Neurology Clinic

The St. Jude Neurology Clinic team provides expert care for St. Jude patients whose diseases or treatments cause side effects that affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves, or muscles. Neurology is the study of the nervous system, and these organs are part of that system.

Services we provide

Neurological (nervous system) side effects are common among St. Jude patients. Our neurologists help diagnose and treat all acute (urgent) and chronic (long-term) neurological side effects that occur in St. Jude patients.

New conditions may occur during and after treatment:

• Seizures
• Headaches
• Dizziness and coordination problems
• Fatigue
• Neuropathy (nerve damage)
• Myopathy (muscle disease)
• Vascular disease and stroke
• Spasticity (a motor disorder that causes muscles to be stiff or tight, sometimes with spasms)'
• Sleep disorders
• Cognitive dysfunction (a disorder that can affect learning, memory, problem-solving, and more)
• Autoimmune conditions affecting any part of the nervous system (autoimmune conditions occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, tissue, and organs)

Special tests and treatments offered

The Neurology Clinic has a dedicated neurophysiology lab. Neurophysiology is a health science that studies how the nervous system functions, rather than its structure.

Tests we perform:

• Electroencephalogram (EEG), which records the electrical activity in the brain
• Nerve conduction tests, which use electrical impulses to assess nerve damage
• Electromyogram (EMG), which tests the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them

The Neurology Clinic also offers specific nerve blocks and botulinum toxin treatment for headache, muscle spasms, and spasticity.

Your Neurology Clinic team

The St. Jude Neurology Clinic team includes full-time neurologists as well as a nurse practitioner, research associate, and registered nurses. They are highly trained experts in the neurological side effects related to cancer, cancer treatment, and other serious childhood diseases treated at St. Jude. They have extensive experience caring for patients facing life-threatening illnesses.

The Neurology Clinic team offers service to St. Jude patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to expect during your visit

Your child will see a neurologist on the first visit. A trainee or a nurse practitioner may perform the initial history and physical exam. Neurologists may ask more questions and perform further tests.

The neurologist will then discuss recommendations with you in detail and create a plan for further testing, treatment, or monitoring. Feel free to ask questions at any time.

Based upon your child’s neurologic problem and condition, your child may be seen by a nurse practitioner on follow-up visits. But the nurse practitioner will always discuss your child’s progress with the neurologist. You may ask the nurse practitioner if you want to see the neurologist.

Research

The St. Jude Neurology Division takes part in research activities. The clinical trial your child is enrolled in may require neurologic testing. So, you may need to see a neurologist or a neurology nurse practitioner even if your child has no nervous system issue.

Learn more

The Neurology Clinic is on the east side of the Patient Care Center. If you have questions about the St. Jude Neurology Clinic, call 901-595-5372. If you are outside the Memphis area, dial toll-free 1-866-278-5833, ext. 5372 or 8075.