Overview

Overview

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a type of motor neuron disease. It’s also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. There’s no cure for ALS, but there are treatment options that can slow down the progression. If you’ve been diagnosed or think you may have ALS, our ALS program, Section of ALS and Related Disorders, has expertise in the diagnosis, treatment and research of this disease. Cleveland Clinic is designated as a Certified Treatment Center of Excellence by the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALSA).

Program Mission

Program Mission

Section of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Related Disorders

Mission Statement

The mission of the Section of ALS and Related Disorders is to:

  • Evaluate and diagnose patients with ALS and other motor neuron diseases (MNDs) in a timely, comprehensive and compassionate fashion.
  • Provide excellent and comprehensive clinical care on an ongoing basis to patients with ALS and other MNDs in the multidisciplinary ALS/MND Team Clinic.
  • Conduct clinical investigations, participate in therapeutic trials and conduct basic research to identify causes and effective treatments of ALS and other MNDs.
  • Provide ongoing education relevant to ALS and other MNDs to patients and their caregivers, to the team and to healthcare professionals in the community.

ALS Section Creates Solutions to the Challenges of ALS and Other MNDs

Through scientific investigation, specialists in the Section of ALS and Related Disorders continue to probe for the cause of the disease.

Through clinical trials of promising medications, specialists seek potentially effective treatments.

By creating solutions to the many challenges people with ALS face, the ALS Section capitalizes on the interaction and cooperation among the physicians and allied health professionals who are members of the team.

ALS Section’s Team of Specialists Offers Comprehensive Care

Although there’s no specific treatment for ALS or other MNDs because the cause or causes are unknown, specialists in the ALS Section are familiar with the disease’s many manifestations. Because the specialists are familiar with both typical and less typical symptoms, they’re adept at distinguishing this disease from similar conditions that can be treated and reversed. We diagnose approximately 300 new ALS/MND patients each year from the United States and abroad.

Once the disease is diagnosed, specialists and allied health professionals in the ALS Section offer you comprehensive treatment in a compassionate setting — in the multidisciplinary ALS/MND Team Clinic. Although it’s impossible to erase the weakness and progressive muscle paralysis (at present) that go with ALS and other MNDs, team members strive to maintain — or, at times, restore — your muscle function and your ability to perform the daily activities of life.

Appointments & Locations

Appointments & Locations

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment with an ALS specialist in Cleveland Clinic’s Neuromuscular Center, please call 216.636.5860 or 866.588.2264.

Virtual Visits

Whether you’re a new or existing patient, you can get an initial evaluation or follow-up care from a neuromuscular specialist using your phone, tablet or computer. This means there’s no travel or parking, less waiting and significant time savings. Call 216.636.5860 to schedule a virtual visit for you or a loved one and get the details on cost and set-up instructions.

MyChart

MyChart connects you to your healthcare team from the comfort and safety of home. With this secure online tool, you can manage your appointments and complete pre-visit tasks, communicate with your providers and keep track of your test results and medications.

Locations

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus.

Medical Professionals

Medical Professionals

Refer a Patient

The Neuromuscular Center offers direct referral lines to ease the process of making a patient referral.

To refer a patient to the Neurological Institute via phone, please call our dedicated physician referral hotline at 216.445.8455. An intake coordinator will handle your call directly. If you’re unable to reach an intake coordinator, please leave a message and they’ll return your call within the work day (if it’s left before 1 p.m. ET) or the next work day (if it’s left after 1 p.m. ET).

To refer a patient to the Neurological Institute via fax, please download and complete our physician referral form and fax to 216.636.2596.

DrConnect

Stay connected to patients you refer to Cleveland Clinic through online updates and electronic medical records.