Nizar Souayah, MD, FAAN, FAANEM, FANA
Adult and Pediatric Neuromuscular Expert
Dr. Nizar Souayah is a triple board-certified neurologist and internationally renowned neuromuscular specialist with more than 25 years of clinical, academic, and research experience. He is globally recognized as a leading authority in complex neurological disorders, particularly neuromuscular diseases, neuroimmunology, and advanced electrodiagnostic medicine. In addition to his distinguished credentials (MD, FAAN, FAANEM, FANA), Dr. Souayah is celebrated for his expertise in personalized medicine and patient-centered care, ensuring that every patient receives a precision-guided evaluation and individualized treatment plan. Patients, families, and healthcare providers frequently seek his expertise for second-opinion consultations, especially in the most challenging and complex neurological cases.
In his clinical practice, Dr. Souayah provides expert evaluation and management across a broad spectrum of neuromuscular, neuroimmune, and neurodegenerative disorders. His expertise includes entrapment neuropathies such as carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathy, and peroneal neuropathy, where he emphasizes electrodiagnostic confirmation for accurate management. He has extensive experience with motor neuron disorders, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS), and Progressive Muscular Atrophy (PMA), integrating biomarker research, clinical trial opportunities, and multidisciplinary care to support patients and families. In the area of diabetic neuropathy, the most common cause of peripheral nerve dysfunction worldwide, Dr. Souayah has pioneered new diagnostic approaches—holding a U.S. patent for detecting inflammation in diabetic neuropathy—that advance early detection and treatment.
He is also recognized for early identification and advanced treatment of inflammatory neuropathies such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP). His nuanced expertise extends to autoimmune neuropathies, including post-infectious, post-vaccination, and systemic autoimmune conditions, where he applies precision immunotherapy. For hereditary neuropathies such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), he incorporates advanced genetic diagnostics, counseling, and multidisciplinary care. He is internationally regarded in the care of Myasthenia Gravis (MG), with mastery in both traditional therapies and evolving biologic treatments supported by precision diagnostics.
His expertise further spans inflammatory myopathies (Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis, Inclusion Body Myositis), where he integrates immunologic testing, imaging, biopsy interpretation, and tailored immunotherapy; muscular dystrophies (Duchenne, Becker, Facioscapulohumeral, and Limb-Girdle), where he provides genetic evaluation and functional assessment while staying at the forefront of emerging therapies; and toxic myopathies, including statin-induced cases, where his ability to distinguish drug-related muscle disease ensures proper management and prevention of complications.
As a pioneer in post-COVID neurological syndromes, Dr. Souayah has identified, categorized, and treated neuropathy, autonomic dysfunction, myopathy, dysautonomia, and persistent fatigue syndromes, applying both immunology and functional medicine to optimize recovery. He is also considered a global authority on neurological complications following vaccination, with extensive expertise in Guillain-Barré Syndrome, myasthenia gravis, small fiber neuropathy, and other vaccine-related complications. His combination of clinical expertise, academic scholarship, and more than 400 peer-reviewed publications has established him as a leader in vaccine-related neurology, frequently sought for second opinions, causation assessments, and medico-legal evaluations.
In addition to his clinical experience, Dr. Souayah’s approach is evidence-based and holistic. He integrates advanced diagnostics, biomarker and genetic data, and functional assessments into individualized treatment strategies, while also addressing nutritional, metabolic, and environmental factors. His philosophy of care emphasizes not only treatment of disease but also promotion of neurowellness, prevention of progression, and enhancement of quality of life.
Dr. Souayah’s scholarly training includes neurology residency at Temple University Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident; a fellowship in Neuromuscular Disease and Electromyography at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School; and a research fellowship in Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration at Drexel University College of Medicine. He has been honored as a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology (FAAN), the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (FAANEM), and the American Neurological Association (FANA). His expertise has also been recognized with numerous honors, including listings in Healthgrades’ Top Scoring Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Doctors and the Consumer Research Council of America’s “Guide to America’s Top Physicians.” As a Professor of Neurology, he has mentored numerous trainees, reflecting his dedication to advancing the next generation of neurologists.
