About Us
The Denning Ataxia Center, part of the Feinberg Neuroscience Institute, is dedicated to advancing understanding, treatment and care for individuals affected by ataxia. Ataxia, a disorder characterized by incoordination, can severely impact one's ability to walk, use their hands, speak and see clearly.
Recognized as a Center of Excellence by the National Ataxia Foundation, our center brings together experts from diverse fields including genetics, neuroscience, immunology and computational biology. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to study cerebellar disorders from a holistic perspective, integrating cutting-edge research with patient-centered clinical care.
Our team is committed working collaboratively with specialists worldwide to unravel the complexities of ataxia and translate scientific discoveries into improved treatments.
Our Leadership
Building on Northwestern’s innovative basic research and our outstanding Ataxia Clinic, we are committed to translating scientific understanding into viable therapies to relieve the burdens of ataxia."
Puneet Opal, MD, PhD
Lewis John Pollock Professor of Neurology
Professor of Cell & Developmental Biology
Director, Denning Ataxia Center
Rizwan Akhtar, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Neurology (Movement Disorders)
Rizwan Akhtar, MD, PhD is a specialist in atypical Parkinsonian syndromes, which often present with ataxic signs and symptoms.
Niccolò Mencacci, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Neurology
Niccolo Mencacci, MD, PhD is a geneticist with specialized training in movement disorders.