Michael W. Nicolle, MD, FRCPC, D Phil
Professor of Neurology, Western University
Office: London Health Sciences Centre, University Hospital
Phone: 519-663-3236
Secretary: Sue Robinson
Bio Sketch
Dr. Nicolle received his MD from Western University in 1985. He completed a neurology residency at Western University (1990) followed by a Canadian Medical Research Council (MRC) Scholarship at the Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, U.K, where he received his D. Phil/PhD (1994). His research in Oxford was on the cellular immunology and antigen-specific immunotherapy of myasthenia gravis.
Dr. Nicolle is currently a Professor in the Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences at Western University. He is the Neuromuscular Group leader, director of the Myasthenia Gravis Clinic and also the director of the EMG Laboratory at the London Health Science Centre.
For many years (2003-2015) he was an examiner for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Neurology), Vice-Chair (2013-2015) and now Co-Chair (English) for the RCPSC Neurology board examination (2015-present). He has also been an examiner for the Canadian Society of Clinical Neurophysiologists (CSCN) EMG exam. He is also as a member of Medical/Scientific Advisory Board of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America and is the medical advisor for the Myasthenia Gravis Coalition of Canada (MGCC). He was the founder and past-president of the Canadian Neuromuscular Group, an affiliate society of the Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation (CNSF).
Dr. Nicolle is one of several consulting neurologists in the Neuromuscular Clinic at University Hospital, LHSC, all of who have subspecialty expertise in the diagnosis and management of patients with neuromuscular diseases. Although involved in the management of patients with neuromuscular diseases in general, his specific interest is in myasthenia gravis (MG) and other disorders of neuromuscular transmission including congenital myasthenic syndromes and the Lambert Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome. The MG clinic at LHSC, directed by Dr. Nicolle, actively follows ≈ 600 patients with myasthenia gravis referred from a number of centers in Ontario and across Canada. Dr. Nicolle has extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of MG and is involved in research in this disease. His other areas of clinical expertise include paraneoplastic and autoimmune diseases of the peripheral nervous system.
Research
Dr. Nicolle's main research interests are in the field of myasthenia gravis. Current projects include clinical trials of therapies in MG, atypical manifestations and ocular manifestations in MG, the experience of pregnant women with MG as well as clinical trials for novel immunosuppressive medications potentially useful for the treatment of MG. Collaborating with investigators in other centers including the University of Oxford, other studies have included those looking at mutations in congenital myasthenic syndromes, and anti-MuSK antibodies in seronegative myasthenia gravis. He is also involved in research in the EMG laboratory, including studies of single fibre EMG, and of the longitudinal changes in entrapment neuropathies.
Medical Interests
Peripheral Nerve Diseases, Neuromuscular Disorders, Electromyography (EMG: diseases of peripheral nerve and muscle), Myasthenia gravis, Neuromuscular Transmission
Honours and Awards
- 2017, Certificate of Excellence, Top 3 Neurologists in London Ontario, Three Best Rated
- 2014, Award of Excellence, USC Teaching Honour Roll, Western University
- 2013, Angelika F. Hahn Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching, Western University
- 2010, Doctor of the Year, Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America
- 2006, Award of Excellence, USC Teaching Honour Roll, Western University
- 2005, Award of Excellence, USC Teaching Honour Roll, Western University
- 1991, Overseas Research Students Award, University of Oxford
- 1983, The Martin and Mary LeBoldus Award, Western University
