Stephen Kolb, MD, PHD
Physician, Professor
Neurology
Make an appointment
614-293-4969
Accepting new patients
Conditions and expertise
- Neuromuscular Diseases
- Hereditary Sensory and Motor Neuropathy
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
- Muscular Dystrophies
Locations
- Outpatient Care Gahanna
- Neurology
Academics and research
Department: Neurology
About
- Gender
- Male
Biography
I am a Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Biological Chemistry & Pharmacology at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. I obtained my MD and PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, and completed Neurology Residency and Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania. I am Director of the OSUWC ALS/MND Multidisciplinary Clinic and Research Program, and serves as the OSU Neurology NeuroNEXT Principle Investigator. My research laboratory is focused upon the molecular and cellular mechanisms of motor neuron diseases with the goal of developing effective therapies.
I approach patient care the way I would expect my physician to approach me – with competence, honesty and a collaborative style.
I am a physician/scientist. I care for patients who suffer from Lou Gehrig’s disease and spinal muscular atrophy.
Working with people living with incurable diseases is a privilege. I take pride in playing a positive role in the lives of people who face increasing disability and their own death, with bravery and grace.
At the same time, being helpless to stop the progression of Lou Gehrig’s disease motivates me to get back to my lab and work with my colleagues to figure out how to stop it. My hope is that by the time I retire, this will not be an incurable disease. And at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we work hard every day to help turn that hope into a reality.
Highlights
- Started program to connect clinics and researchers
- Recipient of two NIH grants
- Research focused upon diseases of the motor neuron
- Named to Castle Connolly's Regional Top Doctors list
- Best Doctor in America, 2017
Conditions and expertise
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Hereditary Sensory and Motor Neuropathy
- Muscular Dystrophies
- Neuromuscular Diseases
- Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
Locations
Neurology
in Martha Morehouse Outpatient Care
2050 Kenny Road
Pavilion 3rd Floor Suite 3100
Columbus, OH 43221
Pavilion 3rd Floor Suite 3100
Columbus, OH 43221
614-293-4969
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.
Credentials
Education
- Fellowship - Neurology
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
7/1/2002 - 6/30/2007 - Residency - Neurology
- Presbyterian Medical Center/University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
7/1/1999 - 6/30/2002 - Internship - Internal Medicine
- Presbyterian Medical Center/University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
7/1/1998 - 6/30/1999 - Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston, Houston, TX, USA
6/1/1990 - 6/30/1998
Certification
-
American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology
5/12/2003
Academics and research
I am the director of the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center ALS/MND Multidisciplinary Clinic and Research Program and a professor of Neurology and Biological Chemistry & Pharmacology, both at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
My research focuses on spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). I initiated and led the inaugural clinical study of the Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials, or NeuroNEXT, network established by the National Institutes of Health that defined the natural history of infantile-onset SMA that hastened the development of disease-modifying treatments in SMA.
I earned my medical degree at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center (UTHSC) in Houston and earned my PhD in Neurosciences from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UTHSC. In addition, I completed an internship and neurology residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. After residency, I completed postdoctoral work in the University of Pennsylvania laboratory of Gideon Dreyfuss, PhD, where we studied the molecular pathogenesis and clinically relevant biomarkers in SMA.
For nearly two decades, I have led a research laboratory focused on the molecular basis of cell selectivity in motor neuron diseases, and have developed novel patient-derived, cell-based and animal models of hereditary axonal neuropathy, SMA and ALS. My findings have contributed to an understanding of how genetic variants associated with motor neuron degeneration are linked to the processes of neuronal repair and aging.
My laboratory team has developed the first mouse model of a genetic form of ALS associated with mutations in the KIF5A gene and is currently developing a large animal model of motor degeneration to understand the gene expression changes that precede and cause motor neuron loss in SMA and ALS.
I appreciate the culture of research and commitment to innovation here at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, and the readily available resources that allow me to pursue highly complex research.
