Abbott Northwestern Hospital

Abbott Northwestern's Neuroscience Institute is the leading center for neurological care in the Twin Cities and Upper Midwest. Each year, we perform more than 2,000 major neurological surgeries and 1,000 neuro interventional procedures. We also treat patients for neurological conditions such as stroke, tumors of the brain and spinal cord, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, balance and movement disorders, headaches and sleep disorders.

Advanced technology is combined with specialized physicians, skilled staff, dedicated facilities and focused programs to make Abbott Northwestern's Neuroscience Institute a comprehensive resource for neurological care and information. Recent technological enhancements include: Intraoperative MRI Suite (iMRI) and Varian Trilogy.

Learn more about the accomplishments of the Neuroscience Institute:

• Read the 2009 Neuroscience Institute Overview and Outcomes Report
• See U.S.News and World Report's ranking of Abbott Northwestern as one of America's Best Hospitals in neurology and neurosurgery

Team approach

At Abbott Northwestern Hospital's Neuroscience Institute, the multidisciplinary staff of dedicated physicians, professional neuroscience nurses and skilled technical staff provide comprehensive neurological care for patients. Our team also includes physical therapists, occupational therapists and technical staff.

Our nurses

Our neuroscience nurses specialize in treating patients with complex neurological and neurosurgical conditions. They recognize that patients and their families require special care to cope with the physical, emotional, spiritual and social changes that may affect their lives. Along with quality care, our neuroscience nurses provide:

• technical knowledge and clinical expertise
• neurological assessments
• care planning and discharge preparation
• education for patients and families.

Our doctors

We have the largest concentration of board-certified neuroscience doctors in the region.

See a list of neurologists

See a list of neurosurgeons

Our facilities

The neuroscience unit is located on the eighth floor of Abbott Northwestern's Heart Hospital. The unit was designed with input from physicians, nurses, staff, families and patients to create a healing environment around a patient-centered model of care.

This 46-bed unit offers patients and visitors the following features:

• 46 private rooms designed to accommodate neuroscience patient needs, including ceiling lifts and state of the art beds
• epilepsy monitoring area that is designed and equipped to meet the specific needs of epilepsy patients and their families
• designated space for Sister KennyŽ Rehabilitation Institute therapies
• patient/family atrium with a beautiful view, water feature, seating areas, coffee maker and a computer with internet access
• patient/family solarium with a fireplace, beautiful view, seating areas, coffee maker, microwave, large refrigerator and more
• TV/VCR/DVD, safe, patient/family refrigerator and separate family area in each room
• Critical Care

The Neuroscience Institute is also home to a 12-bed Neuro Critical Care Unit located on the second floor of the Piper Building. This unit features:

• continuous EEG (brain wave) monitoring at each bedside
• specialized neurologic monitoring equipment
• family waiting room.

Abbott Northwestern Hospital's Neuroscience Institute cares for more than 2,000 neurosurgical patients each year and performs the most neurologic surgeries in the Twin Cities.

A team of neurosurgeons, neurophysiologists, neuro- and interventional radiologists, neurologists, neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists and a neuropathologist work collaboratively to address all aspects of diagnosis and treatment of neurosurgical problems.

Highly skilled and experienced nurses and technicians in the neuron-operating rooms, neuro-critical care unit and neuroscience unit provide specialized care throughout a patient's hospital stay.

In addition to traditional neurosurgery, the Abbott Northwestern Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program uses focused-beam radiation to treat some disorders that would otherwise require traditional surgery. Radiosurgery may also be used as an adjunct to traditional surgery for some types of brain tumors.

Highly skilled and experienced nurses on Abbott Northwestern's Neuroscience Unit and Neuro Critical Care Unit work collaboratively with neurologists, epileptologists, neuro- and interventional radiologists, and neuro-oncologists to provide specialized neurologic care throughout a patient's hospital stay.

We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of:

• Alzheimer's disease
• brain tumors
• epilepsy
• Guillain-Barre
• movement disorders
• dystonia
• essential tremor
• multiple sclerosis
• sleep disorders
• stroke
• transient ischemic attack

Accompanying the neurosurgical expertise at Abbott Northwestern Hospital is the region's most experienced team of interventional neuroradiologists.

They specialize in the areas of:

• acute stroke therapy
• intra-arterial thrombolysis (clot busting medications)
• intra- and extracranial cerebral artery angioplasty
• mechanical clot retrieval
• aneurysm coiling
• diagnostic angiography
• intracranial and extracranial stents

American Parkinson Disease Association Information and Referral Center

Our purpose is to “ease the burden and find the cure.” To that end, Abbott Northwestern’s American Parkinson Disease Association Information and Referral Center of Minnesota seeks to: connect individuals to medical providers with expertise in Parkinson’s disease management provide free information regarding the disease and its management educate those interested in learning more about Parkinson’s disease assist support groups throughout Minnesota.

Neurophysiological Testing

Our highly sophisticated neurodiagnostic testing is the best in the Twin Cities area. Some of the tests available are electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), and evoked potentials (auditory, visual and somatosensory).

Neuro-oncology Clinic

The Minneapolis Neuroscience Institute and the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute partner to offer Abbott Northwestern's Neuro-oncology Program. This unique service provides comprehensive care for patients with tumors of the brain and spine. Patients of this program may have the opportunity to participate in leading-edge research programs that could help advance their care and the care of other patients. The Neuro-oncology Program also offers support of the entire hospital's services, including the Sister KennyŽ Rehabilitation Institute.

Neuro-oncology Care Coordination

The care team assists patients with brain tumors and their families as they move through the various stages of diagnosis and treatment. In addition, they review patient cases and discuss diagnostic and treatment recommendations.

Skull Base Center

Abbott Northwestern's Skull Base Center is a multidisciplinary program dedicated to the management of skull base disease. Patients have access to the most current treatment options and expert neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists, neuro-otologists, craniofacial surgeons, neurophysiologists, neuro- and interventional radiologists and radiation therapists. The program also features a nurse coordinator to facilitate patient progress, provide close follow-up and bridge the gap between our team and referring physicians.

Sleep Center

Abbott Northwestern's Sleep Center offers comprehensive services for people who have difficulty remaining awake during the day, falling asleep at night, and/or staying asleep. Staff include board-certified sleep specialists, a psychologist, nurse clinicians and sleep laboratory technologists.