Neuromuscular Medicine Research
We are one of six NIH-funded Wellstone Centers, and our section also collaborates with the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine to provide expertise in metabolic & mitochondrial myopathies.
The Neuromuscular section is actively involved in advancing translational and clinical research. Trials are ongoing in various neuromuscular disorders including myasthenia gravis, ALS, metabolic myopathies, inclusion body myositis, and FSH muscular dystrophy.
We collaborate with the Biostatistics and Clinical Informatics section for high-quality study designs for research ranging from basic science to translational research and clinical trials. They also provide expertise in the analysis of population health informatics, navigating institutional biomedical informatics resources, and more.
Neuromuscular Medicine Researchers
The Vernino lab is particularly interested in diseases associated with antibodies against ion channels, especially those affecting the autonomic nervous system. Based on results from the laboratory, Dr. Vernino is also involved in clinical trials evaluating immune therapies for autoimmune disorders. In 2023, Dr. Vernino was awarded an NIH grant to perform a large-scale 5-year study that will better characterize and phenotype postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). This study is multidisciplinary and will allow for future standardization of subtypes for POTS and guidance for the clinical evaluation of POTS patients ultimately leading to improved clinical trials and treatment protocols for this common autonomic condition.
Research efforts focus on improved understanding of disorders of muscle energy metabolism and the development of treatment strategies. Dr. Bhai and his team use various methods in integrative and vascular physiology methods in addition to infusions with isotope-labeled glucose and lactate. Dr. Bhai collaborates with basic science researchers conducting similar studies and working with his international counterparts to validate protocols and more.
Dr. Trivedi is a co-investigator in clinical trials for Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, and ALS. The focus of these clinical trials is on understanding the natural history of the disease, evaluation of biomarkers, and therapeutic developments.
Research efforts focus on clinical trials of new therapies for myasthenia gravis as well as research on improvement of care for underserved patients with neuromuscular disorders. Funded by the Fichtenbaum Charitable Trust, the Myasthenia Gravis Clinic at Parkland was established in 2021. Data collected on the outcomes of this clinic have shown better disease control, improved patient show rates, and reduced MG-related hospitalizations.
Research efforts focus on clinical trials evaluating new therapies in ALS. The UT Southwestern neuromuscular group is a member of the North American ALS Consortium (NEALS) and will participate in upcoming ALS HEALY platform clinical trials.
Research focuses on the development and utilization of neuro-palliative care models to improve patient quality of life outcomes.