The ALS Center at LHMC

The ALS Center at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center is a multidisciplinary center devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of motor neuron diseases (MNDs) in adults, particularly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS –  also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). Specialists from multiple departments including neurology, behavioral neurology, social work, respiratory, nutrition, and physical, speech and occupational therapy work together to provide patients with individualized, comprehensive care. Our multidisciplinary approach enables patients to maintain maximum neurological functioning in a supportive environment.

Overview of Motor Neuron Diseases

Motor neuron diseases, such as ALS, are a group of progressive neuromuscular diseases that destroy motor neurons, the cells that control muscle activity such as walking, breathing, speaking, and swallowing. When the muscles stop receiving signals from lower motor neurons, they weaken and shrink in size. They may also begin to spontaneously twitch. These twitches, also known as fasciculations, can be seen and felt beneath the skin. When lower motor neurons stop receiving signals from upper motor neurons in the spinal cord or brain, muscle stiffness (spasticity) and hyperactive reflexes can result. This can make voluntary movements slow and difficult. Over time, individuals with MNDs may lose their ability to walk or control other movements.

MNDs are classified according to whether the loss of function is genetically inherited or sporadic, as well as which neurons are affected.

Diagnosing ALS

ALS and other MNDs can vary dramatically in their initial presenting symptoms and physical manifestations. At our center, patients and caregivers meet with experienced neurologists and other specialists to establish a diagnosis. An ALS diagnosis requires comprehensive interviews with both patient and caregiver, neurological and mental status exams, and depending on the findings, additional studies to help narrow down possible causes. These studies may include brain and spinal cord imaging with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood tests, genetic testing, electromyography/nerve conduction study (EMG/NCS), spinal fluid analysis, and muscle or nerve biopsy.

Types of Motor Neuron Diseases

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • Progressive bulbar palsy (PBP), or progressive bulbar atrophy (PBA)
  • Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS)
  • Primary muscular atrophy (PMA)
  • Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
  • Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1)
  • Congenital SMA with arthrogryposis
  • Kennedy’s disease
  • Post-polio syndrome (PPS)

Goals of the ALS Center

The ALS Center aims to:

  • Provide ALS patients with optimal care and treatment, and support their families
  • Maximize patient function, safety and comfort
  • Educate patients and their family members about the disease and its treatment
  • Facilitate patient participation in clinical trials
  • Coordinate care with the patient’s primary care physician

Treating ALS

Treating ALS seeks to maximize the patient’s quality of life. We focus on what our patients and their families tell us is important to them, utilizing a variety of medications to target specific symptoms such as muscle cramps, spasticity, pain, sleep disturbance, depression or agitation, excess saliva, and shortness of breath. Patients  are seen regularly and may choose to participate in rehabilitation therapy with respiratory, speech, physical, and occupational therapists specially trained in ALS management.

Our team helps patients get three FDA-approved medications for ALS, including Riluzole, Radicava (Edaravone), and Relyvrio. Additionally, we are establishing clinical trials for ALS patients in collaboration with other institutions to advance ALS therapies.

We provide guidance and support for any concerns that may emerge, including personal safety, medical equipment, and home services.

Our social work team can guide patients and their caregivers as they begin to think about next steps, including establishing a power of attorney and health care proxy and how to begin considering financial planning and implications.

Meet Our Team

Our team is comprised of ALS/neuromuscular subspecialists, behavioral neurologists, nurse practitioners, speech, physical, and occupational therapists, a respiratory team, and a nutritionist who work together to provide integrated care, advance research/clinical trials regarding ALS and other motor neuron diseases, and educate the next generation of medical professionals.

Director, ALS Center

Mehdi Ghasemi, MD, MPH
Neurology Mehdi Ghasemi, MD, MPH

ALS and Neuromuscular Subspecialty

Gisela Held, MD
Neurology Gisela Held, MD
Jayashri Srinivasan, MD, PhD, FRCP
Neurology Jayashri Srinivasan, MD, PhD, FRCP
Michal Vytopil, MD,PhD
Neurology Michal Vytopil, MD,PhD
Neurology Janet Wilson Zani, NP

Behavioral Neurology

Oleg Yerstein, MD
Neurology Oleg Yerstein, MD
  • Tara Adams, RRT
  • Cara Spang, MS, CCC-SLP
  • Marina Lamb, MS, CCC-SLP
  • Kristy Allen, DPT
  • Bridget Steen, PT
  • Caitlin Simpson, MSOT, OTR/L, CBIS
  • Katherine Carithers, MHA, RD, LDN
  • Art Eleanore, MPH
  • Kaitlyn Kirchhoffer, BSc
  • Catia Melo

Teaching

The Neurophysiology – EMG Fellowship at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center is committed to training the next generation of clinical and academic experts in the diagnosis and management of neuromuscular diseases including ALS.

Contact Us

For more information about our ALS center please contact:
Phone: 781-744-8630
Fax: 781-744-9018
Patient Care: Janet Zani
Clinical Trials/Research: Catia S. Melo or Art Eleanore