Phillips, Lawrence H.
Primary Appointment
Clinician Physician RET (MONNB), Neurology
Contact Information
PO Box 800394
School Of Medicine
Telephone: 434-924-5361
Email: lhp3n@Virginia.EDU
Research Interests
Neuromuscular diseases, especially myasthenia gravis and ALS, neuroepidemiology
Research Description
Dr. Phillips’ research is center in the Clinical Electromyography Laboratory. It is clinically based in neuromuscular disease, and much of it is done in collaboration with other investigators at the University of Virginia and other institutions.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: The research involves multi-center treatment trials of various proposed therapies for ALS. Past trials have included glutamate antagonists such as riluzole and various neurotrophic factors, including insulin-like growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and ciliary neurotrophic factor. Current trials include creatine and pramipexole.
Myasthenia Gravis: The research is devoted to multi-center treatment trials of new immunosuppressive drugs for myasthenia gravis. Current trials are testing the effect of mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) as an immunosuppressive drug in patients with myasthenia. Trials in the planning stages include a study of the effect of low-dose Prednisone on the natural history of ocular myasthenia and a study of the efficacy of thymectomy on the course of generalized myasthenia. Additional research is devoted to the development of clinical research standards in myasthenia gravis.
Epidemiology of Neuromuscular Diseases: Investigations into the epidemiology of myasthenia gravis and other neuromuscular diseases utilize classical population-based studies and meta-analysis of the literature.
Axonal excitability testing: Studies into the behavior of ion channels in peripheral motor nerve using axonal excitability measures are ongoing. The purpose of this research is to expand the role of nerve conduction testing in various diseases of peripheral nerve and muscle.