Pediatric Neurology

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Division of Pediatric Neurology

Advancing pediatric neurology through expert care, research and education.

Dedicated to excellence in clinical care, research and education, the U-M Medical School Department of Pediatrics Division of Pediatric Neurology Division brings together expert teams to support children and families facing neurological challenges.

Our Vision
To set the standard of extraordinary care, education, research and advocacy in Pediatric Neurology.
Our Mission
To enable all children with neurological disorders to reach their full potential through exceptional teamwork focused on inclusive care, research, education and advocacy.

Clinical Care

Our Pediatric Neurology Clinic is staffed by a collaborative and multidisciplinary team dedicated to delivering expert, compassionate care to infants, children and adolescents affected by neurological conditions. We work collaboratively with a range of other departments including neurosurgery, developmental-behavioral pediatrics and genetics to deliver the best possible care for our patients.

We provide personalized evaluation, diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of disorders, including:

  • Seizures and epilepsy
  • Neurometabolic and Genetic disorders
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Brain tumors
  • Sleep disorders
  • Nerve and muscle diseases
  • Movement disorders
  • Metabolic diseases
  • Neuroimmunological disorders, including multiple sclerosis

Learn more about Pediatric Neurology patient care

Education

We are committed to developing future leaders in pediatric neurology through exceptional, integrated training. Our five-year residency program in Child Neurology ranks #14 in the country (Doximity), and offers a comprehensive curriculum, diverse clinical experiences, and robust mentorship from dedicated faculty.

Explore our Child Neurology Program

Research

The Division of Pediatric Neurology leads innovative research to better understand and treat neurological disorders affecting children. Our multidisciplinary team uses cutting-edge computational, experimental, and clinical approaches to investigate genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms underlying a wide range of conditions, including epilepsy, sleep disorders, neuromuscular diseases, brain tumors, stroke, and neonatal brain injury.

Key Research Areas

  • Epilepsy: Studying the genetic, molecular, and cellular basis of epilepsy using animal, human stem cell, and computational models to identify therapeutic targets
  • Neurodevelopment and Brain Injury: Investigating the causes and treatments for neonatal brain injury
  • Sleep Disorders: Defining the causes and treatments of sleep disorders
  • Neurocritical care: Applying machine learning and quantitative algorithms to EEG analysis for improved diagnosis and care
  • Clinical Innovation: Advancing quality improvement in clinical care and developing standardized care protocols
  • Medical Education Research: Exploring how students choose neurology as a career and evaluating strategies for better training and mentorship

Our research spans from bench to bedside, blending fundamental discoveries with clinical trials and translational projects to improve treatments and outcomes for children worldwide.
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Opportunities for Excellence

The Department of Pediatrics includes 17 clinical divisions and over 300 faculty members. Join our dynamic team dedicated to advancing pediatric care, education and research.

Explore Opportunities
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Your Gift is Invaluable

Your gift helps us provide customized treatment for every child — from fetal care through adulthood — with seamless connections to our adult programs.

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Division Leadership
See all Pediatric Neurology faculty labcoat

Timothy F Hoban, MD
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
Clinical Professor of Neurology and Medical Director of Sleep Lab
Interim Division Director, Neurology
Pediatrics
Medical School

Featured News & Stories

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Health Lab

Early intervention and expertise crucial for treating pediatric craniofacial disorder

Pediatric neurosurgeon Suresh Magge, M.D., clinical professor of neurosurgery at University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and a nationally recognized leader in the surgical management of craniosynostosis, answers important questions about the condition, stressing the critical need for early intervention.
 Rachel Gottlieb-Smith
Department News

Revolutionizing Child Neurology Residency Training: A Data-Driven Approach to Personalized Education

In an era where precision and adaptability are key to healthcare, Dr. Rachel Gottlieb-Smith, child neurology residency program director at the University of Michigan, is addressing gaps in clinical exposure for child neurology residents to improve their clinical skills.
 Pediatric Faculty and Staff award winners
Department News

2025 Department of Pediatric Chair's Awards Program

The Department of Pediatrics' annual awards program is designed as an avenue of recognition for the outstanding work being done in our department. They represent the next step in augmenting our public recognition of excellence across the institution's tripartite missions.
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Health Lab

Family seeks answers as rare neurodegenerative disease affects teen daughter

A family seeks answers for BPAN, a rare neurodegenerative disease, affecting their teen daughter.
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Health Lab

Adderall shortage may be associated with increased use of alternative ADHD medication in kids

Study suggests that the Adderall shortage did not cause many children to stop stimulant therapy altogether but may have led to them switching to alternative stimulants for ADHD.
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Health Lab

Cutting edge brain neurostimulator device significantly reduces 21-year-old’s seizures

A 21-year-old patient benefits from a novel application of responsive neurostimulation, also known asRNS, surgery to reduce seizures from drug-resistant epilepsy.