The Neuromuscular Disorders section of Neurology at MCG - Augusta University

We specializes in diseases affecting muscles and nerves including:

  • ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) - Lou Gehrig’s Disease

  • Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy 

  • Neuropathies 

  • Myasthenia gravis 
  • Muscular dystrophies 
  • Other muscle diseases such as polymyositis

Diagnostic testing

  • Nerve conduction studies

  • Electromyography 

  • Nerve and muscle ultrasound 

  • Skin biopsies 

  • Therapeutic treatments 

We use botulinum toxin injections to treat:

  • Cervical dystonia 
  • Hemifacial spasms 
  • Migraine headaches 
  • Spasmodic dysphonia 
  • Spasticity 
  • Focal limb dystonias—Writers cramp
  • Sialorrhea 
  • Excessive sweating 

Therapeutic nerve blocks can be used to treat:

  • Meralgia parathetica 
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome  and more

 Non-surgical treatments to help reduce inflammation of the joint and increase movement.

Contact Us

Neuromuscular Disorders | Neurology

706-721-2681

gifts icon  GIVE A GIFT!

Programs and Clinics

ALS Clinic 

ALS Association - Certified Treatment Center of ExcellenceThe Augusta University ALS Clinic was started in 2004 as a half day clinic each month.  It has now grown to a bimonthly full day clinic.  Our clinic is ALSA certified clinic which means that we underwent a rigorous certification process.  The clinic is a multidisciplinary clinic so that our ALS patient can receive all needed services at a single visit.  It is staffed by 2 dedicated ALS specialists, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech and language pathologists, respiratory therapist, a dietician and representatives from the ALS Association.  In addition, we have equipment vendors in the clinic so that patients can get needed equipment during the clinic.   

Patients suspected of ALS are seen in our neuromuscular clinic by one of our ALS specialists.  During the visit, we can do a diagnostic EMG so the diagnosis can be made at the time of the visit.  We guarantee that we see all patients suspected of ALS within 1 month. 

ALS Research

We have an active clinical research program with 2 full time research associates.  Over the years we have participated in numerous ALS Clinical research studies.  Currently we are engaged in 3 clinical research studies.   

  • Anelixis Studymonoclonal antibody to CD40LG 

  • COMBAT-ALS—neuroprotective agent (ibudilast) 

  • Apellis Study—C3 inhibitor 

We have participated in several Basic research projects looking at the etiology of ALS.  In the past we looked at the association of LRP4/Agrin antibodies in ALS and SGPG antibodies in ALS.  We have just recruited a Basic Researcher, Dr Eric Vitriol who start work in February.  He will be looking at the Actin cytoskeleton in ALS.  We hope that projects such as this will lead to understanding the cause of ALS which hopefully lead to better treatment for our patients. 

Our multi-disciplinary clinic is designed to help our ALS patients throughout all stages of their disease from the initial diagnosis to Hospice care.  Our patients have access of all the most recent treatments which have been shown to improve outcome.  Our patients have access to clinical trials and basic research projects which hopefully, will one day, lead to a cure. 

WATCH VIDEOS FROM THE ALS CONFERENCE - ALS RESEARCH 

Myasthenia Gravis

AU has an active program in Myasthenia Gravis.  We can fully evaluate patients seen in our clinic for neuromuscular transmission disorders including Myasthenia Gravis and Myasthenic Syndrome.  We can do repetitive nerve stimulation and single fiber EMG studies. 

We offer all modalities of therapy including, plasma exchange, IVIG, eculizumab as well as standard immunosuppressant therapy.  We offer antibody testing and have recently discovered LRP4 and Agrin antibodies which are linked to myasthenia gravis in patients that are negative to standard testing for ACHR and MuSK antibodies.

Myasthenia Gravis Research

We are actively engaged in clinical research in Myasthenia Gravis.  Currently we have 4 clinical studies in Myasthenia Gravis. 

  • Raise Study—This is a monoclonal antibody against C5 

  • MG0003—This is a monoclonal antibody against the FCRN receptor 

  • Takeda Study—This is a monoclonal antibody against CD38 

  • Alexion Registry Study—This is an observational study for patients getting eculizumab

We have recently complete a NIH Study designed to study the clinical characteristics of patient with LRP4 and Agrin antibodies in patients with Double negative MG. 

Myasthenia Gravis Research in the News

Other Clinical Research Studies 

We are actively doing clinical studies in chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy and lower back pain.

Botulinum Toxin Program 

We specialize in difficult to treat movement disorders requiring botulinum toxin therapy.  Our physicians have over 30 years of clinical experience in this area.  We have been involved in clinical research studies involving botulinum toxin including the PREMPT that led to the approval of Botox for migraine headaches.