Neuromuscular Diseases Division
The Neuromuscular Diseases Division is directed by Michael D. Weiss, MD. Other division members are B. Jane Distad, MD, Gregg Meekins, MD, Lee-Loung Liou, MD, PhD, and Randal Richardson, MD. Gregory T. Carter, MD, MS, in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, co-directs the MDA/ALS Center with Dr. Weiss and is a consulting physiatrist for the division. Dr. Weiss’ major clinical interests are peripheral neuropathies, motor neuron diseases, and myopathies. Dr. Distad has a specific interest in myasthenia gravis. Dr. Meekins specializes in peripheral neuropathies and neuromuscular diseases at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Liou is particularly interested in ALS. Dr. Richardson has an interest in pediatric neuromuscular diseases, congenital myopathies and muscular dystrophies, and myotonic disorders. Additional physicians with neuromuscular subspecialty expertise include Drs. Eric Kraus and Andrew Rose-Innes.
Treatment Sites and Programs
The Division of Neuromuscular Disease provides inpatient and outpatient care, nerve conduction studies, electromyography and autonomic testing at University of Washington Medical Center. Outpatient care, including the subspecialty clinics, occurs in the neurology clinic and medical center. Dr. Distad also performs EMG studies at Harborview Medical Center. Both Drs. Weiss and Distad also perform skin biopsies as part of the evaluation for painful neuropathies and coordinate muscle and nerve biopsies when appropriate.
Division members provide clinical services in the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis multidisciplinary clinic.
Physiatrists, pulmonary medicine specialists, respiratory therapists, speech pathologists, and a dietitian also staff the multidisciplinary clinic. Physical and occupational therapists, and a social worker work in conjunction with the clinic. For these patients, the clinic offers the coordination of many types of care in one location, and in some cases, during the same visit. 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 ALS Clinic is held on the first two Wednesdays of each month in the University of Washington Medical Center on the 8th floor.
Research
Drs. Weiss and Distad are currently studying the use of R+ pramipexole for treatment of ALS and are co-investigators in a multicenter NIH-funded study of Enbrel in dermatomyositis. Dr. Distad is also the site coordinator for the multicenter Thymectomy in Myasthenia Gravis study. Dr. Liou, in collaboration with Thomas Moeller, Ph.D., is investigating the role of microRNA in the pathogenesis of ALS. Dr. Meekins is involved in a study evaluating specific needle EMG techniques that may increase the sensitivity for diagnosing ALS in earlier stages.