Neuromuscular Disease Laboratory (NDL)

CONTACT US
(biopsy info ONLY - cannot help with clinical or appt. inquiries)

NDL@ucdavis.edu
530-752-1170

Neuromuscular Disease Laboratory (NDL)

YES! We are accepting fresh muscle samples for processing! Call or email if you have questions.

The Neuromuscular Disease Laboratory (NDL) was established at UC Davis in 1974 by Dr. George H. Cardinet, III. Dr. Cardinet and Dr. Terry Holliday made the NDL part of the Neurology/Neurosurgery Service of the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, providing clinical and research support for patients and veterinarians.

For over 40 years, the NDL’s principal activity is providing clinical diagnostic services, including fresh muscle and nerve biopsy examination with histochemical and immunocytochemical techniques. The case materials provide resources for clinical teaching of veterinary students and Neurology/Neurosurgery residents, as well as advancements in research. The NDL is closely associated with the UC Davis Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory, and together these labs provide a functional and structural assessment of neuromuscular diseases in our veterinary patients.

Our expertise is processing and interpretation of fresh (not fixed) muscle and nerve samples, helping veterinarians diagnose and treat patients with suspected neuromuscular disease. The neuromuscular system is comprised of the peripheral nerves, the muscles in the body, and the junction between the muscle and nerve. Several different disease processes can affect the neuromuscular system, and can cause a variety of clinical signs (see FAQs section).