ALS

ALS Group

The John J. Kelly ALS Clinic at The George Washington University

The John J. Kelly ALS Clinic at The George Washington University (GW) Medical Faculty Associates is a recognized Center of Excellence affiliated with the ALS Association and a proud member of the Northeast Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Consortium (NEALS). Our clinic is dedicated to providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for individuals diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and is actively engaged in pioneering research to advance treatment options and enhance patient quality of life.

ALS Group standing outside of The John J. Kelly ALS Clinic

Multidisciplinary Team

Our clinic’s patient-centered approach is supported by a team of specialists, including:

  • Neurologist specializing in ALS and motor neuron diseases
  • Registered Nurse
  • Physical Therapist (PT)
  • Occupational Therapist (OT)
  • Speech-Language Pathologist
  • Nutritionist
  • ALS Association Social Worker (Maria Smith)
  • ALS Clinic Coordinator
  • Respiratory therapist

We collaborate closely with:

  • Palliative Care for symptom management and emotional support
  • Psychiatry to address mental health needs
  • Pulmonary Medicine for respiratory care and support
  • GW Interventional Radiology for feeding tube placements
  • GW Wheelchair Clinic, ensuring patients have access to the mobility solutions they need to maintain independence and quality of life

This integrated approach ensures that each patient’s physical, emotional, and social needs are met throughout their journey.

ALS Clinic Coordinator

Our ALS Clinic Coordinator, Erica Doon, is an integral part of our team. Erica oversees patient scheduling, ensuring a seamless and efficient process for consultations, including fast-track appointments with Dr. Bayat for newly diagnosed or urgent cases.

For scheduling ALS consultations, please contact Erica directly at:

  • Phone: 202-741-2817

Research and Clinical Trials

As an active member of NEALS, the John J. Kelly ALS Clinic is committed to advancing ALS research through innovative clinical trials and collaborations. Our clinic is proud to be a Center for the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial, a groundbreaking initiative transforming how ALS clinical trials are conducted.

Our dedicated research team includes:

  • Preethy Faith, Research Specialist, who oversees clinical trial operations and ensures study protocols are followed with precision.
  • Aspen Nelson, Research Coordinator, who manages participant enrollment, data collection, and study logistics.

Together, our team works tirelessly to bring cutting-edge treatments and groundbreaking research opportunities to individuals with ALS.

Ongoing and Upcoming Clinical Trials

1- The HEALEY ALS Platform Trial

The HEALEY ALS Platform Trial, led by the Healey Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, is an innovative initiative designed to evaluate multiple therapies simultaneously. This adaptive trial model accelerates the pace of discovery by reducing the time, cost, and number of participants required compared to traditional trials. Participants also have a higher likelihood of receiving an active treatment, as multiple investigational drugs are tested in parallel. This approach offers new hope to patients by significantly improving the efficiency of identifying promising therapies for ALS.

Our clinic remains actively engaged in the HEALEY Platform Trial and is set to participate in upcoming regimens scheduled to launch next year.

2- A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Phase 3 Trial for Masitinib

  • Sponsor: AB Science
  • Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of masitinib in combination with standard care versus placebo in combination with standard care for ALS treatment.
  • Design: A placebo-controlled, double-blind trial with two parallel groups comparing an ascending dose of masitinib to placebo over a 48-week treatment period.

3- A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Fosigotifator

  • Sponsor: AbbVie
  • Objective: To assess the efficacy of fosigotifator on ALS disease progression and evaluate its safety.
  • Design: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study followed by an active treatment extension to assess safety and efficacy.

By participating in these cutting-edge trials, we aim to bring the latest advancements in ALS research to our patients, offering access to innovative therapies and the opportunity to contribute to the global effort to better understand and treat ALS.

Research for ALS in the Past
  • HEALEY Regimen E: Trehalose IV infusion for subjects with ALS; August 2022 – 2024.
  • HEALEY Regimen E: Trehalose (SLS-005) Expanded Access Trial (EAP); July 2023 – 2024.
  • HEALEY Main Trial – ALS: August 2022 – present.
  • HEALEY Regimen F: ABBV-CLS-7262; October 2023 – 2024.
  • COURAGE_ALS: A phase 3 clinical trial of reldesemtiv for the potential treatment of ALS patients; October 2021 – March 2023.
  • Orion: A phase III, multicenter, double-blinded, randomized study for subjects with ALS; Orion Pharma, August 2018 – August 2020.
  • MNK14042068: A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy and safety of H.P. Acthar Gel in the treatment of subjects with ALS; Mallinckrodt, 2017 – 2019.
  • FORTITUDE-ALS Trial, CY 5022: A phase 2, multi-center, double-blind, randomized, dose-ranging, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of CK2127107 in patients with ALS; Cytokinetics Pharma, 2017 – 2018.
  • CABB: Cross-Sectional ALS Biofluid Biomarker (CABB) Study; Massachusetts General Hospital/North Eastern ALS Consortium, 2017 – 2018.
  • FLX 787203: A randomized, double-blind, controlled, parallel-group study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FLX-787-ODT for treatment of muscle cramps in adults with ALS; Flex Pharma, 2017 – 2018.
  • VIGOR, CY 4033: A phase 3 open-label extension study of tirasemtiv for patients with ALS who completed VITALITY-ALS (CY 4031); Cytokinetics, 2017 – 2018.
  • VITALITY: Phase III, in subjects with ALS; Cytokinetics, 2016 – 2017.
  • BENEFIT ALS: Cytokinetics Study, phase IIb, in subjects with ALS; Cytokinetics, 2012 – 2016.
  • Novel Molecular Diagnostic and Gene Identification in ALS: GW Collaborative Research Grant, 2010 – 2011.
  • Phase III Study on Ceftriaxone in ALS: Multicenter, double-blinded, randomized study in subjects with ALS; North East ALS Consortium, 2009 – 2011.
  • Cortical Function in Primary Lateral Sclerosis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Collaboration with National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke, 2009 – 2010.
  • ALS Research Group DNA Banking Study: 2005 – 2006.

Leadership

The clinic is directed by Elham Bayat, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology at the GW University. Dr. Bayat, who has led the clinic since 2006, is triple board-certified in Neurology, Neuromuscular Medicine, and Electrodiagnostic Medicine. She has served as the site principal investigator (PI) and PI for numerous ALS clinical trials and is dedicated to advancing patient care and research in ALS. Under her guidance, the clinic continues to deliver comprehensive, multidisciplinary care to individuals with ALS.

Selected Publications by Dr. Elham Bayat and et al:

Dr. Bayat has authored several notable publications in the field of ALS, including:

Contact Information

The John J. Kelly ALS Clinic 
The GW Medical Faculty Associates 
2150 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 7-401 
Washington, DC 20037


Phone: 202-741-2700 
For ALS Scheduling: Erica Doon, 202-741-2817

At the GW ALS Clinic, we are dedicated to improving lives through expert care, collaborative support, and pioneering research.