Neuroscience

Acute Ischemic Stroke

An acute ischemic stroke is a serious medical emergency in which blood flow to the brain is interrupted or severely reduced. When it comes to stroke management and care, the DHR Health Neuroscience Institute is the Rio Grande Valley’s premier treatment center. As the first Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center in the region, we are the leading stroke care team and your choice for neurology and neuroendovascular services. With a dedicated neurological intensive care unit, we are equipped to handle the most complex cases with the highest level of care. Our team of highly specialized healthcare professionals provides the most extensive stroke treatment services in South Texas.

For more information and available resources, click here.

For more information about DHR Stroke Program quality, click here.

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, irreversible brain disorder in which the individual's memory and thinking skills are affected. Most people show symptoms of Alzheimer's in their mid-60's.

Aphasia

Aphasia is a language disorder that affects the area of the brain that controls language, expression, and comprehension.

Ataxia

Ataxia is a lack of muscle control during voluntary muscle movements. Ataxia can also impact speech, eye movement and swallowing.

Autonomic Disorders

Autonomic neuropathy occurs when the nerves that control involuntary movements are damaged. This may affect blood pressure, temperature control, bladder function, digestion, and in some cases, sexual function.

Brain and spinal arteriovenous malformations

Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are defects in the blood vessels near the brain or spinal cord. Symptoms may include headache, pain, seizures, or stroke. Cerebral AVMs can be identified using angiography, CT scans, or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and treated with minimally invasive surgery.

Cancer, Chemobrain, and Other Cancer-Related Treatments

Many patients that have undergone chemotherapy report changes in their thinking abilities. Studies have shown that some cancer patients exhibit impairments in their cognitive functioning. This includes impairments with their ability to process information in a timely manner, problem-solving, multi-tasking, and memory. Several factors may increase the risk for these impairments such as route of administration or exposure to higher doses of chemotherapy. Brain tumors and their associated treatments may also cause impairments in cognitive functioning. This includes surgical treatments, radiation therapy, or concurrent chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a procedure used to widen a narrow carotid artery. Your doctor may use this procedure if you have had a stroke to reduce the risk of reoccurrence.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

Carpel tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve is compressed in the wrist at the carpal tunnel. The most common symptoms are pain, numbness and tingling in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and the median side of the middle fingers.

Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery

We specialize in the treatment of complex neurovascular disorders, such as aneurysms, arterlovenous malformations, carotid artery stenosis, cavernous malformations, and moyamoya, using both open microvascular brain surgery and endovascular neurosurgery.

Dementia & Memory Loss

Dementia is not a single disease but a group of conditions caused by disorders that affect the brain, with memory loss being one of the most common symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, but dementia can present in many ways depending on the areas of the brain involved.

Our neurology team evaluates and treats a wide range of dementia types, including frontotemporal dementias, which affect behavior, language, or motor function and often begin earlier in life. These conditions may cause personality changes, difficulty with communication, poor decision-making, or progressive movement problems.

We also provide care for Lewy body dementia, a condition marked by changes in attention and alertness, visual hallucinations, sleep disturbances, and Parkinson-like symptoms such as tremors and slowed movement. Cognitive challenges may include difficulty with concentration, problem-solving, visual processing, and memory.

Vascular dementia is another form we treat, caused by reduced blood flow to the brain due to stroke or vascular disease. Symptoms often include slowed thinking, difficulty with organization and multitasking, memory impairment, and mood changes such as depression or anxiety.

Through comprehensive evaluation and personalized care plans, DHR Health works to diagnose cognitive conditions accurately, manage symptoms, and support patients and families through every stage of care.

Double Vision/ Loss of Vision

Known as diplopia, double vision is seeing two images of a single object. There are different possible reasons for double vision. Talk to your neurologist to determine the cause of your double vision.

Dystonia

Dystonia is the involuntary movement of your muscles. These movements are often twisting, repetitive movements. Dystonia can be caused by different disorders or injuries.

Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

Epilepsy and seizure disorders are neurological conditions caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, resulting in recurring seizures. At DHR Health, our neurology team provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment options to help manage seizures and improve quality of life.

