Neuromuscular Disorders Division

The Neuromuscular Division works through the UC Neuromuscular Disorders Program of the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute (UCGNI). We have the region’s only multidisciplinary Muscular Dystrophy Association Care Center and the Hugh H. Hoffman ALS/Motor Neuron Disease multidisciplinary ALS clinic. Our UCGNI Neuromuscular center is recognized as a GBS-CIDP center of excellence by the GBS-CIDP Foundation International and as a Myasthenia Gravis partner in care by the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA). Through these centers, we provide the most comprehensive neuromuscular care in the tristate region. 

Academic Overview

The division offers a Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship, a one-year ACGME-accredited program designed to provide the fellow with expertise in the diagnosis and management of diverse neuromuscular disorders. 

Areas of Expertise

Our team of expert neuromuscular physicians evaluate and manage patients using the latest advances in diagnostic tools, and work to provide patient-centered, coordinated care. We have expertise in diagnosing and managing all aspects of neuromuscular disorders. We collaborate with colleagues in cardiology, pulmonary, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and with our physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, respiratory therapists, dietitians, social workers, and genetic counselors in optimizing the multidisciplinary care of our patients. 

We utilize the most advanced genetic and immunomodulatory treatments for all neuromuscular disorders. 

Our expert neuromuscular physicians are trained in and perform electromyography (EMG), single fiber EMG, and neuromuscular ultrasound (NMUS) in our AANEM-accredited electromyography and neuromuscular ultrasound laboratories.  We also perform skin biopsies to diagnose small fiber neuropathy. We have established a streamlined process for muscle and nerve biopsy acquisition in collaboration with general surgery, plastic surgery, and pathology. Our expertise in clinical neuromuscular pathology allows for accurate diagnostic interpretation of nerve and muscle biopsies. 

Our neuromuscular physicians, in collaboration with our pediatric neuromuscular physicians at the Comprehensive Neuromuscular Center of the Cincinnati Children Hospital and Medical Center, created a hybrid transition model for transitioning neuromuscular patients to our neuromuscular center as they reach adulthood. Our hybrid transition model has been highlighted by the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy. 

Research Activity

One of our major goals in research is to make investigational therapies available for our neuromuscular patients. We are actively participating in clinical trials for all neuromuscular disorders including myasthenia gravis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, late-onset Pompe disease, muscular dystrophies such as myotonic dystrophy type 1 and Becker Muscular Dystrophy, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). Our neuromuscular physician-scientists collaborate with investigators worldwide to advance the understanding of neuromuscular disorders. Our neuromuscular physician-scientists participated in clinical trials that led to the FDA approval of avalglucosidase, cipaglucosidase and miglustat, ravulizumab, and HyQvia, and efgartigimod SC.