Our Clinical Programs
Progressive Neurology offers a wide variety of consultation and procedure-based services. As a group we provide expert diagnostic procedures both in our offices, as well as through our partnerships with Hackensack University Medical Center.
Comprehensive Epilepsy Program
Hackensack Epilepsy Center at Progressive Neurology is a group of specialized epileptologists who offer the full spectrum of diagnostic and treatment modalities for all types of seizures and epilepsy in all age groups.
We provide first and second opinion consultations at our office in addition to full evaluations for epilepsy surgery.
Through our partnership with Hackensack University Medical Center, we have access to both adult and pediatric Epilepsy Monitoring Units (EMU). Learn more about the Hackensack Epilepsy Center.
Sleep Medicine Program
As the director of the Neurological Sleep Disorders Program at the Neuroscience Institute at Hackensack University Medical Center, Dr. Ghacibeh evaluates and treats patients with various conditions that affect their sleep.
“I use a comprehensive approach to pinpoint the underlying reason why patients have trouble with their sleep and try to address the root cause of the problem.”
Whether you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or if you experience difficulties staying awake during the day, we might be able to help you.
Our Sleep Medicine Program is affiliated with the Sleep Center at Hackensack University Medical Center where we have access to a sleep laboratory in addition to social workers and psychologists with specialized training in addressing sleep problems. We are also affiliated with the sleep centers at Holy Name Medical Center and Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.
Depending on your condition, we might obtain a sleep study performed at the sleep laboratory or sometimes, if appropriate, at home, and might recommend specific types of treatment, such as CPAP for sleep apnea, medications for narcolepsy and hypersomnia, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI) and Circadian Rhythm Disorders.
Sleep Studies and Treatments
Sleep is a complicated function of the body. Most people spend about thirty percent of their lives sleeping. Sleep is primarily a function of the brain, however, several other organs function differently when we are sleeping. For this reason, studying sleep requires an analysis of several organs.
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A polysomnogram is the standard sleep study performed in the sleep laboratory overnight. It offers the most comprehensive evaluation of various functions of the body during sleep. A polysomnogram helps diagnose conditions such as sleep apnea, periodic limb movements or sleep, and other sleep disorders.
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Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT), sometimes referred to as “nap test”, is meant to measure our tendency to fall asleep during the day. It is performed in the sleep laboratory during the day, usually after a polysomnogram and is essential for the diagnosis of central disorders of hypersomnolence, such as narcolepsy.
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A home sleep apnea test is a simple test performed at home that may help diagnose sleep apnea. In some cases, it is sufficient to make the diagnosis, but sometimes a more comprehensive polysomnogram might be needed.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia CBT-T is a short-term, evidence-based, psychotherapy treatment that aims to improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia symptoms. It is paired with strict implementation of sleep hygiene measures. The treatment is often conducted by a trained physician, social worker, or psychologist, and may be offered either as individual treatment or as group therapy.
Cognitive and Development Disorders
Several of our physicians have special interest in diagnosing and treating patients with cognitive problems. Depending on your age, a different physician might be recommended to see you. We perform various evaluations for cognitive disorders depending on the patient’s symptoms and age.
Adult or elderly patients presenting with progressive decline in their memory may benefit from a specialized evaluation for early dementia or mild cognitive impairment, however, other neurological conditions that may cause cognitive symptoms should always be considered, including metabolic, hormonal, autoimmune, vascular, and other disorders.
We offer various evaluations in our office, including bedside cognitive testing, computer based cognitive assessment, laboratory testing, and imaging. In some cases, we might request a full neuropsychological testing or refer the patient to the Center for Memory Loss and Brain Health at Hackensack University Medical Center for a more specialized evaluation.
Children and adults presenting with developmental, academic, or attentional concerns are evaluated by our physicians using various specialized tools, including bedside cognitive and educational testing and computer based cognitive assessment. In many cases, we also perform medical and genetic testing to look for an underlying cause. We diagnose and treat patients with various neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD or ADD), Cerebral Palsy, and others. In some cases, when parents are seeking an initial diagnosis of a developmental disorder, such as autism, in very young children, we might refer them to partners and colleagues who offer more specialized evaluations and dedicated testing (ADOS, CARS) for early developmental disorders.
Headache and Migraine
Our physicians have special interests in treating various headache and facial pain disorders. These include, but are not limited to, migraine, tension type headaches, cervicogenic type headaches, and trigeminal neuralgia. We work with the patient to tailor a medication regimen that works for them and to identify personal headache and pain triggers. In addition to various oral and injectable medications, we offer Botox injections for migraine treatments.
Neuromuscular and ALS Programs
Neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) are a group of conditions that affect the nerves and muscles, leading to weakness, fatigue, pain, and functional impairment. These disorders can be inherited or acquired and may involve damage to the peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junction, or muscle fibers. Common neuromuscular disorders include carpal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathy, ulnar neuropathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, peripheral neuropathy, and spinal muscular atrophy.
We have special interest and expertise in neuromuscular disorders and electrodiagnostics and treat hundreds of patients every year suffering from these conditions. If you suffer from weakness, numbness or have been told you have a peripheral neuropathy, Progressive Neurology can help.
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Patients with neuromuscular disorders often require evaluation with a nerve conduction test and an electromyogram.
Dr. Connors and Dr. Mittelmann are experts in nerve conduction testing and electromyography, which we perform both in our office and at our partner institutions, Hackensack University Medical Center and Hackensack University Medical Center at Pascack Valley.
An electromyography (EMG) test is a diagnostic procedure used to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells (motor neurons) that control them. It helps determine if muscle weakness, pain, or abnormal movement is due to a nerve disorder, muscle disorder, or neuromuscular junction dysfunction. The test measures the electrical activity of nerves and muscles both at rest and during activity.
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Dr. Connors is the co-director of the ALS Center at Hackensack University Medical Center and the co-director of Division of Neuromuscular Disorders at the Hackensack University School of Medicine and partners with the ALS Center and the John Theurer Cancer Center in several investigational studies of ALS therapeutics.
Progressive Neurology, partnering with the Hackensack ALS Center, has a special commitment to helping patients with this awful disease. If you suspect you may have ALS, we strongly encourage you to contact us for an expedited evaluation. If your neurologist has diagnosed you with ALS, we strongly suggest you contact the ALS Center at Hackensack University Medical Center at 551-996-8100.
Taking control of ALS does not mean stopping a search for other causes of your symptoms and although ALS still has no cure, many symptoms of the disease can be palliated or even completely relieved.