Our doctors are available to diagnose and provide second opinions regarding ALS. For treatment, we refer patients with ALS to our colleagues at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, home to the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig MDA/ALS Multidisciplinary Care Center — one of the nation's largest comprehensive care programs for patients with ALS and their families, whose staff provides medical and supportive care based on the latest research fundings.
Related TreatmentsNeurologists at Weill Cornell Medicine assemble a personalized plan of care tailored to each patient's illness and symptoms. Learn more about the conditions we treat:
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
Myasthenia Gravis
People with this rare autoimmune disease develop severe, sometimes life-threatening, weakness. Many benefit from surgery to remove the thymus, which relieves symptoms in most patients and results in a cure for some. Our neurologists provide excellent care for patients with myasthenia gravis and collaborate with NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell's thoracic surgeons. They are highly experienced in performing this transformative operation that restores function and quality of life to most patients.
Related Treatments Neuropathy
Patients with neuropathy, many of whom experience nerve pain due to diabetes, are treated through the Neuromuscular Service or the Neuropathy Center. Therapy may include medications to treat the underlying cause of neuropathy and relieve symptoms, splinting to support weak muscles, physical and occupational therapy, and/or surgery to relieve pressure on a nerve (performed by NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell's neurosurgeons).
Related Treatments Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Patients with this acute autoimmune disorder may experience progressive and debilitating weakness that can impair their breathing and require them to be hospitalized. Our neurologists collaborate with Emergency Department staff (since many patients are admitted through the ER) to evaluate patients and with the team in NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell's Neurological Intensive Care Unit to provide therapy that relieves symptoms and speeds recovery. Therapy may include plasmapheresis (in which abnormal antibodies are filtered from the blood) and/or high-dose immunoglobulin therapy (IVIg).
Related Treatments Neck and Back Pain
Patients whose neuromuscular symptoms are due to disorders of the spine are treated through the Neuromuscular Service or through NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell's Spine Center. Neurosurgeons, physiatrists, pain management specialists, and other team members collaborate to relieve pain, numbness, weakness, and other symptoms, initially using non-surgical means (such as medication and physical therapy). Surgery to relieve pressure on a nerve is available and is used only when a patient cannot be effectively treated using other approaches.
Related Treatments Myopathy
Patients with myopathy may receive medication and supportive care to manage their symptoms. Patients with muscular dystrophy may be referred to our colleagues at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia's Eleanor and Lou Gehrig MDA/ALS Multidisciplinary Care Center.
Related Treatments