The Department has been diagnosing neuromuscular disorders since Dr. Edward Bossen founded the service in 1972.

Enzyme histochemistry, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry are available.  Instructions for sending biopsies are available linked below, or upon request by calling 919-684-6667 or 919-684-2332. These are also posted on the Neuropathology website. Questions are welcomed by phone or email. Please send clinical information along with the biopsy.

Consults

  • For nerve and muscle please follow special protocol (below)
  • Send completed clinical information form with case
  • Please call our office at 919-684-2533 with any questions

Muscle Biopsy Guidelines

New Clients:
Please contact us

Nerve Biopsy Guidelines

New Clients:
Please contact us

Research

Anne F. Buckley, MD, PhD, is assistant professor of Pathology.  She is a member of the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, and conducts basic research on brain tumors and brain development. Dr. Buckley is involved with translational and basic research on muscle and renal disorders with other research groups at Duke. In addition to neuromuscular pathology, her clinical practice includes general neuropathology and medical renal pathology.

Thomas J. Cummings, MD, professor of pathology, and professor of Ophthalmology, has active clinical and research interests in the following areas: Ophthalmic pathology (eye tumors, pathology of the optic nerve); neuropathology (brain tumors, neural tube defects, peripheral nerve and skeletal muscle pathology); orthopaedic pathology (bone and soft tissue tumors); leprosy involvement of the eye, peripheral nerve, bone, and soft tissues; and, general surgical pathology.

Karra Jones, MD, PhD, associate professor of pathology, was appointed as Section Head of Muscle and Nerve Pathology on May 16, 2022, shortly after joining the faculty in April that year. She is also medical director of the Electron Microscopy and Immunochemistry Laboratories. Dr. Jones has clinical and research interests in inherited muscular dystrophies and myopathies.  She also has broad experience with brain tumor research and molecular diagnostics in neuropathology.  Dr. Jones’ clinical practice also includes general neuropathology and autopsy neuropathology.  She is dedicated to teaching the next generation of neuropathologists and has received multiple teaching awards.

Shih-Hsiu Jerry Wang, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Pathology, has a long term interest in neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative diseases. He is actively involved in research projects with the Duke Center for Neurodegeneration and Neurotherapeutics and the Bryan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Brain Bank. His clinical practice includes surgical neuropathology, muscle biopsies, and autopsy pathology.