The Neuromuscular Diseases Division is directed by David Lacomis, MD. Other division members are Sasa Zivkovic, MD, Paula Clemens, MD, and Chitharanjan Rao, MD. Dr. Lacomis’ major clinical interests are myasthenia gravis, motor neuron diseases, and myopathies. Drs. Zivkovic and Rao specialize in peripheral neuropathies and neuromuscular diseases. Dr. Zivkovic is also interested in ALS, including cognitive dysfunction, and Dr. Rao has a particular interest in inherited neuropathies. Dr. Clemens specializes in muscular dystrophies and other inherited neuromuscular disorders.

Treatment Sites and Programs

The Division of Neuromuscular Disease provides inpatient care, electromyography and autonomic testing at UPMC Presbyterian. Outpatient care, including the subspecialty clinics, occurs in the Kaufman Building. Division members provide clinical services in the Muscular Dystrophy Association Clinic and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis multidisciplinary clinic.

The multidisciplinary clinic is designed for people who require treatment from many specialists -- physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, palliative care specialist, social worker, and dietitian, for example. For these patients, the clinic offers the ability to receive many types of care in the same place and, in some cases, during the same visit. The clinic allows the specialists in a patient's care to confer and coordinate treatment, leading to decisions based on sound information and feedback. The ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic has been designated an MDA-ALS Center by the Muscular Dystrophy Association in recognition for excellence in clinical and research services. MDA support staff are available at the clinic to answer questions. The Multidisciplinary Clinic is held on the fourth Friday of each month in the Kaufmann Medical Building, Suite 810, and is staffed by two neurologists, Drs. David Lacomis and Sasa Zivkovic.

Dr. Rao also provides EMG services at Magee Womens Hospital. Dr. Lacomis is in charge of the neuromuscular pathology service.

Botox Clinic

The Botox Clinic is held on Thursday mornings in the Kaufmann Medical Building, Suite 810. Dr. David Lacomis staffs the clinic. Additional treatments for patients including botulinum therapy for dystonia and movement disorders are offered through the Movement Disorders Clinic (Tim Greenamyre, MD, PhD, Robert Moore MD, PhD, David Hinkle, MD, PhD, Edward Burton, MBBS, DPhil, and Sarah Berman, MD, PhD).

Research

Dr. Clemens has an active program in dystrophinopathy research that involves both basic and clinical research. She also studies the use of enzyme replacement therapy for acid maltase deficiency in collaboration with Dr. Zivkovic.

Drs. Lacomis and Zivkovic are collaborating with Robert Bowser, PhD in a study on cerebrospinal fluid and serum biomarkers in ALS. Dr. Lacomis is also studying the use of R+ pramipexole and other drugs for treatment of ALS, end-of life issues in ALS in collaboration with Steven Albert, PhD, and is the neuromuscular pathologist and co-investigator in a large NIH-funded study of Rituxan in myositis. Dr. Lacomis is medical director of the University of Pittsburgh Center for ALS Research. Dr. Zivkovic continues to be active in clinical trials in ALS and is examining the use of MEG in assessing cognitive dysfunction in ALS.