Mary Karalius, MD

Dr. Mary Karalius is a child neurologist and immunologist who cares for children and adults with inflammatory disorders of the nervous system. Her areas of expertise include autoimmune and infectious encephalitis (brain inflammation), acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (brief yet damaging brain and spinal cord inflammation), transverse myelitis (spinal cord inflammation), optic neuritis (optic nerve inflammation), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disorder (an autoimmune condition causing inflammation of the protective covering around nerves), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (inflammation primarily affecting the optic nerve, brain stem and spinal cord) and multiple sclerosis.

Karalius' research investigates pediatric neuroinflammatory conditions by using an advanced genotyping method called metagenomic next-generation sequencing on cerebrospinal fluid (the protective liquid that nourishes the brain and spinal cord). She aims to deepen scientific understanding of the mechanisms driving these diseases, with the goal of improving diagnosis, treatment and outcomes. She has a particular interest in using this technology to better distinguish autoimmune and infectious encephalitis as well as to learn more about new-onset refractory status epilepticus (prolonged treatment-resistant seizures for unknown reasons).

Karalius earned her medical degree at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. She completed a residency in child neurology and a fellowship in neuroimmunology and multiple sclerosis at UCSF.

Karalius is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and Child Neurology Society. She received the 2023 Tauen Chang Outstanding Junior Member Award from the Child Neurology Society and the K12 Child Neurologist Career Development Program Award from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.