ALS & Motor Neuron Diseases
Specialty care in motor neuron function
Expert ALS Care and Motor Neuron Disease Treatment
The ALS Center at Lahey Clinic provides expert care for adults with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and other motor neuron diseases (MNDs).
Our multidisciplinary team works together to provide personalized care and support throughout your journey. Your care team may include neurologists, respiratory therapists, social workers, nutrition specialists, speech therapists, physical therapists and occupational therapists.
By working together, we help you live as fully and independently as possible while providing support for you and your loved ones every step of the way.
What are Motor Neuron Diseases?
Motor neuron diseases (MNDs), including ALS, are a group of diseases that get worse over time. They damage the nerve cells that control muscles used for walking, breathing, speaking and swallowing. When these nerve cells stop working, the muscles do not get the signals they need to move. This causes muscles to become weak, shrink and sometimes twitch.
MNDs can also cause muscle stiffness and stronger-than-normal reflexes, making movement slow and harder to control. Over time, people with MNDs may lose the ability to walk or do other everyday activities.
Some MNDs are inherited and passed down through families, while others happen without a family history. They can affect the nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord or both.
Conditions We Treat
Our team cares for people with ALS and other motor neuron diseases, including:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS)
- Progressive muscular atrophy (PMA)
- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
- Post-polio syndrome (PPS)
- Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress (SMARD1)
- Congenital spiral muscular atrophy with athrogryposis
- Kennedy's disease (spiral and bulbar muscular atrophy)
Diagnosing ALS and Other Motor Neuron Diseases
ALS and other motor neuron diseases can cause different symptoms from person to person. Because many conditions can cause similar symptoms, an accurate diagnosis is important.
At the Lahey Clinic ALS Center, you will meet with experienced specialists who will review your medical history, discuss your symptoms and perform a neurological examination. Additional testing may be recommended to help confirm a diagnosis and rule out other conditions.
Tests may include:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain or spine
- Blood tests
- Genetic testing
- Electromyography and nerve conduction studies (EMG/NCS)
- Spinal fluid testing Muscle or nerve biopsy
More About ALS and Motor Neuron Disease Care
We are committed to helping patients and families navigate life with ALS and other motor neuron diseases. Our goals are to:
- Provide expert, compassionate care
- Help maximize function, comfort and safety
- Support patients and caregivers throughout their journey
- Educate patients and families about treatment options and new developments
- Connect eligible patients with clinical trials
- Coordinate care with primary care providers and other specialists
There is currently no cure for ALS, but treatment can help manage symptoms, improve comfort and support quality of life.
Your care plan may include medications to help manage symptoms such as:
- Muscle cramps
- Muscle stiffness
- Pain
- Sleep problems
- Excess saliva
- Depression or anxiety
- Shortness of breath
Our team also offers rehabilitation services to help maintain strength, communication and independence. Depending on your needs, you may work with specialists in:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Respiratory therapy
- Nutrition
We follow patients regularly and adjust treatment plans as needs change.
Our team helps eligible patients access FDA-approved ALS treatments, including:
- Riluzole
- Radicava (edaravone)
- Qalsody (tofersen)
We also participate in clinical research and work with other institutions to expand access to promising new therapies and clinical trials.
ALS Support for Patients and Family
Living with ALS affects the whole family. Our team provides guidance and support for a wide range of needs, including:
- Home safety planning
- Medical equipment
- Home care services
- Community resources
Our social workers help patients and families plan for the future by providing support with:
- Health care proxy and advance care planning;
- Power of attorney
- Financial and caregiving resources
- Emotional support and counseling
We are here to help you and your loved ones navigate every stage of care with compassion, expertise and support.
ALS Resources
The Muscular Dystrophy Association, Compassionate Care ALS, and The ALS Association play a vital role in supporting individuals and families affected by ALS throughout New England, across the country, and internationally. These organizations offer a wide range of services, including equipment support, educational programs, Medicare and Medicaid navigation, and guidance on living with ALS, caregiving, and end of life planning.
In partnership with our Lahey ALS Clinic, The ALS Association helps ensure that patients and their families receive coordinated, comprehensive assistance tailored to their needs. Additional resources for people living with ALS, including information on research and clinical opportunities, are also available, as follows:
Lahey Clinic's ALS Center conducts comprehensive clinical research to advance the understanding and treatment of ALS and other motor neuron diseases. Our work includes both natural history (observational) studies and participation in multi center clinical trials in collaboration with leading institutions across the United States.
For more information about our ongoing clinical trials, please contact our research team:
Catia S. Melo, Research Programs Manager - Email: Catia.S.Melo@Lahey.org
Sorieba Fofanah, Clinical Research Coordinator II - Email: Sorieba.Fofanah@lahey.org
Additional Services
Your care team coordinates with other specialty providers throughout our medical center. This ensures you receive comprehensive, streamlined care.
