Cedars-Sinai Designated a Center of Excellence in Rare Neuroimmune Disorders

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 4, 2025) — Cedars-Sinai has been named a Center of Excellence in Rare Neuroimmune Disorders, one of only 21 worldwide and two in California recognized for advancing research in immune-driven disorders of the central nervous system and providing the highest-quality comprehensive patient care.

The designation is awarded by the Siegel Rare Neuroimmune Association (SRNA), the patient advocacy group formerly known as the Transverse Myelitis Association.

“We’re proud to be known as an exceptional center offering streamlined access to specialists highly trained in addressing the varied and specific needs of patients with rare neuroimmune disorders,” said Paula Barreras, MD, assistant professor of Neurology and director of the new Center of Excellence at Cedars-Sinai. “This meaningful recognition by an organization that works with patients and the medical community helps us offer more people navigating these difficult conditions the services they need, without delay.”

The Center of Excellence in Rare Neuroimmune Disorders at Cedars-Sinai provides multidisciplinary, patient-centered care for people with:

• Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
• Acute flaccid myelitis
• Idiopathic transverse myelitis
• Infectious myelitis
• MOG antibody-associated disease
• Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
• Optic neuritis
• Neurosarcoidosis
• Paraneoplastic myelitis
  • Non-immune mimics of myelitis; vascular myelopathies; spinal cord stroke and spinal arteriovenous fistulas
  • Myelopathies of unclear cause

These often-complex disorders can affect the brain, spinal cord or optic nerve. Depending on the affected area, symptoms can range from muscle weakness, loss of balance and impaired vision to bladder or bowel incontinence and cognitive and communication changes.

“Because symptoms may span multiple physician specialties, patients who are not seen at a medical center with a multidisciplinary team are likely to experience delays on the road to an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan,” Barreras said.

Cedars-Sinai evaluates patients through comprehensive testing and imaging to pinpoint an accurate diagnosis. Patients are then connected with the appropriate on-site specialists and additional resources they may need, including social and neuropsychological services, help navigating insurance and medications, and physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Nancy L. Sicotte, MD, chair of the Department of Neurology and director of the Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Program at Cedars-Sinai, as well as an expert in multiple sclerosis—a more common neuroimmune disease—said the designation also helps expand research and education efforts in rare neuroimmune disorders.

“Patients benefit because they have more opportunities to participate in research that can give them access to the most innovative treatments,” said Sicotte, the Women’s Guild Distinguished Chair in Neurology at Cedars-Sinai. “Our institution benefits from increased opportunities for research funding, and our research fellows benefit as they gain a greater understanding of the mechanisms of rare neuroimmune disorders and ways to improve outcomes for patients.”

In addition to Barreras and Sicotte, Cedars-Sinai’s specialist team for patients with rare neuroimmune disorders includes:

• Marwa Kaisey, MD, assistant professor of Neurology; multiple sclerosis specialist
• Omar Al-Louzi, MD, director of the Visual Outcomes Laboratory in the Department of Neurology; multiple sclerosis specialist with expertise in optic neuritis
• Swaraj Bose, MD, neuro-ophthalmologist and orbital surgeon
• Alexandra Dubinskaya, MD, urology specialist
• Mitzi Gonzales, PhD, neuropsychologist and director of Translational Research in the Jona Goldrich Center for Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders
• Marcel Maya, MD, interventional neuroradiologist and co-chair of the Department of Imaging
• Christopher Boudakian, DO, medical director of the California Rehabilitation Institute
• Sadie Loera, social worker, Outpatient Neuroscience Department
• Laura Locke, NP, Department of Neurology
• Neurological rehabilitation team, including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy

“I’m thankful for our enthusiastic and knowledgeable team of clinicians, and I’m proud we can provide world-class care to patients,” Barreras said. “I’m also grateful for increased awareness for rare neuroimmune disorders, which will lead to advances in research and improved treatments. Our goal is to ensure patients are not jumping through hoops to access good care and experience a better quality of life.”

Read more from Discoveries Magazine: No Time for MS