UC Davis Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic,
an ALS Association Certified Center of Excellence
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's or motor neuron disease, is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor nerves that control muscle function. The loss of motor nerves results in weakness and wasting of muscles throughout the body. Today, we cannot cure ALS, but we can treat it.
The UC Davis Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic is conducted jointly by the Department of Neurology and the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). Founded in 2009, the clinic has been part of the UC Davis Muscular Dystrophy Association clinic since 2013, and is certified as an ALS Center of Excellence by the ALS Association.
What to Expect
Our clinic follows a multidisciplinary care model that brings together a team of healthcare professionals with expertise in managing the various needs of those living with ALS. This approach to treatment is designed to provide you with the best access to expert ALS care in a convenient and centralized way.
In a typical visit to our clinic, you will spend a full morning or afternoon meeting with several specialists who coordinate your care under the direction of PM&R and Neurology physicians. This provides a unique service to our patients who will see up to 8 ALS allied professionals in a matter of hours rather than navigating separate appointments across several locations.
Resources
The UC Davis Medical Center, a 645-bed teaching hospital, offers excellent inpatient neurology and PM&R services, pulmonology, interventional radiology, ENT, and palliative care/hospice services. These integrated resources allow us to provide comprehensive care to meet our patients' needs. In addition, the local ALS community provides critical support for our patients and their families, and our clinic facilitates these relationships by involving representatives from the regional ALS patient advocacy organizations. Our patients and their families are a vital part of our team in the fight against ALS.
"The ALS clinic has provided us with incredible care, information and support. Our journey is difficult, but knowing the clinic is there, to help in any way, is assuring and lightens the load."
– Stacey and Patricia Howe, Pollock Pines CA
Useful Links
- Search for current ALS research trials (NEALS Consortium)
- NINDS ALS information page
- World Federation of Neurology — ALS Research Group
- ALS Association Greater Sacramento Chapter
- The Muscular Dystrophy Association
- CDC — Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis — Enroll in the National ALS Registry
Giving to the UC Davis Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic
If you would like to donate to the UC Davis ALS Clinic, please go to the UC Davis secure donations page.