Care may include medical management, advanced diagnostic testing, and when appropriate, epilepsy surgery. Surgical treatment may reduce or eliminate seizures by treating or removing the area of the brain where seizures originate. Depending on the type and location of seizures, options may include removing a small portion of brain tissue, disconnecting areas between brain hemispheres, or more advanced procedures such as hemispherectomy for select patients.

Neuropsychological testing plays an important role in epilepsy care, helping assess memory, cognitive, and academic functioning that may be affected by seizures. This testing also helps identify which areas of the brain are impacted and provides valuable information for treatment planning, especially when surgery is being considered.

Intracranial Aneurysms

An intracranial, or brain, aneurysm is a bulge of ballooning of a blood vessel in the brain. Aneurysms can leak or rupture, causing bleeding in the brain. The aneurysm can be treated through minimally invasive endovascular surgery or open surgery, depending on the location and size of the aneurysm.

Intracranial and Spine Tumor Embolization

Tumor embolization is the process in which the blood vessels around a tumor are blocked, reducing the potential of blood loss and improving the visual of the surgical site.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease affecting the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). Home to the only Fellowship-trained Neuroimmunologist in the Rio Grande Valley, DHR Health Neuroscience Institute is able to offer comprehensive care to those battling Multiple Sclerosis. Our highly trained team of physicians, therapists, and staff work seamlessly together with to develop treatment plans and monitor your progress. 

Neuro-Intensive Care

Brain injury and neurological disorders can be life-threatening or disabling without timely intervention and effective care. The DHR Health Neuroscience Institute is home to a fully-equipped and staffed neuro-intensive care unit (Neuro ICU). Our 8-bed Neuro ICU provides the highest level of care for acute stroke patients and those patients with difficult neurological cases, such as brain and spinal cord injury, life-threatening brain infections, and persistent seizures. Our Neuro ICU is equipped with the most advanced technology and imaging systems, which allows physicians to provide high-precision care. After a thorough diagnostic evaluation, careful monitoring and innovative treatment techniques help ensure the best possible outcome for each patient.

Neurocritical Care

When a serious neurological illness or injury occurs, we have the expert team to provide effective treatment and caring support. Our neurocritical care team is specially trained to diagnose and manage complex neurological conditions such as stroke, brain tumors, brain trauma, and nerve and muscle diseases. DHR Health has an 8-bed neurosurgical intensive care unit to provide around the clock care for patients with life-threatening conditions.

Neurodevelopmental Disorder

Neurodevelopmental disorders have the potential to impact cognitive, behavioral, and daily functioning. Neuropsychological testing is helpful in evaluating and diagnosing a variety of neurodevelopmental conditions such as learning disabilities, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), or autism spectrum disorders.

Neuroendovascular Surgery

Neuroendovascular surgery is a groundbreaking, minimally invasive way to treat complex conditions affecting the brain, spine, and nervous system. Instead of traditional open surgery, this approach uses tiny tools and catheters that travel through blood vessels to reach the problem area. At the DHR Health Neuroscience Institute, our expert team provides advanced care for conditions like strokes, blocked arteries, aneurysms, and other vascular issues. Using cutting-edge imaging and technology, our specialists deliver precise treatments that promote faster recovery and better outcomes, offering patients a safer and more effective alternative to open surgery.

Neurohospitalist

The DHR Health Neuroscience Institute provides specialized neurological care for patients in the hospital through our Neurohospitalist program. Our medical team provides diagnostic evaluation and treatment for a variety of illnesses and injuries, including stroke, trauma and critical care, epilepsy, brain cancers, seizure disorders, central nervous system infections, neuromuscular diseases, and more. Neurological care is available to patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Neurological Rehabilitation

Neurological rehabilitation helps improve function, reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life for people with diseases, trauma, or disorders of the nervous system. Depending on the person's unique situation, rehabilitation can be provided on an inpatient or outpatient basis. The goal of neurological rehabilitation is to help you return to the highest level of function and independence possible. We aim to meet your physical, emotional, and social needs to improve your quality of life.

Neurology

We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. With an integrated approach to evaluation and disease management, our highly trained physicians use advanced techniques and technology to treat even the most complex neurological conditions.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy occurs when the nerves that carry messages to and from your brain are affected, causing weakness, pain, or numbness. Neuropathy usually happens in your hands and feet.