Despite his extensive accomplishments, Dr. Souayah remains deeply committed to his patients. He is known for careful listening, thorough evaluation, and clear communication. His second-opinion consultations are especially valued for their clarity and depth, providing patients and families confidence when navigating complex neurological conditions.
Conditions Treated
Dr. Souayah provides neurological evaluation and care for the following conditions:
- Autoimmune Neuropathies
- Complex or Atypical Neuromuscular Disorders
- Diabetic Neuropathy
- Entrapment Neuropathies (Carpal Tunnel, Ulnar, Peroneal)
- Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and CIDP
- Hereditary Neuropathies (Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease)
- Inflammatory Myopathies (Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis, IBM)
- Motor Neuron Disorders (ALS, PLS, PMA)
- Muscular Dystrophies (Duchenne, Becker, FSHD, Limb-Girdle)
- Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
- Neurological Complications Following Vaccination
- Post-COVID Neurological Syndromes
- Statin-induced and Toxic Myopathies
Services and Treatments
Dr. Souayah provides comprehensive evaluation, management, and support through the following services:
- Access to Clinical Trials and Research-driven Therapies
- Advanced Electrodiagnostic Testing (EMG/NCS)
- Electrodiagnostic Testing (EMG/NCS Interpretation)
- Family Education, Counseling, and Ongoing Support
- Genetic and Biomarker-driven Evaluations
- Immunotherapy for Autoimmune Neuropathies and Myopathies
- Individualized, Precision-guided Treatment Planning
- Long-term Management of Chronic Neuromuscular Conditions
- Multidisciplinary Care Coordination
- Second-opinion Consultations and Medico-legal Evaluations
Patents and Intellectual Property
Dr. Souayah is the inventor of a patented technology for diagnosing and treating demyelinating neuropathies. This innovation is protected under:
- U.S. International Patent Application (PCT/US2022/049119)
- U.S. Provisional Application (63/111,862)
Both titled: “Systems and Methods for Diagnosis and Treating Demyelinating Neuropathy.”
Filed in 2022, this patent introduces advanced diagnostic algorithms and therapeutic protocols for conditions like CIDP, GBS, and other autoimmune demyelinating neuropathies. This technology reflects Dr. Souayah’s commitment to translating scientific discoveries into clinical solutions that improve outcomes for patients with rare and complex neuromuscular diseases.
Publications
- Chong ZZ, Souayah N. Oxidative Stress: Pathological Driver in Chronic Neurodegenerative Diseases. Antioxidants (Basel). 2025 Jun 9;14(6):696. doi: 10.3390/antiox14060696. PMID: 40563328; PMCID: PMC12189608.
- Chong ZZ, Souayah N. Pathogenic TDP-43 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Drug Discov Today. 2025 May;30(5):104351. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104351. Epub 2025 Apr 4. PMID: 40188980.
- Chong ZZ, Souayah N. Targeting Gene C9orf72 Pathogenesis for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Apr 30;26(9):4276. doi: 10.3390/ijms26094276. PMID: 40362512; PMCID: PMC12072292.
- Chong ZZ, Souayah N. Neuroinflammation in diabetic peripheral neuropathy and therapeutic implications. Rev Neurosci. 2025 Apr 16. doi: 10.1515/revneuro-2025-0031. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40228523.
- Chong ZZ, Souayah N. Crumbling Pathogenesis and Biomarkers for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. Biomedicines. 2025 Feb 8;13(2):413. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines13020413. PMID: 40002826; PMCID: PMC11853266.
- Bril V, Berkowicz T, Szczudlik A, Nicolle MW, Bednarik J, Hon P, Vaitkus A, Vu T, Rozsa C, Magnus T, Panczel G, Toomsoo T, Pasnoor M, Mozaffar T, Freimer M, Reuner U, VĂ©csei L, Souayah N, Levine T, Pascuzzi RM, Dalakas MC, Rivner M, Griffin R, Coll MQ, Mondou E. Efficacy and safety of maintenance intravenous immunoglobulin in generalized myasthenia gravis patients with acetylcholine receptor antibodies: A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Muscle Nerve. 2025 Jan;71(1):43-54. doi: 10.1002/mus.28289. Epub 2024 Nov 7. PMID: 39506903; PMCID: PMC11632570.
