Dr. Andrew Eisen’s name is synonymous with progress in the field of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). As one of Canada’s most distinguished neurologists, Dr. Eisen has made a profound and lasting impact on ALS research, clinical care and advocacy, changing not only how we understand the disease, but how we care for those living with it.
He is best known for developing the “corticomotoneuronal (dying forward) hypothesis”—a groundbreaking theory that proposed ALS originates in the brain’s motor cortex and spreads along the corticospinal tract. This shifted the prevailing view of ALS from a spinal cord disorder to a complex, brain-based neurodegenerative disease. His use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) further supported this model, revealing early signs of cortical hyperexcitability in patients, and has opened new doors for early detection and intervention.
Dr. Eisen’s curiosity has also led him to explore broader questions, such as potential links between ALS and human evolution, and how emerging environmental exposures like nanoplastics might contribute to disease development. With over 250 peer-reviewed publications, his influence on the global research community is far-reaching.
Beyond his research, Dr. Eisen has also been equally transformative in clinical care. In 1981, he founded the Neuromuscular Diseases Unit and the ALS Clinic at Vancouver General Hospital, establishing one of the first dedicated ALS clinics in Canada and only the second in North America at the time. His clinical practice is characterized by a holistic approach which integrates cutting-edge diagnostics with compassionate patient care.
Dr. Eisen is also a committed mentor and leader. He has served in key academic roles within UBC’s Faculty of Medicine, including Associate Dean of Research, Head of Medicine and Head of Neurology. Over his career, he has mentored over 100 clinical fellows, residents and researchers, nurturing a community of care in neuromuscular disease.
“My fellowship with Dr. Eisen paved my entire professional career and I feel deeply honoured to have had the opportunity to work with him,” says Dr. Markus Weber, who was Dr. Eisen’s last neuromuscular fellow and is currently a Professor of Neurology at the University of Basel. “Besides being a pioneer in ALS care and clinical neurophysiology, Andy Eisen lived humanity. One thing that I have taken with me is that being a physician, first and foremost, means being human.”
A true champion not only in the lab and clinic but also in the community, Dr. Eisen co-founded the ALS Society of British Columbia in 1981, establishing a vital support network for patients and their families. He and his wife Kathy have also donated generously to ALS research and care, contributing over $100,000 to initiatives like PROJECT HOPE, which aims to build a world-class ALS Centre at UBC.
“Andy’s contributions have touched and inspired countless lives, including mine, and we are all lucky to have worked with and learned from him,” says Dr. Lynn Raymond, Co-Director of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH).
Dr. Eisen’s many accolades include the prestigious Forbes Norris Award for compassion in ALS care, the BC Community Achievement Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the King Charles III Coronation Medal. Most recently, the Faculty of Medicine and ALS Society of BC recognized Dr. Eisen’s achievements with the naming of the Dr. Andrew Eisen Atrium within the DMCBH. These honours reflect both his scientific leadership and his commitment to uplifting the lives of those affected by neurodegenerative diseases.
From shaping our understanding of ALS to building the systems that support patients today, Dr. Eisen’s legacy is one of vision, compassion and enduring impact. Currently a Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Medicine, his work continues to inspire the next generation of scientists and clinicians committed to ending ALS.
