Adams, Robert, PhD

Robert D. Adams, MD is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and part of the Neurology Residency at Case Western Reserve University / University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center / VA Medical Center.

Dr. Adams’ clinical and research work is centered on neuromuscular ultrasound, electrodiagnostic medicine, and peripheral nerve stimulation. He regularly contributes to research teams at the VA led by Drs. Triolo and Graczyk, performing preoperative neuromuscular ultrasound to guide surgical nerve electrode placement, and is a key contributor to a brain-computer interface project led by Drs. Sweet, Kirsch, Ajiboye, and Graczyk. His specific expertise includes neuromuscular ultrasound-guided fine-wire electrode placement.

Dr. Adams He received his BS in Mechanical Engineering and Biological Sciences at Missouri University of Science and Technology, followed by a combined MD-PhD at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. His research was funded by an NIH T32 training grant, and focused on the neurotrophic effects of low-voltage and high-voltage electrical fields on peripheral neurons. He completed his neurology residency at Case Western Reserve University / University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center where he was chief resident, followed by a fellowship in neuromuscular neurology in the same program.

Dr. Adams has special interests in the use of neuromuscular ultrasound. In addition to routinely using ultrasound to diagnose common neuromuscular conditions, he is involved in research on its use in diagnosing less common conditions. Furthermore, he is exploring experimental ultrasound techniques for measuring muscle activation. Dr. Adams is passionate about medical education, regularly teaching medical students, neurology residents, and neuromuscular fellows, and has been recognized with an excellence award for his dedication to teaching.

RESEARCH PROGRAMS

• Neuromuscular ultrasound for diagnosis and imaging of neurological disease states
• Peripheral nerve stimulation with nerve cuff electrodes
• Brain-computer interface research and neuromuscular electrode placement guidance
• Electrodiagnostic medicine and neuromuscular disease
• Computational and experimental modeling of electrical stimulation effects on neurons

MAJOR PROJECTS & FUNDING

• ReHAB Study, Brain-computer interface project, collaborating investigator providing neuromuscular ultrasound-guided fine-wire electrode placement
• VA research teams, preoperative neuromuscular ultrasound to map and plan surgical nerve electrode placement
• Neuromuscular ultrasound research — ongoing projects evaluating ultrasound imaging findings in neurological disease states, and experimental ultrasound techniques for measuring muscle activation
• NIH T32-Funded Research, Doctoral research on neurotrophic effects of low- and high-voltage electrical fields on peripheral neurons

HONORS & RECOGNITION

• 2024–2034 Certificate of Recognition, American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine
• 2024–2034 Neuromuscular Ultrasound Certificate of Added Qualification, American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine
• 2022–2027 Neuromuscular Boards Certification, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
• 2021–2027 Neurology Boards Certification, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
• Excellence Award for Dedication to Teaching Medical Students, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center