Xuanwu Hospital: A Guide for International Patients
Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University is a major neurological center in Beijing. Its specialists evaluate complex disorders involving the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, cognition, immune system, cerebral circulation, and central nervous system infections.
For international patients, Xuanwu Hospital may be particularly relevant when symptoms remain unexplained, a neurological illness progresses rapidly, a stroke requires expert review, or a case crosses several areas such as neurology, imaging, immunology, rehabilitation, and critical care.
Major Areas of Expertise
- autoimmune encephalitis and other neuroimmunological diseases;
- neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and inflammatory nervous system disease;
- acute ischemic stroke and secondary stroke prevention;
- post-stroke depression, cognitive impairment, and sleep disorders;
- Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia;
- rapidly progressive cognitive decline;
- encephalitis, meningitis, and other central nervous system infections;
- prion disease and difficult neurological diagnosis; and
- headache and neurodegenerative disease.
Professor Hao Junwei
Professor Hao Junwei is Vice President of Xuanwu Hospital and Director of Neurology. He is a senior physician, professor, and doctoral supervisor whose clinical work covers neuroimmunological disease and acute and chronic cerebrovascular disease.
His principal areas include autoimmune encephalitis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, other inflammatory disorders of the nervous system, and stroke. His research also examines immune and inflammatory mechanisms involving microglia.
Neuroimmunology and Stroke Research
Professor Hao has contributed to a large Chinese cohort for neuroimmunological diseases and to research on immune mechanisms in neurological disorders. His team has also participated in clinical investigation of thrombolytic treatment for selected patients with acute ischemic stroke in later treatment windows.
Eligibility for thrombolysis is highly time-sensitive and depends on brain imaging, symptom onset, bleeding risk, blood pressure, medication history, and other factors. Research findings should not be interpreted as permission to delay emergency treatment or travel internationally during an acute stroke.
Professor Wu Liyong
Professor Wu Liyong is a senior neurologist and Deputy Director of Neurology responsible for research. He leads specialist services in neurological infection and headache and has extensive experience with neurodegenerative and rapidly progressive cognitive disorders.
His clinical areas include Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal degeneration, early-onset dementia, rapidly progressive cognitive impairment, encephalitis, meningitis, autoimmune encephalitis, prion disease, and headache.
Dementia and Rapidly Progressive Cognitive Decline
Professor Wu’s research includes brain-network changes in different clinical subtypes of frontotemporal dementia and abnormalities of the brain’s glymphatic system. This work aims to improve understanding of why patients with the same broad diagnosis can develop different behavioral, language, movement, or cognitive symptoms.
Rapid cognitive decline requires careful investigation because the cause may be degenerative, autoimmune, infectious, metabolic, toxic, vascular, or related to another treatable condition. A complete assessment often requires MRI, electroencephalography, blood and cerebrospinal fluid tests, neuropsychological testing, and review of the patient’s clinical timeline.
Professor Song Haiqing
Professor Song Haiqing is Deputy Director of Neurology and leads the cerebrovascular disease group at Xuanwu Hospital. His clinical work focuses on vascular disorders affecting brain function, including post-stroke depression, cognitive impairment, sleep disturbance, and cerebral small vessel disease.
He also participates in multicenter clinical research on intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke and in studies of neurological rehabilitation and neuromodulation.
Acute Stroke and Post-Stroke Care
Professor Song has published research comparing thrombolytic medicines for selected patients treated within the early hours after acute ischemic stroke. His work also examines the safety of different intravenous thrombolysis strategies.
After the emergency phase, stroke care may include investigation of the cause, prevention of recurrence, rehabilitation, cognitive and mood assessment, sleep evaluation, and management of vascular risk factors. Treatment must be individualized according to imaging, stroke mechanism, disability, bleeding risk, and other medical conditions.
Who May Benefit from an Evaluation?
A specialist review at Xuanwu Hospital may be considered when a patient:
- has suspected autoimmune encephalitis or another neuroimmune disorder;
- has neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder or recurrent inflammatory neurological symptoms;
- has unexplained or rapidly progressive memory, language, personality, or behavioral changes;
- needs a second opinion about Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, or another neurodegenerative condition;
- has recurrent encephalitis, meningitis, or an undiagnosed central nervous system infection;
- has experienced a stroke and needs secondary prevention or post-stroke symptom management;
- has cerebral small vessel disease, post-stroke cognitive impairment, depression, or sleep disturbance; or
- has received conflicting neurological diagnoses.
Neurological Emergencies
Sudden facial weakness, arm weakness, speech difficulty, vision loss, severe imbalance, a new seizure, loss of consciousness, sudden severe headache, or acute confusion requires immediate local emergency care. Fever with altered consciousness, stiff neck, or seizures may indicate encephalitis or meningitis and also requires urgent assessment.
Patients should not delay emergency treatment while arranging overseas travel. Stroke and central nervous system infections can worsen rapidly, and treatment may be highly time-sensitive.
Medical Records to Prepare
International patients seeking a neurological review should prepare:
- a concise medical summary and detailed symptom timeline;
- neurology notes, hospital records, and discharge summaries;
- original brain and spinal MRI, CT, CTA, MRA, or PET images in DICOM format;
- electroencephalography reports and original recordings when available;
- lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid results;
- autoimmune encephalitis, antibody, infection, genetic, and metabolic test results;
- neuropsychological testing and cognitive scores;
- video recordings of seizures, movement abnormalities, speech changes, or unusual behavior when safe and available;
- a complete medication list and response to previous treatments; and
- a list of specific questions for the specialist.
For cognitive or behavioral disorders, a family member’s written description of the earliest symptoms and how they changed over time can be extremely useful.
Planning Care in Beijing
Before traveling, patients should confirm whether their records can be reviewed, whether an in-person neurological examination is required, and which tests may need to be repeated. Some diagnoses require direct observation, formal cognitive testing, repeat imaging, lumbar puncture, or inpatient monitoring.
Remote review is subject to physician authorization and may help clarify the next step, but it cannot replace emergency care or a complete neurological examination. Diagnosis, treatment eligibility, expected hospital stay, and costs can only be confirmed after assessment by the treating team.
How CMCS Can Assist
CMCS – China Medical Concierge Shanghai is an independent medical concierge and health management company, not a hospital. We assist international patients with organizing neurological records, identifying an appropriate specialist, requesting appointment availability, arranging medical interpretation, and planning travel for care in China.
Access to a particular doctor, remote review, test, or treatment is subject to the hospital’s and physician’s approval. CMCS does not guarantee appointments, treatment eligibility, diagnosis, or clinical outcomes.
For assistance, contact CMCS:
- Email: contract@medicalsh.com
- WhatsApp: Contact us on WhatsApp
- Website: www.medicalsh.com
Important Note
Doctor titles, clinical roles, research findings, treatment availability, and appointment arrangements may change. Patients should confirm current information with the hospital before travel. This article is based on publicly available hospital profiles and academic sources and is provided for general information only. It is not individual medical advice and does not replace assessment by a qualified physician.
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