Overview

About Neuroimmunology

Welcome to the Division of Neuroimmunology

The Division of Neuroimmunology includes our Multiple Sclerosis (MS) & Related Disorders and Headache Programs. Each program includes faculty and advanced practice providers with expertise on the care and management of individuals living with MS and Related Disorders and Headache Disorders.

Neuroimmunology Division Patients are seen at both the Ambulatory Ouptiant Pavilion (AOP) in downtown Richmond, and the Short Pump Pavilion in Glenn Allen.

Our Multiple Sclerosis Program offers Fellowship Training in Neuroimmunology, as well as a portfolio of basic science and clinical research, including clinical trials.

Clinical Care

Multiple Sclerosis & Related Disorders Program: Our program includes 3 fellowship-trained physicians with expertise in the care and management of MS and related disorders (e.g. Neuromyelitis Optica, Anti-MOG Antibody Syndrome, Neurosarcoidosis, and other neuroimmflammatory disorders of the central nervous system). Our multi-disciplinary team includes a dedicated Nurse Care Coordinator, Clinical Pharmacist, and Psychiatrist, as well as established collaborative relationships with colleagues in Rehabilitation Medicine, Urology/Urogynecology, Neuro-Ophthalmology, and Sleep Medicine. We also have strong relationships with our allied health partners in Rehabilitation Therapy (e.g. Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy). We provide a patient-centered approach to care that includes shared-decision making in treatment selection for disease and symptomatic medications.

Headache Program: Our Headache Program is staffed by 2 physcians Board Certified in Headache Medicine with specialized training and experience in the care and management of headache-related disease (e.g. migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, cluster headaches, tension headache, and other neuralgiform disorders of the head and neck such as occipital neuralgia). Our headache team provides evaluations with attention to proper diagnosis and delivery of multi-modality care including medical and procedural approaches. Procedures commonly used include botulinum toxin injections, nerve blocks and infusion therapies. Physicians specializing in headache work closely with our colleagues at the musculoskeletal and rehabilitation clinic in the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center's.

Research

Neuroscientists at VCU are engaged in a wide spectrum of basic, translational and clinical research projects focused on understanding the underlying cause of MS and identifying potential therapies. Projects in recent years include:

Evaluation of the importance of blood glucose response to steroids during treatment of an MS relapse.
Studies exploring the importance of co-morbidities in MS disease course.
The study of serum biomarkers in MS which is supported by our biorepository
The discovery of a form of axonal injury in animal models of multiple sclerosis that may revolutionize our understanding of axonal injury in multiple sclerosis
The study of how nociceptin and mu-opioid receptors control remyelination
The examination of how autotaxin promotes remyelination through its action on oligodendrocyte progenitor cells
The testing of LXR agonists to reduce inflammation in the central nervous system

Please let us know if you are interested in learning more about our growing research program.

About the Chair

VCUSOM Message from the Chair - Message from the Chair

About the Chair

Prior to joining the faculty at VCU, Dr. Myla Goldman was an associate professor of neurology at the University of Virginia specializing in multiple sclerosis. She directed the multiple sclerosis clinic at UVA Health and served as chief of the Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuro-Immunology. Dr. Goldman received her bachelor’s degree in behavioral neuroscience from Lehigh University and her medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago. She completed her neurology residency at the University of Virginia and subsequently completed her fellowship in Clinical Neuroimmunology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation while concurrently earning a Master’s degree in clinical research at Case Western University in Cleveland Ohio.