ALS & Neurodegenerative Disease
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Why choose UCSF Health for ALS and neurodegenerative disease treatment?
At the UCSF ALS and Neurodegenerative Disease Center, we care for the whole person — not just the condition. Our expert team works together to help you stay active and independent for as long as possible. We're here to support you and your loved ones every step of the way.
We bring together specialists from many fields, including neurology, nutrition and physical therapy. Our team works closely to create a personalized care plan for you. We also offer access to clinical trials, giving you an opportunity to try promising new treatments.
You can get advanced care at our center in San Francisco and at our satellite clinics in Santa Rosa, Monterey, Stockton, Fresno and Santa Barbara. We're part of the Weill Institute for Neurosciences, where we are advancing new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Why choose UCSF Health for ALS and neurodegenerative disease treatment?
At the UCSF ALS and Neurodegenerative Disease Center, we care for the whole person — not just the condition. Our expert team works together to help you stay active and independent for as long as possible. We're here to support you and your loved ones every step of the way.
We bring together specialists from many fields, including neurology, nutrition and physical therapy. Our team works closely to create a personalized care plan for you. We also offer access to clinical trials, giving you an opportunity to try promising new treatments.
You can get advanced care at our center in San Francisco and at our satellite clinics in Santa Rosa, Monterey, Stockton, Fresno and Santa Barbara. We're part of the Weill Institute for Neurosciences, where we are advancing new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Broad expertise in neurodegenerative diseases
We provide expert care for ALS and other motor neuron-related neurodegenerative conditions.Convenient appointments
We provide care at our San Francisco center and Santa Rosa, Monterey, Stockton, Fresno and Santa Barbara clinics. We also offer telehealth follow-up visits.Efficient, streamlined care
We coordinate your appointments so you can receive care from multiple providers in one visit.Focus on quality of life
You receive the most advanced treatments and supportive therapies to help you maintain your independence for as long as possible.
Complete ALS and neurodegenerative disease care
Neurodegenerative conditions, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), are progressive diseases in which your nervous system cells stop working well.
Diagnosing ALS
Neurodegenerative conditions can be challenging to diagnose. At UCSF Health, our advanced EMG (electromyography) lab and imaging facilities enable us to arrive at the correct diagnosis, so we can start planning your treatment. We have expertise in diagnosing and treating variants of ALS (PLS, PMA, PBA, FTD) and all types of complex and rare neurodegenerative diseases.
Your care team
Neurodegenerative conditions cause muscle weakness that affects many aspects of your health and life, leading to difficulties with speaking, breathing and eating. Our care team includes health professionals who provide you with comprehensive care:
Neurologists
Gastroenterologists
Physical and occupational therapists
Respiratory therapists
Speech-language pathologists
Dietitians
Social workers and mental health professionals
ALS Association chapter liaisons
Advanced treatments for ALS
We provide the latest treatments for ALS, including intrathecal injection. We inject this medication directly into your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), so it reaches your central nervous system more efficiently.
We also have orthotics specialists on staff. Our orthotists design and fit custom braces and other supportive devices to help you move more easily with less pain.
Providers
Catherine Lomen-Hoerth, MD
Neurology • Neuromuscular Medicine
Laura Rosow, MD
Neurology • Neuromuscular MedicinePaul J. Sampognaro, MD
Neuromuscular Medicine
Mark Terrelonge Jr., MD, MPH
Neurology
Award-winning ALS and neurology care
Best in the West and No. 2 in the nation for neurology & neurosurgery
ALS certified treatment center of excellence
Related conditions & treatments
Conditions
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
- Myasthenia Gravis
Treatments
- Electromyography
Clinical trials
PREVENT ALL ALS StudyOpens in a new window
Questions to identify development of symptoms related to ALS.
Support services
Case Management and Social Work
Connect with a team that can help you find resources, solve problems and advocate for you during treatment at UCSF.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Class
This eight-week class teaches mindfulness practices that can reduce stress and improve your overall health, such as meditation and body awareness.
Patient Relations
We welcome feedback about your experience at UCSF Health. Find out how to contact us with comments, questions or concerns.
Spiritual Care at UCSF
Chaplains representing many faiths are available around the clock to provide support, comfort and counsel to patients, families and caregivers.