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We offer expert care for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to help slow your disease progression and manage your symptoms.
At the USC ALS Center of Excellence, we offer deep expertise in treating people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), formerly called Lou Gehrig’s disease. By bringing together a dedicated team of health care professionals — including neurologists and other specialists, therapists, nurses, dietitians, social workers and more — we offer personalized care that addresses the diverse needs of you and your caregivers. We strive to create a supportive environment that empowers you and improves your quality of life, with a focus on innovation, accessibility, community trust and advancing treatment options through clinical trials.
As an ALS Association Certified Treatment Centers of Excellence™, we’ve been recognized for our work to provide people living with ALS with compassionate care to enhance the quality of life and support families impacted by ALS.
Our clinic features advanced technology and cutting-edge equipment, which allows us to provide the best possible care and treatment options. This environment fosters an integrated approach to care, ensuring that you receive the most up-to-date treatments available. Being part of an active research team means that you may have access to clinical trials and the latest treatments before they become widely available. Our focus is to slow your disease progression and manage your symptoms so that you can live a better life.
We strive to make you feel heard and involved in decision-making. We have created an environment where you have a voice in your care, helping you navigate treatment options, symptom management and end-of-life planning. ALS impacts families as well, and our clinic regularly provides resources and support for caregivers, such as caregiver training and support groups.
We understand that convenience and accessibility are important. Our clinic offers both virtual and in-person appointments, allowing you to choose the option that works best for you and ensuring continuity of care no matter where you are located.
These diagnostic tools help us confirm your diagnosis, understand your disease stage and rule out other conditions, all of which guide your treatment plan.
Your doctor will perform a thorough physical and neurological exam to assess your muscle strength, reflexes, coordination and ability to perform basic tasks. This helps us identify any signs of ALS and understand how your body is functioning.
This test measures the electrical activity in your muscles. We’ll insert fine needles into your muscles. It helps us see if there’s any abnormal activity that might suggest ALS.
This test checks how well your nerves can carry electrical signals to your muscles. Small electrodes are placed on your skin to measure how well your nerves are functioning. This test is often done alongside the EMG.
An MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of your brain and spinal cord. While it doesn’t directly show ALS, it helps us rule out other conditions that might cause similar symptoms like tumors or spinal cord problems.
We’ll take a blood sample to check for other conditions that might be causing your symptoms and also detect biomarkers for ALS.
This test looks for genetic mutations to further categorize your ALS type.
In some cases, we may need to do lumbar puncture. This test involves taking a small sample of the fluid around your brain and spinal cord. It helps us rule out other conditions like infections or inflammatory diseases.
These tests measure how well your lungs are working. Since ALS can affect your breathing muscles, it’s important for us to assess your lung function regularly to catch any early breathing issues.
These tests help assess your ability to swallow safely. A videofluoroscopy uses X-rays while you swallow different foods and liquids. The fiberoptic test uses a small camera to look directly at your throat and swallowing muscles.
In rare cases, we might remove a small sample of muscle tissue for examination under a microscope. This helps us look for muscle damage patterns typical of ALS, but this is not commonly needed.
These tests help us understand your cognitive abilities, as some people with ALS may experience changes in thinking or behavior. We’ll ask you questions or have you complete some tasks to see how your memory, attention and decision-making are working.
We use different scales to assess how well you can perform everyday activities, like walking, speaking and swallowing. This helps us track the progression of ALS and how it’s impacting your life. Additional scales are also used to measure quality of life.
Patients are referred by other neurologists for a second opinion or to confirm a diagnosis of ALS or a related neurodegenerative motor neuron disease. Referrals can also come from other specialties such as ENT, spine surgery, pulmonary or speech therapy.
Medical records are reviewed for neuromuscular patients suspected of having ALS or a similar condition. Appointments are scheduled within two weeks to ensure timely care and diagnosis confirmation.
After confirming the ALS or degenerative motor neuron disease diagnosis, the information is shared with you and your family.
After the diagnosis is confirmed, you are scheduled for regular follow-up appointments at the ALS clinic for ongoing care and management.
The ALS multidisciplinary clinic is composed of a dedicated team of health care professionals working together to provide comprehensive care. This team includes:
Together, this multidisciplinary team provides holistic care and works to improve the lives of both you and your caregivers.
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, loss of motor control and eventually paralysis.
Early signs can include muscle weakness, difficulty speaking or swallowing, muscle cramps and twitching. As the disease progresses, it affects motor skills and respiratory functions.
The exact cause of ALS is still not fully understood, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors that affect the motor neurons, which are responsible for controlling voluntary muscles.
In about 5%-10% of cases, ALS is familial and inherited. Most cases are sporadic, meaning they occur without a family history. In sporadic ALS, the exact cause is unknown, and it is not directly inherited, but there may still be a genetic component involved.
ALS diagnosis is based on clinical examination, medical history and the exclusion of other diseases. Tests like EMG (electromyography), nerve conduction studies and MRI may be used.
ALS is a type of motor neuron disease, but there are other conditions like primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) and progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), each with varying symptoms and progression.
ALS progression varies by individual. On average, ALS may lead to severe disability within three five years, but some people live longer with appropriate care. A certain percentage of people with ALS have slower progression and live longer.
Yes, we offer clinical trials aimed at finding better treatments for ALS. Patients may be eligible to participate in trials, and it’s important to consult with our doctors about options.
Caregivers need to understand ALS progression, provide physical assistance, manage communication challenges and offer emotional support.
We help you navigate the complexities of serious illness and live well at any stage of treatment.
We offer specialized treatment of various pulmonary disorders.
We focus on evaluation and intervention to improve communication skills — speech, voice, language and swallowing difficulties.
Our dietitians offer evidence-based clinical nutrition care to help you manage and achieve your health goals.
Our internationally renowned physicians and clinicians are dedicated to delivering high-quality patient care. We are leaders in cutting-edge treatments, breakthrough research and exceptional outcomes.
USC/Los Angeles General Medical Center Neurology Residency
Participating in a clinical trial gives you access to new and promising therapies.
USC/ Los Angeles General Medical Center Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship
Support our efforts to advance and innovate ALS care.
