 Janeway Lecturer and Janeway Medal

neurology

Elizabeth E. Gerard, MD
American Epilepsy Society Spring 2025 Infrastructure Grant
 
Dimitri Krainc, MD, PhD
2025 Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Tripartite Legacy Faculty Prize in Translational Science and Education
President, American Neurological Association
 
Matthew B. Maas, MD
Christopher Getch Clinical Excellence Award from the Northwestern Medicine Department of Neurosurgery
 
Stephan U. Schuele, MD
President, National Association of Epilepsy Centers (2026)
 
Lesli E. Skolarus, MD
American Academy of Neurology Health Equity Award
Secretary, American Neurological Association
 
Hande Ozdinler, PhD
American Turkish Association of Washington DC Leadership Award recipient

Northwestern Medicine Neurology and Neurosurgery

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is proud to ranked No. 6 in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report, 2025 – 2026.  
 
Patient health and well-being is at the core of our department’s mission. We deliver on our mission by providing outstanding evidence-based clinical care and by developing new treatments and techniques through innovative research.