Neurology and Neurosurgery

NEUROLOGY

“The Child Neurology division at Children’s Health delivers the most innovative therapies available today while leading the nation in pioneering tomorrow’s treatments, especially gene therapies that target neurologic disease at the root cause.”

Berge Minassian, M.D.
Pediatric Neurologist and Division Director of Neurology, Children's Health
Professor, UT Southwestern

PATIENT OUTCOMES

82% Epilepsy patients reported zero barriers to medication adherence
>46% ELHS National benchmark

17 days Median wait time for referral to patient appointment
<46 days National benchmark

18,000+ Unique patients treated in 2025

4.8 days Median LOS post-retrieval after large vessel occlusion (LVO)

KEY PROGRAMS

Pediatric Neuromuscular Medicine

As one of the nation’s largest programs for pediatric neuromuscular medicine, we offer the latest diagnostic tools and treatments for rare and complex conditions. Our team has advanced expertise in managing conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and congenital myopathies. Our affiliation with UT Southwestern means that patients may be eligible to participate in research studies that give them access to new treatments.

Epilepsy

We specialize in complex epilepsy surgeries and comprehensive services to help children with epilepsy. Patients benefit from the latest diagnostic tools, surgical and nonsurgical treatments, services like nutritional and psychological counseling, as well as access to clinical trials. There are approximately three dozen epilepsy syndromes, and we have the expertise to diagnose and treat them all. We provide expert care for children with rare and complex types of epilepsy, like intractable epilepsy, as well as more common types.

Gene Therapy

As one of only a few centers in the U.S. offering FDA-approved gene therapies for conditions like Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) and the only center worldwide conducting the ION283 clinical trial for Lafora disease, we are at the forefront of gene therapy for pediatric neurologic disorders. We are one of five centers in the U.S. designated to administer SKYSONA™ for the treatment of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD), and our center is currently developing more than 30 different gene therapies for corresponding neurogenetic diseases.

RESEARCH

86 publications

NEUROSURGERY

“Excellence doesn’t happen by chance – it’s designed, refined and delivered with intention. Our team brings together the science of precision and the art of care to achieve outcomes that consistently exceed national benchmarks. Every child deserves our best, every time.”

Brad Weprin, M.D.
Pediatric Neurosurgeon and Division Director of Neurosurgery, Children's Health
Professor, UT Southwestern

PATIENT OUTCOMES

0.65% Unplanned returns to OR following craniotomy
<5% National benchmark

100% Achieving Engel class 1-2 after 12 months post-temporal lobe epilepsy surgery
>80% National benchmark

0% Epilepsy patients surgical resection/laser ablation complication rate
<3% National benchmark

1.41% SSI rate for ventricular shunts in 2023
4-7% National benchmark

KEY PROGRAMS

Spina Bifida and Fetal Neurosurgery Care

In collaboration with maternal-fetal medicine, neonatology, urology and orthopedics, our team provides comprehensive care from prenatal consultation through adolescence. We offer coordinated management for children who have undergone fetal or postnatal closure, focusing on optimizing mobility, continence and long-term independence.

Neuro-Oncology and Radiosurgery Program

Partnering with pediatric hematology-oncology and radiation oncology, we deliver precise, multidisciplinary care for children with brain and spinal cord tumors. Our program integrates open microsurgery, minimally invasive biopsy, intraoperative MRI and Gamma Knife® radiosurgery, supported by molecular profiling and advanced clinical trials through UT Southwestern.

Hydrocephalus

Our Hydrocephalus program has a 100% patient survival rate. We offer shunt surgery, where a flexible tube is placed in the brain to redirect cerebrospinal fluid to another part of the body where it can be absorbed. We also perform endoscopic third ventriculostomy, which creates an opening in the wall of one of the fluid chambers in the brain, allowing the cerebrospinal fluid to bypass the blockage.

Center for Cerebrovascular Disorders in Children (CCDC)

We are the only medical center in North Texas that offers coordinated care for kids who suffer strokes (ischemic, hemorrhagic, TI). We are the only center in North Texas providing 24/7 pediatric stroke care, led by a dedicated stroke medical director and multidisciplinary team that mirrors advanced adult stroke programs at UT Southwestern.

Offers rapid access to dedicated emergency team assessment and stabilization, advanced neuroimaging, neurointerventional/neurosurgical consultation and tele stroke links
Allows the ability to combine multiple techniques in a single operation and achieve an exceptional clip reconstruction with a hybrid operating room
Provides moyamoya surgery