Stephen Scelsa, MD
img_Stephen Scelsa
PROFESSOR | Neurology
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Specialties
Neurology
Research Topics
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Motor Neuron
Nutritional Requirements in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
I had the benefit of contributing to nutrition-focused ALS research, mostly investigating the nutritional requirements and dietary interventions of ALS. One of the major nutrition in ALS initiatives I have been involved in was the ALS Nutrition/NIPPV Study Group. The results of this collaborative study allowed us to model equations to predict the energy requirements in ALS and to plan a study of early intervention with NIPPV. I have also contributed to what is known about 25-hydroxyvitamin D in ALS, showing that vitamin D supplementation may have a beneficial effect on ALSFRS-R scores.
Comorbidities and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
A large portion of my research has focused on ALS patients who present a comorbid disease; particularly HIV, dyspnea-fasciculation syndrome and progressive bulbar palsy. In regards to ALS and HIV, my research has documented the first time a patient with motor neuron disease and HIV infections has responded to antiviral therapy. My research has also described the dyspnea-fasciculation syndrome, the early presence of respiratory failure in ALS since concurrent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease augments the effect of ALS.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Treatment Methods and Efficacy
I have been able to focus much of my research on the development and implementation of novel drug therapies for ALS through various randomized clinical trials.

MD, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University - College of Medicine

Internship, Internal Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center

Residency, Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Yeshiva University

Fellowship, Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Yeshiva University

Certifications

Am Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

2019

Pasik Teaching Award for Neurology Teaching

Mount Sinai Health System

2019

Teaching Award, Department of Neurology

Mount Sinai Health System

2019

Compassionate Care Team Award

ALS Center, Mount Sinai Beth Israel

2014

Beth Israel Neurology Teaching Award

2014

Neurology Teaching Award

Beth Israel

2011

Beth Israel Neurology Teaching Award

2011

Neurology Teaching Award

Beth Israel

2005

Best Doctors

1988

M.D. conferred Cum Laude

1986

Award

Alpha Omega Alpha

1984

B.S. conferred Summa Cum Laude

1984

Chemistry Honor Society

1983

Award

Phi Beta Kappa

Publications

Selected Publications

Oculomotor Dysfunction in Motor Neuron Disease. Clover E. Youn, Christine Lu, Jonathan Cauchi, Daniel MacGowan, Rachelle Morgenstern, Stephen Scelsa. Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases

Primary lateral sclerosis natural history study–planning, designing, and early enrollment. Hiroshi Mitsumoto, Grace Jang, Ikjae Lee, Zachary Simmons, Alexander V. Sherman, Daragh Heitzman, Eric Sorenson, Ken Cheung, Jinsy Andrews, Matthew Harms, Neil A. Shneider, Regina Santella, Sabrina Paganoni, Senda Ajroud-Driss, J. Americo M. Fernandes, Katherine M. Burke, Kelly Gwathmey, Ali A. Habib, Nicholas J. Maragakis, David Walk, Christina Fournier, Terry Heiman-Patterson, James Wymer, Frank Diaz, Stephen N. Scelsa, Lauren Elman, Angela Genge, Stephen A. Goutman, Ghazala Hayat, Omar Jawdat, Wendy S. Johnston, Nanette C. Joyce, Edward J. Kasarskis, Yaz Y. Kisanuki, Catherine Lomen-Hoerth, Michael T. Pulley, Jaimin S. Shah, Christen Shoesmith, Lorne Zinman. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration

Effect of sodium phenylbutyrate/taurursodiol on tracheostomy/ventilation-free survival and hospitalisation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: long-term results from the CENTAUR trial. Sabrina Paganoni, Suzanne Hendrix, Samuel P. Dickson, Newman Knowlton, James D. Berry, Michael A. Elliott, Samuel Maiser, Chafic Karam, James B. Caress, Margaret Ayo Owegi, Adam Quick, James Wymer, Stephen A. Goutman, Daragh Heitzman, Terry D. Heiman-Patterson, Carlayne Jackson, Colin Quinn, Jeffrey D. Rothstein, Edward J. Kasarskis, Jonathan Katz, Liberty Jenkins, Shafeeq S. Ladha, Timothy M. Miller, Stephen N. Scelsa, Tuan H. Vu, Christina Fournier, Kristin M. Johnson, Andrea Swenson, Namita Goyal, Gary L. Pattee, Suma Babu, Marianne Chase, Derek Dagostino, Meghan Hall, Gale Kittle, Mathew Eydinov, Joseph Ostrow, Lindsay Pothier, Rebecca Randall, Jeremy M. Shefner, Alexander V. Sherman, Eric Tustison, Prasha Vigneswaran, Hong Yu, Joshua Cohen, Justin Klee, Rudolph Tanzi, Walter Gilbert, Patrick Yeramian, Merit Cudkowicz. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry

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Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology companies, and other outside entities 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 outside financial relationships.

Below are financial relationships with industry reported by Dr. Scelsa during 2023 and/or 2024. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.

Consulting or Other Professional Services: Examples include, but are not limited to, committee participation, data safety monitoring board (DSMB) membership

  • Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker
  • MJH Healthcare Holdings

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.