About UsLou Gehrig's disease
RELATED RESEARCH
CLINIC LOCATION
Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic
UC Davis Medical Center
Lawrence J. Ellison Ambulatory Care Center
4860 Y Street, Suite 0100
Sacramento, CA 95817
(916) 734-3588
OUR EXPERTS
What is Lou Gehrig’s disease?
Also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the nerve cells of the brain and the spinal cord that control muscle movement. These nerve cells, or motor neurons, reach from the brain and spinal cord to muscles throughout the body. Over the course of ALS, the motor neurons degenerate and die, resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy.
Patients in the later stages of ALS may suffer from complete paralysis.
Clinical and basic science research into Lou Gehrig's disease
Department faculty members provide patient care as well conduct clinical and basic scientific research into Lou Gehrig's disease. Patients with ALS are seen in a multidisciplinary ALS Clinic that meets twice monthly at UC Davis Medical Center. Full diagnostic facilities are available, including:
- Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies
- Nuclear magnetic spectroscopy
- Muscle pathology
- Muscle typing
- Biochemical studies
- Electron microscopy
Genetic counseling, cytogenetics and disability testing is available when required for patients with myoneural and biochemical muscle disorders.