Neuromuscular diseases are characterized by muscle weakness or sensory disturbance in one form or another. The causes can include inherited (genetics) to acquired (often immune) problems, but many of these disorders are still poorly understood.

Located at the UC Irvine Manchester Pavilion near the UCI Medical Center in Orange, the ALS and Neuromuscular Center offers state-of-the-art diagnoses and treatment for patients with over many different types of disorders affecting the nerves, muscles and neuromuscular junction. The ALS and Neuromuscular Center enables our physicians and scientists to work side by side to improve diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular diseases, including:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease)
• Diabetic and other forms of peripheral and autonomic neuropathies
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• Muscular dystrophy
• Myasthenia gravis

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Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)-designated ALS clinic

The UC Irvine ALS and Neuromuscular Center is one of 36 Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)-designated ALS clinics in the United States.  It is one of only four designated ALS clinics in California. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a muscle-wasting disorder that robs people of the ability to speak, walk and even breathe on their own. 

UC Irvine Medical Center was specifically chosen by the MDA to have a designated ALS clinic because our center offers highly focused research and medical programs directed at combating ALS:  programs that characterize the high quality of MDA/ALS center programs nationwide. Orange County also has a relatively large population of ALS patients, a fact that is explained in part by the area’s abundance of older citizens. The average age of an ALS patient is 55 years. Because Orange County’s senior population is growing rapidly, UC Irvine Medical Center is poised to make significant contributions for a better understanding of this devastating disease.

Diagnosis

Our multidisciplinary team of neurologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, general surgeons, orthopedic surgeons and allied health professionals, who specialize in neuromuscular disorders, evaluate our patients. This strategy is particularly important in cases of ALS, where there is no definitive test for diagnosis. The diagnosis of ALS is based on the patient’s symptoms combined with screenings to look for other diseases.

General tests for neuromuscular diseases include:

• Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies
• Quantitative sensory testing
• Comprehensive autonomic testing
• Single fiber EMG
• Quantitative muscle testing
• Muscle and nerve biopsy interpretation
• Other directed tests as needed

Following diagnosis, comprehensive individualized care is provided by our treatment team, which includes physician specialists, speech pathologists, nurses, social workers, dietitians, and physical, occupational and respiratory therapists, among others.

Treatment

Treating neuromuscular diseases typically involves some combination of medication, if available, as well as physical therapy.  In some cases, surgery may be required to facilitate the use of medical devices that can alleviate problems with breathing, and provide nutritional support. Surgery may also be useful in cases of myasthenia gravis, in which removal of the thymus gland may help slow or prevent further symptoms.

Research

Studies show that people with ALS are living longer, due in part to better clinical management and more effective interventions including an FDA-approved drug and a variety of investigational pharmaceuticals.  Researchers at UC Irvine Healthcare are studying potential causes and cures for ALS and other neuromuscular diseases. Through participation in clinical trials, patients at the center gain access to innovative therapies long before they are available to the general public.

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