Research interests
- Motor Neuron Disease Pathogenesis
- Genetic Forms of Motor Neuron Disease including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy
- Hereditary Neuropathies
Academic information
- Department:
- Neurology
- Division:
- Neurology
Leadership titles
- Director, ALS/MND Multidisciplinary Clinic and Translational Research Program
More about my research
News and media
My Videos
My news coverage
- Ohio State researchers publish national guidelines for ALS genetic testing, counseling
- Wexner Medical Center among the first in the nation to administer new gene therapy for ALS
- Study examines the possible role of KIF5A gene in ALS
- Gallego-Perez Earns NIH 'High Risk, High Rewards' Research Grant
- Study Explores Possible Biomarkers For Infants With Spinal Muscular Atrophy
- Ohio State Offers Device to Help ALS Patients Breathe Easier Without a Ventilator
- Ohio State Receives $2.1M To Study Fatal Genetic Infant Disease
Ratings and reviews
The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.
The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
71 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
Patient Comments
Consulting and Related Relationships
At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.
As of 11/3/2025 Dr. Kolb has reported relationships with the companies or entities listed below. If you have questions about the relationships listed below, please ask the faculty member. If you have questions about how these relationships are monitored by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, please contact our Compliance Office.
- Cure SMA
- Eikonolastes Therapeutics, Inc.
Was very informative of my condition and spent a great deal of time answering my concerns
Dr. Kolb was very professional. He knew ahead of time every test I had already done and was spot on in what I had going on. He was able to confirm for me that I have nerve damage and gave me a final peace of mind that I know the reason for my pain for a long time now. He listened well to my timeline of symptoms. He also gave ways to help manage the pain and I'm hopeful it will help me soon.
Great care
Dr Kolb is a very intelligent, attentive, kind and thorough physician.
Dr Kolb was patient, empathetic and explained everything thoroughly. Definitely took his time with me. Excellent all around.
Dr was excellent, explained everything completely. Great guy
Good
Sensitive to my needs
Dr. Kolb did a thorough exam and was very straightforward about my condition. He took the time to answer all of my questions along with my wife's questions.
Good experience
Talks to me has a good bedside manner and gave me positive vibes.
Good
Excellent
He was phenomenal! He was genuine and treated me with a level of compassion that I have not had before from a doctor. He took the time with me to explain everything that was going on with me that I had never been told before and he patiently explained things in a way that I could understand. He showed me showed me respect and he also encouraged and congratulated me for my years of recovery. To me he set the bar really high and if I ever needed to see a neurologist again I would do everything I could to get scheduled with him again. I left feeling encouraged and built up and hopeful.
Dr.Kolb provided an excellent service to me with individualized care and showed concern and compassion to me.
I really liked him. Explained things well. Answered all my questions. He did not act like my questions were stupid. Empathetic.
No concerns
Professional and knowledgeable
Showed deep interest. So knowledgeable and explained things in a way I could understand
All good experience, some doctors notes were wrongly entered, I made him aware of this
I am very appreciative of Dr Kolb's knowledge of and careful evaluation evaluation of my condition. I left feeling very reassured.
Dr. Kolb spent more time with us than scheduled and gave us such care and explanation to my issue. I left the office with answers and a peace of mind.
Very helpful
Very good. We were satisfied with our doctor.
He was the most caring doctor I have ever seen. He was absolutely wonderful!
He was a super person
He is extremely knowledgeable and offered a diagnosis for my condition that other providers could not provide.
I loved him he was very knowledgeable about my condition.
Professional, courtious, attentive to my issue and comments, he was an interesting guy
Liked his direct, forth-coming approach but didn't have enough time to respond to concerns/ questions about next steps. He was not able to treat whole patient/ only wanted to address one thing that he felt fell within his specialty.
Enjoyed the enthusiastic and upbeat staff, very helpful and doctor is knowledgeable in his field
He was the first doctor that actually listened to our issues and concerns. Loved his time with us.
Seems easy to talk to and very open