Please click here for page one of our EMG Brochure, and here for page two.
I. General
The Neuromuscular Division of the Department of Neurology consists of physicians, nurses, and technical staff that focus on the diagnosis and treatment of people with diseases of peripheral nerves, muscles and the neuromuscular junction. Neuromuscular diseases include peripheral neuropathies, Guillain-Barre syndrome, myasthenia gravis, the muscular dystrophies, and ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Our clinics are supported by funding from the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the ALS Association of Georgia. The Neuromuscular Division includes the electrodiagnostic laboratory (nerve conduction studies and electromyography or "EMG"), which performs > 1500 diagnostic studies per year. The Neuromuscular Pathology laboratory prepares and interprets nerve and muscle biopsy tissue from patients within the Emory system, and serves as a regional referral laboratory for nerve and muscle pathology for Atlanta and the Southeast. Faculty members within the Neuromuscular Division are active investigators in both basic and clinical research, focusing on disorders of nerves, motor neurons, and muscles.
Emory Neuromuscular Laboratory
The Emory ALS Center: The ALS Center combines state of the art clinical care with cutting edge clinical and basic research. The Emory ALS Clinic provides multidisciplinary care to ALS patients and their families, focusing on independence and quality of life through state of the art intervention. Our research focuses on basic mechanisms of motor neuron degeneration, genetics of ALS, and new experimental treatments. Patients and families should call 404 778-3754 for information and appointments.
II. Clinical Staff:
Jonathan D. Glass, M.D. (Professor) is board certified in Neurology, Neuropathology, and Clinical Electrophysiology. He is the Division Director as well as the Director of the Neuromuscular Pathology Laboratory and the ALS Center. His clinical interests are in the fields of peripheral nerve diseases and ALS. He directs a basic science laboratory program focusing on the pathogenesis and treatment of these disorders.
Linton C. Hopkins, M. D. (Professor) is board certified in Neurology and Electrodiagnostic Medicine. He has a long-standing interest in the Muscular Dystrophies and Myasthenia Gravis. He directs the MDA clinic in Dalton, Georgia, and runs the medical student teaching program for Neurology.
John T. Sladky, M.D. (Professor) is board certified in Pediatrics and Child Neurology, and is the Director of Pediatric Neurology at Emory University. He also co-directs the Neuromuscular Pathology laboratory. His clinical and research interests revolve around peripheral nerve diseases in children, and he is currently running a national trial in childhood Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
Jaffar Khan, M.D. (Assistant Professor) is board certified in Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology. He is Associate Director of the ALS Clinic. He directs the Electrodiagnostic Laboratory at Grady Memorial Hospital and is also the Director of the Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship program.
Michael Benatar, M.D., Ph.D. (Assistant Professor) is board certified in Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology. His clinical interests are in Myasthenia Gravis, peripheral neuropathy, and "cramping" syndromes. His research focuses on mechanisms of peripheral nerve disorders and evidence-based medicine.
Taylor Harrison, M.D. (Instructor) is board certified in Neurology and
Electromyography, and is fellowship-trained in Infectious Diseases. His clinical and research interests are in the neurological effects of HIV infection and AIDS, including HIV-related neuropathies and myopathies.
Meraida Polak, R.N. is a research nurse with special expertise in management of patients with Neuromuscular diseases. She is an expert in the clinical care of patients with ALS and is also a former board member of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation. She is currently actively involved in our clinical trails in ALS.
Nicole Yarab, R.N. is a clinical nurse with expertise in the diagnosis and care of patients and families with ALS. She is the "team leader" for the Emory ALS Clinic.