ALS Clinic

Phone: (780) 407-3718     Fax: (780) 407-8969

1T1.16A Outpatient Residence - University of Alberta Hospital

8315-114 Street

Edmonton, Alberta

Canada  T6G 2B7

The University of Alberta ALS clinic is a multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to the care of patients with ALS and other motor neuron disorders. Diagnostic services, education, treatment, rehabilitation, and research are coordinated through staff at the University of Alberta Hospital and the Misericordia Hospital.

Mission and Vision Statement

Our mission is to deliver exemplary care and to enable people with ALS and their families to achieve the best possible quality of life. Our goal is to foster an environment where ALS is viewed as a treatable disease and people with ALS view their condition as manageable.

Our vision: Contribute to knowledge in the science of clinical management—locally, nationally and globally—through teaching, research, service and promoting excellence in the care of the patients we serve.

We will achieve this mission by upholding a interdisciplinary commitment to:
  • Delivering comprehensive, holistic & compassionate care
  • Engaging patients and their families in decision making
  • Applying effective symptom management
  • Participating in innovative & collaborative research projects
  • Providing academic excellence in education, training and professional mentoring

Please direct enquiries to Mackenzie Murphy at (780) 407-3718 or Mackenzie.Murphy@albertahealthservices.ca.

Research related enquiries should be directed to Ramnik Sekhon at (780) 407-2944 or rsekhon@ualberta.ca.

Staff

Wendy S.W. Johnston, MD Neurologist (Medical Director)
Sanjay Kalra, MD Neurologist (Co-Director)
Kerri Schellenberg, MD Neurologist
Ming Chan, MD Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Janice Richman-Eisenstat, MD Pulmonary Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist & Respirologist
Nicole McConnell, RN Clinical Nurse Specialist
Mackenzie Murphy Clinic Secretary
Stuart Cleary, MSc, PhD, R.SLP Speech Language Pathologist
Kerry Adams, MSc, R.SLP, S-LP(C) Speech Language Pathologist
Shameem Kizar, RD Dietitian
Gabriel Viveiros, BSW, RSW Social Worker
Naresh Jha, MD Radiation Oncologist (Cross Cancer Institute)
Shelley Wrona Research Coordinator
Ramnik Sekhon, BSc Research Assistant
Patricia Ordynec Education & Support Services (ALS Society of Alberta - Edmonton)
Misericordia Hospital Site
Mark Heule, MD, FRCPC Respirologist
Ella Roskosh, MD, FRCPC Respirologist
Sonya Wheeler, RRT
   Phone: (780) 735-2243		 Senior Respiratory Therapist

Research at the ALS Clinic

Emphasis:

We are in need of volunteers to participate in our research programs. Please contact Ramnik Sekhon for more information at (780) 407-2944.

Donations can be made through the University Hospital Foundation at (780) 407-7007.

Neuroimaging Research in ALS

MRI research

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a tool that can be used to examine the central nervous system. We are using several advanced MRI techniques to study the structural, chemical, and functional changes in the brain in ALS. These techniques include Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS), Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). These studies will improve our understanding of ALS. We are also developing and evaluating these techniques as tools to assist in making the diagnosis of ALS more efficiently and to evaluate new drug therapies in a more timely manner.

Brain imaging research is being conducted at the Peter S. Allen MR Research Centre. Standard field (1.5 tesla) and high field (3.0 and 4.7 tesla) scanners are being used.

We are accepting healthy subjects and people with ALS for participation in these studies. The minimum criteria to be eligible are that you be able to lie inside an MRI machine for approximately 60 minutes and that you do not have a pacemaker.

These studies are under the direction of Dr. Sanjay Kalra. For more information, please contact Ramnik Sekhon at (780) 407-2944 or rsekhon@ualberta.ca.

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Clinical Trials

Memantine Study Now Recruiting

We are now recruiting patients for a clinical trial of memantine in ALS. The study involves 11 monthly visits over a 10 month period. Participation will involve muscular, respiratory, and cognitive testing. Each patient will receive one of two doses of memantine.

Participants must be between 18 and 80 years of age and have had symptoms for less than 3 years. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) must be greater than 60%.

This trial is funded by the Association of America and is under the direction of Dr. Ming Chan and Dr. Sanjay Kalra at the University of Alberta ALS Clinic.

For more information please contact Ramnik Sekhon at 780-407-2944 or rsekhon@ualberta.ca for further details.

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