Center for Neuromuscular Disease

Program Director: James W. Russell, MBChB, MBBS, MS

The Neuromuscular Disease Program has an active in-patient and out-patient service in clinical neuromuscular disease. The Neuromuscular Program provides specialty comprehensive specialist care for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (motor neuron disease) in the University of Maryland ALS Clinic (ALS Association Certified Treatment Center of Excellence, muscle disease, myasthenia gravis in the Myasthenia Gravis Clinic,  peripheral neuropathy in the Maryland Peripheral Neuropathy Center, and in pediatric neuromuscular disorders and Muscular dystrophy.  

The Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory at UMMS performs numerous detailed and complex nerve conduction, electromyographic (Nerve Conduction Study/Electromyography) and quantitative sensory studies.   The Autonomic Laboratory performs evaluations of complex diseases affecting the autonomic nervous system, for example, autonomic neuropathies.  Additional studies are performed at the affiliated laboratories at the Baltimore VA.  Muscle and nerve biopsies (Biopsies) are performed in the Neuromuscular Center and processed in the Neuropathology Laboratory and discussed in neuromuscular conferences.  Skin biopsies (Biopsies) are performed to determine the presence and type of small fiber neuropathy.  Neuromuscular ultrasound is used for studying neuromuscular diseases.  An Infusion Clinic, provides specialized parenteral therapy for neuromuscular diseases.  Special lecture series include clinical neuromuscular disease, neuromuscular electrophysiology and pathology.

Learn more about peripheral neuropathy, Guillain-Barré syndrome, ALS and myasthenia gravis.

RELATED FACULTY

• Chandana Chauhan, MD
• Bryan Cupka, MD
• Charlene E. Hafer-Macko, MD
• Neil C. Porter, MD
• James Russell, MBChB, MBBS, MS
• Lindsay Zilliox,MD, MS

To make an appointment with one of our physicians, please call: 410-328-4323.

RESEARCH  STAFF

• Joungil Choi, PhD
• Krish Chandrasekaran, PhD
• Kristen Fleischman, BS

SUPPORT STAFF

• Gregg Davis
• Victoria Richards, BS
  
• Yvonne Pratt, BS
  
• Marzena Czemko-Jackson
• Jennifer Cook

FELLOWSHIP TRAINING

Competitive fellowships are offered Clinical Neurophysiology EMG/Neuromuscular Track.  Details are listed on the Neuromuscular Fellowship page

 RESEARCH INTERESTS INCLUDE

• Molecular studies in peripheral nerve to determine potential treatable targets

• Immunologic disorders of the neuromuscular junction and peripheral nerve

• Outcome studies and treatment trials in ALS

• Rehabilitation in myasthenia gravis

• Regulation of mitochondrial function in neurobiology of disease

• Clinical trials for treatment of diabetic neuropathy

• Immunologic disorders of the neuromuscular junction

• Molecular studies of skeletal muscle metabolism

• Neuroinflammation in the peripheral nerve and muscle

Ongoing clinical research studies can be seen at: http://umm.edu/programs/neuropathy/research-and-clinical-trials

OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION

110 South Paca Street, 3rd Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201-1642

(410) 328-3100
Fax: (410) 328-8981