- Bril V, Berkowicz T, Szczudlik A, Nicolle MW, Bednarik J, Hon P, Vaitkus A, Vu T, Rozsa C, Magnus T, Panczel G, Toomsoo T, Pasnoor M, Mozaffar T, Freimer M, Reuner U, VĂ©csei L, Souayah N, Levine T, Pascuzzi RM, Dalakas MC, Rivner M, Griffin R, Coll MQ, Mondou E. Efficacy and safety of maintenance intravenous immunoglobulin in generalized myasthenia gravis patients with acetylcholine receptor antibodies: A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Muscle Nerve. 2025 Jan;71(1):43-54. doi: 10.1002/mus.28289. Epub 2024 Nov 7. PMID: 39506903; PMCID: PMC11632570.
- Chong ZZ, Souayah N. Radixin: Roles in the Nervous System and Beyond. Biomedicines. 2024 Oct 15;12(10):2341. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines12102341. PMID: 39457653; PMCID: PMC11504607.
- Zhdanava M, Pesa J, Boonmak P, Schwartzbein S, Cai Q, Pilon D, Choudhry Z, Lafeuille MH, Lefebvre P, Souayah N. Predictors of High Healthcare Cost Among Patients with Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: A Combined Machine Learning and Regression Approach from a US Payer Perspective. Appl Health Econ Health Policy. 2024 Sep;22(5):735-747. doi: 10.1007/s40258-024-00897-x. Epub 2024 Jul 13. PMID: 39002043; PMCID: PMC11338970.
- Chong ZZ, Menkes DL, Souayah N. Targeting neuroinflammation in distal symmetrical polyneuropathy in diabetes. Drug Discov Today. 2024 Aug;29(8):104087. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104087. Epub 2024 Jul 4. PMID: 38969091.
- Zhdanava M, Pesa J, Boonmak P, Cai Q, Pilon D, Choudhry Z, Souayah N. Economic burden of generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) in the United States and the impact of common comorbidities and acute MG-events. Curr Med Res Opin. 2024 Jul;40(7):1145-1153. doi: 10.1080/03007995.2024.2353381. Epub 2024 May 24. PMID: 38745448.
- Jaffry M, Aftab OM, Mostafa FB, Faiz I, Jaffry K, Mandava K, Rosario S, Jedidi K, Khan H, Souayah N. Optic Neuritis After COVID-19 Vaccination: Response. J Neuroophthalmol. 2024 Jun 1;44(2):285-286. doi: 10.1097/WNO.0000000000002016. Epub 2023 Oct 12. PMID: 37824279.
- Souayah N, Chen H, Chong ZZ, Patel T, Pahwa A, Menkes DL, Cunningham T. Novel strategy: Identifying new markers for demyelination in diabetic distal symmetrical polyneuropathy. Heliyon. 2024 Apr 26;10(9):e30419. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30419. PMID: 38765173; PMCID: PMC11101717.
- Chong ZZ, Menkes DL, Souayah N. Pathogenesis underlying hexanucleotide repeat expansions in C9orf72 gene in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Rev Neurosci. 2023 Aug 2;35(1):85-97. doi: 10.1515/revneuro-2023-0060. PMID: 37525497.
- Naaldijk Y, Sherman LS, Turrini N, Kenfack Y, Ratajczak MZ, Souayah N, Rameshwar P, Ulrich H. Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Macrophage Crosstalk Provides Specific Exosomal Cargo to Direct Immune Response Licensing of Macrophages during Inflammatory Responses. Stem Cell Rev Rep. 2024 Jan;20(1):218-236. doi: 10.1007/s12015-023-10612-3. Epub 2023 Oct 18. PMID: 37851277.
