William B. Dobyns, MD

Professor of Human Genetics, Neurology and Pediatrics

William Dobyns, MD, has made major contributions to the field of human genetics, particularly the nature and genetic causes of developmental disorders including mental retardation, autism and brain malformations.

As both a medical geneticist and pediatric neurologist, Dr. Dobyns offers a rare combination of expertise. He examines patients with all types of genetic diseases, emphasizing children with complex developmental problems. He also offers genetic counseling for families of these children.

Dr. Dobyns is a recognized expert on many complex developmental disorders of the brain including mental retardation, autism, birth defects of the cerebellum such as Dandy-Walker malformation, and birth defects of the cerebral hemispheres such as microcephaly and megalencephaly (small and large brain size), lissencephaly or “smooth brain” disorder, and polymicrogyria (pebbled brain surface).

He has made significant contributions to the understanding, classification and genetic cause of many different developmental disorders.

Practice Location

Center for Advanced Medicine
5758 S. Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637

Year Started Practice

1978

Board Certifications

Neurology and Child Neurology
Clinical Genetics

Medical School

Mayo Medical School

Internship

Gunderson Clinic/Lutheran Hospital LaCrosse, WI

Residency

Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

Fellowship

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Memberships

American Academy of Neurology
American Society of Human Genetics
Child Neurology Society

Language Spoken

English

Email

wbd@bsd.uchicago.edu

Office Phone

(773) 834-3597

Office Fax

(773) 834-8470

Office Postal Address

William B. Dobyns, MD
University of Chicago
Department of Human Genetics
Room 319, CLSC
920 E. 58th Street
Chicago, IL 60637-5415

Clinical Interests

• Medical genetics
• Pediatric neurology
• Developmental disorders
• Brain malformations
• Neurogenetics

Request an appointment online
or call HealthLink at
1-888-UCH-0200

Learn More About Dr. Dobyns

Dr. Dobyns was part of a team that discovered that the FOXC1 gene contributes to Dandy-Walker malformation, a brain defect that occurs in 1 of every 5,000 births.

View a video interview of Dr. Dobyns discussing research into autisum-related genes and potential treatments for the disease, as well as the dangers of treating autistic children with unproven treatments.

Selected Publications

View a partial list of Dr. Dobyns's publications through the National Library of Medicine's publication database.