Department / Division:
Pediatrics / Neurology

Address:
DUMC 3936
Durham, NC 27710

Appointment Telephone:
919-668-0477

Office Telephone:
919-668-0477

Fax Telephone:
919-681-8943

• MD, University of Mississippi School of Medicine, 2002

• Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2002-2004
• Pediatric Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, 2004-2007

• Neuromuscular Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2007-present

Clinical Interests:
General child neurology with special interest in neuromuscular disorders

Research Interests:
Neuromuscular diseases are a large group of disorders with various causes sharing one common feature: weakness. One large group of neuromuscular diseases is caused by abnormalities in the nerves as they exit the brainstem and spinal cord and travel out to their respective muscles. These are called “neuropathies.” Common examples in this group include spinal muscular atrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and brachial plexus injuries.

Another large group of neuromuscular diseases, the “myopathies”, are caused by abnormalities in the muscle tissue. Some of the more common examples include Duchenne muscular dystrophy and myotonic dystrophy.

Less commonly, neuromuscular weakness is due to disorders of neuromuscular transmission. These are caused by abnormalities at the spot where the nerve attaches to the muscle. Examples of disorders of neuromuscular transmission include myasthenia gravis and botulism.

In addition to neuromuscular disorders, I have a strong interest in the management of pediatric spasticity. This can involve treatment with oral medications as well as EMG-guided chemodenervation ("Botox") and intrathecal baclofen therapy.