CLINICAL DIVISIONS

Neuro-Muscular Division

The Neuromuscular Division is one of the largest divisions within the Department of Neurology.

Headed by Walter G. Bradley, D.M., F.R.C.P., an internationally renown expert in the clinical and research aspects of all neuromuscular diseases, particularly peripheral neuropathies and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the division is home to a sizeable clinical practice, with a number of specialty clinics and laboratories.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association Adult Neuromuscular Clinic and the Muscular Dystrophy Association Pediatric Neuromuscular Clinics provide clinical and diagnostic services to both adult and pediatric patients, such as muscle and nerve biopsies and electrophysiological studies, ongoing clinical care, genetic counseling and testing, referral to orthotists, physical, and occupational services, orthopedic surgeons, and interactions with schools.

The division also houses two laboratories. The Peripheral Electrophysiology Laboratory provides state-of-the-art investigative techniques for evaluating patients with neuromuscular diseases of all types. These include EMG, nerve conduction studies, autonomic nervous system functional tests, single fiber EMG, motor unit counting techniques, and sphincter studies.

The Muscle and Nerve Biopsy Laboratory provides state-of-the-art pathological, ultrastructural, biochemical, and immunological studies of muscle and nerve biopsies. The laboratory provides the surgical services for obtaining biopsies and also receives specimens from outside institutions. The laboratory is CLEA accredited and teams up with a number of clinical and research laboratories around the world to bring state-of-the-art techniques to the division and its patients.

The Neuromuscular Genetics Program provides state-of-the-art genetic counseling and testing for patients with inherited neuromuscular disorders. Through its own research laboratories and collaboration with laboratories around the world, the program is able to bring some of the most advanced diagnostic techniques to our patients.

The division also has a significant clinical and basic research program in the areas of ALS, neuromuscular diseases, mitochondrial diseases, and molecular genetics. All of these clinical programs are also teaching programs involving medical students, residents, and fellows.