Neuromuscular Disease

In addition to seeing patients in the office, the Division of Neuromuscular Neurology provides the following subspecialty services:

EMG/NCS Laboratory

The Electromyogram (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) Laboratory aids in the diagnosis of diseases of the spinal cord, cranial nerves, brainstem, root or plexus, peripheral nerve, muscle, and neuromuscular junction. The laboratory provides standard nerve conduction testing and electromyography with special expertise in neuromuscular disease, single-fiber EMG, near-nerve EMG, evoked potentials, intraoperative neurophysiology, botulinum/chemo degeneration and pediatric EMG.

Adult Muscular Dystrophy (MDA) Clinic

The Adult Muscular Dystrophy (MDA) clinic at Rhode Island Hospital is devoted to the care and research of 40 different neuromuscular diseases. The clinic is sponsored by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which provides financial assistance, patient support services and research support to assist in the diagnosis, care and search for a cure for these devastating diseases. A neurologist, genetic counselor and social worker are available at each weekly clinic. Patients with muscular dystrophy of any sort, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, polymyositis and dermatomyositis, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and other hereditary neuropathies, Friedreich's ataxia and mitochondrial myopathies are amongst those who participate in clinical and research programs in the MDA clinic.

Louise Wilcox ALS Center

The Louise Wilcox ALS Center offers a specialized program of care that utilizes a multidisciplinary approach for the evaluation and management of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The purpose of the Center is to enable the patient to maintain a maximum level of neurological functioning in a supportive and understanding environment. The Center provides assistance in the management of the physical, psychological and social conditions related to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The Center is an active participant in the Northeast ALS consortium (NEALS) for clinical trials and other research in ALS.

Medical personnel representing a variety of interrelated disciplines care for the specific needs of each ALS patient, including neurology, pulmonology, speech, occupational and physical therapy, nursing and social work. At each center visit, the multidisciplinary team meets and discusses each patient's therapies and prognoses, information concerning the disease process and management of symptoms. 

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