The MCG Neuroscience Center will open a clinic devoted to the care of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, on Thursday, August 19. The clinic will be held on the second Thursday of every month.

ALS is a degenerative disease of the nervous system that can strike adults at any time and is fatal. The disease affects the neurons that control muscle movement. Over time, patients lose the ability to move their limbs, speak, swallow or even breathe, while maintaining complete awareness and brain function. There is currently no effective treatment or cure for ALS.

“This is a tragic disease,” says Dr. Michael Rivner, Director of the MCG ALS Clinic. “Even as groups such as The ALS Association of Georgia look for a cure, clinics such as ours offer supportive care to patients and families. Our most important goal is to make patients comfortable and provide tools to ensure they stay as healthy as possible, both mentally and physically.”

According to Dr. Rivner, the clinic will provide one-stop service for all patients with ALS. Diagnosis, physical and speech therapy, nutrition and social work services will be offered. The ALS Association of Georgia will also work closely with the clinic, providing nursing representatives and other support staff, home visits and an equipment loan program that includes computers to assist in communication.

About five out of 100,000 people are affected by ALS and while it can strike adults at any time, it is usually seen in those 40 and older. About 5 to 10 percent of ALS cases have a familial link, but no other risk factors have been identified.

Initial symptoms of ALS include muscle wasting in a limb or difficulty swallowing, reduced ability to move limbs, and muscle twitching. As time moves on, the physical debilitation progresses, which is quite difficult for patients. “The clinic offers therapies, including nutritional support, to keep the body as strong as possible, but the psychological toll of this disease on patients is very great,” says Dr. Rivner. “It is also vitally important that patients receive emotional support through counseling or support groups, both of which will also be available.”

Dr. Rivner, Dr. Jennifer Iyer, Dr. J. Ned Pruitt and Dr. Saima Samdani will lead the clinic. For more information about the clinic or to make an appointment, call 706-721-4581. For more information on The ALS Association of Georgia, call 888-636-9940.

MCG Health System is composed of three separate organizations -- MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the Physicians Practice Group. The physicians of MCG Health System are community physicians and faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the Physicians Practice Group, not employees of MCG Health Inc. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Medical Center, MCG Children’s Medical Center, the MCG Sports Medicine Center, MCG Ambulatory Care Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by providing an environment for faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the Physicians Practice Group and community physicians to deliver the highest level of primary and specialty health care. For more information, please visit www.MCGHealth.org.