Neuropsychology

Neuropsychology assessment provides unique and critical information in the diagnosis, staging, and management of patients who have had changes in their cognitive function (ability to think), personality, behavior, and/or mood. We provide neuropsychological services for patients who present with cognitive changes due to a variety of neurological, medical, psychiatric, or neurodevelopmental conditions. Neuropsychological services are provided in English and Spanish.

Neurosurgery- Adult & Pediatric

When you or a loved one is diagnosed with a disease or injury involving the brain, spinal cord, spine, skull or neurovascular system, you need care from experts you can trust. We are dedicated to providing excellence in neurosurgical care to our patients, both adult and pediatric. Taking a team-based approached to care – with the patient as the most important person on the team – our experts provide the most advanced, quality care available in the Rio Grande Valley.

Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's Disease is a progressive disease that affects movement. The nerve cells that produce dopamine are affected, causing tremors and other symptoms.

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

During peripheral nerve stimulation electrodes are placed along the course of peripheral nerves to control pain. This is a safe, efficient, and effective method for relieving neuropathic pain conditions.

Psychological Distress

Many psychological conditions have the potential to impact cognitive functioning. Neuropsychological testing is helpful in evaluating and diagnosing psychological conditions as well as making recommendations for potential interventions. Neuropsychological testing is also helpful in ruling out neurological etiologies for reported cognitive complaints, which may be better explained by psychological or other non-neurological factors.

Spine Program National Recognition

DHR Health is the first in the Rio Grande Valley and only facility south of Houston to receive Blue Distinction Center+ and joins 10 other hospitals across the state of Texas as an elite group of hospitals that can provide this highly-specialized care. Hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers+ for Spine Surgery are recognized for their expertise and cost efficiency in delivering specialty care. Additionally, the designation recognizes DHR Health’s Spine Surgery Center for demonstrating expertise in cervical and lumbar fusion, cervical laminectomy and lumbar laminectomy/discectomy procedures. Distinction Centers for Spine Surgery provide patients comprehensive inpatient spine surgery services, including discectomy, fusion and decompression procedures. These centers have lower readmission rates and fewer reoperations. Click to learn more.

Spine Surgery

Spinal cord problems can cause pain, restrict mobility, and degrade the quality of life. These problems can result from a spinal cord injury or a deformity, such as scoliosis, or degenerative changes associated with aging. Using both traditional and advanced minimally invasive spine surgery, treatment is provided for the spectrum of back problems. Our specially trained physicians treat spine conditions with care and precision.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Stereotactic radiosurgery uses targeted radiation to effectively kill a tumor or destroy a lesion in the brain or neck. This noninvasive procedure uses image-guided radiation beams to target affected areas with minimal impact on the surrounding healthy tissue.

Stroke Treatment

When it comes to stroke management and care, the DHR Health Neuroscience Institute is the Rio Grande Valley’s premier treatment center. As the first Joint Commission Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center in the region, we are the leading stroke care team and your choice for neurology and neuroendovascular services. With a dedicated neurological intensive care unit, we are equipped to handle the most complex cases with the highest level of care. Our team of highly specialized healthcare professionals provides the most extensive stroke treatment services in South Texas.

For more information and available resources, click here.

For more information about DHR Stroke Program quality, click here.

Syncope

Syncope is most commonly known as fainting. This occurs when there is a decrease in blood flow to the brain and the person loses consciousness.

Tics, Tremor and Abnormal Movements

A tic is a sudden movement that is difficult to control. Other abnormal movements are twitching, spasm, or tremors. Consult with your neurologist if you are experiencing symptoms of an abnormal movement.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries occur across all ages, but at higher rates in younger and older individuals. It is common for patients to experience changes in their cognitive functioning and mood following a traumatic brain injury. Neuropsychological testing is beneficial in identifying strengths and weakness after a head injury. They are often used as part of the patient’s rehabilitation treatment program. In addition, follow-up testing is helpful to monitor progress in the patient’s cognitive functioning over time.

Vertigo

If you are experiencing dizzy spells and a spinning sensation, you may have vertigo. Vertigo can occur for many reasons, including era problems, brain problems, migraines, or head injury.