Zachary Simmons, MD

Dr. Zachary Simmons' primary research focus is on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease). He has published extensively on quality of life in ALS and was the co-developer of the ALS Specific Quality of Life Instrument. Related to this, he has published on ethics of care and end-of-life issues.

Telemedicine, including both synchronous videoconferencing and asynchronous remote monitoring initiatives, are being pursued in collaboration with colleagues in engineering and in speech and communications. These include initiatives in home pulmonary function testing, monitoring of gait and falls and monitoring of speech and swallowing.

Cognitive and behavioral dysfunction in ALS are other active areas of Dr. Simmons' research, including the use of an instrument to measure apathy and the study of a mindfulness program to improve quality of life and to decrease anxiety and depression.

Dr. Simmons is also actively involved in ALS clinical trials, and has served as the site principal investigator for many studies during the past two decades.

Dr. Zachary Simmons' primary clinical interests are in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease) and other motor neuron disorders.

The multidisciplinary ALS clinic at Penn State Health that he founded nearly 30 years ago, and currently directs, is an ALS Association Certified Treatment Center of Excellence, where more than 200 patients with ALS and other motor neuron disorders receive regular care from a highly trained group of physicians, nurses and other health care professionals.

In the clinic, Dr. Simmons evaluates newly-referred patients for possible ALS and sees them for follow-up care. Patients with related disorders such as primary lateral sclerosis, progressive muscular atrophy, progressive bulbar palsy and hereditary spastic paraplegia are also seen regularly.

Dr. Simmons continues to provide ongoing care for patients with a variety of other neuromuscular disorders and to perform electrodiagnostic studies (nerve conduction studies and electromyography, or EMG).

Board-certified in neurology, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 1989

Board-certified in electrodiagnostic medicine, American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, 1989