Contact Information
West Virginia University Department of Neurology
PO Box 9183
Morgantown, WV 26506-9183
304-293-2341
West Virginia University Hospitals Neuroscience Program Recognized
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Therapy for Neuromuscular Diseases
Neuromuscular diseases comprise about 60 hereditary disorders that cause irreversible and chronic muscle degeneration. These include motor neuron diseases, muscular dystrophies, diseases of the neuromuscular transmission junction, peripheral nerve disorders, inflammatory myopathies, and some metabolic and endocrine disorders.
Although neuromuscular diseases cannot be cured, they can be managed. The goal of our neurology staff is to help patients with these disorders increase their quality of life by regaining and maintaining physical mobility. An example of this effort is the department's new multidisciplinary clinic that allows patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, to meet once a month with experts in all aspects of the disease. The clinic emphasizes maintaining patients' activity and teaching their families how to support them most effectively. We also offer clinics for patients with muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases.
Epilepsy Treatment
Nearly 3 million people in the United States suffer from epilepsy and other seizure disorders. Each year, approximately 200,000 new cases are diagnosed.
At WVU's Epilepsy Center, which has been awarded a top ranking by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers, neurologists work with specialists from neurosurgery, neuropsychology, neuroradiology, and psychiatry to identify the part of the brain that is causing the epileptic seizures. Using a 3- T MRI machine, which has twice the imaging capability as other imaging techniques, WVU epilepsy specialists can identify the focus area in the brain that causes seizures to occur. Once the area is localized, our physicians are able to design individualized, pharmacological treatment plans for patients. For those patients who do not respond to medication, surgical intervention to remove the epileptic focus may offer a cure or a reduction in the frequency, as well as the severity, of seizures.
Treatment for Movement Disorders
More than 30 different diseases, including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, myokymia, and restless leg syndrome, are identified as neurological movement disorders. These disorders range from mild to severe, are usually chronic, sometimes progressive, and seldom curable. Although many movement disorders are not life threatening, they can significantly impair patients' ability to function well and independently.
At WVU, patients with movement disorders receive treatment aimed at improving quality of life. Our neurologists who specialize in movement disorders work together with experts from all related fields including neurosurgery, neuropsychology, neuropsychiatry, physical and occupational therapy, and otolaryngology to help patients regain optimal motor control of their bodies. WVU neurologists perform the initial assessment of patients who present with difficulties related to muscle movement, and, in some cases, may be the only specialists that patients need to see. When surgical intervention is indicated, patients are referred to WVU's staff of skilled neurosurgeons, who work closely with our neurologists to develop appropriate treatment plans.
