David M Simpson, MD
- PROFESSOR | Neurology, Neuromuscular Diseases
Specialties:
Neurology, Electrodiagnostic MedicineResearch Topics:
HIV/AIDS, Immune Deficiency, Infectious Disease, Motor Control, Neurology, Neuromuscular System, Neurophysiology, Neurotoxicology, Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord, Stroke, Viruses and Virology
David M. Simpson, MD, FAAN, is Professor of Neurology at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Neurology. He is Director of the Neuromuscular Diseases Division, Director of the Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratories, and Director of the Neuro-AIDS Program.
Author of more than 300 publications, Dr. Simpson is the principal investigator for many research studies. He led the studies that demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the high concentration capsaicin patch in the treatment of certain types of painful peripheral neuropathy.
Dr. Simpson also led a research team that performed and published the first placebo-controlled study demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of botulinum toxin in the treatment of post-stroke spasticity. Additional studies by Dr. Simpson's group demonstrated the superiority of botulinum toxin over oral anti-spasticity medications. He has also led several studies to enhance the technique of the botulinum toxin injection. Dr. Simpson has lectured and published extensively in this area and trained physicians in these injections throughout the world.
In addition to his spasticity studies, Dr. Simpson chaired a panel chartered by the American Academy of Neurology to develop evidence-based guidelines on the use of botulinum toxin for a wide range of neurological diseases, including movement disorders such as cervical dystonia and blepharospasm; pain, including migraine; and autonomic disorders, such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).
Dr. Simpson is a member of the American Neurological Association and the American Pain Society. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, and the American Academy of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine. He is on the editorial board of AIDS Patient Care and Current HIV/AIDS Reports.
For more information, contact Dr. Alexandra Nmashie at 212-241-3193 .
Dr. Simpson offers telemedicine appointments when appropriate. Please call his office to schedule a video visit.
Dr. Simpson is registered to provide telehealth services in Florida.
Research Links
Pianist Finds Relief for Common, Yet Underdiagnosed Muscle Condition with Botox
Certifications
Neuromuscular Medicine
Am Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine
Neurology, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Clinical Focus
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Bell's Palsy
- Botulinum Toxin Injections
- Botulism
- Brachial Plexopathy
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Cauda Equina Syndrome
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Neuropathy
- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
- Chronic Neck Pain
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- Dermatomyositis
- Diabetic Neuropathy
- Dystonia
- Electrodiagnostic Testing (EMG/NCS)
- Electromyography
- Essential Tremor
- Focal Dystonia
- Foot Drop
- Gaucher Disease
- Guillain-Barré Syndrome
- HIV Neuropathy
- HIV and AIDS
- Hemifacial Spasm
- Herniated Disk
- Inclusion Body Myositis
- Inflammatory Myopathy
- Limb Dystonia
- Low Back Pain
- Lumbar Radiculopathy
- Lyme Disease
- Mitochondrial Myopathy
- Mononeuropathy Multiplex
- Muscle Biopsy
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Myelitis
- Myopathy
- Nerve Biopsy
- Nerve Conduction Study
- Neuralgia/Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
- Neuro-AIDS
- Paraneoplastic Syndrome
- Paresthesia
- Periodic Paralysis Syndrome
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Peroneal Nerve Injury
- Polymyositis
- Post-Polio Syndrome
- Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
- Radiculopathy
- Sarcoidosis
- Sciatica
- Sensory Ganglionopathy
- Shingles
- Skin Biopsy
- Small Fiber Neuropathy
- Spasticity
- Spinal Stenosis
- Stroke
- Tardive Dyskinesia
- Temporal Arteritis
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Toxic Myopathy
- Tremor
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Ulnar Neuropathy
- Writers' Cramp
Education
MD, S.U.N.Y, Buffalo - School of Med & Biomed Sciences
Residency, Neurology, New York Presbyterian - Weill Cornell Medical Center
Residency, Internal Medicine, University Hospitals of Cleveland
Fellowship, Clinical Neurophysiology, Massachusetts General Hospital
-
2018
America’s Top Doctors (Castle Connolly Medical) -
2018
Mitchell B Max Award in Neuropathic Pain -
2016
Best Doctors in New York, New York Magazine -
2010
Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians -
1997
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Service Award -
1977
Alpha Omega Alpha -
1976
James A. Gibson Anatomical Society
Botulinum Toxin A as a Treatment for Task-Dependent Upper Limb Tremor
Dr. Simpson co-designed a study to determine if botulinum (BoTN) can help individuals who suffer with task-dependent upper limb tremor. Patients who struggle with this disorder often have to abandon careers, in which they rely on their hands, (i.e. violinists, dentists, jewelers, surgeons). We are enrolling this exploratory pilot trial using botulinum toxin Type A in 20 patients with task-dependent upper limb tremor. The goal of this study is to gather information so that a larger multi-center study can be performed in the future.
Botulinum Toxin A as a Treatment for Upper and/or Lower Limb Spasticity
Dr. Simpson is currently enrolling two studies looking at the treatment of spasticity a condition of stiffness in the arm and/or leg because of a stroke or brain injury. The studies are looking at different doses with different types of botulinum toxin (BoTN). These studies are currently enrolling.
Musician's Dystonia
Musician’s dystonia is a movement disorder that impacts the hands and arms. Approximately 1% of highly trained musicians face challenges associated with this disorder, which can be career-ending. Causes of Musician’s Dystonia are not well understood, and oral medications and rehabilitative measures rarely provide the results suffering musicians need. Dr. Simpson and his colleague Dr. Steven Frucht have begun a novel research project that provides patients with small doses of botulinum toxin (BoTN). Musicians from all over the world have participated in this study. The study has completed enrollment. The results are still being analyzed, but many patients have reported improvements that have allowed them to continue playing their instruments. Recently, one patient was able to begin playing the violin after giving it up for many years, and a drummer who was teaching has now returned to performing.
Peripheral Neuropathy Research Registry (PNRR)
The goal of the Registry is to work to find blood markers to help scientists to develop drugs that either repair the nerves or reduce the pain caused by peripheral neuropathy. The registry includes any participant has neuropathy due to HIV disease, Diabetes, Chemical-Induced Neuropathy or Idiopathic Neuropathy.
Ultrasound vs. E-Stimulation for Targeting Muscles
Drs. Simpson, Tse and Shin of the Mount Sinai Department of Neurology are leading a study in collaboration with a team led by Dr. Codrin Lungu at the National Institutes of Health. The study’s purpose is to compare two targeting methods- E-stimulation and ultrasound- for the treatment of muscles affected by spasticity and dystonia with botulinum toxin. The study is uniquely designed to investigate discomfort, timing and weakness.
Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device and biotechnology companies to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their relationships with such companies.
Below are financial relationships with industry reported by Dr. Simpson during 2020 and/or 2021. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.
Consulting:
- Allergan, Inc.; Grünenthal Group; Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC
Industry-Sponsored Lectures: MSSM faculty occasionally give lectures at events sponsored by industry, but only if the events are free of any marketing purpose.
- Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.
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