Referring Physicians: Rush Multiple Sclerosis Brain Health Center

The Rush Multiple Sclerosis Brain Health Center features a team of world-class clinicians and researchers. They are dedicated to offering the most advanced, comprehensive and individualized treatment protocols to patients affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and other autoimmune disorders affecting the central nervous system.

Our accomplished team of neurologists and nurse practitioners provides treatments tailored to each patient’s condition. They collaborate with neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, rehabilitation experts, dietitians and other specialists to offer comprehensive care.

The Rush Brain Health Program can guide patients through care options and educate them on exercise, nutrition and lifestyle modification that can impact disease progression. The program’s team includes experts in exercise, occupational and physical therapy, music therapy, nutrition and neuropsychology.

Our specialists offer advanced treatments for symptom relief, such as botulinum toxin injections and intrathecal baclofen pumps for spasticity, deep brain stimulators for tremors and sacral stimulators for urologic dysfunction. Our center also offers the full range of infusion medications for MS, including Ocrevus, Tysabri and Briumvi. During treatment, patients stay in 15 private or semiprivate, Wi-Fi-enabled infusion bays with iPads provided for use.

Rush has participated in many multicenter trials of life-changing drugs, such as Tysabri, Mayzent, Mavenclad and Kesimpta. Our physicians and researchers continue to innovate and participate in clinical trials for promising treatments, providing access to new care options for patients before they become widely available.

Who Are Ideal Candidates for Treatment at Rush?

Patients with autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system at any stage will find expert care at Rush. While these conditions can be difficult to define conclusively, our brain health specialists pride themselves on giving patients accurate, timely diagnoses and recommendations, as well as second opinions.

Patients with MS who have highly active disease, including frequent relapses or active lesions, may benefit from the full range of infusion treatments offered in our infusion bays.

Why Refer Patients Here?

• Nationally recognized care: U.S. News & World Report includes Rush on its Best Hospitals Honor Roll and ranks our neurology and neurosurgery programs among the best in the nation. Our Multiple Sclerosis Brain Health Center has also been recognized as a Center for Comprehensive Care through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Partners in MS Care program.
• Leaders in innovation: Over several decades, our specialists in downtown Chicago have pioneered and been the first to offer many MS therapies. They played a key role in developing and/or testing many now FDA-approved MS infusion drugs, including Tysabri and Ocrevus. Rush physicians developed Ampyra (dalfampridine), the first and only FDA-approved medication indicated to restore neurologic function of ambulation.
• State-of-the-art infusion center: Our infusion center offers a full range of therapies, including Ocrevus, Uplizna, Ultomiris and Soliris, the first FDA-approved treatment for NMO on the market. Our private or semiprivate infusion bays offer Wi-Fi and iPads for patients to use or work remotely while receiving treatment.
• Comprehensive Brain Health Program: Our program can help MS patients improve their brain function and quality of life with evidence-based lifestyle interventions in areas such as nutrition, exercise, stress management, sleep and mental engagement.

What Is the Process for Referring a Patient?

To refer patients or request a consult, you can call (312) 942-8011. You can also find more information and our online provider referral form on our Refer or Transfer a Patient page.

Most patients are seen within two weeks of contact. Referring physicians can expect to be notified of their patients’ test results, diagnoses and treatment plans from Rush specialists.

Conditions We Treat

• Autoimmune encephalitis
• CNS Vasculitis
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Neuromyelitis optica (NMO)
• Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)
• Primary-progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS)
• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)
• Progressive-relapsing multiple sclerosis (PRMS)
• Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)
• Secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS)

Treatments and Tests Offered

• Baclofen intrathecal pump evaluation, placement and maintenance
• Botulinum toxin injections (Botox)
• Cerebrospinal fluid assays
• Chemotherapy
• Evoked Potential Test
• High potency immuno-suppressing and immuno-depleting treatments
• Infusion therapy, including the following:
  • Briumvi
  • Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)
  • Ocrevus
  • Rituxan
  • Tysabri
  • Ultomiris
• Lumbar Puncture
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Medication management
• Occupational therapy
• Patient education programs on nutrition and behavior modification
• Physical therapy
• Psychotherapy
• Speech therapy

Clinical Trials and Publications From Rush Physicians

• Drug Treatment Study for Multiple Sclerosis Relapse
• The TREAT-MS Clinical Trial for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Patients
• Efficacy and Safety Study of Frexalimab (SAR441344) in Adults With Nonrelapsing Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
• Study of Inflammation in Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
• COVID-19 Vaccination Response in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Treated with Ofatumumab in the United States: A Medical Record Review
• Case report: Transition from anti-CD20 therapy to inebilizumab for 14 cases of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
• Cyclophosphamide for severe acute forms of central nervous system inflammatory disorders
• A Phase 1b, Open-Label Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of the Putative Remyelinating Agent, Liothyronine, in Individuals with MS