Neuromuscular Disease

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Your Neurology Visit

Neuromuscular disease refers to a group of conditions that affect nerves and muscles throughout your body.

Over time, these conditions—including muscular dystrophy, myositis, and myasthenia gravis—cause your muscles to weaken and waste away (atrophy). Depending on which muscles and nerves are affected, you may have symptoms such as:

Muscle pain
Muscle twitches
Trouble breathing
Trouble using your arms or legs
Swallowing problems

So far, there isn’t a cure for neuromuscular disease. But with the right care, you can slow the progression of your condition.

University of Iowa Health Care offers the head-to-toe care and support you need to improve your symptoms—and your quality of life.

Nationally recognized neuromuscular disease care

Research has shown there is a “best practice” when it comes to neuromuscular disease care. People who are treated by a team of experts, and who have access to clinical trials, fare better than those who don’t.

That’s the type of care you’ll receive from UI Health Care.

We’re home to several clinics that specialize in treating adults with certain types of neuromuscular disease. These include clinics devoted to:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Myotonic dystrophy (a type of muscular dystrophy)

These clinics are certified by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)—the nation’s leading advocacy group for people with neuromuscular disorders—as MDA Care Centers. This certification is only given to medical centers that offer team-based, research-driven care.

A leader in neuromuscular disease research

Our team collaborates with top neuromuscular disease researchers around the world. Together, we’re working to identify the causes of neuromuscular disorders and any factors that increase the risk of developing them.

We’re also studying how they progress and testing breakthrough treatments such as gene replacement therapy.

These research collaborations include:

Inherited Neuropathies Consortium: As the lead site for this international research network, we aim to develop new treatments for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and other types of peripheral neuropathy that run in families (are inherited). Many of the gene mutations that cause inherited peripheral neuropathy have been discovered by this group.
Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials (NeuroNEXT): As a member of this National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded network, we team up with other academic medical centers to launch national clinical trials. These include studies of new treatments for myasthenia gravis, myopathy, and more.
Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center (MDSCR): We’re among a select few U.S. medical centers chosen by the NIH to serve as a hub for muscular dystrophy research. We receive federal funding that helps us move new scientific discoveries out of the lab and into the hands of providers and their patients.

These efforts may eventually help us figure out how to prevent or cure neuromuscular conditions.

In the meantime, you can take comfort knowing we offer the most up-to-date and effective neuromuscular disease therapies available anywhere in the world.

Our approach to neuromuscular disease care

Even though there isn’t a cure for neuromuscular disease, it’s possible to treat your current symptoms and delay the onset of new ones. The best way to do this is by seeking care from academic medical centers—like UI Health Care—that use a team approach for diagnosis and treatment.

As our patient, you have access to any of our team members, including:

Neurogenetics experts who can see if your condition is caused by an abnormal gene (gene mutation). We can also coordinate genetic testing and counseling for your immediate family members who may carry this same gene mutation.
Neuropsychologists who perform tests to see if your condition has affected any of your cognitive (thinking) abilities.
Occupational therapists who can teach you easier, safer ways to perform daily activities like bathing, grooming, and cooking.
Orthopedic surgeons who treat foot abnormalities (such as high arches and hammertoes) caused by some neuromuscular disorders.
Physical therapists who can help you manage pain, increase strength, and improve mobility.
Podiatrists who can prescribe custom mobility aids and orthotic devices such as canes, walkers, and foot and ankle braces.
Respiratory therapists who can teach you ways to breathe better if your lungs are impacted by your disease.
Speech therapists who can help you manage speech or swallowing problems caused by your condition.

When it’s time for one of your routine follow-up visits, we’ll coordinate your schedule so that you see most or all your specialists in a single day. This helps reduce travel back and forth to our campus.

Neuromuscular disease tests and treatments

Blood tests
Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction study
Medications
Mobility aids (assistive devices)
MRI scan
Muscle biopsy

Nerve biopsy
Neurogenetic testing
Neuropsychological testing
Nutrition therapy
Occupational therapy

Orthotics
Physical therapy
Respiratory therapy
Speech therapy
Spinal tap

Neuromuscular conditions treated

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Dermatomyositis
Friedreich’s ataxia
Lambert-Eaton syndrome
Muscular dystrophy

Myasthenia gravis
Myopathy
Myositis
Peripheral neuropathy
Polymyositis
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)

Certified by the Muscular Dystrophy Association

Several of our neuromuscular disease programs have been named MDA Care Centers by the Muscular Dystrophy Association. This designation is only given to medical centers that offer team-based care, access to clinical trials, and support services.