ALS Research Centers - Massachusetts

General Information	Research and Trials
The Munsat ALS Clinic The New England Medical Center Neuromuscular Department 750 Washington Street Biewend 12, Box 314 Boston, MA 02111 Phone: 617-636-5848 Fax : 617-636-9124 Email: diane.fulco@es.nemc.org Medical directors: William F. Brown, M.D.; Jeffrey M. Chavin, M.D.; Dave Hollander, M.D. Other specialties: Physical, occupational, speech and pulmonary therapy, nutritional and gastrointestinal consultations.	Contact person: Diane M. Fulco, RN, BSN Phone: 617-636-5848 Fax: 617-636-9124 Email: diane.fulco@es.nemc.org
Boston Medical Center ALS Clinic Boston University School of Medicine 720 Harrison Avenue, Suite 720 Boston, MA 02118 Phone: 617-638-8456 Fax: 617-638-8465 E-mail: jwiesman@bu.edu, jwiesman@localhost Medical Director: Janice Wiesman, M.D. Specialty: Neurology/neuromuscular disease Other medical specialties: Pulmonology, clinical nutrition, rehabilitation medicine.	The Center does not conduct basic research. Current trials: Myotrophin Early Access Program
Lahey MDA/ALS Clinic Lahey Clinic Medical Center Department of Neurology 41 Mall Road Burlington, MA 01805 Phone: 781-744-8632 Fax: 781-744-5243 E-mail: Bethany.L.Rigney@lahey.org Medical Director: James A. Russell, D.O. Other medical specialties: Physical therapy, physiatry, social worker; as needed pulmonology, gastroenterology, nutrition Other disease conditions treated: Myopathies (acquired and hereditary), neuromuscular transmission defects including myasthenia, peripheral neuropathies (acquired and hereditary).	Research emphasis: Clinical trials in ALS Clinical trials in progress: None Contact person: Bethany Rigney Phone: 781-273-8632 Fax: 781-273-5243 E-mail: Bethany.L.Rigney@lahey.org
MDA/ALS Center at Massachusetts General Hospital Massachusetts General Hospital 15 Parkman Street Boston, Massachusetts 02114 Phone: 617-726-5750 Fax: 617-726-8543 Director of Neuromuscular Clinic: Robert H. Brown, Jr., D.Phil., M.D. Medical Co-Director of ALS Clinic and Director of Clinical Trials Unit: Merit E. Cudkowciz, M.D. Specialties: Neuromuscular Other medical specialties: Rehabilitation Other information: The Neuromuscular Clinic was opened at the Massachusetts General Hospital in 1983 to serve the population of neuromuscular patients. We are a designated MDA clinic. It encompasses the full range of neuromuscular disorders, primarily of adults, including muscular dystrophies and myopathies, neuropathies, neuromuscular junction diseases and ALS. Its research focus is ALS and selected muscular dystrophies. The clinic offers full diagnostic and therapeutic services for our neuromuscular clients. We are affiliated with a full complement of physicians, nurses and therapists from all of the relevant disciplines. In addition, we interdigitate closely with a laboratory that studies the basic pathogenesis of these diseases and with the Clinical Trials Unit at our hospital. That Trials Unit is now conducting several clinical trials in ALS. Other diseases treated: Muscular dystrophies, post-polio syndrome, myasthenia gravis.	Research emphasis: ALS, muscular dystrophy Clinical trials in progress: Clinical Trial of Creatine. MGH is the Co-Principal Investigator with Dr. Shefner. This is an 18 center clinical trial. Clinical Trial of Buspar. This study is conducted by MGH and Johns Hopkins University. Clinical Trial of Dextramethorphan/quinidine for pseudobulbar affect in ALS. Clinical Trial of Celebrex. MGH is the coordinating site of this trial. 25 centers across the country are participating. Contact person: Fran Murphy or Ms. Lauren Bradbury or Robert Brown Phone: 617-726-9122 (Fran) or 617-726-8741 (Lauren) Fax: 617-726-5346 E-mail: rhbrown@partners.org Other research studies: Familial Gene Study: Looking for individuals who have a family history of 2 or more individuals with ALS to help identify genes that cause the inherited form of ALS. Sporadic Risk Gene Study: Looking for individuals with sporadic ALS who have either living parents or living brothers and sisters who may be willing to participate. The purpose of this study is to identify genes that may put a person at risk for ALS. No travel to MGH is necessary for this study. Contact person: Nicole Couture or Diane McKenna-Yasek Phone: 617-726-5750 Fax: 617-726-8543 Email: ncouture@partners.org or dmckennayasek@partners.org Record last reviewed: 28 September 2006
Springfield - Baystate ALS Patients' Clinic 3300 Main Street, 3rd Floor Springfield, MA 01199 Phone: 413-794-7282 Fax: 413-794-7297 E-mail: sandie.goddin@bhs.org Medical Director: Carmel Armon, M.D., M.H.S. Specialty: Neurology Other medical specialties: (By referral) physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, gastroenterology, pulmonology Other diseases treated: Primary Lateral Sclerosis, Progressive Bulbar Palsy, Progressive Muscular Atrophy Other information: The clinic is held the second or third Wednesday of the month, for diagnosed patients. Appointments for initial or second opinion consultations are scheduled separately. Please contact Sandie Godin at (413) 794-7282.	Research emphasis: Translational research Prognostic indicators Quality of life Clinical trials: CoQ10 in patients with ALS (participating center in NIH-sponsored clinical trial) Contact person: Elaine Reich, R.N. Phone: 413-794-5856 Fax: 413-794-3058 Email: elaine.reich@bhs.org Record last reviewed: 05 Jul 2005
Worcester - MDA/ALS Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center 55 Lake Avenue North Worcester, Massachusetts 01655 Phone: 508-856-4147 Fax: 508-856-6778 E-mail: chadd@ummhc.org Director: David Chad, M.D	Research emphasis: ALS Clinical trials: NA Record last reviewed: 30 May 2006