Meet Dr. Castro
Dr. Diana Castro is a neurologist and neuromuscular physician devoted to transforming the lives of patients and families affected by rare neuromuscular diseases. Her work bridges clinical care, research, and advocacy, ensuring that patients not only receive expert medical attention but also hope and access to emerging therapies.
Through her non-profit Neurology and Neuromuscular Care Center and its research arm, Dr. Castro leads one of the few independent institutes in the country focused on translating groundbreaking discoveries into real-world treatment options. Her team is currently involved in more than 30 active clinical research studies from gene therapy to novel immunomodulatory drugs while continuing to provide care to hundreds of patients regardless of their insurance or financial status.
Dr. Castro’s approach is rooted in the belief that science and compassion must go hand in hand. She sees each patient not as a diagnosis, but as a person with a story, a family, and a future worth fighting for. This philosophy drives her ongoing work to expand access to specialized care, train the next generation of physicians, and decentralize research so that innovation reaches every community.
Under her leadership, the center was recognized in 2023 as the first CureDuchenne Certified Clinic in the United States, reflecting her commitment to excellence in standards of care for patients with Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy.
Dr. Castro continues to share her expertise through lectures, publications, and collaborations worldwide, always guided by the same vision that inspired her journey from academia to independent practice:
To bring world-class neuromuscular care to every patient, everywhere, with dignity, empathy, and hope.
Education & Training
M.D. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
Residency: Pediatrics, State University of New York
Residency: Pediatric Neurology, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Fellowship: Neuromuscular Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Board Certified in Neuromuscular Medicine from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc.
Board Certified in Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc.
Clinical Focus
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)
Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT)
Awards
Spanish and English
Professional Associations & Affiliations
American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine
American Academy of Neurology
GBS-CIPD Foundation
Peripheral Nerve Society
World Muscle Society
Cure Duchenne
Publications
Castro D, Sejersen T, Bello L, Buccella F, Cairns A, Carranza-Del Río J, de Groot IJM, Elman L, Inzani I, Klein A, Mayer OH, Miller H, Onofri A, Araújo APQC, Schara-Schmidt U, Vanden Wyngaert K, Ward LM, Wilmshurst JM, Quinlivan R. Transition of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy from paediatric to adult care: An international Delphi consensus study. Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2025 Jan 11;54:130-139. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2025.01.004. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39892019.
McGrattan KE, Graham RJ, Mohr AH, Miles A, Allen J, Ochura J, Hernandez K, Walsh K, Rao V, Stevens M, Alfano L, Coker M, Leon-Astudillo C, Smith LS, Brandsema J, Farah H, Welc J, Levy DS, Clements M, Tang WJ, Duong T, Rocha CT, Schenck G, McGhee H, Nichols K, Brown A, Brown A, Castro D, Darras BT. Characterization of swallowing biomechanics and function in untreated infants with spinal muscular atrophy: A natural history dataset. J Neuromuscul Dis. 2025 Jan-Feb;12(1):22143602241308762. doi: 10.1177/22143602241308762. PMID: 39973456.
McGrattan KE, Mohr AH, Miles A, Allen J, Ochura J, Hernandez K, Walsh K, Rao V, Stevens M, McGhee H, Nichols K, Turksi ME, Spoden A, Wilson I, Coker M, Leon-Astudillo C, Smith LS, Brandsema J, Farah H, Welc J, Levy D, Clements M, Duong T, Young SD, Schenck G, Richardson R,Karachunski P, Brown A, Brown A, Castro D, Darras BT, Graham RJ. Differences in swallowing efficacy of disease modifying treatment between infants receiving pre-symptomatic and symptomatic administration.Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2025 Oct 21;20(1):526. doi: 10.1186/s13023-025-04049-9 PMID: 41121134. Free PMC article.
Castro D, Kruger J, Parson J. Residual Disease Burden and Unmet Needs Among Treated Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. American Medical Journal. December 18,2025
Svoboda MD, Kuntz N, Leon-Astudillo C, Byrne BJ, Krueger J, Kwon JM, Sieburg C, Castro D.
Summary of Research: Risdiplam Treatment Following Onasemnogene Abeparvovec in Individuals with Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A Multicenter Case Series. Adv Ther. 2026 Feb 20. doi: 10.1007/s12325-026-03509-3. Online ahead of print. PMID: 41718941
Languages
D Magazine’s Best Doctors or Pediatric Specialists, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Contact
Phone: (972) 982-7411
FAX: (972) 982-7610
Email: newpatient@neuromdcenter.com
Business Hours:
Monday – Friday
9AM- 5PM By Appointment Only
1651 Justin Rd.
Flower Mound, TX 75028
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