Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS is a progressive condition that involves the motor system of the body producing weakness of all muscles including breathing and swallowing.  Although at this time, there is no cure for ALS, there are many treatments available that can improve the quality of life and prolong survival. Researchers at UF and across the country are actively working to understand the disease and develop new options for care.  The patient focused ALS multidisciplinary clinic is a major part of this. Patients coming to the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health, receive comprehensive care from a neurologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, respiratory therapist, dietician, social worker, and durable medical equipment expert.  We discuss with you and develop a plan of care focused on your specific needs. Each patient is unique and we believe a care plan molded to address your needs is best.  ALS patients that receive care at multidisciplinary centers have better quality of life, satisfactions with their care, and survival.

At the Norman Fixel Institute of Neurological Diseases at UF Health, quality patient care is our top priority.  We partner with the patient to provide needs targeted to each individual.  A typical first time visit will begin with evaluation and discussion of your disease with the neurologist. We take the time to understand your specific needs and will involve the care specialist best suited to help you.  Within UF we have some of the best specialists in the country to provide for your ALS care.  For those interested in research and clinical trial options, we are involved in many studies that span a wide range of opportunities; from natural history studies to learn more about the disease, basic science studies to understand the molecular basis of the disease, and clinical trials to develop new options for treatment.  We study molecules developed here at UF for the treatment of ALS as well as being part of the North East ALS consortium (NEALS) conducting international studies on the treatment of ALS.

The ALS center is part of the muscular dystrophy association (MDA) care network, collaborates with the ALS association of Florida (ALSA), and of the North East ALS consortium (NEALS).  For further information on the disease and each of these groups click on a link below.

MDA   (Muscular Dystrophy Association)

ALSA    (ALS Association)

NEALS  (Northeast Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Consortium)

ALS, Multiple Sclerosis & Neuromuscular Disorder Clinic

Every time you move your arm or breath a deep breathe, your brain sends lightning-fast signals through a nerve to a muscle. When the communication between the nerve and muscle breaks down due to a neuromuscular disorder, the ability to walk, stand, swallow or even breath can be impacted.

At the ALS, Multiple Sclerosis & Neuromuscular Disorder clinic at the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, our team of trained neuromuscular medicine specialists provide individualized care and treatment to the patients living with neurological disorders and their caregiver team. When you visit the ALS, Multiple Sclerosis & Neuromuscular Disorder clinic, you will not only see your neurologist. Because of our commitment to an interdisciplinary care approach, you may see a social worker, physical therapist, speech and swallow therapist and more during your visit.

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