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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Program

Often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive degenerative disease of the nervous system. This nerve degeneration affects the mind and body in many different ways, including weakness and atrophy of the body's muscles. It is estimated that approximately 30,000 people in the United States have ALS at any given time. While a cure is not yet available, options are available slow the progression of symptoms.

The Cedars-Sinai Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Program offers comprehensive care for ALS patients under the directorship of Abirami Muthukumaran, MD, and Co-Director Eugene Tsimerinov, MD.

A Multidisciplinary Team Approach

Because ALS affects major functions of the body, patient care at Cedars-Sinai is coordinated through professionals from multiple medical disciplines. These skilled specialists work together as a team to integrate management of the disease. Key team members include:

• Board-certified Neurologist
• Registered Nurse
• ALS Association Patient Care Representative
• Physical Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Registered Dietician
• Speech-language Pathologist
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Respiratory Therapist

For patient convenience, most services are available in the same location at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. This may include referrals to a Cedars-Sinai pulmonologist and gastroenterologist familiar with ALS.

Research and Clinical Trials

The ALS Program is continually pursuing new clinical trials. Currently. the program is conducting a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of administering the drug lithium in combination with riluzole, a drug commonly used to treat ALS. For more information, please click
here.

Partnership with ALS Association

The ALS Program at Cedars-Sinai has partnered with the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the ALS Association to pool resources and initiate research activities.

ALS Support Groups

Cedars-Sinai works with the ALS Association to conduct the monthly support group in West Los Angeles:

For additional ALS Support Groups in Southern California, please click here.

For an appointment, a second opinion or more information, please call 1-800-CEDARS-1 (1-800-233-2771) or e-mail us.