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Samuel J. Pleasure

MD PhD

Neurologist
Tennis and laboratory lover

Dr. Samuel J. Pleasure is a neurologist who specializes in caring for patients with multiple sclerosis. He also has expertise in caring for patients with epilepsy as well as years of experience in managing a variety of neurological conditions in both clinic and hospital settings.

Pleasure has two main areas of inquiry for his research. He studies processes that regulate early brain development in both normal and diseased situations. He also studies autoimmune forms of meningoencephalitis, where inflammation in specific brain areas causes severe neurologic dysfunction.

Pleasure received his medical degree and a doctorate in neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania. He was chief resident during his neurology residency at UCSF, where he then completed a research fellowship in neuroscience.

Pleasure is a fellow of the American Neurological Association and a member of the American Academy of Neurology, American Epilepsy Society, Society for Neuroscience, Society for Developmental Biology and Cajal Club. He has won numerous awards for his research and has received research funding from a wide variety of private, state and federal sources. He has served in leadership roles in national organizations and in the UCSF Department of Neurology.

Pleasure is the Glenn W. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Endowed Chair in Neurology at UCSF.

  • Education

    University of Pennsylvania, Ph.D., Neuroscience, 1993

    Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 1993

  • Residencies

    UCSF Medical Center, Neurology, 1997

  • Board Certifications

    Neurology, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

  • Academic Title

    Professor

I'm excited by continuing to better understand brain development and causes of neurologic inflammation.

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    4.8

    Overall Experience
    39 Ratings
    About our process
    Jun 13, 2024
    Dr. Pleasure was very wonderful and engaging. I felt heard.
    May 19, 2024
    Dr. Pleasure is a great doctor. He listens and than explains new medications. He answers questions that I have
    Apr 13, 2024
    Dr. Pleasure exceeded my and my wife's expectations. My wife accompanied me since this was a life changing situation. But Dr. Pleasure answered all my questions and also answered any questions/concerns raised by her, it was fantastic!
    Aug 24, 2023
    Dr was very thorough, knew my previous history well, and explained things clearly to me. He's one of the best doctors I've seen at UCSF
    Jul 13, 2023
    Doctor was very patient and talked in terms that I understood.
    Jul 06, 2023
    All excellent
    May 13, 2023
    Loved the Dr.Pleasure was study driven and did not make decisions based on opinion and feeling. He was super kind and was open to hearing any and all questions. He welcomed it. I felt really good after my visit
    May 11, 2023
    This is the best doctor and takes time explaining everything. I would recons my doctor with anyone! The best MD
    Apr 13, 2023
    Dr Pleasure is very professional and talks to me in a language about medical terms that make it easy to understand
    Mar 14, 2023
    Dr. Samuel Pleasure is thorough, patient, kind and incredibly knowledgeable.
    Feb 26, 2023
    For the last 3-5 years, Dr. Pleasure has always made extra time for me to answer any questions I may have about my health and well being. It is very appreciated.
    Nov 26, 2022
    Dr. Pleasure was informative answered all of our questions. Spent a lot of time explaining the MRIs, labs and treatment. Options.

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