Edward F. Chang

MD

Chair, Department of Neurological Surgery
Neurosurgeon

Dr. Edward Chang is a neurosurgeon who treats adults with difficult-to-control epilepsy, brain tumors, trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm and movement disorders. He specializes in advanced brain mapping methods to preserve crucial areas for speech and motor functions in the brain. He also has extensive experience with implantable devices that stimulate specific nerves to relieve seizure, movement, pain and other disorders. He is the chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery.

Chang's research focuses on the brain mechanisms for speech, movement and learning. He co-directs the Center for Neural Engineering and Prostheses, a collaborative enterprise of UCSF and the University of California, Berkeley. The center brings together experts in engineering, neurology and neurosurgery to develop state-of-the-art biomedical technology to restore function for patients with neurological disabilities such as paralysis and speech disorders.

Chang earned his medical degree at UCSF, where he also completed a residency in neurosurgery. He was honored with the Blavatnik National Laureate for Life Sciences in 2015. In 2020, he was elected to the National Academy of Medicine, an honor that recognizes outstanding achievements and service in the fields of medical sciences, health care and public health. 

  • Education

    UCSF School of Medicine, 2004

  • Residencies

    UCSF Medical Center, Neurosurgery, 2010

  • Board Certifications

    Neurological Surgery, American Board of Neurological Surgery

  • Academic Title

    Professor

"What's exciting at UCSF is learning in a way that takes care of patients."

Meet Dr. Chang

Conditions I specialize in

Treatments I provide

Where I see patients (5)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    164 Ratings
    About our process
    Dec 17, 2024
    The care provider was excellent. My wife (who was on the call) asked some very difficult questions and it was clear he thoroughly considered them before answering.
    Oct 30, 2024
    It felt like the information I didn't already have was clearly presented, with visual aids, and helped resolve questions I'd had about results of films that seem vague from the descriptions I'd gotten earlier. Recommendations were made on how to proceed that also left the choices in my hands. Excellent.
    Oct 18, 2024
    I found Dr. Chang (and his assistant Gen) to be so accommodating, easy to understand, and I was left with completed understanding of where I stand in relation to my options.
    Oct 17, 2024
    Would absolutely recommend
    Oct 03, 2024
    Care provider explained in detail my treatment, listened to my concerns , answered all my questions.
    Aug 13, 2024
    Everything is fine
    Aug 11, 2024
    It was very good to be able to be a part of the conversation for my up coming surgery
    Jun 13, 2024
    Just awesome
    May 21, 2024
    I'm doing very good for my recovery and I'm happy with the results. Dr Edward Chang is a great doctor and Gen Smith NP who works with him is also great. Thank you so much for everything they do.
    May 02, 2024
    In my hope I have always been listened to a lot about my questions regarding my health
    Apr 30, 2024
    From start to finish I have received excellent service
    Apr 30, 2024
    Dr Edward Chang and Gen are awesome and have taken amazing care of me. I am so grateful to them.
    Mar 22, 2024
    Outstanding service so far. Thank you.
    Mar 12, 2024
    Awesome care provider. Friendly, knowledgeable, concerned and patient.
    Dec 06, 2023
    Totally happy with this outcome of my surgery.
    Aug 08, 2023
    The doctor explained everything to me and things that I didn't know he explain to me very nice and I just can't wait for it to be done or my daughters procedure
    Aug 02, 2023
    I had just woken up. I was explaining the different pain it took me through over the past 12 years. Today this pain is undecriable. He listened but I don't think his team understood me
    Aug 01, 2023
    Visit summary has some jargon I don't find helpful that is pretty common shorthand in medical encounters but actually may obscure communication. Doctor wrote that I "denied" facial spasm, which to him may have meant " he says he doesn't have a facial spasm" or "he doesn't know he has a facial spasm." I am aware that my facial neuromuscular function is impeded, but mechanical dysfunction is at least a contributor. Also the doctor tends to stare at patients, and I have aforementioned eye strain, so that is also likely to evoke a response that may be reported as "spasm." Anyway, as a patient (healthcare consumer) I have to exercise judgement about the medical usefulness if his use of the term "spasm.". But mostly, the doctor was a.very thoughtful, intelligent fellow. He just seemed to think that clarifying (testing) my expressions was important, but clarifying that of his practice, maybe not so much. Overall, I think the encounter was useful.
    Jul 20, 2023
    I am always impressed with the efficiency and kindness of all staff when I visit UCSF. It is a true pleasure to go there for medical needs.
    May 21, 2023
    Dr. Chang and his associate were amazing! They listened, they asked questions, they discussed the possibilities of what might be causing my symptoms in a manner that I understood. Dr. Chang is the most "caring" physician I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.
    May 07, 2023
    All excellent!
    Mar 14, 2023
    Excellent visit. Would highly recommend. Very knowledgeable.
    Feb 23, 2023
    I've been struggling for 18 months and just to hear the doctor say yes if a surgery is decided on we in fact do them once a week was a relief. For a very long time I thought the tumor was somehow not possible to be removed.

    Selected research

    See all research
    Decorative Caduceus

    Model-based Electrical Brain Stimulation

    A personalized decoder is trained for each patient using the recorded neural activity and self-reports. Then this decoder is used to estimate the biomarker purely from neural activity; that is, based on neural activity, it will re...

    Recruiting

    My work

    AI helps woman with paralysis to speak again

    Dr. Chang and other UCSF researchers are developing technology that allows patients like Ann to use brain signals to communicate through an avatar.

    Read Ann's story on ucsf.edu

    Tailor-made surgery for seizures

    Uncontrolled seizures upended Vanessa's life and disrupted her acting career. Dr. Chang used a minimally invasive technique to target the area of her brain causing the problem.

    Researchers discover which brain area controls vocal pitch

    Dr. Chang's lab identified the part of the brain that allows us to regulate the pitch of our voices. This discovery could eventually help patients who struggle with speech.

    Read the story on NPR

    Minimally invasive surgery for epilepsy

    When does surgery make sense for epilepsy? Dr. Chang explains the options for patients experiencing uncontrolled seizures.

    Contact me

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